I ordered my new F350 today and wanted to know how long I can expect to get back my build date and VIN.

 

Orders are "pulled" (or processed) by Ford from dealers on Thursdays. From there, it takes about a week IF that particular dealer has allocation for that model on that particular week. If he doesn't have allocation, then the order sits until allocation opens up. Confused? So am I. Let's say a dealer is allocated 26 units of a particular model for the model year. Let's say they're Mustangs. He'll be allocated a Mustang every other week. If he ordered one this week, then it will be 2 weeks before he can order another. So, placing an order is not as easy as it sounds. Small dealers have a much harder time getting a vehicle produced than larger dealers, unless they happen to sell a lot of one particular model.

 

..this raises an interesting question for me. Do all dealers pay the same invoice cost for a vehicle? If this is so then it doesn't make any difference what dealer you order from if you are buying under one of the FMC plans (A,X), right?

 

All the dealers do pay the same invoice for vehicles. As 1956Mark11 was trying to explain it may take longer for some dealers to get the allocation for the vehicle.

I have been in charge of ordering stock for our dealership for about 2 months now and I am just getting the hang of it but it is very confusing. The simple way to explain it is that a dealer can not just place an order whenever they want, they have to wait until they are allocated.

 

I placed an order at the end of last month for an 04 f150. I received a fax copy from the dealer of an "order receipt acknowledgement". I'm assuming that I've passed the first hurdle since there is an order receipt date of 9/20/03 and an additional note of "sub to plant 9/25" along with what looks like an order number 4NA63644. The dealer indicated it would be 8 - 10wks to complete but that it could also just show up much earlier. Looks like a little black magic and luck is required with this process.

 

My truck was ordered on 09/09 and it arrived at the dealer today 10/06. Less than 4 weeks. I'll pick it tonite.

 

Sooooo did you get the new 04' 6.0 like we discussed? Dying to hear.

Gary:

 

So, Canadianfordman, you've been promoted to ordering? Congratulations! It's been a while since we talked- drop me an e-mail when you get a chance. Wondering what you thought of the new F-150. It ticks me off: it's QUIETER than my Town Car!!

 

Gary!!!!

Nope!! It does not have the revisions. Build date on the engine sticker is 09/12/03. Truck was manufactured some time between 09/23-25.

I the truck runs great and does not exibit any of the problems mentioned in the forums.

This is my first diesel and from my limited experience it has great horsepower.

I've been staying in Centeral Oregon for the summer and will be pulling my 36' 5th wheel south for the winter and I'm anxious to see how it performs towing.

Peace - David

 

Congrats! Enjoy. I'll let you know when mine gets here. I ordered it 2 weeks before you did. I guess she'll be here soon.

 

I Just ordered my f 250 with the 6.0 last week. I was told I would get my expected buid date this week. Supposidly it will only take 4 to 6 weeks (assuming I am not caught in the Thanksgiving holiday). VERY COOL! REALLY PSYCHED!

 

Interesting how these thing play out. I put my money down on my 350 on the 20th (a monday) and within 10 days I had my VIN and a delivery date (Nov 10).

There has to be parts of this dealer/allocation/order pattern we don't know - what happens to the customer who wants a particular vehicle and that dealer has sold all his allotted units of that model? Does the customers order go to another dealer or do dealers buy a unit allotment from a nearby dealer.... or does the customer just have to wait till a new month has come around and his order can que up?

 

ordered our truck 10/7/03, got a vin, build date, and delivery date a little there after.

build date is 11/10
expected delivery date is 11/20-11/24

we had an order priority of 10 too!

snow

 

interesting - I see order "Priority" on the Vehicle Order Confirmation I recieved from the dlr but no number there. On the same line there are the words:

Order type: X Price level 425


My order date was 10/20 and my delivery date is 11/10

 

Allotment cannot be passed around from dealer to dealer- if the dealer doesn't have allotment, then the customer's order waits until they do.