getting my build date?

[wstcoaster07]

I ordered my FFH about 1.5weeks ago and I am trying to figure out my build date / Vin number. I called the dealer today and the lady transferred me to my sales person, who then told me they do not get info on the car until it is about a week out from delivery. A lot of people here know their build date... who do I ask to talk to in order to find this out? If my dealership is completely incompetent, can any ford dealership look it up for me?

[Grey]

Your salesperson has been misled, doesn't understand your question or doesn't want to bother with it. You want status! They can tell you if the order has been accepted by Ford, if it buildable, if it is scheduled, etc. If it is scheduled, they can give you a VIN and the Monday of your scheduled build week. This information is updated on Thursday evenings by Ford and on Fridays the dealership can get the latest information.

 

Usually a salesperson has to go to one of the managers or the vehicle ordering individual to get the status. If they prefer not to bother these people for weekly updates, they might tell you they can't get it. :redcard:

[robm15]

I ordered my FFH about 1.5weeks ago and I am trying to figure out my build date / Vin number. I called the dealer today and the lady transferred me to my sales person, who then told me they do not get info on the car until it is about a week out from delivery. A lot of people here know their build date... who do I ask to talk to in order to find this out? If my dealership is completely incompetent, can any ford dealership look it up for me?

 

You should find out who does the new car ordering. It is usually a manager. They can look up your order and tell you if your order was accepted by the factory. The VIN isn't assigned right away. There is a series of steps a order goes through, you can find a thread that explains them if you search for it. The dealer can keep track each step of the way.

[jeff_h]

You should find out who does the new car ordering. It is usually a manager. They can look up your order and tell you if your order was accepted by the factory. The VIN isn't assigned right away. There is a series of steps a order goes through, you can find a thread that explains them if you search for it. The dealer can keep track each step of the way.

 

Surf the other threads in this forum, as I think someone else had previously posted the phone number for Ford customer service where they can give you info on your order. If they give you any static tell them that some of your friends are debating which hybrid to get and you want to be able to boast about the helpful service, etc etc.

 

Anyway, I dropped off some papers to my salesman at the 3-week mark, the next morning he called me back to say that he got the papers and then he said that went into their system (without my asking, so my guy is on top of customer service) and found that my car was scheduled to be built that following week. I think that's as specific as they can get until it actually gets built, to give the scheduled week and then the rest probably depends on assembly line factors and such. But with this in mind, maybe 1½ weeks is too early for them to know anything about the build, but I would think that they could at least give you the lip service that they went into the system and verified that the order was accepted and the next stage is getting the build week, if that truly is the next step. Seems like they should give you the warm fuzzy that they do value you as a customer and realize that unlike them, buying a car is not an everyday experience for 99% of us and it's natural be anxious. Because the customer service line at Ford is probably very used to dealing with these anxious and curious customers (and hopefully fully realize that they are dealing with paying or potential customers) and may give you more courteous service (fingers crossed).

[bigrigmike]

I was also under the impression that that your status was updated on Thursday night. So if you want to call and harass your dealer I would recommend doing it on Fridays. I had my dealership call me when a VIN was assigned and when they did they told me my scheduled build date. I called again the Friday after my build date and the dealership gave me my delivery date. Took a little over 8 weeks but that was including the shut down for Swine Flu.

[smr2112]

Hmmm, similar experience for me as well. Salesman said he'd watch it and just let me know when they have

more information. So I have to give it a couple more weeks, but I am suspicious because after 2 weeks, dealer

did not cash my deposit check and they are trying to lock in my X-Plan pricing as it will soon expires. The

sales order also does not have a sales manager signature and says it is not valid without that...? Whatever

that means.

 

I called ford and the PIN is good for a year, no question, so I ignored locking it in. But thinking they really

don't want to take my order and force me to buy something on the lot. They can tell I am excited

and impatient, so they just want me to buy and go away I figure. They aren't making much money on

me.... (not as much as they could).

 

I went to one other dealer before this one and said I want to factory order and that guy never called me back

again after bugging me for days. In general, they really don't like factory orders (and dealer it seems).

They have to lay out the money, risk an order and wait forever to get your cash in their back account.

 

If I call Ford, will they find my order in the computer? I don't have a VIN yet. They did give me a printout

from the computer, but it has pricing and my name, that's about it.

[hoyafan]

I think you may be reading too much into the situation. There's no reason for the dealer not to take your order as the vehicle is on open allocation. Also, the fact that they have not cashed your deposit does not mean they have not placed the order. I'm also unclear what you mean about locking-in X-plan pricing as it will soon expire?

 

Also, you're incorrect about dealers not liking factory orders. Of course they'd rather sell from their existing stock, but they still make plenty of money with a factory order. They receive foor plan (financing support) for each vehicle they purchase from Ford. Therefore, if they sell it as it comes off the truck (like your factory order), then that is money in their pocket.

 

Regardless - call the salesperson that you dealt with personally and ask him/her to confirm that the order has been placed. Explain your concerns politely (for example, why hasn't the deposit been cashed yet). The salesperson should be able to confirm that the order has been placed.

 

If you still want to follow-up, he/she should also be able to provide an order number. If you have the dealer code and order number you should be able to confirm the order by calling Ford customer service. It can take a couple of weeks before you get a VIN though, so that may not be available just yet.

 

Good luck.

[smr2112]

Of course, my salesman e-mailed me 2 minutes after the post after not hearing from him for

a week. Must have known we were talking about him....no update after 2 weeks, will hope

for a Friday update.

 

Until I know something, I know nothing and realize this takes some time. He told me last week

that the Finance Manager wants my social security # to lock in my X-Plan PIN. This would

just lock in to that dealership which I am not inclined to do until I know the car can be built

and is on it's way. He said the PIN is only good for 30 days, but it is good for 1 year, I called

this and confirmed it with the X-Plan folks. No issues with that.

[jeff_h]

Until I know something, I know nothing and realize this takes some time. He told me last week that the Finance Manager wants my social security # to lock in my X-Plan PIN.

 

A co-worker and I both placed our FFH orders on the same day back in May. Mine will arrive at the dealer this week (could have been today, waiting for phone to ring), he ordered under D-plan (his father is a dealer) and it took him 2 weeks extra to get that eligibility validated. So I don't know if the same hoop-jumping is needed between D-plan and X-plan, but his was delayed by 2 weeks.