Anyone have any ideas why Ford (or other manufacturers) don't provide a way for customers to check order status online? Seems like dealers have access to some information, and Ford employees have access to other status information.

05stangGT has been more than generous in checking the status dates that he has access to, but it seems like it would be an easy enough programming exercise for Ford to make all of this data available online and save us bothering our dealers - who usually don't have a clue anyway, or calling the Ford customer service 800 number.

I have only purchased from off the lot inventory in the past, so this is my first custom order, but I would think that most people would be anxious and interested in being able to track their order as it progresses.


And thanks to all for all the great info, stories and pix! I lurked and studied quite a bit before placing my order.

 

If they did that, we wouldn't need people in the Customer Service Center.

Then again, someone would complain "why can't we just order them online ourselves", then dealerships would not be needed, thus more unemployed people.


All this ensures is that people have jobs to pay for cars such as the Mustang.

Plus the fact that Ford can make up excuses through 'middle men' about why your car was built on Oct. 4th, and not delivered yet.
Or that it was on hold, and was built on Oct. 18th.
Or that it was on hold again, and will be built on Nov. 1st
(which is what the Customer service center AND my dealer have been telling me)

JMO.

 

one reason might be because it would cost money to develop the system and if you think about it in the long run, the percentage of people who pre-order a car vs just buying it off the lot is probably negligible. so the system really wouldn't be utilized.

 

Under the old Jacques N vision of Ford, there was a direct sales over the net plan.

 

Actually you gave an argument as to why Ford would want to do this. This is big business, they would have no problem cutting jobs if it would save them a lot of money, and they would still need customer service, every company needs it, even companies that sell stuff on the web.

 

The simple reason they don't do it is because they don't have to. Most cars don't have this kind of "hype", so in most situations, it would be a waste.