Looking to order from dealer looking for thoughts on what to expect

[billraff]

I have settled on ordering and SX Prestige model which appear to be pretty rare at the dealer. I'm in no hurry (good thing from what I am seeing in this forum) so decided to order. Went to a local dealer and he took all the information and said he would be in contact once the order was processed. I assume this meant turned over to the next person in the chain on getting a vehicle built. I didn't see a FAQ on the order process so was hoping those who have experience in the process could provide and outline of what happens and when. This is the first time ordering a car so curios on how all this works.
Thanks in advance.

-bill

 

[PB65stang]

Someone with more Kia-specific experience will chime in I am sure, but in general what happens is the dealer places your order with the manufacturer, who then “accepts” the order. This basically puts you in the queue, but doesn’t set a build date or anything. Then, as dealer allocations are made available, the manufacturer decides when certain orders are built based on a combination of factors. Dealer allocations can be driven by things such as volume, so higher volume dealers will likely get more allocations (rewarding sales and maintaining supply levels). Once your order gets allocated, you get a VIN and an estimated build date.

My experience is based on other brands, but this is the general process.

 

[raydog9379]

I have settled on ordering and SX Prestige model which appear to be pretty rare at the dealer. I'm in no hurry (good thing from what I am seeing in this forum) so decided to order. Went to a local dealer and he took all the information and said he would be in contact once the order was processed. I assume this meant turned over to the next person in the chain on getting a vehicle built. I didn't see a FAQ on the order process so was hoping those who have experience in the process could provide and outline of what happens and when. This is the first time ordering a car so curios on how all this works.
Thanks in advance.

-bill

Expect a 5-6 month wait is what folks are being told (others being told 6-8 months), unless the dealer you are at is huge volume and gets a high number of prestige vehicle allocations. Good luck! Many of us are out here waiting and griping like myself. There's a ton of information out here on this forum, as well as links to production spreadsheets that have a list of every one produced, which dealer it went to, and what options.

 

[alexdrums]

I have settled on ordering and SX Prestige model which appear to be pretty rare at the dealer. I'm in no hurry (good thing from what I am seeing in this forum) so decided to order. Went to a local dealer and he took all the information and said he would be in contact once the order was processed. I assume this meant turned over to the next person in the chain on getting a vehicle built. I didn't see a FAQ on the order process so was hoping those who have experience in the process could provide and outline of what happens and when. This is the first time ordering a car so curios on how all this works.
Thanks in advance.

-bill

You need to get an order confirmation number from Kia which the dealer will provide. The fact that they didn’t order your vehicle on the spot and give you the number is suspect.

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[billraff]

That's exactly the kind of information I am looking for. It's been a week and when I contacted the sales person he said he would not have anything until the order processed. Seems like the order part should no take more than a day.

 

[llsmith7]

When I ordered I was given a print out of the order confirmation. I would maybe suggest you ask for the same?

 

[raydog9379]

That's exactly the kind of information I am looking for. It's been a week and when I contacted the sales person he said he would not have anything until the order processed. Seems like the order part should no take more than a day.

Yeah, we've seen stories of people (even one the other day) seeing their order placed by the dealer 2 months or so after they put down their deposit. You'll know the day they actually ordered as the order number will consist of their location code, the date of order, and number of the order they put in that day.

 

[billraff]

Seems I've been taken for a fool. Or perhaps my sales person is one. He stated we couldn't even get the price until the order got processed. This didn't seem right so I joined this forum to get info from you experienced folks. Thanks everyone! Any other suggestions let me know. I'll make a trip to the dealer tomorrow. Maybe see the manager. Don't want to be pain and as I stated I'm in no hurry but at least they can place the order.

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[llsmith7]

Yeah, we've seen stories of people (even one the other day) seeing their order placed by the dealer 2 months or so after they put down their deposit. You'll know the day they actually ordered as the order number will consist of their location code, the date of order, and number of the order they put in that day.

Hey, now I know what the request number means!

 

[PB65stang]

Seems I've been taken for a fool. Or perhaps my sales person is one. He stated we couldn't even get the price until the order got processed. This didn't seem right so I joined this forum to get info from you experienced folks. Thanks everyone! Any other suggestions let me know. I'll make a trip to the dealer tomorrow. Maybe see the manager. Don't want to be pain and as I stated I'm in no hurry but at least they can place the order.

I’m not sure where you’re located, but there are several dealers here who are intimately familiar with the order process and will likely give you as good or better of a deal than your dealer may give. If you’re open to some travel and not in a rush, it’s a great way to go. Saved me at least $4,000 over my local dealers.

 

[raydog9379]

Seems I've been taken for a fool. Or perhaps my sales person is one. He stated we couldn't even get the price until the order got processed. This didn't seem right so I joined this forum to get info from you experienced folks. Thanks everyone! Any other suggestions let me know. I'll make a trip to the dealer tomorrow. Maybe see the manager. Don't want to be pain and as I stated I'm in no hurry but at least they can place the order.

Yeah, you get the price at the time of the deposit being paid. I had a dealer which offered Costco pricing on orders (rare apparently). They printed out a sheet with the invoice price, MSRP price, and the Costco price for each option. Then we got to play the pick what we want game, including going outside in the sun with all the paint samples . The options picking and colors was the fun part. They plugged it all in, spit out the final pricing and then I gave them the deposit/signed paperwork. In and out in a few minutes quite honestly.

Now the pricing will probably change slightly because on 1/3 Kia announced an increase in almost all their models for MSRP and Destination charges. 2nd line in my order contract covers price changes by the manufacturer, but I've come to live with it.

Be careful that they'll try to do required dealer add-ons of who knows how many thousands. One dealer near me recently tried to charge 8k in an environmental package ($5500 - God knows what that was, he couldn't give a real explanation), and an inside/outside protection package ($2500 for some spray slop) on top of the ADM over MSRP they were charging.

If you don't get a great vibe after visiting them, there are a few guys at dealers on here that are seem solid to work with. They won't screw you like others will.

 

[jw_tx21]

I have settled on ordering and SX Prestige model which appear to be pretty rare at the dealer. I'm in no hurry (good thing from what I am seeing in this forum) so decided to order. Went to a local dealer and he took all the information and said he would be in contact once the order was processed. I assume this meant turned over to the next person in the chain on getting a vehicle built. I didn't see a FAQ on the order process so was hoping those who have experience in the process could provide and outline of what happens and when. This is the first time ordering a car so curios on how all this works.
Thanks in advance.

-bill

Yes, listen to posts above. Definitely agree on a price before placing a deposit, get it in writing, and ensure the deposit is refundable. They can provide you a dealer request ID from their KDealer system right away. It changes to an internal ID when it's accepted for allocation then finally a VIN once it is built.

Definitely agree on price, add-ons, markups etc.

Also, state the dealer name because we have a little insight into the volume of the dealer.

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[billraff]

I'm located in Round Rock, Tx just north of Austin, Tx. Southwest Kia is the dealer. They have locations in the Dallas area and two down here. I've reached out to the salesman but so far he has me on mute.

 

[jw_tx21]

I'm located in Round Rock, Tx just north of Austin, Tx. Southwest Kia is the dealer. They have locations in the Dallas area and two down here. I've reached out to the salesman but so far he has me on mute.

Oops. Yeah, I wouldn't trust them at all. They have huge markups on Prestige, and will likely mark it up when it arrives - that's why they didn't want to discuss price. Just search Southwest Kia on the forum and read away.

@StephenCantrelle , @DonovanHuffinesCorinth - can y'all help out @billraff with an order from a reputable dealership?

Stephen is with Classic Kia of Carrollton and Donovan is with Huffines Kia of Corinth.

Watch their inventory (posted on this site), and order from one of them. Sorry, there isn't a reputable dealer very close to Austin that we've found.

That being said, user @ottoSXP said he was able to place an order with SW Kia Austin - and said MSRP was agreed upon in advance and provided a dealer request a while back. But, it hasn't been delivered. I would be surprised. They were less than honest with me - every one of their dealerships I called in April.

 

[billraff]

I'd like to thank everyone that replied to this thread. Lots of great information. The experience I've had has turned me off to purchasing a Telluride at this time. I'll look else where for now at other vehicles. I do plan to stop at the dealership today. My wife and I eat lunch near there every Friday. I want to provide some feedback to the salesman and sales manager if he's available. I guess my last question for you kind folks is this - what would be the dealership's motivation for this behavior? Is is because my order would come from their allocation which means a lost opportunity to charge more than MSRP? Thanks again everyone!

 

[Faintferret]

I'd like to thank everyone that replied to this thread. Lots of great information. The experience I've had has turned me off to purchasing a Telluride at this time. I'll look else where for now at other vehicles. I do plan to stop at the dealership today. My wife and I eat lunch near there every Friday. I want to provide some feedback to the salesman and sales manager if he's available. I guess my last question for you kind folks is this - what would be the dealership's motivation for this behavior? Is is because my order would come from their allocation which means a lost opportunity to charge more than MSRP? Thanks again everyone!

I think it is important to separate your experience with the dealer from your experience with the vehicle. If you are willing to wait, it’s just a matter of finding the right dealer to do business with.

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[billraff]

Sage advice worthy of consideration. However, both Kia dealerships in my immediate area are owned by the same group. Which means any service I would need to have done on the vehicle I would be dealing with the same folks. Just as soon my money reward those that keep their word.

 

[jw_tx21]

Sage advice worthy of consideration. However, both Kia dealerships in my immediate area are owned by the same group. Which means any service I would need to have done on the vehicle I would be dealing with the same folks. Just as soon my money reward those that keep their word.

They are good dealerships for service. Just speak with the managers and make sure you have the request ID from KDealer, and an agreed price of purchase when it arrives. If you don't, then I would walk and keep your deposit money. Check back in a few years when there might be inventory if still interested. You can lease a luxury vehicle for a better deal if you don't need Telluride right now.

 

[StephenCantrelle]

Another forum member just called me because of the same concern.. thank you @billraff for choosing me to help you out!

 

[LVP]

I have settled on ordering and SX Prestige model which appear to be pretty rare at the dealer. I'm in no hurry (good thing from what I am seeing in this forum) so decided to order. Went to a local dealer and he took all the information and said he would be in contact once the order was processed. I assume this meant turned over to the next person in the chain on getting a vehicle built. I didn't see a FAQ on the order process so was hoping those who have experience in the process could provide and outline of what happens and when. This is the first time ordering a car so curios on how all this works.
Thanks in advance.

-bill

I received this confirmation along with a receipt for my deposit within minutes of ordering my Telluride. Contact www.kiaofmuncie.com and ask for Jason & Lucas. They will help you out with no shenanigans or unwanted markups.