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[Free Agent]

Can I say... told you so? Lol

When its good news, shout it from the rooftops.

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[HalfMoon]

The thing is it would be MONUMENTALLY EASY for Ford to program in Order Date as a parameter to schedule first in first out so very easily. But they don't and this is what is causing the tension with early retail orderers. :(

It's not really so easy when you also have to factor in allocations and constraints. I know this is a little bit of Apples/Oranges as this is a GM experience but I am pretty sure it still applies to Ford since I know that a couple of the German manufacturers do the same thing:

Last year I, and many others went through this with the launch of the C7. People lined up at local dealers that really never sold Corvettes and place orders, unknowing and uninformed by that dealer (who did know) that they would have a long wait to get the car, if they ever did. 2014 C7 allocation was calculated based on 2012 Corvette sales by the dealer. It was something like for every two or three 2012's they sold, they got 1 allocation for a 2014. This kind of weeded out dealers that couldn't sell the cars when times were tough (C6's were long in the tooth by 2012 and sales slumped), and likely dealers that would price gouge when they finally got a Corvette for the showroom.

How it worked was like this:

Dealerships knew how many allocations they would get for the model year in advance. They didn't know exactly when they would get them and they could be spaced out over the year. If the dealership got a low number there was no telling when the orders would be pulled for a VIN and scheduling.

Every two weeks the dealership would get a notice with their allocations for those two weeks. These numbers would break down model specifics (Base Coupe, Z51 Coupe, and convertible variants) and option packages. Each order had to fit in the allocation priority AND in the constraints placed on that dealer's allocation for the period, or "consensus".

Due to supplier issues, during all of the 2014 model, the Z51 package was at a 50% constraint level. This means that if the dealership got three allocations in the consensus only ONE could be a Z51, the other two would be a base car. This led to a lot of frustration as people waited and waited, but base non-Z51 cars would show up on the lots and be plentiful.

Some allocation periods my salesman would tell me he got eight cars but only three Z51s and only one could have a body color painted roof, and only one carbon fiber dash. Those weeks didn't help his waiting orders and he would have to call everyone to see if they wanted to change their order to fit, or he would order the car for inventory.

One of the options that I would not compromise on was the exposed carbon fiber roof. I had to wait 5 extra weeks to get it because they found a manufacturing defect and had to turn all of the exposed weave parts into painted parts as they were not visually up to spec with the pattern of the weave. During that time I saw other items on my order go into constraint, Competition seats and the carbon dash were unavailable. For awhile I thought I would never get my order and people that ordered more basic cars from my salesman after I did were starting to receive their cars. Luckily, my order and options finally aligned and I got what I wanted.

FIFO sounds easy, until you have to factor in all the combinations of parts and the availability from the suppliers that make those parts and start splitting the total world wide part supply into the dealerships and larger dealers that sell the cars do get priority. It's like any business that wants to take care of it's good customers.

tl;dr: Manufacturing and scheduling is complicated and has a lot of variables that are mostly hidden to the consumer. It sucks, but you will get your car.... remember, this is a brand new model that just started production. I know we want it all, and we want it now but even though it is unfortunate, it's just not realistic.

 

[Hergs90]

I orders mine in 7/9 I have no I idea what the priority is. I ordered a gt coupe any ideas of when it would come. I haven't gotten the vin yet

 

[89Trooper]

I orders mine in 7/9 I have no I idea what the priority is. I ordered a gt coupe any ideas of when it would come. I haven't gotten the vin yet

Send me a PM with your order number and dealer code, and I'll let you know.

 

[89Trooper]

I orders mine in 7/9 I have no I idea what the priority is. I ordered a gt coupe any ideas of when it would come. I haven't gotten the vin yet

You have a Retail order, Priority 10. That's all the info your code shows at the moment. It will show more when you receive a VIN.

 

[Free Agent]

It's not really so easy when you also have to factor in allocations and constraints. I know this is a little bit of Apples/Oranges as this is a GM experience but I am pretty sure it still applies to Ford since I know that a couple of the German manufacturers do the same thing:

Last year I, and many others went through this with the launch of the C7. People lined up at local dealers that really never sold Corvettes and place orders, unknowing and uninformed by that dealer (who did know) that they would have a long wait to get the car, if they ever did. 2014 C7 allocation was calculated based on 2012 Corvette sales by the dealer. It was something like for every two or three 2012's they sold, they got 1 allocation for a 2014. This kind of weeded out dealers that couldn't sell the cars when times were tough (C6's were long in the tooth by 2012 and sales slumped), and likely dealers that would price gouge when they finally got a Corvette for the showroom.

How it worked was like this:

Dealerships knew how many allocations they would get for the model year in advance. They didn't know exactly when they would get them and they could be spaced out over the year. If the dealership got a low number there was no telling when the orders would be pulled for a VIN and scheduling.

Every two weeks the dealership would get a notice with their allocations for those two weeks. These numbers would break down model specifics (Base Coupe, Z51 Coupe, and convertible variants) and option packages. Each order had to fit in the allocation priority AND in the constraints placed on that dealer's allocation for the period, or "consensus".

Due to supplier issues, during all of the 2014 model, the Z51 package was at a 50% constraint level. This means that if the dealership got three allocations in the consensus only ONE could be a Z51, the other two would be a base car. This led to a lot of frustration as people waited and waited, but base non-Z51 cars would show up on the lots and be plentiful.

Some allocation periods my salesman would tell me he got eight cars but only three Z51s and only one could have a body color painted roof, and only one carbon fiber dash. Those weeks didn't help his waiting orders and he would have to call everyone to see if they wanted to change their order to fit, or he would order the car for inventory.

One of the options that I would not compromise on was the exposed carbon fiber roof. I had to wait 5 extra weeks to get it because they found a manufacturing defect and had to turn all of the exposed weave parts into painted parts as they were not visually up to spec with the pattern of the weave. During that time I saw other items on my order go into constraint, Competition seats and the carbon dash were unavailable. For awhile I thought I would never get my order and people that ordered more basic cars from my salesman after I did were starting to receive their cars. Luckily, my order and options finally aligned and I got what I wanted.

FIFO sounds easy, until you have to factor in all the combinations of parts and the availability from the suppliers that make those parts and start splitting the total world wide part supply into the dealerships and larger dealers that sell the cars do get priority. It's like any business that wants to take care of it's good customers.

tl;dr: Manufacturing and scheduling is complicated and has a lot of variables that are mostly hidden to the consumer. It sucks, but you will get your car.... remember, this is a brand new model that just started production. I know we want it all, and we want it now but even though it is unfortunate, it's just not realistic.

Good points but what it all boils down to is that if I have an early order build-able vehicle just the same as another late order build-able vehicle both at the same priority, both with NO parts constraints, and it gets scheduled first just because a computer decided it or that dealer is in a metro area it IS unfair to those that were "in line" first. Its a lottery based on pleasing the big dealer. And that has happened this go around, there are a lot of us in this boat. I'd just like Ford to consider retail order date at a higher priority than dealer size that is all.

 

[FordService]

Going to share this part of a PM from our resident Saint Rachel (FordService) that she graciously sent me this morning.
...
Thank you Rachel.

I've officially reached Saint status, huh? I will strive to maintain it.

You're very welcome, Free Agent!

Send me a PM with your order number and dealer code, and I'll let you know.

You beat me to it, 89Trooper!

I orders mine in 7/9 I have no I idea what the priority is. I ordered a gt coupe any ideas of when it would come. I haven't gotten the vin yet

I can also help track your order, Hergs90. If you would like to send me a PM with your order number and dealer code, I'll check my tracker.

Rachel

 

[HalfMoon]

Good points but what it all boils down to is that if I have an early order build-able vehicle just the same as another late order build-able vehicle both at the same priority, both with NO parts constraints, and it gets scheduled first just because a computer decided it or that dealer is in a metro area it IS unfair to those that were "in line" first. Its a lottery based on pleasing the big dealer. And that has happened this go around, there are a lot of us in this boat. I'd just like Ford to consider retail order date at a higher priority than dealer size that is all.

I hear you, but it's just not going to happen in this business. Think of it as a smaller business model. You sell "SuperWidget" to 20 retailers. You roll out "SuperWidget 2.0" but can only make 5,000 units a month and cannot expand production. One of your big retailers that usually buys 30% of your production now wants 80% of your production of "2.0" for a large order and a few little guys want to double their orders as well.

Do you deny the retailer that consistently brings in large purchase orders, or do you limit the supply to the guys that buy 1-2% of your production?

P.S. I'm waiting too. :(

 

[89Trooper]

You beat me to it, 89Trooper!
Rachel

I am no way taking your place, only trying to help a little if I can!

 

[oyitsagreen]

It's not really so easy when you also have to factor in allocations and constraints. I know this is a little bit of Apples/Oranges as this is a GM experience but I am pretty sure it still applies to Ford since I know that a couple of the German manufacturers do the same thing:

Last year I, and many others went through this with the launch of the C7. People lined up at local dealers that really never sold Corvettes and place orders, unknowing and uninformed by that dealer (who did know) that they would have a long wait to get the car, if they ever did. 2014 C7 allocation was calculated based on 2012 Corvette sales by the dealer. It was something like for every two or three 2012's they sold, they got 1 allocation for a 2014. This kind of weeded out dealers that couldn't sell the cars when times were tough (C6's were long in the tooth by 2012 and sales slumped), and likely dealers that would price gouge when they finally got a Corvette for the showroom.

How it worked was like this:

Dealerships knew how many allocations they would get for the model year in advance. They didn't know exactly when they would get them and they could be spaced out over the year. If the dealership got a low number there was no telling when the orders would be pulled for a VIN and scheduling.

Every two weeks the dealership would get a notice with their allocations for those two weeks. These numbers would break down model specifics (Base Coupe, Z51 Coupe, and convertible variants) and option packages. Each order had to fit in the allocation priority AND in the constraints placed on that dealer's allocation for the period, or "consensus".

Due to supplier issues, during all of the 2014 model, the Z51 package was at a 50% constraint level. This means that if the dealership got three allocations in the consensus only ONE could be a Z51, the other two would be a base car. This led to a lot of frustration as people waited and waited, but base non-Z51 cars would show up on the lots and be plentiful.

Some allocation periods my salesman would tell me he got eight cars but only three Z51s and only one could have a body color painted roof, and only one carbon fiber dash. Those weeks didn't help his waiting orders and he would have to call everyone to see if they wanted to change their order to fit, or he would order the car for inventory.

One of the options that I would not compromise on was the exposed carbon fiber roof. I had to wait 5 extra weeks to get it because they found a manufacturing defect and had to turn all of the exposed weave parts into painted parts as they were not visually up to spec with the pattern of the weave. During that time I saw other items on my order go into constraint, Competition seats and the carbon dash were unavailable. For awhile I thought I would never get my order and people that ordered more basic cars from my salesman after I did were starting to receive their cars. Luckily, my order and options finally aligned and I got what I wanted.

FIFO sounds easy, until you have to factor in all the combinations of parts and the availability from the suppliers that make those parts and start splitting the total world wide part supply into the dealerships and larger dealers that sell the cars do get priority. It's like any business that wants to take care of it's good customers.

tl;dr: Manufacturing and scheduling is complicated and has a lot of variables that are mostly hidden to the consumer. It sucks, but you will get your car.... remember, this is a brand new model that just started production. I know we want it all, and we want it now but even though it is unfortunate, it's just not realistic.

Geez...Looks like we don't have it all that bad after all! That sounds like a nightmare.

 

[HalfMoon]

Geez...Looks like we don't have it all that bad after all! That sounds like a nightmare.

Having gone through that is the only reason I am calm this time.

I won't lie though, I do look almost daily to see if magically by some chance there is a new car on the market that would fill the place of my Mustang order that is available now. Nope.

 

[Free Agent]

I hear you, but it's just not going to happen in this business. Think of it as a smaller business model. You sell "SuperWidget" to 20 retailers. You roll out "SuperWidget 2.0" but can only make 5,000 units a month and cannot expand production. One of your big retailers that usually buys 30% of your production now wants 80% of your production of "2.0" for a large order and a few little guys want to double their orders as well.

Do you deny the retailer that consistently brings in large purchase orders, or do you limit the supply to the guys that buy 1-2% of your production?

P.S. I'm waiting too. :(

If it were strictly dealer stock sales I would agree with you. But as a retail order that has been ordered specifically by a customer to their specifications and solely meant for that particular customer your model doesn't exactly apply. A customer order/sale is a customer order/sale regardless of where it originated from. It is destined to a single person. A dealer stock sale is a "shelf model" available to anyone, not a single person. Hope that makes sense.

 

[HalfMoon]

If it were strictly dealer stock sales I would agree with you. But as a retail order that has been ordered specifically by a customer to their specifications and solely meant for that particular customer your model doesn't exactly apply. A customer order/sale is a customer order/sale regardless of where it originated from. It is destined to a single person. A dealer stock sale is a "shelf model" available to anyone, not a single person. Hope that makes sense.

Yes, it makes sense in the real or retail world, but not in the car world. Ford already shelved that idea by putting dealer stock orders before customer retail sold orders. Plus, the factory really doesn't care (outside of how they may report the acquisition cost of that unit) if it's sold or not, they don't get your money they invoice the dealer all the same.

Honestly, its probably better for us right now from what I'm feeling. I think I'm going to pass on my stock order car that is still sitting at the plant after having been produced over 5 weeks ago. I'm probably going to take my retail order that currently has a VIN but no scheduled production week. I can only imagine the worst as to why these stock ordered cars are taking so long to "check" and ship.

Overall, in the long run I'm also glad I got bumped on my C7 order as the later cars had less issues and mine is pretty solid other than one minor warranty fix that took 2 hours. Some of the first cars had very poor body panel alignment and paint issues. As much as I want the car now, I have to keep thinking it's not that big of a deal to wait a bit longer for a car that will likely be better in the long run.

 

[USPSALIMITED]

Geez...Looks like we don't have it all that bad after all! That sounds like a nightmare.

Friend of mine works for a satelight company that supplies seats for Toyota.

Getting the bumps out of production on any model with major revisions seems to always involve a lot of stops and starts and last minute o.t. and quality control or supply issues and a bit of redesign on the fly as problems are found.

It is not a nightmare, just requires a bit of patience, but if folks are making assumptions that the process will be smooth and predictable, then there will be a lot of disappointment.

 

[Boosted]

Friend of mine works for a satelight company that supplies seats for Toyota.

Getting the bumps out of production on any model with major revisions seems to always involve a lot of stops and starts and last minute o.t. and quality control or supply issues and a bit of redesign on the fly as problems are found.

It is not a nightmare, just requires a bit of patience, but if folks are making assumptions that the process will be smooth and predictable, then there will be a lot of disappointment.

Trying to calm myself down

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