So let me see if I understand. You put a deposit down on something that does not exist, something that has no VIN to differentiate YOURS vs SOMEBODY elses and expect a deposit to hold a vehicle different then not putting a deposit down? Lol, comical.

My F350 that I ordered with no deposit has my name on the window sticker printed by Ford at the factory. My 2020 Explorer that I ordered will have my name printed on the window sticker from the factory. I receive an order sheet from my dealer qith my order number, dealer number, detsils of my build with my name printed on it from Ford.

A deposit means nothing but turning over money to a dealer for zero reason.

 

How much of a deposit did you put down?

What I would do is approach the other dealer and ask if they would sell the truck they have in stock for the price the other dealer was selling it for minus the deposit. If they agree you buy the truck from them and then approach the original dealer and ask for your deposit back. Worst case is you are whole. Best case is the original dealer gives you back your deposit and you are ahead by the amount of the deposit.

I did this with an RV I bought last year. Had a $1000 deposit with a signed order for an incoming unit. A 2nd dealer called me and I told them they were too late, I just ordered one. 2nd dealer agreed to sell the RV for $1000 less than 1st dealer. Then I cancelled the order from the 1st dealer, who gave me back my (non-refundable) deposit. I just told my 1st dealer that wife change her mind.

Good luck.

 

You need a better more trustworthy dealer. I've only ordered 2 trucks, and payed nor was I asked for anything down. I was never even asked if I could pay for them. The truck I picked up yesterday, the dealer ordered it before I gave my official okay. He told me it'll come with a green sticker and I get first, if I want it.

 

 

 

Your statement about only the original dealer getting the the hold-back is true. But dealers usually do trades to get around only one dealer getting a hold back. That way the dealer gets the hold-back for the vehicle they give in order to obtain the vehicle you want. That way neither dealer loses out in a trade. If the vehicle is coming from far away, there could be shipping cost that would cut into a deal.

 

If you're ordering a rare truck, then I think it would be insane for a dealer not to require a non-refundable deposit. For example, here in CO if you wanted a 2WD F-350 Limited DRW 6.2 gas, that's a brutal sell. It has a very specific purpose of maximizing payload and is probably a fine truck. It's so far off center from a typical truck here that the available market is tiny. If the buyer backs out, that's a truck that's probably going to sit on the lot for a while, tying up cash and posing a real, calculable cost to the dealership. In fact, I'm guessing that the truck ends up going to a southern market as an inventory swap. No way I'd take that financial risk as a dealership owner without some way to mitigate.

Ordering a F-250 Lariat 4WD 6.7 PSD? That's easy. That's the sweet spot and I could accept that a dealership would be willing to order that truck without too much exposure. If you don't buy it, the next guy will.

I have ordered a new car with and without a deposit. I actually prefer the deposit. I like the deal terms to be finalized and blood to have been spilled. I don't see the nefarious nature of a dealer wanting a deposit. In fact, I actually see a red flag in the reverse behavior. I'm actually more skeptical of the "don't worry about deposit, we'll take care of the money when the car/truck gets here" approach. To me, it's that behavior that has a greater probability of traditional dealership shenanigans. My experience is that there is no substitute for driving motivations, behaviors, and actions than money ... and, if there's been no financial exchange, then there's very little I can depend on.

We all have different experiences and expectations; we all have individual preferences about the way a deal should go. For me, I actually like some form of deposit to better anchor the terms of the deal, knowing, of course, that nothing is certain until I'm driving off the lot in the new vehicle.

Good luck.

 

 

 

Thanks for all the comments. I am sure they will help a lot of people. I have purchased the in stock F450 and canceled the order from dealer A. they are refunding my deposit.