Anyone have the inside info on ordering a truck?

LEC2008 · August 21, 2023

I waited 2 years for the 2024 sierra HD to be refreshed. I had a feeling they would retire the 6L90 and go with something else. I've had issues with the 6L90 in my cab chassis (all 4 of them).

So I ordered a new 24 in May and it just showed up last week with a scratch in the door down to the metal. The dealer said it was going to the body shop and I'd never be able to tell where it was scratched. Turns out they touched it up themselves, and it looks like oatmeal on top of the scratch. They said they could sell it next week to someone else who didn't care about a small scratch. They also said that all new cars have scratches. So I decided to walk away.

Other dealers aren't telling me if they have allocations to build a truck. Needless to say I want the order to go in asap. What can I do? GMC customer support is useless. They don't have any answers to any of my questions.

Z45 · August 21, 2023

I would have walked away too. Dealer sounds like an ahole, all don't come damaged.

Quote

Needless to say I want the order to go in asap. What can I do? GMC customer support is useless. They don't have any answers to any of my questions.

Nor much. GM builds want they want to build regardless of what the dealer wants or the customer. Production quantities are planned months in advance, It takes a lot of pre-planning to make 1000's of components come together to build a vehicle.

Edited August 21, 2023 by elcamino

LEC2008 · August 21, 2023

That's a good point! I never thought of it like that. I always assumed they had all the components on hand to build any model truck.

Thanks

Salzette · August 22, 2023

Talk to more dealers if you can. We have a Chevy on order and have a great dealer (that the family has a long standing relationship with). When they didn’t have what I was looking for, they let me know they had an allocation they could use to order the LTZ I wanted, and they let me know what current constraints were (none of which were things I needed). Within a week my order was accepted and assigned a TPW, because they had an allocation.

IMO I wouldn’t order if they can’t be up front about allocations - at least they can be up front if they don’t have one or if they have a bunch of orders ahead of yours in line. They may even know that they’re at least likely to get some if they’ve been selling a lot of trucks. But Joe Schmoe on the sales floor might not know. You might have to connect with management to get better answers. But if even management won’t answer, I’d move to the next dealer.

chwilliams · August 22, 2023

25 minutes ago, Salzette said:

Talk to more dealers if you can. We have a Chevy on order and have a great dealer (that the family has a long standing relationship with). When they didn’t have what I was looking for, they let me know they had an allocation they could use to order the LTZ I wanted, and they let me know what current constraints were (none of which were things I needed). Within a week my order was accepted and assigned a TPW, because they had an allocation.

IMO I wouldn’t order if they can’t be up front about allocations - at least they can be up front if they don’t have one or if they have a bunch of orders ahead of yours in line. They may even know that they’re at least likely to get some if they’ve been selling a lot of trucks. But Joe Schmoe on the sales floor might not know. You might have to connect with management to get better answers. But if even management won’t answer, I’d move to the next dealer.

My small local dealer basically said they wouldn't be able to get me a '24 because they have very few allocations and lots of folks in the "family has a long standing relationship" category already in line for 2500's. The sales manager was very nice and apologetic. No problems otherwise with the dealership, I've used them for service for over a decade and will be taking the new rig there. fwiw this really burns me (on their behalf!) because they could do so much more business if not for the allocation system.

OP - I went through most dealerships in northern/central Oregon and southern Washington until I found some sane folks I felt comfortable doing business with. Definitely a lot of snake oil and/or misinformation out there. A majority of them said they wanted to do business, but would ghost me or come up with reasons why they couldn't/wouldn't place an order. Not having the aforementioned prior relationship felt to be a serious disadvantage. Some wanted cash over MRSP, and said cash up front (non-refundable) before going any further. One dealer said they couldn't get me a 2500 but could de-rate a 3500 by removing some of the rear springs. Do your homework and don't jump at the first sales person to shake your hand.

Salzette · August 22, 2023

3 minutes ago, chwilliams said:

My small local dealer basically said they wouldn't be able to get me a '24 because they have very few allocations and lots of folks in the "family has a long standing relationship" category already in line for 2500's. The sales manager was very nice and apologetic. No problems otherwise with the dealership, I've used them for service for over a decade and will be taking the new rig there. fwiw this really burns me (on their behalf!) because they could do so much more business if not for the allocation system.

OP - I went through most dealerships in northern/central Oregon and southern Washington until I found some sane folks I felt comfortable doing business with. Definitely a lot of snake oil and/or misinformation out there. A majority of them said they wanted to do business, but would ghost me or come up with reasons why they couldn't/wouldn't place an order. Not having the aforementioned prior relationship felt to be a serious disadvantage. Some wanted cash over MRSP, and said cash up front (non-refundable) before going any further. One dealer said they couldn't get me a 2500 but could de-rate a 3500 by removing some of the rear springs. Do your homework and don't jump at the first sales person to shake your hand.

this is good advice. We talked to a few other dealers as the one we ordered thru is small, and further away from us by a decent amount. BUT what made me go back and talk to them was the other shady dealers I talked to. Non-refundable deposits, not taking our employee pricing, dodging questions about allocations: sure they would’ve gladly taken our money, and who knows of and when we’d see a truck, or some didn’t want to talk if you didn’t want the one on the lot. Don’t order with those guys. I kicked myself for wasting the time on other dealers, but your point is right on: small, reputable dealers sadly can’t always get the allocations. We got lucky ours had one. Best to keep looking and expand the search radius if you can.

Leonardo Willi · August 22, 2023

4 hours ago, LEC2008 said:

I waited 2 years for the 2024 sierra HD to be refreshed. I had a feeling they would retire the 6L90 and go with something else. I've had issues with the 6L90 in my cab chassis (all 4 of them).

So I ordered a new 24 in May and it just showed up last week with a scratch in the door down to the metal. The dealer said it was going to the body shop and I'd never be able to tell where it was scratched. Turns out they touched it up themselves, and it looks like oatmeal on top of the scratch. They said they could sell it next week to someone else who didn't care about a small scratch. They also said that all new cars have scratches. So I decided to walk away.

Other dealers aren't telling me if they have allocations to build a truck. Needless to say I want the order to go in asap. What can I do? GMC customer support is useless. They don't have any answers to any of my questions.

Sounds like you have a "dealer" problem more so than a ordering problem while both can be true at the same time.

It's all down to the dealer you go to having an allocation for your spec.

I've been away from here for a bit so wanted to check in and it seems to be the same kinds of issues. I had a 19mo wait, but a great, smaller dealer who's sold wife and I a handful last 5-6 years. We're in farm country so everyone sells lots of truck around here but I still had to wait and had to compromise but in the end, it all worked out for the best and absolutely LOVE the 10spd/6.6 gasser.

But even though I waited 19 months, if that is what came out of their mouth over a scratch, and they buggered it up with the nail polish bottle - I'd tell them to get f'd also.

But it all comes down to building a relationship quick with someone you can trust. In the auto biz, that's a tall ask.

newdude · August 22, 2023

5 hours ago, elcamino said:

Dealer sounds like an ahole, all don't come damaged.

...you'd be surprised. Especially just this year alone (rushing to load carriers, short worker staff, high demand to get vehicles on the lot). They all get fixed either by GM (if it was at the plant) or the dealership (after delivery from the transport truck). Some do get totaled out like the two we had roofs get almost chopped off from the truck driver not lowering his trailer for an overpass.

64BAwagon · August 22, 2023

Your primary problem is a dealer one. If you can find one that will honestly tell you about their allotment (or lack of) that will be a start. Most orders have been running around 90 days assuming no unforeseen parts shortages. The dealer in my town has had at least one 24 on the lot for months. They currently have a white crew can dually LTZ Dmax sitting out front. Not sure how the pricing is but many around here get GM employee pricing and they honor that.

As far as GM building "what they want" thats not particularly true. Supplier issues and shortages (paint is a good example) play the biggest part in what is scheduled and sold orders typically get built first, so to say they just build whatever they feel like is false. They build what they can and are limited by supplies. Flint has consistently built over 1000 trucks per weekday over 3 full shifts. This despite significant supply chain issues caused by a myriad of reasons.

Edited August 22, 2023 by 64BAwagon