Hey everyone!

I know I haven't been on here very long, so almost none of you know who I am, but I've been reading for a while now, and I DO know that everyone who's ordered has at least one piece of advice to offer, if they're willing.

I've done my research as best as I can, I've got my car and options memorized, and I've even found myself a dealership who's willing to accept x-plan. I just want to make sure I've covered all the bases before I take the final step. So please, any advice you can give on placing an order would be extremely appreciated. I know it sounds pretty vague, but I figure the more open I leave it, the better the chance is that I'll get someone telling me something I've totally overlooked.

For example though, what kind of documentation should I ask for? (aka, what is a MUST to have in writing?) What details about the long wait between "yes, I'd like to place an order " and "Sweet! Don't move!! I'll be right there to pick it up!" will I need to make the waiting period less painful? What should I expect from the dealership when I go to pick up my 210 hp modern-day work of art? Which services are beneficial and worthwhile, and which are a complete waste of money? I've (obviously) never purchased, or ordered a new car before so any and all advice is more than welcome.

Also, some definitions of terms like VOC, VPO (or is it VOP? Only saw it on here once or twice...) and DORA to refresh my memory would be great. Oh, and if anyone knows of any major differences between how orders are processed at Canadian dealerships vs American ones, that would be great too. For example, the last 2 dealers I spoke to told me that x-plan prices weren't available until the invoice comes in, which they say is right before the arrival of the vehicle.. yet, I'm seeing people post x-plan, d-plan, whatever-plan rates shortly after ordering. I was also told by a dealership owner that priority doesn't exist when ordering but that it's a first come first serve basis. Am I being fed some serious bs with these two examples, or is there something different going on up here in Canadaland? You don't even wanna know what a dealer told me to expect from their service department if I "managed to get a deal" from him on my Mustang... You just don't wanna know (ps, that's how I ended up talking to the dealership owner. haha).

Again, any and all input is more than welcome, and eagerly hoped for! And thanks for being the first place I turn to when I'm looking for my Mustang fix!

--Doug

 

I can't speak for the Canadian ordering process but in the US, we get the x-plan pricing as soon as we cue it into our ordering system and are able to print out a Vehicle Order Confirmation. Once you agree on a price with the dealer, both you and a member of the dealerships management should sign either the VOC or a bill of sale with the price clearly marked. After the vehicle is ordered the dealer usually receives an Order Acknowledgement DORA so that he can double check the options, color, etc. Some dealer will and some will not give a copy to the customer. I rarely if ever have a customer ask for a copy as most are not as educated as out TMS readers.
Then the fun begins , waiting, waiting.

Good luck with your purchase!

 

VOC - Vehicle order confirmation
DORA - Dealer Order Receipt Acknoledgement
VPO/VOP - not sure, maybe what folks name the automated line you can call to get info on your car?

I orderred an '06 on xplan recently, and things seemed to go pretty smoothly. Took a lot of pressure off not having to worry about the price; I know x-plan is a good deal for this car, so that's that. While there, we got a VOC and signed it. That had the MSRP price on it, so I wrote the xplan price they quoted me on it. It had a row where it seemed this should have appeared anyway. I don't remember if I got a copy of that, but I should have. I also left a $500 deposit. I was assured multiple times that it was fully refundable and I caved a little bit on this and didn't get it in writing. It is a tough thing for me to demand something like that when they are being so nice, it just feels like I'm questioning their integrity. Shouldn't be a big deal though, don't wimp out like me... get it in writing. That said, I'm not especially worried about it either.

One wierd thing: I got a copy of my DORA on Sat., and the x-plan price on that was about $600 over what I'd been quoted on order day. I'm guessing this has something to do with '05 vs '06 pricing? But then, we were working off of the '06 order guide, so does that make sense? If anyone can clear that up, many thanks.

My biggest worry is that I'll get bumped in priority for people that pay MSRP. My priority is 16, and I'm told I'm 3rd or 4th in line at this dealer. Any way to know for sure, or tell if I'm getting bumped?

... sorry for the mini-hijack, hopefully useful for you too, though.

 

I found out the hard way, orders are price protected. But, if you make a change to your order once submitted, it will change to the new price level if the price has increased. I got lucky since it was A-plan and the change did not affect the price (spoiler delete and re-add). Ford agreed to go back to the original DORA and VOC for price. Made an approx difference of $1000.00, car went up that much in 21 weeks. So try to make sure the order is exactly what you want when you order it.

 

Thanks for the input, guys! Anyone else have anything more to add? I'm looking to order by the end of this week, or beginning of next at the latest.

When do I need to provide the dealer with my x-plan pin? I think I read somewhere on here that you don't need to give it to them until you go in to pick up your vehicle. Is the pin needed to get the x-plan price at order time though?

 

****BUMP!****

Still looking for tips on beating the car dealer blues.

 

I am placing my second order later this week. The first dealer I went through has yet to give me a VOC or a DORA, and I ordered on 6/30. They keep saying they will call me. Luckily, I did not leave a deposit with that one. The new dealer does not typically accept X-plan, but is going to do it for me. The best advice I can give you is this: If for ANY reason the dealer makes you feel uneasy, and you don't feel confident that you have made a good choice, run away as fast as you can. They were going to order the car, and call me for a deposit when they got the VOC. I was very hesitant about that first dealer, which is why I did not give them a dime, and it's a good thing, because they have proved me right. Also, be sure to get EVERYTHING in writing.

 

Jewls06GT, I'm sorry to hear about the problems with your first order. You'd probably get a kick out of the Leasing rates doubled on Saturday? thread I just posted. And I'm definitely taking your advice about running from a sketchy dealer. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any other dealerships nearby that are willing to accept x-plan though. Oh well. If I buy from the guy in the cubicle next to him, he's just going to be reminded of his mistake(s) when he sees him pull in the commission! :nono:

Cornelius, don't worry about the mini-hijack. haha. The more questions, the more answers for both of us! (hopefully)

ISELLFORD, thanks for the info. Unfortunately, the local dealer is still claiming that he can't get the x-plan price until shortly before delivery, despite his agreement when I pointed out that he should receive a VOC on day of order and a DORA from Ford within 2 business days... Do I have your permission to punch him in the nose?

Thanks again to everyone for your insight.

 

ISELLFORD, thanks for the info. Unfortunately, the local dealer is still claiming that he can't get the x-plan price until shortly before delivery, despite his agreement when I pointed out that he should receive a VOC on day of order and a DORA from Ford within 2 business days... Do I have your permission to punch him in the nose?

Thanks again to everyone for your insight.
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If the dealer placed the order as an x-plan order, the VOC would CLEARLY state the X-plan price, period. If he claims he can not get the x-plan price until right before delivery, he is not being upfront with you [unless you are dealing with a salesperson who is just telling you what his manager wants him to tell you]. A lot of salespersons have no clue how the ordering/pricing process works since they are not the one to do it.

As for punching him in the nose you are on your own, I'm like Sgt Schultz on this one, I see Nothing, I hear nothing!