Treated very poorly - GM order process is BROKEN!
 

I put $1000 down in January to secure one of my 3 dealers 2014 allocations. Today I get a call from my dealer saying your allocation is ready and you have until next Tuesday to make changes to your order. Now for the bad news....Carbon fiber constraint and Z51 constraint. He tells me I must remove both options or my allocation will go to another order. The Z51 is not an item that I will remove from my order.

He then tells me that he does not currently have any additional allocations for 2014. Therefore he does not know if he will have an allocation when the constraints clear.

THIS IS VERY POOR BUSINESS PRACTICE

I put money down in January to secure one of your first three allocations and because GM has shortages on my desired options I loose my allocation with no guarantee that I will receive another allocation when the options I ordered are available.

This is my first Vette. I am considering canceling my order and getting another brand of sports car where my business is valued.

Very disappointed.

That is just wrong.

I agree I would not give up Z51 option that is just not happening

If GM builds only 10 Corvettes and 100 people want them, one person cancelling their order will not make them blink an eye. Trust me, cancel your order and you'll be the one missing out, not GM. Be patient, take a deep breath, relax and just go with the flow. Try another dealership, there's probably a dozen in here that will be happy to get you the car that you want or just wait, do you really want to drive it during the winter (I have no idea where you live)?

That does suck, cancel your order and call one of the large dealers on this forum.

No more allocations for 2014? I would shop around

No way I would not buy a Z51 if I wanted one.

But, also no way I would pay so much for the Jag for the power it has. It would be like shooting yourself in the foot.

Zhuskers, just realize everything you've said bad is directly related to the dealership, not GM. The dealer is the one who is making all those demands about the allocation, and they obviously don't have enough allocations, which means they are a smaller dealer that doesn't do a lot of corvette sales, or you are dealing with a high pressure sales guy that wants to force you into taking a car you don't really want just so he can get his commission this week rather than a few weeks later. There are plenty of great dealerships out there. If I were you, I would consider talking with one of them, many of them have people in this forum.

If you feel up to it, you might even consider writing a couple letters to the people at GM. They can't fix what they don't know is broken. I wouldn't be surprised if they themselves weren't shocked, and had a nice heart to heart with the dealership involved.

I would have to agree that this is a bad call on this dealership's part. I can understand letting you know about the constraint, and offering you the option of reconfiguration to get the car sooner, however, to give away your allocation spot because you don't is very short sighted on their part. The length of the Carbon constraint may be hit or miss, but I'm willing to bet the Z51 won't be long. There's just too much marketing on that package for them not to get busy fixing that issue.

We're atarting to see alot of cars where the customer backed out, and these cars are sitting in the dealership. Like has been said, call these Forum dealers. Heck, you might get lucky and find something close to your car and be driving in a few days. At the very least these guys seem to "get it" and you will be dealing with professionals.

Just don't give up and go spend twice the money on something you'll like half as much.

That's about the same call I got a few days ago(roof), but before the Z-51 constraint. I guess I can expect another call and another no change answer.

At least if the economy takes a dump in the next few months you have time to re-think the expenditure. :flaghalfmast:

I think that you meant to say.....ugly as Hell Jag XK-R.

Absolutely hideous....., in my opinion

It's no CLS that's for sure. To me that Jag looks like a BRZ and FR-S, not hideous but not stunning either.

WTF...LOL..I'm sorry...it was only a matter of time before GM screwed he pooch on the C7...sorry!

Are you laughing out loud at the OP's situation or sorry for the OP's situation and you will be happy if and when GM "screws the pooch" on the C7? Are you conflicted?

Before I'd get the Jag, I'd hold on to my 97 Mercury Mountaineer AWD. It's not pretty, in fact it's quite ambiguous. It's just another white box that draws no attention...of cops.
In the real world, it'll get me from point A to point B much quicker than a sports car. I don't need to slow down for speed bumps, It's easy to go over a curb if the dive-thu is slow, not worried parking next to a wreck, makes the tightest U turns, not afraid of catching air (the suspension is not stock, ala rollover Explorer) Handles with the best SUV's. No fear of mud & snow or overflowing creek. 170k hard miles and it never let me down. Yet for some reason I lust for the Stingray, go figure.

Why would your dealer not offer your spot to the number 2 guy on the list (assuming he does not want CF or Z51) and you take his spot. I realize it sucks to give up a car that will soon be built but this might be a compromise.

Btw I know where a nicely equipped (blk/kali 3Lt Z51 auto nav chrome)is unspoken for and at msrp

If that dealership is going to order a non z51 for stock with your allocation that is wrong!
I would go talk the the general manager and tell them that is your allocation and they should keep it for you and order your car the way you want it when the constraints are lifted.

In my opinion there is a break down in communication here. I don't think that the dealer was saying that he was giving your allocation away, I think he was just saying that your order can't be picked up this consensus with the constraints therefore another dealer will get your spot until constraints are lifted. Give him a call and make sure you will still have your spot.

I agree. I'd raise hell with the manager. If they still refuse to let you order what you want and, for all intents and purposes, steal your allocation back head for their Twitter and/or Facebook page and let the world know.

EDIT: I take this back, corrected by Rick (see below). I did not know you needed to submit an actual buildable order.

I know how frustrated he is......we as a delaer body HAVE ZERO control over this stuff...

I think I remember in the early stages of the GM promotions, they said there would be no constraints, they had their suppliers in check....:crazy:


and he is correct, as a smaller dealer, you have to provide a buildable order or loose the allocation...I too a victim of this...had 10 orders this week...all Z51, only 1 got it....at least down the road I know we will have more opportunities because of our volume - thank goodness,

so to the guy that has waited since January, if you want to talk, let me know..help any way I can sir....

Don't let this ruin your passion for the car

I feel your pain. But at the risk of sounding uncaring, first year buyers will experience more than the usual number of frustrating shortages and delays. Let's just think of it as part of the first year fun. :D

If an option is in short supply, GM will keep building Corvettes without that option to keep the production line moving. Your dealer is an independent business who sells GM products, they are not GM. You had an agreement with the dealer, you didn't have an agreement with GM.

Guys who really want the very 1st C7 in town will need to be flexible. And often have extra $$$ to spare.

Cheers, :cheers:
JB

Wow....
I assumed (you know what happens then) that the dealer would KEEP the allocation and be able to order what the customer wants when the constraint items are lifted. This is a BROKEN system, and all on GM (I was going to put it all on the dealer and then read Rick's post).

Jimmy

Nor would I. Just for the wheels alone. :thumbs:

These may be all good points as it relates to GM.

I am used to doing business with automobile companies who effectively manage their supplier chain and treat their customers in a fair and equitable manner. I have ordered many first year new sports cars and never ran into a cluster like this. Other companies may have these issues, but they keep it transparent to the client.

I plan to contact GM at the highest level possible and if I do not get a favorable response I will more than likely focus on other cars/companies.

I was and still am VERY EXCITED about the car I ordered.

Sad state of affairs when your business practices kill the passion of your clients.

Thought that blue car was a Ford.
To the OP, hope you get what you want.

It appears that GM and it's customers are both victims of the Z51's wild success. Most all of the fantastic reviews have been of the Z51 and people have clearly responded, ordering the Z51 option in large numbers. Sadly, as with all wildly successful products, shortages occur as manufacturing/suppliers struggle to keep up with demand. It is happening with the new iPhone and the Stingray Z51.

No intention of kicking zhuskers, but I do think both Rick's post and talon90's thread are the important things to consider. While you can give up on buying the car ever, or at all, there are issues that even the mighty GM can't correct, such as all suppliers providing equipment as contractually promised.

I also don't think that pulling an allocation because it can't be delivered as promised with the options is all wrong. It could be different, but that is something they may consider in the future. Maybe. jmo.

I do think there are some lessons to be learned from this post and the frustrated posts of others, much of which is well summarized in talon's thread. It speaks to the entire build process of a new model/generation, the dealers large and small, and new car buyers' expectations of a smooth, seamless, perfect or near-perfect process.

If you were watching this forum then you must have realized that something was wrong with this deal. Placing an order in jan means nothing what matters is when will your order get accepted by GM. Watching people go from order status to code 3800 in 4 weeks should have sounded an alarm a long time ago. You didn't do your homework on this , and your dealer could care less. Heck I called around in sept to see what dealer had a allocation spot and went with them. There were a ton of dealers that would take my order then place me in line with the others.

Everyone has a different level of personal integrity. I personally believe if you take someones money, and give them a commitment, you need to deliver on that commitment.

I would be okay if I had been told; "all options are not available at this time your and car will be built when options are available". What I was told is that options are not available at this time, therefore you have lost your place in line and I do not know when you will be put back in line..... When I put my deposit down in January.

As I said in my first post....THIS IS A CROCK!

Don't tell me about the storms you encountered...did you bring the ship in and deliver for the customer!

You should have been worried if the options you wanted would be available when your turn came around. The problem is you didn't know or bother to determine when your spot would open up. This is your own doing's and no nobody else. The dealer has no control over what will be available for production from week to week.

This.

As others have stated your problems are at the dealer level. Most states have very stringent laws protecting dealerships and as a result GM does not have as much control over them as they would like.

The car with Z51 option is in strong demand and that demand is exceeding the supply of parts.

It is time to take a breath and try to get the emotion out of the equation. What made you decide on the C7 and what other cars were you considering? If, in your mind, the C7 was only slightly better than your second choice than you might be fine going in a different direction. If the Corvette was much better than your second choice than wait until you can get it configured the way you want. If you choose to stay with the C7 you would be better off cancelling your order with the local dealer and working with one of the large forum dealers.

Good Luck!

Very true, and I know it does seem unfair that an allocation is lost due to constraint.

There's more than one way to skin this cat, however. Some of these larger dealers do have unsold cars that it seems they ordered through their allocations. Maybe looking them up and seeing if they have something in that inventory, or on the truck that comes close to your order might be a good alternative.

But first, I would discuss your options the the GM at your local dealer. Clear up any possible miscommunication, see if they would have another allocation coming in the near future, or at the very least, get them to agree to a courtesy delivery if you go out of state for the car.

Thanks for reminding me that I also am waiting on a iPhone :willy: I retired on May 31st, bought my first Corvette on May 27th and ordered my first iPhone last week. Ironically, time slows down a bit when you are retired because I am not as active so the waiting I am enduring seems that much greater.

You didn't pick the wrong car. You picked the wrong dealership.

Your mistake was being a member of this forum and not taking advantage of the forum dealerships.

I would simply say it's a bit harsh to blame the entire Chevrolet brand when you chose to do business with a dealership that was going to get only three cars in the first ~4 months of production.

I would be very disappointed with the dealership as well, since they're your representative when doing business with Chevrolet. This is much like a waiter or waitress at a restaurant is your representative in the kitchen.

Sorry to hear of your trouble, and be sure to contact the sales manager. He'll have to show his true colors when you talk to him about this. Let us know what he says and good luck!

c7 order
 

Get in touch with Rick Conti Corvette. Google Rick Conti Corvette.:flag:

OP,

Just give out the details of the car you're looking for and where you're located. I am sure you can get your car through the help of the forum and quick.

This guy is not the only dealership.

bmacZ06,

Thank you for the advice. Trust me no emotions involved. I learned many years ago to never get emotional over material things. Disappointed yes, emotional no.

This is my first time I have been exposed to the GM allocation process and anyone who say this is the "customer fault" is not in tune with reality.

I have some calls and emails into some high level people and I will let you know how it turns out.

Thanks again

GM uses the term hugger and Ford uses grabber.

If you pick a small dealership and don't ask when your allocation slot will come up . Then who's fault is it ?

So, let me see if I understand this correctly.

If Gm gives a dealer 5 C7's allocation, and lets say you are 3rd in line, they have two choices.

1. Hold one of the 5 allocations for you when the constraint is lifted and tell people later in line they need to wait until the next round of allocations.
2. Give your allocation to a person who is not one of the original first 5 on their list, leaving you to await the next round of allocations.

Is this right?

If I am right, then what is hurting you may be helping the #6 guy in line?

I am on the fence about what the dealer should do. It is a difficult position that GM has put them in.....or should I say the suppliers have put GM in......or should I say the customers have put GM in because so many are ordering the Z51......or should I say that GM has put the suppliers in because they priced the Z51 too low and therefore demand is sky high?

Complex situation to say the least.

I hope the constraint is lifted and you see your order picked up soon.

I had a very similar experience, except I pried the rules out of the dealer before placing an order, and walked away fast! My opinion is that this basically bait and switch type of tactics. I second many other opinions that you connect with one of the many reputable dealers who will honor your place in line. Also, something I didn't know about was that you can arrange for a courtesy delivery to a local (OTHER) dealer but still take advantage of the large non-local dealer allocations. Good luck!

It is actually very simple if you let good judgement reign. A FIFO process needs to be implemented for all orders impacted by constraint situations once the constraint has been cleared. Very simple, very fair.

Thank you for your good vibes!:thumbs::thumbs:

Thanks for the info on courtesy delivery!!:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

Get your deposit back, call one of the forum dealers and order from their allocations. They can deliver to your local dealer. Sorry you're going through this and I'd hate to see you drive a competing car and always wonder if you should have waited or changed dealerships.

To the OP. Talk to one of the fourm dealers like Coughlin (talk to Rick) or one of the other ones. They have open allocation and will put your in the system. Now you will sit at code 1100 until the constraints are lifted but at least you will be in the system when that happens. It sounds like your dealer does not even want to do this for you...dump him and go with a dealer that has open allocation. Just my 2 cents.

Barry.

No Problemo! Also a couple of general comments. If they take your deposit, that implicitly means they will get you the car with the options you want. Second, your choice, but if I were you I'd disclose the name of the dealer. Kind of like Angie's list -- let people know which dealers are ethical and which are not.

Now I see what you are suggesting....

GM make a note of any pending orders that can't get picked up due to constraints, then award additional allocation to account for those at a later date.

Got it. Good idea.

I am thinking that after this initial flash of demand, that allocations should loosen up pretty quickly.

I saw that one of the big dealers also had 10 Z51 orders placed and only one could be picked up this consensus. Large and small dealers alike are getting put into a bad situation.

What did his dealer do wrong? The dealer has NO CONTROL of GM's production scheduled or would or will be on constraint at the time of production. It didn't matter if the dealer had one allocation or was Kerbeck with 508 allocations if GM isn't offering that option that week of production NOBODY is getting a car build.

Bad mouthing his dealer for something out of the dealers control is just wrong!!!

I have spoken to my dealer again and they are going to see if the can make something happen. The sales rep has been awesome. I have purchased close to a dozen cars from this dealer. All great experiences. After my conversation, I am hopeful that they will come up with a solution.

Stay tuned.

No, this is NOT correct.

The OP's dealer has 3 Corvettes allocated. The OP has the 3rd car, which must be ordered next week. The OP (customer) wants an option that is on constraint (in this case, Z51). The dealer MUST order a car (which is, at this point, committed to the OP), if he (the dealer) does not order A car, he (the dealer) loses the allocation. So, the OP must either order and accept a car NOT equipped the way he wants it, or lose the spot with a local dealer. How this is remotely the OP or dealer's fault is beyond me. Everyone FULLY understands supplier issues and the predicting of certain option flow, why can't the order be placed against the dealer's allocation and held until the constraint is lifted?

Jimmy

PS. I have been a supporter of GM through the intro of the C7, but this situation, IMO, is a classic "tail wagging the dog". There are Z51 components that are not available......your fault/my fault/nobody's fault, in the end, that doesn't matter....but GM made it the OP and dealer's fault, when GM VERY simply needs to steer the dealer allocation to ANOTHER dealer and preserve the ORIGINAL allocation for the OP/dealer when the constraint is lifted. Please don't lecture me about NOT understanding the process, this is about taking care of the customer and it is NOT that hard, in this case.

What's wrong with you? GM didn't screw this up, the dealer did.

All the OP needs to do is get with a large forum dealer and order. He'll get his car.

So, it sounds like your dealer will come through for you, or might. And also, it sounds like you just learned of "courtesy delivery" which you might therefore be able to use with this same dealer if they don't have any more allocations and you have to buy elsewhere(as suggested above, having this dealer give you a "deal" on courtesy delivery from another dealer). It's good not to get emotional about this whole process esp. since it's a tangible possession. :cheers:

So, it's the dealer's fault that when HIS number was called, Z51 is on constraint.....Go back and read Rick Conti's original post in this thread since you do not seem to understand how this works (especially for a small dealer).

Maybe the OP wanted to buy locally (a noble pursuit) and be loyal to said dealer (another noble pursuit).

And then, Your answer is...buy from someone you don't know????

Nothing against our wonderful forum dealers, they do a great job. But this is NOT the dealer or OP's fault and for you to TRY to make it so is not right.

Jimmy

You are correct. It's not the dealers fault. It's also not the OP's fault.

Loyalty only goes so far. If he wants the car he can order from a forum dealer for the same or better price. Go for it!
The local dealer can make more money on service in the future.

On 9/5 ordered a non Z51 Coupe from a local dealer with 10 allocations. I was #10 of 10. Called today for an update on my order, only to learn I had moved to 2000, while 4 others who ordered earlier, we're still at 1100. Guess, perhaps, I'm the beneficiary of the Z51 constraint. Wish all the very Best!
Jerry

To all:

Thank you for your advice, counsel and wisdom.

I have decided to give my dealer time to deal with this situation. He has always "delivered the mail" in the past.

If he does not, I will contact another dealer as recommended by several members of this forum.

Good for you, I hope your dealer can work this out with Chevrolet.
And also....good for you for NOT striking back at posters in this thread that DO NOT understand how the system works (or doesn't in this case). I HOPE YOU GET YOUR CORVETTE, JUST THE WAY YOU WANT IT!

Jimmy

Seriously....

This thread is about a BROKEN system within the ordering process of GM. Your inane response to order from a forum dealer does NOT remotely deal with the issue/question at hand. Z51 is ON CONSTRAINT for everyone, the central issue is that a small dealer with THREE allocations is being forced to ask THEIR customer to compromise on his order (that has had a deposit for 9 Months) or lose his allocation. How in the hell you think ordering from a forum dealer, who is buying the SAME corvette from the SAME manufacturer, is beyond me.

Jimmy

Lets get this strait, Zhuskers1 (the OP) plunks down a deposit with a dealer that has allocation back in January, before the reveal and test result, in great faith of GM, before 99.999 percent of the buyers. And from May (when GM started accepted orders) through June there were no constraints relative to his order he doesn't get past 1100? There are no excuses, the dealer and/or GM wronged you, in my book. You my friend, should have that car conciar delivered with a bow-tie on it in your driveway in the near future to make it right. Buyers shouldn't be stressing, wondering if they are passed over or ....forgotten. It should be first come first served when all the components become available, but it seems there are other forces at work in the shadows.

I agree but I suspect it is the dealer over promising and not being able to deliver. Sounds like the OP never actually got an allocation from the dealer.

You come to this conclusion after OP has stated he has bought many (not a few) vehicles at the dealer and has faith in their ability and truthfulness with him?

How many cars he has owned before isn't really relevant. He said he placed the order in January and the dealer just told him his allocation was available now (which means the dealer didn't get the allocation until now) and if he didn't change it to something that could be ordered he would lose it. That sounds like the dealer to me. My dealer says he will have my allocation in November and if there are constraints, my allocation just sits there waiting until the constraints are lifted and then it will get picked up and built. It is simply a waiting game. Unless the situation is different somehow, I'm confused.

My guess is the dealer doesn't want to wait to get the allocation filled and is telling the OP to change it so the car order can be built (and the dealer paid) or he will give the allocation to someone else rather than waiting. The quote "change the options or the allocation will go to another order" tells me the dealer is playing games to get the car built and sold sooner. I can see a dealer losing an allocation for "stock" that can't be built but a sold order? My dealer says that isn't a problem and we just need to wait for the constraints to clear.

Maybe I'm completely wrong but that's how I read it.

EDIT... ignore the above, I stand corrected :D

The dealer's integrity and service is the highest I have ever experienced for ANY product that I have ever purchased. This dealer is trustworthy and delivers amazing service.

The dealer has been very clear and transparent. My allocation came available during the Z51 and CF constraint. GM is telling my dealer that he has to use it or loose it. All the other orders (behind me in line) at this dealer do NOT want a NON Z51 corvette either, therefore the dealer will be forced to order a non sold base model corvette to place on his lot.

At the highest levels of the dealership I have asked for the following; Contact GM and request that my allocation be "held" or issue me another allocation. Either the "held allocation or the new allocation can executed for production immediately when the Z51 and CF roof constraints are lifted.

These are the facts, you can come to your own conclusion to who is at fault.

All I know is I have been a very loyal GM customer and a loyal customer to this wonderful dealer. I put $$$ down in January to to secure my spot in line and when it comes available, I MAY get passed over due to issues that are GM's responsibility to manage.

I am hoping that the dealer will effectively represent my interests (as they have always done on the past) and secure an allocation to be used when the constraints are lifted.

Man alive, some of you guys need to brush on your reading/comprehension skills.

1. The OP's dealer has allocation
2. The OP has a deposit for one of the cars in the DEALER's allocation
3. The allocation that the OP has can now be pulled for production
4. The OP wants Z51, which is now on constraint
5. The dealer HAS to order this allocation this week in some form.
THIS IS A "USE IT OR LOSE IT" situation
6. The OP and the dealer are the one's getting hosed here. I am all for taking up for GM, but in this case (as has been explained MULTIPLE times in this thread), the "USE IT or LOSE IT" system of order pulling is doing a GREAT disservice to the OP and the dealer.

Jimmy

very true BUT....the problem is the suppliers and gm ordering parts...THE LINE HAS TO RUN AND CANNOT RUN WITH OPEN SPOTS...hence the "use it or lose it", as someone else needs to fill that spot...

OP needs to order something without constraints or pass... and then dealer needs to order a non constraint order car for stock.

I understand the production line has to run. My question is:
Why can't the OP/Dealer's allocation be traded to another dealer who can and wants to build out a non Z51 car. The "other" dealer gets a car sooner than he was hoping, and the OP/Original dealer get a later allocation when (hopefully) the constraint is lifted? Seems simple enough to me.

Jimmy

so GM should juggle phone calls to dealers to work it out for all? Noble concept, but it' ain't gonna happen...this is a highly automated procedure...no one is talking to anyone...

In this regard, GM does not really care about the customer and his wishes...they can't.....

At the rate they are building these cars in a few months they will open up "extra" allocation to everyone. Every dealer will get a few more allocation than planned. Just my feeling

Well, hopefully for the OP and for the rest of those getting caught up in this, the resolution will come sooner than later. GM is gong to build alot of these cars, and I would think that early on we should expect some glitches in the system. Perhpaps it is true that the Z51 package and the CF roof are more wildly popular than GM expected. They will catch up to demand.

But they can't stop the process to wait for what they haven't got, they have to move on with what they have got. It would also be very unfair to those that didn't want the Z51 or CF roof to have to wait until those folks were satisfied. GM would have to shut down the plant while they waited for these parts to arrive, and that is not going to happen.

So, the OP and others like him have a choice, and they do have a choice. Order what's available and get the car sooner, or wait until what they want is available. That's life folks. I really don't think anyone is happy with this scenario, not GM, not the dealer, and certainly not the customers, but it is what it is.

The solution to getting what you want now is trying to find a dealer that has a car close to your specs either in inventory or in transit and try to make the deal. Either you can take it upon yourself, or perhaps you dealer can help. No, it most likely won't be the exact car you wanted to order, but it may be a reality sooner, if that's your priority. If getting exactly what you want is the priority, than the trade off is time.

:iagree::rock:

Ka-ching! And we have a winner! And this should be handled automatically within the order system. The dealer shouldn't need to do another thing once the order is placed.

Dealer to Costumer: Our allocation came up, but there's a constraint on Stingrays, We have to use it or loose it, so can we put you down on a Chevy Spark? :rofl:

:iagree:

The acceptable answer to the client is as follows:
""Your car will be delayed "xx" days or weeks due to a limited parts production issue".

Versus - "you have lost your place in line due to issues that GM is responsible for..... and I do not know when you will be placed back in line"

I have a great dealer who understand and appreciates the value of relationships. I hope he can rescue me from this insanity.

:iagree: Again!

I don't understand why the allocation can't be used, and the car put on backorder. That's the way any other ordering system works.

Michael

Obviously, despite selling you all those cars, if your dealer only got 3 allocations, he is not a major corvette dealer. As mentioned earlier, you have to wait until the initial order period is over, because whether your dealer loses the 3rd allocation by not using it, or uses it for someone else to order, you are SOL. As everyone has suggested, a dealer who specializes in vettes would have been a better choice. Their is plenty of blame here for the OP, his dealer, and GM and their ordering process.

My order is in with a small dealer, who none the less, sells many vettes. They had 9 coupe and 4 convertible allocations for the initial period. as I ordered a Z51 convertible and am number 4 on his list, if Z51 is constrained when he gets his last allocation, I will be in the same place as the OP. However, since I have done my research and am aware of the order process, while I will be frustrated with the wait, I won't go on a rant, but will just wait, because I like my dealer.

Since there are orders behind you wouldn't the last person in line lose their spot if they did not want to take the car with restrictions?

It seems to me that the first guy in line would get their preference to take the next allocation or pass if they can not order the car the way they want. The last person on the list should suffer if any problems arise and no one above them was willing to accept any constraints.

In this economy, it shouldn't be this hard to spend $60,000 on a toy.

:rofl: :iagree:

I never dreamed we'd have to TRY or even want to under stand an ordering system and the rules within the their terms and meanings of allocation and constraints.

What I had wrongly assumed (yes I know, ass-u-me):

I could order a car with an approximate date of build and have the car built in the sequence that the order was received throughout the network and built when the parts become available. If there is a component shortage, GM would contact me and give me the option to accept the change, or continue in que, not dumped till next year.

I somewhat agree, but I think the OP is spending 80K plus with tax & license...Heck of a toy:thumbs:

Why "ain't it gonna happen". There's a zone guy, he has many dealers, he gets on the phone and calls "Joe" and says: "Hey Joe, "Bill" has an allocation next week and has a sold Z51, but it's on constraint. Don't you have a customer waiting on a non Z51 build slot, why don't you take "Bill's" allocation next week and you let him have your allocation for 10/20?" Seems pretty easy to me. One guy gets his Corvette earlier than he was hoping and the OP gets his Z51 after a little delay. Everyone wins and TWO customers are happy now.

Maybe we all have gotten a little lazy due to "automation".

Jimmy

that's not what a "zone guy" does....but nothing to stop two dealers could do that and trade cars when they came in...

If I have read all the OP's posts correctly, he is not dumped until next year, but just until after the initial allocation period, one of the hazards of shopping at a dealer with only 3 allocations and a long list of orders. Once his dealer gets more allocations and the Z51 and CF roof constraints are dropped, he should be first in his dealers que.

OK. Then hopefully the OP's dealer is doing exactly what I suggested. That said, I would assume the "Zone guy" knows what each of his customers (dealers) have for allocation so he (Zone Guy) could at least help put 2 dealers together to mutual benefit of all concerned. "Joe" orders a car spec'd out for "Bill's" non Z51 customer and then "Bill" orders a Z51 in his later allocation for "Joe's" (The OP) customer. I hear you on the "automated" nature of this system.

Jimmy

in theory yes, but no one is giving up their z51 slots when there is a constraint....and in general, dealers so not get along when trading....it might work inside a chain of dealers (owned by one guy)

Obviously, the order process is not broken. Lots of folks are getting their new C7s right on schedule just as they ordered them. It just isn't working right for this OP at this time in this particular set of circumstances. It's very unfortunate but as they often say...manure occurs.

The Z51 constraint is, it appears, a short term issue (less than 30 days) so there is no skin off the dealers nose to trade allocations. Maybe dealers don't get along but I have never had any problem getting a car that another dealer had somewhere else traded to my (selling) dealer.

Jimmy

Would YOU be this understanding if this was YOUR order?

Jimmy

It's just the truth. Life ain't fair. Deal with it.

So I'm a dealer and I have one Z51 slot to fill and another dealer calls and says I'll give you one later as the constraint is only 4 weeks long....and I should do it?

"ain't gonna happen"...how do I know that suddenly GM extends it by a month...Dealers work on the "bird in the hand" process - they are not gonna chance losing 5-10K on a deal because they did another guy a favor...now if the guy wants to give me 2-3 slots for one z51 I might be amenable to that....

There's no right answer to your dilemma. However if this involved me I'd tell your dealer and Corvette to stuff it. $60-$72K will by a few 2013/14 Corvette like performance vehicles. TTRS, Cayman S w/ Chrono,Fords 2015 GT350, AMG C-Class, 2014 Z28 to name a few.

Seriously...."Deal with it"....great reply. BTW, it's not my car, but I would be unhappy about this is happening to me and "Life ain't fair" would not be any solace. So to answer your pithy "deal with it", whatever.

And it's YOUR truth, not mine. Reality is that the ordering system should NOT be this inflexible. What good are computers if WE have to adapt to them rather than vice versa.

Jimmy

I agree the process is similar to manure :eek:

It's not broken if your goal is production schedule first and customers are discretionary and secondary.

Jeez, I surrender. I suggested a VERY REAL solution to an issue where TWO customers would be happy. Your answer is that there is NO answer, because something MIGHT (!!!) go wrong (the constraint might last longer...then again, it might be shorter) so, in the classic "management by exception" where one makes decisions based on the worst possible scenario, YOU are making a business move without considering the MOST IMPORTANT thing....am I taking care of MY customer. If I did MY business this way I wouldn't HAVE a business.

Jimmy

Exactly.

Jimmy

Ok....OP, Please try jimmys suggestion here with the dealer and let's see what happens.....

I am not stating the way it should be, I am stating the WAY IT IS....

And "THE WAY IT IS" is NOT the RIGHT answer for a customer trying to spend a PILE of money. "This is the way we've always done it" has destroyed more businesses than anything you can name.

We are talking about a SOLD order, you're telling me that the business you retired from is not smart enough to pick up a telephone (Heaven forbid) and spend an hour (or less) to work out something to the mutual benefit of not only the OP (who get's the car HE WANTS, with a delay) but to someone else who will get their car quicker than they thought?

You say dealers won't do what I proposed, I would wager that Mike (Criswell) could call Rick Conti and make EXACTLY what I proposed happen, because they are in the CUSTOMER service business.

Jimmy

Nah, neither of them would do it if they had one z51 like conti had this month.....

See post #84
The OP does not have Mike or Rick working this deal but that was his choice. Maybe his dealer could call Mike or Rick to see how it's done.

Call Ron Ignelzi at MacMulkin Chev in NH 603 821 0370. Tell them David Kaiser recommended them. They will treat you right and get the car YOU want as soon as possible, no bull

Again, I'm not the OP. So, in the end, the OP DOESN'T get the car HE wants, and instead get's "SH$T Happens" which I am sure mollifies him. And it's OK because it's just one guy....and folks tend to have long memories about bad consumer experiences and relay those to others. As my dad used to day:
"Good news takes the bus and bad news takes the plane"

I hope the OP somehow gets the car he wants. I am sure that could happen with some creative thinking and work by someone who is oriented to giving the customer what he wants rather than what he will ACCEPT.

Jimmy

PS. Post #84 is meaningless, I am well aware that folks are getting their cars, that's the business GM is in, building cars. We are talking about a guy who will LOSE his allocation through NO FAULT OF HIS OWN. Obviously, if he was dealing with someone like Dave or Rick, with tons of allocation, this would be a non-issue. Rick or Dave would move someone up that they (Rick or Dave) could build out a car for (no constraint items on that order) and move the OP down until the constraint items are available. Since he is NOT with a big dealer, he just loses, PERIOD.

The OP does not have Mike or Rick working this deal and that was his choice. Maybe his dealer could call Mike or Rick to see how it's done. I'm just saying you cannot please all the people all the time and surely you get that, right?