How does ordering the car you want work?

[Familyman20]

Speak for yourself. Dozens of us have ordered exactly what we wanted and have had the vehicles delivered. If you'd like a better understanding of this ordering process read some of the other threads in this forum. This thread is a bit stale

 

[Greengoblin]

I don't think anyone on here understands how the ordering process works. The dealerships make it sound as though you are submitting a specific order and that your car is then built custom by Kia. Not how it works. Placing an order just means you are reserving your spot in line. The dealerships don't get to pick and choose which cars they get. Kia just allocates them to the dealerships and if the dealership so happens to get a car that matches your specific "order", then you would get first rights to that car. If that dealership never gets allocated a car with your specific criteria, then you could be waiting forever.

Just don't believe that you are submitting a custom order and Kia is fulfilling those orders individually.

Well, you are uniformed. I built an custom order with Kia at the dealership. They can designate that it's not an inventory order, but a customer order with deposit. Once they do, Kia accepts the order and that exact vehicle is built and allocated to that dealership. If your dealer is honest like mine was, you will have already negotiated the price before it ever hits the lot. I had mine in 4 months and it was built to my exact specifications. People come here to get real info, so in the future please refrain from sharing your opinion when the question requires an objective accurate answer

 

[jw_tx21]

I don't think anyone on here understands how the ordering process works. The dealerships make it sound as though you are submitting a specific order and that your car is then built custom by Kia. Not how it works. Placing an order just means you are reserving your spot in line. The dealerships don't get to pick and choose which cars they get. Kia just allocates them to the dealerships and if the dealership so happens to get a car that matches your specific "order", then you would get first rights to that car. If that dealership never gets allocated a car with your specific criteria, then you could be waiting forever.

Just don't believe that you are submitting a custom order and Kia is fulfilling those orders individually.

As above post said, you are mostly wrong. That may be how your dealership operates, but there are other models. You are partially correct in that corporate determines the allocations - but then dealerships have the ability to order those allocations in the way they want them configured. So, a good dealership takes a customer "order" - marking a place in line - and then enters that "order" as the customer requested when they receive an allocation. All this has been discussed in detail on the forum. Happy reading.

And please don't reply to stale threads with misinformation as poster above also stated.

 

[KiaCustomer]

Well, you are uniformed. I built an custom order with Kia at the dealership. They can designate that it's not an inventory order, but a customer order with deposit. Once they do, Kia accepts the order and that exact vehicle is built and allocated to that dealership. If your dealer is honest like mine was, you will have already negotiated the price before it ever hits the lot. I had mine in 4 months and it was built to my exact specifications. People come here to get real info, so in the future please refrain from sharing your opinion when the question requires an objective accurate answer

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[KiaCustomer]

My information comes directly from Kia corporate. I made a deposit and ordered the car from a dealership over 9 months ago and still no car. I called several other dealerships and they all said that they cannot submit an order for a specific car to be allocated to their dealership. They said If i ordered from a small dealership, I could wait forever to get the specific car i “ordered”. If the dealership sells a lot of cars, they get more cars allocated to them but they did confirm that they can’t pick and choose which cars they get. If your dealership gets your car or something close, they will call you. Of course I am frustrated so i called Kia Corporate to understand how the process works. Corporate did indeed confirm that they DO NOT custom build cars specifically for customers.
Trust me, i have called over 20 dealerships and talked to Kia Corporate 3 times. I have done my die diligence so don’t appreciate you saying my facts are wrong. Feel free to call them yourself. dealerships will twist things which shouldn’t surprise anyone nowadays.

 

[Greengoblin]

My information comes directly from Kia corporate. I made a deposit and ordered the car from a dealership over 9 months ago and still no car. I called several other dealerships and they all said that they cannot submit an order for a specific car to be allocated to their dealership. They said If i ordered from a small dealership, I could wait forever to get the specific car i “ordered”. If the dealership sells a lot of cars, they get more cars allocated to them but they did confirm that they can’t pick and choose which cars they get. If your dealership gets your car or something close, they will call you. Of course I am frustrated so i called Kia Corporate to understand how the process works. Corporate did indeed confirm that they DO NOT custom build cars specifically for customers.
Trust me, i have called over 20 dealerships and talked to Kia Corporate 3 times. I have done my die diligence so don’t appreciate you saying my facts are wrong. Feel free to call them yourself. dealerships will twist things which shouldn’t surprise anyone nowadays.

Well you dont have to appreciate it. But, when others have done exactly what your are saying isn't possible, there isn't much else to say. I did exactly what you said can't be done. It ordered a Dark Moss SX with black leather. I added interior lighting accessories, a roof rack, mudguards, and a towing package. I didnt want AWD so I made sure to keep that off my order. My car came exactly as I ordered it. I received build updates from the dealership throughout the process and was delivered the vehicle in about 4 months. Maybe Kia changed their tune of late. I'm not arguing your experience, but it is not reflective of others. So lets leave it there. Your experience is unique to you and perhaps others, but not indicative to what others have experienced.

 

[jw_tx21]

My information comes directly from Kia corporate. I made a deposit and ordered the car from a dealership over 9 months ago and still no car. I called several other dealerships and they all said that they cannot submit an order for a specific car to be allocated to their dealership. They said If i ordered from a small dealership, I could wait forever to get the specific car i “ordered”. If the dealership sells a lot of cars, they get more cars allocated to them but they did confirm that they can’t pick and choose which cars they get. If your dealership gets your car or something close, they will call you. Of course I am frustrated so i called Kia Corporate to understand how the process works. Corporate did indeed confirm that they DO NOT custom build cars specifically for customers.
Trust me, i have called over 20 dealerships and talked to Kia Corporate 3 times. I have done my die diligence so don’t appreciate you saying my facts are wrong. Feel free to call them yourself. dealerships will twist things which shouldn’t surprise anyone nowadays.

Yes, you are correct - many dealerships operate this way. Other dealerships will place an order on your behalf as you specify it. But, from Kia corporate perspective, they don't build "custom" vehicles. There is a great thread titled "Latest Info on Ordering Through KFOS" that has many posts written by a couple of our authorized dealers. They are a good size dealership, and order the vehicles as customers desire.

The largest dealerships (and many others) don't bother taking orders because they don't want to provide that service and they don't care as the vehicles sell within a few days or hours of hitting the lot - often it's a silent auction or first dibs. For example an SX-P arrives - all the sales guys call their potential clients and the first one to the dealership who is willing to pay the markup gets the vehicle. Been through it a lot. And yes, the more vehicles that a dealership sells, the more Tellurides they get allocated.

Some dealerships do actually take customer specs and when they get an allocation they order the vehicle with customer specs.

I ultimately ordered a vehicle, and it was delivered with my specs 4 months later.

Talk with Classic Kia of Carrollton (@StephenCantrelle), Luther Kia Inver Grove (@Mweiland), Kia of Muncie (@Jason Fox), or Huffines Corinth (@DonovanHuffinesCorinth). They all order vehicles as customers desire. But, yes, many of them have long lists and a long wait.

 

[KiaCustomer]

Well you dont have to appreciate it. But, when others have done exactly what your are saying isn't possible, there isn't much else to say. I did exactly what you said can't be done. It ordered a Dark Moss SX with black leather. I added interior lighting accessories, a roof rack, mudguards, and a towing package. I didnt want AWD so I made sure to keep that off my order. My car came exactly as I ordered it. I received build updates from the dealership throughout the process and was delivered the vehicle in about 4 months. Maybe Kia changed their tune of late. I'm not arguing your experience, but it is not reflective of others. So lets leave it there. Your experience is unique to you and perhaps others, but not indicative to what others have experienced.

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[MarcinTexas]

I don't think anyone on here understands how the ordering process works. The dealerships make it sound as though you are submitting a specific order and that your car is then built custom by Kia. Not how it works. Placing an order just means you are reserving your spot in line. The dealerships don't get to pick and choose which cars they get. Kia just allocates them to the dealerships and if the dealership so happens to get a car that matches your specific "order", then you would get first rights to that car. If that dealership never gets allocated a car with your specific criteria, then you could be waiting forever.

Just don't believe that you are submitting a custom order and Kia is fulfilling those orders individually.

Not true. Many of us have gone through this process from KFOS to VIN issuance.

 

[KiaCustomer]

Agreed. I can’t speak for how things were done in the past but only based on my direct discussions with Kia Corproate which is more updated information. Again, i confirmed this with Kia Corprate 3 times to avoid any miscommunication. They even had customer relations call me back and said that they don’t fulfill and ship orders based on the order sheets. Again, it’s very likely the dealership is allocated a car that they decided to build that matches your specs.

You’ll also see, if you call around to all the dealerships, not all of them place orders. I asked a couple of them why and they said it causes too much issues with over promising to customers. The dealers would estimate 3-4 months for the car to get allocated and if it takes 6 months to a year, the customer gets mad. I did everything that was said above. Went to Kia, specified my build, made a deposit, etc. I am just hear to inform and it argue. Your experience may have panned out well so you have no reason to question the “ordering” process. I am just here to inform after my many hours of due diligence.

 

[jw_tx21]

Agreed. I can’t speak for how things were done in the past but only based on my direct discussions with Kia Corproate which is more updated information. Again, i confirmed this with Kia Corprate 3 times to avoid any miscommunication. They even had customer relations call me back and said that they don’t fulfill and ship orders based on the order sheets. Again, it’s very likely the dealership is allocated a car that they decided to build that matches your specs.

You’ll also see, if you call around to all the dealerships, not all of them place orders. I asked a couple of them why and they said it causes too much issues with over promising to customers. The dealers would estimate 3-4 months for the car to get allocated and if it takes 6 months to a year, the customer gets mad. I did everything that was said above. Went to Kia, specified my build, made a deposit, etc. I am just hear to inform and it argue. Your experience may have panned out well so you have no reason to question the “ordering” process. I am just here to inform after my many hours of due diligence.

Yes, thanks. It is one perspective. As I said, read the thread I referenced above for more clarity. Dealerships are independent franchises, they order the vehicles they want to sell according to their allocations and the factory (Corporate) does what it wants and builds according to their plan - not to the order book. So, they are telling you the truth from their perspective - but it's not Corporate's job to get you the vehicle. It's up to the independent dealership. If Kia just sent them random vehicles, I'm pretty sure most owners would be angry. There are ways to get what you order specifically - but it usually involves a long wait.

In any event, use forum tools to find an available spec'd vehicle near you and buy that one. Another way, but a time consuming route.

 

[Rav]

Anyone have a recommendation for the TriState area?

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[Rav]

Hi all. Great info, thanks everyone for your contributions.

interested in ordering an SX with almost every option. Has anyone done so recently, and what is the ETA with the Covid situation?
Thank you.

 

[OaktownACE]

My information comes directly from Kia corporate. I made a deposit and ordered the car from a dealership over 9 months ago and still no car. I called several other dealerships and they all said that they cannot submit an order for a specific car to be allocated to their dealership. They said If i ordered from a small dealership, I could wait forever to get the specific car i “ordered”. If the dealership sells a lot of cars, they get more cars allocated to them but they did confirm that they can’t pick and choose which cars they get. If your dealership gets your car or something close, they will call you. Of course I am frustrated so i called Kia Corporate to understand how the process works. Corporate did indeed confirm that they DO NOT custom build cars specifically for customers.
Trust me, i have called over 20 dealerships and talked to Kia Corporate 3 times. I have done my die diligence so don’t appreciate you saying my facts are wrong. Feel free to call them yourself. dealerships will twist things which shouldn’t surprise anyone nowadays.

I think if you spend any length of time reading this forum you will understand that you are wrong. Most of us with SXP orders are custom and most have our names on the orders placed in the KFOS system with options as we selected. It was not random, we just waited in line. I placed my order on Valentine’s Day and now have an ETA in Oct. 8 months later but without COVID19 would have been within the 6 months my dealer quoted me originally.

 

[Rav]

I think if you spend any length of time reading this forum you will understand that you are wrong. Most of us with SXP orders are custom and most have our names on the orders placed in the KFOS system with options as we selected. It was not random, we just waited in line. I placed my order on Valentine’s Day and now have an ETA in Oct. 8 months later but without COVID19 would have been within the 6 months my dealer quoted me originally.

Thanks. Anyone get the rear entertainment system? Seems to say “coming soon” on the Build application.

 

[jw_tx21]

Thanks. Anyone get the rear entertainment system? Seems to say “coming soon” on the Build application.

I would suggest you read the "Three Ways to Purchase a Telluride" thread in the How to Buy... section of the forum. Or, just call Nutley Kia salesperson as referenced in the other thread and work with them to secure your Telluride. Since you said you want every conceivable option, it would probably be best to order. And the dealer will know best which components are available.

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[Rav]

T

I would suggest you read the "Three Ways to Purchase a Telluride" thread in the How to Buy... section of the forum. Or, just call Nutley Kia salesperson as referenced in the other thread and work with them to secure your Telluride. Since you said you want every conceivable option, it would probably be best to order. And the dealer will know best which components are available.

Thanks. New to this board. All very useful info and very friendly users. I am in touch with someone at Nutley Kia, and hope to get smarter with the intel here. Thanks again!

 

[SVoigt]

I think that we are having the difference of opinion based on semantics. I think that when Kia Customer says that Kia Corporate says that they don't build custom vehicles for customers, that is and of itself is correct. They build orders for dealerships. They are custom as much as what the options allow for. So we who have ordered through dealerships that will order what we want for US, we are getting what we consider custom orders. For the dealer, they are getting a normal allocation for a tier level of vehicle with the color that we would like and any options that we like. Kia just looks at it as filling a dealership order...

 

[G-301360]

Just ordered an SX this weekend.

Knowing discounts were pretty much a fantasy, I planned my buying strategy around:

• The requisite research (was thrilled to find this forum)
• Avoiding buying off the lot (weren't many SX's available anyway)
• All cash (I don't have a trade)
• A few "recon" missions to multiple Kia stores for test drive and test - float a few offers - knowing I would ultimately end up at a dealer group I had a relationship with

The Experience

• Every dealer asked me if I'd consider financing a small amount to qualify for the Finance cash (I agreed)
• Only 1 out of 4 stores appeared to have solid knowledge of the product / options
  • One admitted there's opportunity for Kia to up their training game - I appreciated that
• 3 out of 4 stores had "Phony Munroney's" adding features like paint sealer, nitrogen, and 2x warranty to the tune of $1K
  • My response to the 2x warranty was "this thing will either be a rust pile on my garage floor or chopped into beer cans long before that

My Deal

• 20 yr 7 vehicle Audi owner, my local dealer is part of a group that owns a Kia store. The ex Audi service Mgr now runs service for the group. Leveraged this relationship to "keep it in the family"
• Told them color / options I was looking for and my offer up front, knowing I qualified for the Conquest and Finance incentives of $2.5K
• My offer was an "out the door" offer including tax / tags. Didn't want any double speak about fees, add-ons, etc..
• Landed at roughly $300 under published invoice or approximately 5.7% off MSRP before tax/tags
  • Good deal? Meh.....ok. I'm happy with it given what I experienced at other Kia stores and the interest in this vehicle
• Put some cash down to lock in an order for a Ebony Black SX. Went back the next day and changed the order to White and changed some options
  • I've had 3 black cars in a row. Tired of keeping them clean
  • Thanks Sal for changing my handle for me

The wait begins. Meanwhile, I'll live vicariously through those of you who've taken delivery and continue to learn from this super-informative forum

Enjoy the ride

Hello. How long did it take for your car to get to the dealership?

 

[WhiteSX]

Hello. How long did it take for your car to get to the dealership?
[/QUOTE
You do realize, you responded to an 18 month old post.....right? Delivery / fulfillment lead times have changed drastically since then. My order was delivered in 9 weeks.

Enjoy the ride.