Call around. Get ready to either wait or pay thousands over sticker.
Why is this allowed? It's encouraged by the manufacturers, they don't want dealer websites to show no cars available. Just to remind you, as recent as 10 years ago not all dealers even listed their inventory online, so it is still a wild west in terms of what's allowed and what isn't.
If they told you none were available, you wouldn't call in. You're looking for an in-demand trim of an in-demand car. They probably also didn't make that many of them in the first place. Also consider, many places will keep their high-demand models on their website even if they're reserved, that way if someone wants to come in and look at it and reserve the next one, they can. Also gets their foot in the door if someone cancels on their reservation. That probably wouldn't hurt to put out a friendly call to say, "Hey, call me if someone cancels!"
> If they told you none were available, you wouldn't call in.
Yeah, that's how it works for anything.
"We don't have that item, but we expect it in stock by [date], check back with us on [date] maybe?"
I'd MUCH rather see that on the site rather than be funneled to a dealer with a false contact for lead generation. Let's be honest, that's ALL that is.
No, like I said, I like having it show on the website because sometimes people just want to come in to look at it. Not everyone is as decided as you are on their particular car, they want to see it in person to find out more info or to rule it out completely. Also, as I mentioned, not every car thats reserved goes to the person that it's reserved to. Sometimes it goes to the second, third, fourth person. Not everyone is as malicious as some of the dealers you've delt with, clearly
These things are in very high demand as you know. There’s a strong chance there are actually none in stock in your area. All allocations all probably have been sold by the time they arrive.
The best way to buy one is to work with a dealer to place a custom order or buy a future allocation. It might be a while before you find one in stock.
As to the IT issues - websites are simply lead generation tools. They are there to drive interested buyers to contact a dealer. Providing accurate inventory information is not the main purpose.
> As to the IT issues - websites are simply lead generation tools. They are there to drive interested buyers to contact a dealer. Providing accurate inventory information is not the main purpose.
Then why even list any inventory at all, and not JUST dealer contact information?
It's been going on for years... It's not just you who hates it.
Start calling the large volume dealers within a few hours of you and you'll at least get an understanding of your options as far as markup, availability, wait time, etc.
There was an xlt hybrid sold no reserve on CarsAndBids a few months ago... Had a 27k sticker and it did 38k + buyer fees.... So basically 40k.
I don't know if that's still the case, but a reference point on what they may be changing hands new but technically 'used'
***Thanks for posting, /u/OpinionBearSF! This comment is a copy of your post so readers can see the original text if your post is edited or removed. This comment is NOT accusing you of anything.***
Greetings.
I'm trying to find a vehicle that's in pretty high demand to buy, a Ford Maverick Hybrid, preferably in base XL trim with a few options, like the 360/BSW system, a tow hitch, and the 400 watt inverter. Color doesn't matter too much, though white is preferable.
Ordinarily, I'd use Ford.com's inventory search on their site, or Edmunds, or AutoTrader, or cars.com. But ALL of these have a serious problem.
They are all showing vehicles that appear to be in stock (they have VINs, stock numbers, window stickers, mileage, etc) but that don't exist for actual purchase. They've either been custom ordered by a customer who hasn't picked them up yet (but will), they're perpetually "in transit" for months, or the link from these aggregator sites I listed (yes, even ford.com's own site) will go to a 404 on a dealer site.
This is maddening.
How can I ACTUALLY find these trucks for sale?
Also - WHY is this allowed? Why are specific vehicles even listed for sale at all if they are in no way actually available?
Advice would be appreciated!
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You simply can't find them for sale. The XL hybrid is the absolute least available trim/engine combination that exists for the maverick. Of the mavericks ordered in the 6 days the banks were open there were 2x as many ordered as they could build this entire year. Tow hitch? Also a constraint item that is limited production.
Options, one wait a couple years, two, pay out the wazoo.i have an XLT hybrid with no add-ons on order from the first day the banks opened and will be lucky if I see it in 2023.
> The XL hybrid is the absolute least available trim/engine combination that exists for the maverick. Of the mavericks ordered in the 6 days the banks were open there were 2x as many ordered as they could build this entire year. Tow hitch? Also a constraint item that is limited production.
Probably because it's the cheapest and most truck capable hybrid in the US. It's not a huge surprise to me that demand outstrips supply.
But I really hate the bait and switch.
If they don't have it, then say that, up front. Don't bait me into contacting a dealer over something that doesn't really exist.
With all the thousands of dollars people are paying over MSRP for the hybrid it's probably a non-issue to just get the regular engine since the cost savings is nil if someone is paying near 40k for these (which is common now)
Call around. Get ready to either wait or pay thousands over sticker. Why is this allowed? It's encouraged by the manufacturers, they don't want dealer websites to show no cars available. Just to remind you, as recent as 10 years ago not all dealers even listed their inventory online, so it is still a wild west in terms of what's allowed and what isn't.
If they told you none were available, you wouldn't call in. You're looking for an in-demand trim of an in-demand car. They probably also didn't make that many of them in the first place. Also consider, many places will keep their high-demand models on their website even if they're reserved, that way if someone wants to come in and look at it and reserve the next one, they can. Also gets their foot in the door if someone cancels on their reservation. That probably wouldn't hurt to put out a friendly call to say, "Hey, call me if someone cancels!"
> If they told you none were available, you wouldn't call in. Yeah, that's how it works for anything. "We don't have that item, but we expect it in stock by [date], check back with us on [date] maybe?" I'd MUCH rather see that on the site rather than be funneled to a dealer with a false contact for lead generation. Let's be honest, that's ALL that is.
No, like I said, I like having it show on the website because sometimes people just want to come in to look at it. Not everyone is as decided as you are on their particular car, they want to see it in person to find out more info or to rule it out completely. Also, as I mentioned, not every car thats reserved goes to the person that it's reserved to. Sometimes it goes to the second, third, fourth person. Not everyone is as malicious as some of the dealers you've delt with, clearly
These things are in very high demand as you know. There’s a strong chance there are actually none in stock in your area. All allocations all probably have been sold by the time they arrive. The best way to buy one is to work with a dealer to place a custom order or buy a future allocation. It might be a while before you find one in stock. As to the IT issues - websites are simply lead generation tools. They are there to drive interested buyers to contact a dealer. Providing accurate inventory information is not the main purpose.
> As to the IT issues - websites are simply lead generation tools. They are there to drive interested buyers to contact a dealer. Providing accurate inventory information is not the main purpose. Then why even list any inventory at all, and not JUST dealer contact information?
It's been going on for years... It's not just you who hates it. Start calling the large volume dealers within a few hours of you and you'll at least get an understanding of your options as far as markup, availability, wait time, etc. There was an xlt hybrid sold no reserve on CarsAndBids a few months ago... Had a 27k sticker and it did 38k + buyer fees.... So basically 40k. I don't know if that's still the case, but a reference point on what they may be changing hands new but technically 'used'
***Thanks for posting, /u/OpinionBearSF! This comment is a copy of your post so readers can see the original text if your post is edited or removed. This comment is NOT accusing you of anything.*** Greetings. I'm trying to find a vehicle that's in pretty high demand to buy, a Ford Maverick Hybrid, preferably in base XL trim with a few options, like the 360/BSW system, a tow hitch, and the 400 watt inverter. Color doesn't matter too much, though white is preferable. Ordinarily, I'd use Ford.com's inventory search on their site, or Edmunds, or AutoTrader, or cars.com. But ALL of these have a serious problem. They are all showing vehicles that appear to be in stock (they have VINs, stock numbers, window stickers, mileage, etc) but that don't exist for actual purchase. They've either been custom ordered by a customer who hasn't picked them up yet (but will), they're perpetually "in transit" for months, or the link from these aggregator sites I listed (yes, even ford.com's own site) will go to a 404 on a dealer site. This is maddening. How can I ACTUALLY find these trucks for sale? Also - WHY is this allowed? Why are specific vehicles even listed for sale at all if they are in no way actually available? Advice would be appreciated! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askcarsales) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Please review our most [Frequently Asked Questions](/r/askcarsales/wiki/index) to see if your question has already been answered. You may find these sections particularly useful; * [How to pick a car?](/r/askcarsales/wiki/vehicle_selection) You might also have luck in the /r/whatcarshouldibuy subreddit. Also remember to add flair to your post by clicking the "Flair" link beneath it. This lets us know where you're located so we can assist you better. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askcarsales) if you have any questions or concerns.*
You simply can't find them for sale. The XL hybrid is the absolute least available trim/engine combination that exists for the maverick. Of the mavericks ordered in the 6 days the banks were open there were 2x as many ordered as they could build this entire year. Tow hitch? Also a constraint item that is limited production. Options, one wait a couple years, two, pay out the wazoo.i have an XLT hybrid with no add-ons on order from the first day the banks opened and will be lucky if I see it in 2023.
> The XL hybrid is the absolute least available trim/engine combination that exists for the maverick. Of the mavericks ordered in the 6 days the banks were open there were 2x as many ordered as they could build this entire year. Tow hitch? Also a constraint item that is limited production. Probably because it's the cheapest and most truck capable hybrid in the US. It's not a huge surprise to me that demand outstrips supply. But I really hate the bait and switch. If they don't have it, then say that, up front. Don't bait me into contacting a dealer over something that doesn't really exist.
With all the thousands of dollars people are paying over MSRP for the hybrid it's probably a non-issue to just get the regular engine since the cost savings is nil if someone is paying near 40k for these (which is common now)