Still no DORA !

[Harald]

A question for you ordering experts. I placed a deposit for my truck on 12/23, received a copy of the Vehicle Order Confirmation and the dealer told me the order would go in to Ford on 12/27. I asked him for a copy of the DORA when he received it and he said "no problem." Well, as of 1/5 when I called him again, he still doesn't have a DORA. I asked him to double check that the order actually went in and he said it had. Did the Christmas break cause a backlog at Ford that might delay the DORA?

One reason I'm suspicious is that I've tried VOPC daily using the info on the VOC and I'm told that the order can't be found (or something to that effect). Do dealers ever change the order number from what's listed on the VOC when actually entering the order?

I'd appreciate hearing any thoughts from people with experience with this process.

[WillSD]

Harald -- DORA's did not process every day during the period from Friday 12/24 to Sunday 1/2. By 1/5, however, your dealer should have received the DORA. Request that the dealer perform an "alter order" on CONCEPS and add option code F40. This will generate a new DORA.

With regards to your question about order numbers on the Vehicle Order Confirmation, we always use a bogus order number (9999) and a priority code of 99 when working up quotes for customers. When we print out the VOC, these numbers will appear on the print out. If the customer signs a purchase agreement, the order number is changed to our sequential numbering system and the priority code is changed to our lowest available number (generally between 10 and 19). This order is then submitted to Ford. The DORA will then show the correct order number and priority code.

[Harald]

WillSD,

Thanks, I'll ask the dealer to add option F40 like you said. I've seen the price quotes with priority 99 and order number 9999, but mine has a 2xxx order number and priority 25. That's why I wondered if dealers might change the order number when they actually enter the order. I guess I'll know when I see the DORA.

[Louder]

Harald, You might want to have the dealer to review that priority number. 25 is fairly high, usually for stock units in most dealerships.

[Krazyolman]

Speaking of priority numbers, my order has a priority of "40"
My dealer told me that it didn't matter with a retail sale, that Ford would put it up front so they could get it built and count it as a "sale". He said the priority number only effects stock items! Does anyone know for sure about this one?

[Harald]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Louder:
Harald, You might want to have the dealer to review that priority number. 25 is fairly high, usually for stock units in most dealerships.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I asked him about that as the last time I ordered I had priority 10 at another dealer. He said that they prioritize by when the order is placed, so the guy after me gets priority 26. Sounds like BS to me, because what happens when guy number 99 orders? (his truck won't get built) And then the next guy gets priority 10 (which puts him on the top of the list). Bottom line is that if Ford is building CC duallies this week, mine could get built even if the priority were even higher. Plus, I read that if a dealer always puts priority 10 on orders that Ford starts not believing them.

[Louder]

You are correct about don't know what will be built this week until available commodities are known (ie... automatic t/m, leather seat, 4 wheel drive, 7.3L deisel, CD/Cass, or any part). Maybe unbuildable because of these restrictions or might be built earlier because your order does not contain certain restrictions, even though your order number is lower down the list and your priority is lower down the list.
If there are buildable orders in dealer order bank, they are supposed to be taken by order number and priority. Example: 2 retail orders (no commodity restrictions) numbered 2050 w/priority 12 and 2051 w/priority 10, order 2051 will be scheduled first.

[This message has been edited by Louder (edited 01-07-2000).]

[Harald]

I was pleasantly surprised tonight when I called the dealer and he told me he had a DORA. He didn't say so, but it looks like he used WillSD's method to get it because it says "alter-order" at the top. He said that he doesn't usually have customers ask for a DORA, to which I replied that I had a friend who works at a Ford Dealership "back east" who clued me in on all the inner workings (thanks a lot WillSD and FordSuperDuty).

Any way, I'm glad I got it because a couple things changed from the VOC. The VOC had a order number of 2222. The DORA has a different order number (which explains why VOPC couldn't find my order). Also the VOC showed priority 25 and now I'm at 18, which is a few steps in the right direction (like you were saying, Louder). So I tried the VOPC again right away and I'm "clean and unscheduled". Yippie! Oh, wait, I'm not supposed to get excited until I get a build date, but at this point I'm just glad to see I'm in the system.


[This message has been edited by Harald (edited 01-07-2000).]

[Sasha]

Harald,
probably the SOB dont want to give it to you.
Call them up, and tell them that all you need is DORA #, Dealers Code, and body style code. With this 3 numbers you are all set to get on the line and check on the status of your new baby.
If they dont give you these numbers,
change the frikin dealer !!!

[MCM]

I placed an order on 12-10 with a priority of 20 and I still dont have a DORA.

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99 F250 SC XLT 7.3PSD
Waiting For 2000 F250 CC SWB Lariat 7.3PSD all the goodies