Dealership threatening to sell my custom order

[Q6543]

You ordered a car, your car has been delivered… you tell them to hold the bag for a month??
That’s not how business works.

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[JAM486HP]

Next month is only a couple weeks away, you could stall them or at worst, wait. I highly doubt that car would sell in the next few weeks. There are about 1800 GT Premiums sitting on lots right now

 

[Paul's stable]

I ordered a 24 GT premium back in December and the car was delivered today. I won't be about to pick it up until next month due to my work schedule. The salesman I was working with says they cannot hold it for me. Is there anything I can do?

I live in Canada so not sure about the dealers are in US. When I ordered my Dark Horse I put down $3000 then asked if they could hold it when it comes in incase I had problems putting money together as I was dealing with estate issues. They said no problem and the sales manager gave me a signed note stating they would hold it until I had the money straightened out. Everything went great picked up the car on Jan 12, 2024 I hope you are able to work with your dealer and get your car because I love mine even with the clutch hose recall. Keep the faith.

 

[RLE55]

I'm currently on travel orders for the Govt.

Has this been conveyed to the salesperson? Maybe try speaking to New Car Sales Mgr., and if that fails try speaking to owner if available. I would think once you explain your situation and sincere desire to complete the purchase, they'd work with you. Not all dealerships are dicks.

 

[snakeyes]

I could but I really dont want to start paperwork without looking at the car in person.

I absolutely do want it, Ive been waiting since last year for this order. My issue isn't time its distance, I'm currently on travel orders for the Govt.

What’s there to look at -? Have the jackass salesman FaceTime the car with you - sign papers via esign… really simple. I just bought my car the same way all I saw was pictures. It’s a Mustang they all look the same. What are you concerned about… ding or dents. Sounds to me like they have someone lined up that’s gonna pay more …!!! Furthermore, it would seem what I was told is true 7-8 months for a GT build, and a year or more for Dork Horse…

 

[Rocket Man]

that or have a trusted friend or family member go look at the car for you. At least send you a couple of pics. Did the dealer offer to send some pics to you? I agree have someone (if not you) call them and explain the situation. I think the bad publicity they would get to not hold the car a couple of weeks would not be something they want.

 

[GripTime]

Sometimes when I am in these situations I ask for the "first right of refusal." It's not a guarantee (unless you can get it in writing). If they find a buyer, they call you to see if you want to move forward, if not they sell the car. If they find no buyer, you are good until you can buy the car on your own terms.

 

[snakeyes]

The more I think about it - the more you should tell them to go F’ themselves… and move on. Find one on the ground there out there just need to be vigilant and search.

 

[JimC]

Dealers lose money every day a car sits on the lot. It eats into their "floor financing" and they have to pay interest to keep letting it sit there. So it's understandable, from a business standpoint, that once the car arrives they want to move it and free up their floor financing for another vehicle to sell. As long as that car sits there they pay interest and don't have the ability to get another vehicle in inventory.

 

[cosmo73]

I don’t want to be “that guy”, but if you’ve waited this long, have them take detailed photos and a video and just e-sign the paperwork.

It is not a $200k Ferrari, it’s a Mustang. What could really be so wrong with it?

 

[JAM486HP]

I ordered mine from an out of state dealer, waited 7 months, and had it shipped sight unseen. The dealer prepped the car and said it was all clear, good enough for me. If anything was wrong, my local Ford dealer now will do any and all repairs recalls etc..

This was based on the fact I knew with 100% certainty that I wanted the car

 

[dollybud]

I ordered a 24 GT premium back in December and the car was delivered today. I won't be about to pick it up until next month due to my work schedule. The salesman I was working with says they cannot hold it for me. Is there anything I can do?

I would see they would take half the money now with stipulation
when u returned U pay the rest if the car meets your satisfaction and make sure what the mileage is now. Hell they could show it to potential buyers just to look, no test drive. Let the new customer order one and wait for it if they still make them. Dealers can trade cars or buy from others also. I would say your dealer should be able to do that

 

[smurfslayer]

You ordered a car, your car has been delivered… you tell them to hold the bag for a month??
That’s not how business works.

After ... How many months, and suddenly, without any advanced notification... Sure they CAN sell the vehicle but they SHOULDN’T. They should find a way to work with gent who made the order in the first place. OP said he’s on .gov orders, that should be enough to ask for some grace to make arrangements.

The more I think about it - the more you should tell them to go F’ themselves… and move on. Find one on the ground there out there just need to be vigilant and search.

I hear what you’re saying. 20 years ago, I’d have done exactly that. But I don’t have the luxury of time to restart a search all over again and OP probably doesn’t either. He!!, there are times when I will still do exactly as you counsel on principle alone but if you’ve made a several months order, which you presumably wanted a lot, try to make it work.

 

[Fatherof3girls]

There are federal laws, if you are on leave. You might have to send them your orders, and threaten litigation. As someone else said, the dealership isn’t going to want negative press. That dealership will have no problem selling that car. They know it. I know car salesman and many times they have incentive to get so many cars sold and closed by a certain date of the month to get a bonus. Good luck!!

 

[Radiant]

There are federal laws, if you are on leave. You might have to send them your orders, and threaten litigation. As someone else said, the dealership isn’t going to want negative press. That dealership will have no problem selling that car. They know it. I know car salesman and many times they have incentive to get so many cars sold and closed by a certain date of the month to get a bonus. Good luck!!

I don't recommend threatening people with litigation, it won't improve negotiations.

OP just needs to reach an agreement with the dealership for the storage of the car for a month, even if that requires buying the car now and putting the storage as an addendum to the purchase agreement.

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