Guys,

I've read the F.A.Q. and at the risk of beating a dead horse,
how does one go about checking the status of an ordered vehicle
using the VIN number? Is it through a web site or an 800 number,etc.? I ordered a Lariat screw on Oct 31st and I think I am getting the smoke and mirrors routine from my dealer. I was originally told to expect to get it around Xmas time. Now they're saying mid January.
[the truck was paid for when I ordered it so no incentive to hurry I guess] Any info would help.

Thanks

Mark

 

I ordered my truck
on november 10th

Super cab Lariat loaded

and got it Friday DEC. 12 th

I'd get on your dealers case!!!

 

My SCrew's order got pulled on November 10th. (Ordered a few days before).

It was built last week. But dealer does not expect it by year end given the holidays.

WHY would you pay for a truck before you get it? I would find a different dealer next time.

 

It's amazing how many people are quick to pass judgement on issues such as ordering a vehicle and when they think "they" should get it based on the timeframes of others.

Folks...please keep in mind that every dealer is different. Ford is the only common factor as they build the trucks. It's not as simple as you would be lead to believe in determining when a vehicle will be slated fro production and when it will arrive at the dealer.

As I posted in another forum thread regarding this same issue, there are many factors that determine when your truck will come in. They are:

1. You ordering dealer's monthly allocation for the particular vehicle and body style ordered. If there's not an allocation available, then the order will sit in the order bank until one becomes available. Allocations are different for each dealer and based on several factors. They key is for the dealer to stay on top of his order bank and work with his/her factory rep if need to help get a sold order pushed through.

2. An item that you ordered on your truck (i.e. even the power seat components) might be on constraint. That means the plant does not have any in stock or not enough to fill all the orders slated for production with the particular item that is in short supply. There are constraint lists that your dealer can look at.

3. The factory does close down for the holidays (2 weeks usually). If the truck is already produced, then it's the availability of the shipping company's assets that determine when the truck arrives at the dealer. I'm sure some parts of the country have a heavier load on the car carrier companies than others. Hurricane Isabela caused a shortage in rail cars for the trains to carry vehicles from the factory.

The key thing here is to talk to your dealer. Your dealer ordered the vehicle with the best intentions to get it to you as soon as possible, but the dealer has very little control over the building and delivery of the truck to the dealership. Your dealer should be up front with you on your order status and where it is in the process. That can be checked.

Happy Holidays!

SRAces
USAF (ret)

 

Nice truck pic!! Way to tease the guy without the truck!!

So we can all guess that SRAces was or still is a Ford employee!

Or maybe related to 1!!

The Fact is there are no reasons that anyone can come up with (for the dealer)

as to why the it would be giving someone the Smoke and

Mirrors runaround!! Winter storm Hurricane or not you have to stay on top of the dealer!! Get the sales guy or the manager to fight for you!!!!

Definately because you already tied up you money by paying up front!!

Do the Math calculate the money your lossing by not getting interest on the money you gave!!!!

Have a great Holiday guys!!!!

 

jogmark3,

I'm the Internet Sales Manager for an automotive group with 7 franchises. We have GM, Ford and Chrysler. They all generally have the same issues when ordering vehicles. The key issue is to communicate with your salesperson or the manager to stay abreast of the status of your truck.

Most dealers are very concerned about customer satisfaction and "taking care of the customer". The smaller dealerships usually don't get the allocations that the bigger ones do. That affects getting certain units built. But don't penalize the smaller dealer based on allocations. If he/she says they can get you one, try to have faith and a little patience.

I've been on both sides of the street and having a good dealership to deal with for both sales and service are key to me. The truck below is not the one I originally ordered. The chrome tubular running boards were on constraint at the time and that was holding my order from being submitted to plant.

I opted for the truck I have now (incoming stock unit) so I could get one a little earlier. My current truck arrived 9 days after it was listed as produced in the order bank. The second truck took a little over 2 weeks to come in after it was listed as "produced". Ford gives you an estimated dealer arrival date once the vehicle is assigned a VIN and "locked in". But it's not a system to bank on. Patience is a virtue sometimes...

Happy Holidays!

SRAces
USAF (ret)

 

SRAces

Cool

So basically were saying the same thing only from different sides of the =

Now what can you tell me about Winter mats for the new body style!!

Ford doesn't make them yet!!

What would you recommend!!!!

 

Floor mats can be an interesting subject. I usually don't like to order mats unless I see them installed in person before I purchase them. I've ordered FORD mats before that were listed as from the factory that did not fit as well as the original mats.

The link in the post above does have a good selection of Catch-All and Husky mats. Around here all my friends suggested the Catch-All mats. I saw a picture posted on either this forum or the 150online forum of the Catch-All mats that are all rubber. They looked great and were decently color matched to the factory carpet in the 2004 F-150 shown.

When I saw that Nifty Products had a similar mat that was carpeted as well, that's what I decided to get. My only negative feeling towards the mats involves the color matching. Nifty Products indicated that they match OEM colors, so I figured the new mats would be real close to the original ones in color. They're not. They're a slightly darker color.

If you spend $155 on a set of floor mats expecting them to match the factory colored ones and they don't...that can be a let down. I'm okay with them as is and will wait and see how they hold up. They're distributed by LUND Priducts (toppers, caps, etc.). Two phone calls to LUND with promises to call or e-mail me back by their customer support staff went unanswered. I'm not unhappy with Nifty Products as much as I am with LUND. I probably won't look at LUND for a bed cover option.

If you're just looking for good inexpensive floor mats for the front, Wal-Mart has some very good ones for about $8 each that have the raised edge to prevent spills or liquids from leaking onto the carpet. I use those in my company demonstrator. They're very good quality mats and would be ideal for winter use.

Probably put a Retrax unit on it in the spring.

SRAces
USAF (ret)

P.S. - Realized that link was not in this thread, but another one. Here's the link: http://www.premiermotoring.net/cgi-b...floormats.html

 

thanks

SRAces

I think Ill take your advice