How are stock orders getting fulfilled over customer orders?

[rgeorge]

I thought firm customer orders with Ford took priority over dealer stock orders. How is it happening that buyers have been waiting many months to get even a build date yet similarly outfitted cars are showing up as available for sale? Is this an allocation issue for certain dealers or Ford‘s way of simply deciding that firm customer orders don’t take priority over dealer stock, or something else completely. I am not buying anymore that there is a big shortage of Pro access tailgates, heads up displays, or power boost engines or whatever when there are trucks outfitted the way I ordered sitting on dealer lots across the country. Ford’s fulfillment approach isn’t at all clear.

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[BarryT82]

You could probably place a new order today and it would get built before the trucks that people that ordered last fall.

 

[adyaro77]

When I was shopping for my 24' XLT my dealer had 208 XLT's, 9 Lariats, and 3 Platinums. The dealership by my work has even more. Why not just start shopping dealerships? Unless it's a KR or limited the dealer lots have one hell of a selection. Haven't seen full lots like this in a long time.

I will add. If you wanted a 6.5 bed XLT or tow mirrors that made it a little tougher. I ended up having to choose the bed utility package over tow mirrors. The variety of the Lariats and Platinums were impressive.

I just remember when I ordered my first Lariat years ago. I got it in 8 weeks while others waited over 6 months??? It doesn't make any sense. Just a year ago trying to find a 36 gallon tank on the lot was next to impossible. Now thats standard on all but PB.

 

[Highway 11]

I wouldn't be surprised if it was an allocation issue. And yes, for some reason, shortages are still a thing. I'm buying an SUV right now and Toyota quoted me 20 months for a hybrid Corolla Cross due to chip sourcing issues.

Dealers aren't letting trucks go at a discount either. I got a better discount in 2022 at the height of car shortages than I did the other week for a 2024 XLT.

 

[Polo08816]

I think it’s increasing likely it’s dealership allocation problem. I don’t think there’s much transparency about this. Without some transparency on this issue and short of dealers explaining the situation, I’m hesitant to provide any non-refundable deposit if they can’t provide a window for delivery.

 

[Buyer2021]

I’m hesitant to provide any non-refundable deposit if they can’t provide a window for delivery.

So, you're willing to wait indefinitely to place an order (with a no-guarantee future delivery 'window' when you finally do place an order), but not willing to get in the price-protected queue for an indefinite wait starting now?

IMO the only way that makes sense is if your spec is so 'generic' that you have realistic likelihood of finding what you want in inventory and are actively looking for that vehicle until you find it, price be damned.

 

[Polo08816]

So, you're willing to wait indefinitely to place an order (with a no-guarantee future delivery 'window' when you finally do place an order), but not willing to get in the price-protected queue for an indefinite wait starting now?

IMO the only way that makes sense is if your spec is so 'generic' that you have realistic likelihood of finding what you want in inventory and are actively looking for that vehicle until you find it, price be damned.

… or you would consider a different make/model as an alternative.

The inability of Ford to deliver certain builds (of not just the F150) in reasonable time frames pushed my SO and I to test drive GMC’s Sierra 1500 and Yukon XL last weekend. I’m also on GM associated forums and it does not appear people are having the same issues with delivery time frames as long as GM dealers have allocation. (Allocation also does not appear to be a problem these days for GM dealers). It seems like most of them are receiving their ordered vehicles within 3-4 months from ordering.

 

[JayceeP]

… or you would consider a different make/model as an alternative.

The inability of Ford to deliver certain builds (of not just the F150) in reasonable time frames pushed my SO and I to test drive GMC’s Sierra 1500 and Yukon XL last weekend. I’m also on GM associated forums and it does not appear people are having the same issues with delivery time frames as long as GM dealers have allocation. (Allocation also does not appear to be a problem these days for GM dealers). It seems like most of them are receiving their ordered vehicles within 3-4 months from ordering.

Ordered my wife’s Yukon XL SLT in February and it was built in under a month. Took another month to get from Texas to Nova Scotia. Took delivery late April.

I just submitted an order for a 502a Lariat yesterday so see what happens. lol!

 

[Polo08816]

… or you would consider a different make/model as an alternative.

The inability of Ford to deliver certain builds (of not just the F150) in reasonable time frames pushed my SO and I to test drive GMC’s Sierra 1500 and Yukon XL last weekend. I’m also on GM associated forums and it does not appear people are having the same issues with delivery time frames as long as GM dealers have allocation. (Allocation also does not appear to be a problem these days for GM dealers). It seems like most of them are receiving their ordered vehicles within 3-4 months from ordering.

Ordered my wife’s Yukon XL SLT in February and it was built in under a month. Took another month to get from Texas to Nova Scotia. Took delivery late April.

I just submitted an order for a 502a Lariat yesterday so see what happens. lol!

This is why it’s looking more and more like this is a dealership allocation problem.

I suspect there’s also a mismatch between what Ford is producing and what consumers want. Dealerships are loaded with in stock XLT trims and very short on Platinums and Raptors. I think consumers are holding out and waiting for Ford to lower prices of their Platinums to current XLT levels.

 

[Matisse70]

I thought firm customer orders with Ford took priority over dealer stock orders. How is it happening that buyers have been waiting many months to get even a build date yet similarly outfitted cars are showing up as available for sale? Is this an allocation issue for certain dealers or Ford‘s way of simply deciding that firm customer orders don’t take priority over dealer stock, or something else completely. I am not buying anymore that there is a big shortage of Pro access tailgates, heads up displays, or power boost engines or whatever when there are trucks outfitted the way I ordered sitting on dealer lots across the country. Ford’s fulfillment approach isn’t at all clear.

I agree. I customize ordered a Platinum, 702A, Power Boost, PAT, and a few other nice items. That was exactly 8 months ago and not a word on the build date. This week and next Ford is not even scheduling F150's. If lucky, it will be a year from ordering when my truck will be ready.

 

[GypsyDanger]

I thought firm customer orders with Ford took priority over dealer stock orders. How is it happening that buyers have been waiting many months to get even a build date yet similarly outfitted cars are showing up as available for sale? Is this an allocation issue for certain dealers or Ford‘s way of simply deciding that firm customer orders don’t take priority over dealer stock, or something else completely. I am not buying anymore that there is a big shortage of Pro access tailgates, heads up displays, or power boost engines or whatever when there are trucks outfitted the way I ordered sitting on dealer lots across the country. Ford’s fulfillment approach isn’t at all clear.

Stock orders still have to get made no matter what. The priority difference most likely lies in how much percentage of what goes down the line being customer order vs stock orders.

 

[HammaMan]

Dealers order their trucks too FWIW. They don't just randomly show up. It's an allocation issue as well as a trim issue. They place orders for parts that go in respective trims months before they get built. They order what they want to build and build trims with the parts they get. Customer orders don't get priority.

 

[rgeorge]

Dealers order their trucks too FWIW. They don't just randomly show up. It's an allocation issue as well as a trim issue. They place orders for parts that go in respective trims months before they get built. They order what they want to build and build trims with the parts they get. Customer orders don't get priority.

Understood. The question is why are there so many stock orders getting filled causing trucks to sit on dealers lots when there are customers who have been waiting for months for similarly outfitted vehicles who have firm orders. This is happening at the higher end in particular, with Platinum and King Ranches. You can go to cargurus and see 175 hybrid King Ranches with vins available for sale. Meanwhile, there are people with firm orders who have been waiting 8 months or more. I have been waiting 4.5 months, and have no build date or vin, which likely means I am still months out. Meanwhile they are shipping stock orders to dealers.

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