12 to 18 month wait for new vehicle!!

[tradosaurus]

State laws require it. Dealer associations have powerful lobbyists, so don't expect that to change anytime soon. I'd imagine the logistics for the manufacturer to distribute vehicles directly to customers would be a costly undertaking in itself.
Even Tesla has "stores" which are just another name for a stripped-down dealership.

As unpleasant as the dealer experience is, I'm not sure I'd just want to order a vehicle online and get it sight unseen. I've seen many with good online reviews that to me at least are unpleasant to actually drive...whether it be cramped or otherwise uncomfortable seating, bad ergonomics or whatever.

Yes. Which is why I posted the link above the line you quoted and stated "2017 article but hopefully manufacturers will give the option buy direct instead of going through a middle man (the dealer)."

Buying online only means you can skip going to the dealer personally but still have to have the dealer involved as the middleman.

 

[ovrszd]

Outside of a chipped bone in my elbow, I feel pretty good almost 6 months out.

Frankly, it's a miracle I'm alive, let alone in decent shape.

I use decent shape, as my shape wasn't all that good to begin with.

View attachment 781656

I'll go with fate.

 

[spitter]

Dealers' markup MSRP on a 70k truck is over 15k. How can they justify that for filling out paperwork and washing the truck?

During Ford truck month where everyone gets employe pricing the MSRP drops 10 k. The dealers are still making a profit but not as huge. Over the summer my buddy went to by a van and the dealer here was asking 30 k over MSRP. That's like 45K profit on a vehicle that ten years ago didn't even cost 45k.

 

[Tomtint]

The market is rapidly changing in the auto world. Dealers are starting to have inventory on their lots..Some of the higher trim levels are still suffering from the chip shortage so if you need massage seats,, you may have to wait a few more months. That said, the general public is feeling the pinch of inflation and the higher interest rates have made people pulling back from large purchases. ..And those rates now make things unaffordable for many. The next 18 months expect it to shift to a buyers market for those who have the means.

 

[Hay Dude]

Dealers' markup MSRP on a 70k truck is over 15k. How can they justify that for filling out paperwork and washing the truck?

During Ford truck month where everyone gets employe pricing the MSRP drops 10 k. The dealers are still making a profit but not as huge. Over the summer my buddy went to by a van and the dealer here was asking 30 k over MSRP. That's like 45K profit on a vehicle that ten years ago didn't even cost 45k.

A contractor buddy of mine bought a 2021 lightly used van on dealers lot. It had about 10k miles on it and in very good condition.
Before he bought it, they went inside and penciled out a brand new 2022 version of the same van.
The new van version was $3,000 cheaper!
Dealers are getting crazy numbers for good used trucks.
There’s a 2020 3500 DRW Cummins loaded with 90,000 miles on it at my dealer for $70,000!!!
Are you kidding me?

I took my truck in for service a month ago and while pulling into the “quick lane” a salesman rushed over to me and offered me $75,000 for my truck on the spot!

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

If people would quit buying and vote with their wallets, we could fix this.

 

[RSKY]

FINALLY.......SHE HAS A VEHICLE ORDERED.

She called a dealership four hours away and they are getting a vehicle just like she wants at the end of the month. At first contact they wanted $10,000 over list. Daughter said she started laughing at the salesman. Told him no way was she giving over list price. Hung up on him. They talked back and forth several times over the week and he called her Friday and said the vehicle was hers. List price, down to the penny. But it is exactly what she wanted down to the options and color. Told them she would back out if they added a bunch of 'dealer options' on it.

RSKY

 

[tacticalturnip]

Good on her for slapping down the salesman's bull.

 

[check]

FINALLY.......SHE HAS A VEHICLE ORDERED.

She called a dealership four hours away and they are getting a vehicle just like she wants at the end of the month. At first contact they wanted $10,000 over list. Daughter said she started laughing at the salesman. Told him no way was she giving over list price. Hung up on him. They talked back and forth several times over the week and he called her Friday and said the vehicle was hers. List price, down to the penny. But it is exactly what she wanted down to the options and color. Told them she would back out if they added a bunch of 'dealer options' on it.

RSKY

Good for her RSKY. I just hope they do’t try and pull any stunts when it arrives. ETA?

 

[bdhsfz6]

FINALLY.......SHE HAS A VEHICLE ORDERED.

She called a dealership four hours away and they are getting a vehicle just like she wants at the end of the month. At first contact they wanted $10,000 over list. Daughter said she started laughing at the salesman. Told him no way was she giving over list price. Hung up on him. They talked back and forth several times over the week and he called her Friday and said the vehicle was hers. List price, down to the penny. But it is exactly what she wanted down to the options and color. Told them she would back out if they added a bunch of 'dealer options' on it.

RSKY

I know this is easier said than done, especially in a rural area, but I would go to another dealer.

I've dealt with similar shenanigans from dealers in the past and will no longer deal with them. 10 years ago, I was lucky enough to find one who is fair & reasonable and we've since bought 4 vehicles from them. They don't always offer the lowest price but are usually within the range I'm willing to pay. They quote me their best price up front with no argument or negotiation needed.

Here's an example. In 2020, I placed an order for a 2021 pickup. The order was cancelled due to supply chain issues. The dealer reordered the 2022 version of the same truck but honored the original 2021 price. It was a long wait though. All totaled, it took 18 months.

I'm currently in the process of ordering a new 2023 SUV from the same dealer. The order was placed in Sept of 2022 but, as of last week, it hadn't been accepted for production. The dealer says it may not make the production cut off date for the current model year. As a result, he is searching other dealerships within a 300 mile radius for an identical vehicle. If they succeed, there will be no difference in price and they will credit my deposit from the original order toward the substitute vehicle price. More than fair IMO.

This is a family owned business that makes their money on repeat customers. I'm sure there are many reputable dealers out there who operate the same way. The trick is to find one.