What to ask dealer when ordering?

[sschevelle4]

Hi guys, new to this forum. Been on the 67-72 trucks forum a long time and a big chevy guy my whole life. I’m getting ready to order a ‘22 Tahoe and am wondering what are some good questions to ask the dealer? Should I ask them how many allocations they get/have, or if I’m going on a wait list, etc. It’s a medium/large size dealership that’s the busiest in my area but they have 0 tahoes on the lot. I already spoke to them briefly on the phone and they told me to plan on 2-3x normal delivery time which is usually 3 months.

I’ll be trading in a Blue Velvet 2017 Tahoe LS which we loved, and planning to order a Midnight Blue ‘22 Tahoe Premier 3.0L Diesel with sunroof as the only additional option. 2nd row bench. (Floor liner package and Mudlfaps if possible but can gladly get that stuff aftermarket.)

Is there a chance it will get built quicker without having any extra option packages?

Thanks in advance, I’ve already learned a ton from this site.

 

[gaffster01]

I would recommend to ask if they have allocation to order what you want and to tell you what constraints are on what you want. Last I hear the premier was constrained until at least March with 0% allocation. I had to give up on my HC deluxe and had to ordered a 6.2 Z71 as an example. Otherwise your order will just sit at 1100.

 

[sschevelle4]

I would recommend to ask if they have allocation to order what you want and to tell you what constraints are on what you want. Last I hear the premier was constrained until at least March with 0% allocation. I had to give up on my HC deluxe and had to ordered a 6.2 Z71 as an example. Otherwise your order will just sit at 1100.

Ok good to know. When did you place your order for the Z71?

Funny I’m not even ready right this minute, but I will be by summertime or thereabouts. I figure if I wait til then to order, who knows how long it will take. I’m pretty picky with vehicles so I’d sooner order what I want and wait rather than settle for a combo I’m not in love with.

 

[gaffster01]

Mine was ordered in Aug, built missing parts on Oct 11 then sat for 2 months and supposedly I will get around Jan 11th.

 

[R32driver]

I could be wrong (it's happened once before) but I thought I read somewhere that a sunroof is only available as part of a package?

 

[Elise201424]

looking back at my experience this is what I would have done

1. Call down to all the dealers over the phone and find out the following
- Do you have a mark up? If no then awesome they stay in the list. If yes then ask if they have a mark up for custom orders ?
2- Do you have a current waiting list for orders? Now, most sales people don’t really know how this process works so they will ask their inventory manager. If they have a list what number would you be. What is their required deposit. Go on the GMC website and make your car. Get a copy of the link and email it to yourself. Then ask the sales person to go ask their ordering manager with your specific build what are the constraints. I am guessing diesel because I have been waiting for my order since may but I do have other features.
Once the inventory manager looks you will get an eta.
Dealers get allocation on Thursday so Friday is a good time for them to get an idea.

Once I get all of that I would decide where to place my order. Also considering deposits and asking about other dealer adds like mandatory items they put on.

 

[swathdiver]

What to ask dealer when ordering?

"Can I get this option for free?"

 

[Stbentoak]

#1 thing? Make sure any deposits and orders are refundable and can be cancelled at no charge if you find something else.... as you very well might while waiting....

 

[selectsplat]

Constraints are usually updated on Thurdays. I’d ask for what is on constraint before ordering. If you order anything on constraint you’ll be waiting a lot longer than if you order one without any constraints.

 

[sschevelle4]

Constraints are usually updated on Thurdays. I’d ask for what is on constraint before ordering. If you order anything on constraint you’ll be waiting a lot longer than if you order one without any constraints.

Thanks, this is very helpful. I am just now learning about constraints and allocations and all that. I'm glad I asked here, because I get the impression I would have gone to place my order and all they'd say is "We'll call you when it's ready." If the Premier is on constraint, I would consider going down to an LT, but not really willing to give up the diesel. So it sounds like I'll be waiting either way. Oh well, if it arrives sometime this summer I'll be happy(ish). Thanks again.

 

[sschevelle4]

I could be wrong (it's happened once before) but I thought I read somewhere that a sunroof is only available as part of a package?

The way I see it, the sunroof is available as an option by itself on the Premier and HC trims. The lower trims seem to require a package with it. But I could be wrong as well, (I hope not)

 

[selectsplat]

My dealer said the only orders going through right now are the basic LT and LS with 5.3 and no luxury package. His guess was that they will start to open it up again, slowly starting this week, but who knows what it will be. My only hard requirement is the sport performance package, and I haven’t seen a single 22 go through with that yet anywhere.

 

[Wileybird03]

#1 thing? Make sure any deposits and orders are refundable and can be cancelled at no charge if you find something else.... as you very well might while waiting....

This right here! Make sure refundable deposit

 

[Z15]

The allocation number will tell all Chevrolet dealers exactly how many trucks/suvs GM will build for them over next few months. Unfortunately, this does not constrain the dealership from pre-selling more than the earned allocation, as GM does not manage this process in any way. In other words, a dealer (knowing they only have two Denali’s arriving within the next six months) can pre-sell 20 and simply tell the customer that the order has been put in. For the 18 customers who are at the bottom of the list, they are at the mercy of whatever story the dealer tells them regarding the production of the vehicle. Dealers are under no obligation to disclose how many of their earned allocations are spoken for when making pre-order sales. As such, many dealers don’t disclose this information to the customer because if they did, you would probably walk right out the door.

 

[gkuypers]

I've had a 2022 Yukon Denali on order since August and I've been told by my dealer that it's scheduled to be built this week. I also had to remove the Advanced Technology Pkg. since currently this is only orderable a part of the Denali Ultimate and Denali Premium Pkgs. My options are Sunroof, Max Trailering and 22" wheels. As others have said I heard if you order a GMC Yukon Denali or SLT you can get more options tight now then you can get in the Chevy Tahoe models (High Country, Premium, etc.).

 

[sschevelle4]

The allocation number will tell all Chevrolet dealers exactly how many trucks/suvs GM will build for them over next few months. Unfortunately, this does not constrain the dealership from pre-selling more than the earned allocation, as GM does not manage this process in any way. In other words, a dealer (knowing they only have two Denali’s arriving within the next six months) can pre-sell 20 and simply tell the customer that the order has been put in. For the 18 customers who are at the bottom of the list, they are at the mercy of whatever story the dealer tells them regarding the production of the vehicle. Dealers are under no obligation to disclose how many of their earned allocations are spoken for when making pre-order sales. As such, many dealers don’t disclose this information to the customer because if they did, you would probably walk right out the door.

Thank you, that is really helpful. It’s exactly what I was worried about; the “you’re on the list, we’ll call you when it comes in” line. Hopefully they will tell me how many are allocated and how many would be ahead of me. I plan on going to the local GMC dealership this week as well. Only issue is the Chevy dealer is bigger, so I would assume they have more allocations.

 

[dcyy]

Thank you, that is really helpful. It’s exactly what I was worried about; the “you’re on the list, we’ll call you when it comes in” line. Hopefully they will tell me how many are allocated and how many would be ahead of me. I plan on going to the local GMC dealership this week as well. Only issue is the Chevy dealer is bigger, so I would assume they have more allocations.

You might also try going on the GM Build and Price site and building a Tahoe the way you want it. At the end (summary page) is a view inventory button that shows a close match to yours at dealers around a specified area. You may luck out and find something close within an acceptable driving range.

 

[sschevelle4]

You might also try going on the GM Build and Price site and building a Tahoe the way you want it. At the end (summary page) is a view inventory button that shows a close match to yours at dealers around a specified area. You may luck out and find something close within an acceptable driving range.

I’ve done that, there are maybe 3-4 within 500 miles that are actually on a lot and not “in transit.” Seems like they are either a stripped LS or $85k High Country. I go back and forth telling myself I’m too picky, and I should just buy one that I can find. But when spending 60-70k, I tend to be picky and only buy something if it’s exactly what I want.