Quicker delivery through high volume dealer?

[A Sturdy Beast]

I’ve decided to take the plunge and order a 2023 Maverick XT hybrid when orders open in September. I’ve done a few evenings of reading on this forum, but I still have a few questions.

Would I be likely to get my Maverick quicker if I order through a high volume dealer? Or do allotments only apply to what the dealer puts on their sales floor?

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[bwayne]

I’ve decided to take the plunge and order a 2023 Maverick XT hybrid when orders open in September. I’ve done a few evenings of reading on this forum, but I still have a few questions.

Would I be likely to get my Maverick quicker if I order through a high volume dealer? Or do allotments only apply to what the dealer puts on their sales floor?

I read that dealer allotments are no longer a thing, at least for the Maverick. For now orders are built in the order they are received, with constraint items being factored in.

 

[pa-outdoorsman]

The short answer is maybe.

The long answer is, no one really knows for sure. Allocations are for certain a "thing," and large-volume dealers gets more vehicle allocations each month than smaller volume dealers.

Of course, then the question becomes whether it is better to be order #500 at a large-volume dealer that gets 85 Maverick allocations each month or order #20 at a small dealer that gets an allocation of 3 Mavericks each month. Theoretically, those two waits would be about the same.

But then you have to throw in the wild cards in terms of how much Ford really favors large-volume dealers, whether they give "bonus" allocations to said large-volume dealers, how the "region" your dealer is in impacts allocations, etc.

Then on top of that, you have to figure out whether Ford is really doing FIFO (First In, First Out) order fulfillment for Maverick orders. They tried to claim they had switched from the traditional allocation system to FIFO about two-thirds of the way through the 2022 model year, but pretty much everyone agrees that was a PR move, not something Ford was really doing.

Finally, any "constraints" on your order will ultimately determine if/when it is selected for production. A constraint is any item Ford doesn't have to build your order. Could be heated seats, a hybrid battery, bed rails, etc. Doesn't matter what it is; if there is something on your order that Ford doesn't have when they would otherwise schedule your truck for production, guess what? They can't build it!

Confused yet? I thought so! Join the club, and welcome to the club of suffering and waiting and guessing. So, I'll leave it at that. Is ordering from a large-volume dealer better than ordering from a small local dealer? Your guess is as good as mine.

 

[A Sturdy Beast]

I read that dealer allotments are no longer a thing, at least for the Maverick. For now orders are built in the order they are received, with constraint items being factored in.

I'm thinking of going in and talking to a salesman next week. Maybe get myself on a preorder list. Do you think that might help?

 

[A Sturdy Beast]

The short answer is maybe.

The long answer is, no one really knows for sure. Allocations are for certain a "thing," and large-volume dealers gets more vehicle allocations each month than smaller volume dealers.

Of course, then the question becomes whether it is better to be order #500 at a large-volume dealer that gets 85 Maverick allocations each month or order #20 at a small dealer that gets an allocation of 3 Mavericks each month. Theoretically, those two waits would be about the same.

But then you have to throw in the wild cards in terms of how much Ford really favors large-volume dealers, whether they give "bonus" allocations to said large-volume dealers, how the "region" your dealer is in impacts allocations, etc.

Then on top of that, you have to figure out whether Ford is really doing FIFO (First In, First Out) order fulfillment for Maverick orders. They tried to claim they had switched from the traditional allocation system to FIFO about two-thirds of the way through the 2022 model year, but pretty much everyone agrees that was a PR move, not something Ford was really doing.

Finally, any "constraints" on your order will ultimately determine if/when it is selected for production. A constraint is any item Ford doesn't have to build your order. Could be heated seats, a hybrid battery, bed rails, etc. Doesn't matter what it is; if there is something on your order that Ford doesn't have when they would otherwise schedule your truck for production, guess what? They can't build it!

Confused yet? I thought so! Join the club, and welcome to the club of suffering and waiting and guessing. So, I'll leave it at that. Is ordering from a large-volume dealer better than ordering from a small local dealer? Your guess is as good as mine.

I guess that ordering a hybrid will slow things down then. But I'm dead set on the hybrid. On the other hand, the only option I'm adding is the trailer hitch. I'm also worred about having to put down a nonrefundable deposit, then still be waiting for the thruck a year from now. With the new Ford policy of dealers having to sell to the person who ordered the vehicle (or be penalized), should I now expect to have to put down a nonrefundable deposit?

 

[Bobinmi]

Hopefully! as Granger has a boat load of orders being built soon!

 

[pa-outdoorsman]

I guess that ordering a hybrid will slow things down then. But I'm dead set on the hybrid. On the other hand, the only option I'm adding is the trailer hitch. I'm also worred about having to put down a nonrefundable deposit, then still be waiting for the thruck a year from now. With the new Ford policy of dealers having to sell to the person who ordered the vehicle (or be penalized), should I now expect to have to put down a nonrefundable deposit?

Depends on the dealer. Some require them. Some don't. Ford does not require deposits to place an order.

I'd call around and find a dealer that doesn't require one. I know of several in my area that don't.

 

[A Sturdy Beast]

Depends on the dealer. Some require them. Some don't. Ford does not require deposits to place an order.

I'd call around and find a dealer that doesn't require one. I know of several in my area that don't.

Thanks!

 

[WannaMav]

I'm thinking of going in and talking to a salesman next week. Maybe get myself on a preorder list. Do you think that might help?

Being on a preorder list does absolutely nothing so far as speeding things up. Your individual place in line is determined by a bona fide order being placed by the dealership and subsequently approved by Ford.

As for large versus small dealers, there are arguments for and against both (and as with all things Maverick, it's a crapshoot). Thinking down the line though, it is more likely you will develop a relationship with a small dealer, in the sense that they know you and perhaps more important know your individual vehicle, after giving them your initial business when it comes to service or maintenance visits.

Anecdotally, have had a couple of experiences over the years when a small dealership service department quickly and efficiently diagnosed a problem which had stumped mega dealers. Turned out both cases ended up being no cost to me because (a) there were only a handful, if that, of technicians so a small dealership is going to take pains to hold on to good ones and (b) not being slammed with vehicles afforded them the time to read and digest ALL the service bulletins.

 

[Uncle Ed]

I guess that ordering a hybrid will slow things down then. But I'm dead set on the hybrid. On the other hand, the only option I'm adding is the trailer hitch. I'm also worred about having to put down a nonrefundable deposit, then still be waiting for the thruck a year from now. With the new Ford policy of dealers having to sell to the person who ordered the vehicle (or be penalized), should I now expect to have to put down a nonrefundable deposit?

No, there are dealers that do not require a deposit.

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