Does this sound right? Locked in a Telluride already in the pipleine

[markymarc2u]

I've been working with an out of state Kia salesperson for the last month, trying to get a specific Telluride as soon as it appears in the dealer's allotment or pipeline, so I can get my name on it. I'm trying to avoid the 6-month wait time for a new one.

Miraculously, I just got a call that something close to what I want is available, so I secured it with a deposit, so now "my name is on it". There is no VIN yet, but was told the ETA is in early August.

I'm starting to think WAY too much about this Telluride, just want to get some reassurance that I'm not putting all my eggs in this one basket, and not exploring other options. Does this sequence of events sound legit? Not sure of how far out a dealer can see something on the horizon. Does this timeline sound right? Thanks!

 

[Hangfire]

I've been working with an out of state Kia salesperson for the last month, trying to get a specific Telluride as soon as it appears in the dealer's allotment or pipeline, so I can get my name on it. I'm trying to avoid the 6-month wait time for a new one.

Miraculously, I just got a call that something close to what I want is available, so I secured it with a deposit, so now "my name is on it". There is no VIN yet, but was told the ETA is in early August.

I'm starting to think WAY too much about this Telluride, just want to get some reassurance that I'm not putting all my eggs in this one basket, and not exploring other options. Does this sequence of events sound legit? Not sure of how far out a dealer can see something on the horizon. Does this timeline sound right? Thanks!

So you're trying for used one? I'm confused. You say you're trying to avoid the 6 month wait time for a new one. Are you referring to grabbing one that someone has backed out of? Otherwise, there's no way to cheat the system. If you want a specific model/trim then you wait like the rest of us.

Yes, you are thinking way too much about it, like a lot of others. It's easy to become manic about. Obsessing over it will not make it show up quicker. Mastering having zero expectations isn't easy, but one of the best skills I have developed over my 43 years. The dealer can see when something is picked up by Kia, but I don't think they get an ETA date until there is a VIN. Someone please correct me if I am wrong about that.

 

[markymarc2u]

I am looking for a new Telluride but didn't want to place an order and wait six months or whatever the wait time is. The dealer said they have cars coming in that aren't spoken for. They knew what Telluride trim I wanted, and said they can see one that meets my needs. That's when I put the deposit on it.

I want to know if it makes sense that the dealer can see this car that meets my specs in whatever system they use, offer to hold it for me, and give me an ETA of two months from now. I don't know how this process works - just hoping that this seems realistic.

 

[Hangfire]

I am looking for a new Telluride but didn't want to place an order and wait six months or whatever the wait time is. The dealer said they have cars coming in that aren't spoken for. They knew what Telluride trim I wanted, and said they can see one that meets my needs. That's when I put the deposit on it.

I want to know if it makes sense that the dealer can see this car that meets my specs in whatever system they use, offer to hold it for me, and give me an ETA of two months from now. I don't know how this process works - just hoping that this seems realistic.

It makes sense if you are paying over MSRP. Sure, dealers have an allotted number per month, but I find it hard to believe that their allotment wouldn't go to someone who has placed an order and given a deposit. That may very well be the case, but it definitely wouldn't be common from what I have read. What's more common is that someone places an order, then backs out of it. The dealership let's it ride, and then sells it for a huge markup when it arrives on the lot. I do not know of a single dealer that would sell MSRP for a lot vehicle.

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[SaddieTaz]

I am looking for a new Telluride but didn't want to place an order and wait six months or whatever the wait time is. The dealer said they have cars coming in that aren't spoken for. They knew what Telluride trim I wanted, and said they can see one that meets my needs. That's when I put the deposit on it.

I want to know if it makes sense that the dealer can see this car that meets my specs in whatever system they use, offer to hold it for me, and give me an ETA of two months from now. I don't know how this process works - just hoping that this seems realistic.

Did you ask your dealer about the markup? It would be a miracle in today’s market if you can find a dealer willing to sell you an allotted Telly at MSRP. Members here buying at MSRP are for their build orders and take a long wait time. Some lucky fellows were able to score one that was backed out by someone else.

 

[NDBlackEX]

My car was a factory allocation that was not a customer's custom order. I secured it with a deposit in July 2020, VIN was not created until late August and took possession late September.

Sounds like some dealers let their factory allocations hit lots and sell them or sell them to customers who inquire about incoming units, some match them up with customers who are waiting on similar custom orders.

Both myself and a family member put deposits down on incoming allocations at the same time and took delivery the same day. They know a couple of months out what they are getting for FA inventory and they then decide how they want to sell that inventory.

You should be good. You can always keep searching but if you're happy with what you put a deposit on then it's just time to sit back and wait.

 

[markymarc2u]

Thanks so much for sharing your timeline ND, and how your order came to be. Mine came about the same way, and the timeline appears to be similar. I appreciate you taking the time to post!

 

[NCBill]

July 2020 is a lot different situation than today. Dealers selling at MSRP tend to have months worth of orders in hand. If someone backs out, it goes to someone on that backlog. If they allow people to jump the line, that would suck if you were one of the people waiting for your car.

One dealer in my area does not have much of a backlog at all. The 'secret" is they mark up all Tellurides at least $10,000, higher models even more. Last time I checked with them, they were able sell cars within a day of delivery to the dealership. So they have little incentive to not mark their cars up. They had a used one they marked up $20,000!!!

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[NDBlackEX]

July 2020 is a lot different situation than today.

Not really, I waited 5 months for an EX that I passed on in favor of the one I bought. Some dealers were marking up 10k back then too.

If someone backs out, it goes to someone on that backlog. If they allow people to jump the line, that would suck if you were one of the people waiting for your car.

That's really at the dealer's discretion. I had the opportunity to buy two different ones before I got mine just by being at the dealership and asking if a certain car was available at the right time. They were back outs. Could've driven them home that day. (Did snag one for an overnight test drive even) There was a waiting list then too.

Think about it from the dealer's perspective, if someone has a car on order, they're going to wait for it most of the time. That's a car that's sold down the road, it's money in the bank. If someone backs out and you can now make an extra sale that you may not have made and sell it to someone who's interested standing right in front of you, why wouldn't you sell to them? The person next in line on the waiting list has no way of knowing, they're still gonna wait for their car to come in.

I bought my car from an out of state dealer that had months long waiting lists but they sold their factory allocations to other customers. It seems the OP's dealer is doing the same.

 

[Hangfire]

Not really, I waited 5 months for an EX that I passed on in favor of the one I bought. Some dealers were marking up 10k back then too.

That's really at the dealer's discretion. I had the opportunity to buy two different ones before I got mine just by being at the dealership and asking if a certain car was available at the right time. They were back outs. Could've driven them home that day. (Did snag one for an overnight test drive even) There was a waiting list then too.

Think about it from the dealer's perspective, if someone has a car on order, they're going to wait for it most of the time. That's a car that's sold down the road, it's money in the bank. If someone backs out and you can now make an extra sale that you may not have made and sell it to someone who's interested standing right in front of you, why wouldn't you sell to them? The person next in line on the waiting list has no way of knowing, they're still gonna wait for their car to come in.

I bought my car from an out of state dealer that had months long waiting lists but they sold their factory allocations to other customers. It seems the OP's dealer is doing the same.

Your situation may have been the exception and not the rule. The vast majority are having to wait months for a Telluride.

 

[NDBlackEX]

Your situation may have been the exception and not the rule. The vast majority are having to wait months for a Telluride.

I agree that the vast majority wait months. It doesn't change the fact that dealers get units every month that aren't customer orders and can sell them to whomever they please. They can be had without as much wait if you work and or get lucky. Plenty of stories on here about people just walking in to look at one, asking if it were available and driving it home. Plenty of untold stories I'm guessing too as not all Telluride owners are on the Forum.

We did it, X2 haha
Here's definitely not my EX parked in my garage. You'll notice the sold on the windshield. Plenty of people were in the que waiting, heck I'd even placed my order a month prior. Could've owned it...
White S after a test drive. Just driving by and saw it. Was available, test drove it, didn't want white but took advantage of the opportunity to drive it. Waiting list then too.
So, in regards to the OP's query, they are out there and available and you got one coming! It is rare though.

 

[3Rivers]

I agree that the vast majority wait months. It doesn't change the fact that dealers get units every month that aren't customer orders and can sell them to whomever they please. They can be had without as much wait if you work and or get lucky.

I can attest to that. 18 more hours to go.

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[NDBlackEX]

I can attest to that. 18 more hours to go.

Congrats, drop some pics on here when you get it. Just got home from a 1500 mile road trip with mine. One of my favorite cars I've owned. Fantastic on long trips.