Ordering a Car From the Manufacturer: The Hidden Truth Dealers Don’t Want You to Know
Introduction
So, you’re thinking about ordering a car directly from the manufacturer. Maybe you’re after a rare color, a specific trim, or you just don’t want to pay for a bunch of dealer add-ons you’ll never use. Dealers will often act like they’re doing you a huge favor by “special ordering” your car. But here’s the truth: in most cases, you’re actually doing them a favor.
Ordering a car comes with some big advantages—but it also opens the door to dealer tricks, hidden fees, and financing traps. This guide, straight from The Homework Guy team, will explain everything you need to know before placing a factory order.
👉 Related reading: How to Get Out-the-Door Pricing Without Dealer Tricks
Why Car Buyers Order From the Factory
- Customization: Get the features, trim, and color you want, for the most part.
- Avoid Dealer Inventory Games: Skip the markup-loaded cars sitting on the lot.
- Scarcity: In hot markets, ordering may be the only way to get certain vehicles.
Sounds great, right? But let’s dig into why ordering isn’t the “gift” dealers make it out to be.
The Myth of the “Dealer Favor”
Dealers complain about factory orders as if they’re doing you a favor. In reality, ordering a car saves them money and boosts their future sales.
1. Floorplan Financing Advantage
Dealers use floorplan loans to finance their inventory. Each car on the lot racks up interest daily. But an ordered car is pre-sold—so the dealer doesn’t have to use that loan. It’s essentially a zero-risk sale.
👉 Learn more about dealer financing games in: Holdback, Dealer Incentives & How They Hurt You
2. Guaranteed Sale
With an order, there’s no pressure to “move the metal.” The car is pre-sold before it arrives.
3. Allocation Benefits
Manufacturers reward dealers with future inventory allocations based on sales. Your order helps them secure more of the high-demand, high-profit cars they really want on their lot.
The Traps and Tricks of Factory Orders
This is where unsuspecting buyers can get burned.
Trap #1: The Fake “Order Fee”
Some dealers tack on $500–$1,000 as a “special order processing fee.” This is pure fiction. Manufacturers don’t charge dealers to place an order.
Trap #2: The “Estimated Price” Game
Many dealers won’t lock in your Out-the-Door (OTD) price. Instead, they say:
- “We’ll confirm pricing when it arrives.”
- “MSRP today, but the market may change.”
That means six months later you could be looking at thousands over MSRP or forced add-ons you never agreed to.
👉 Pro Tip: Demand a signed buyer’s order with an OTD price up front. If they won’t, walk away.
Trap #3: Mandatory Add-Ons on Delivery
Even ordered cars may be hit with “every vehicle gets window etching, nitrogen tires, and paint protection.” This is nothing more than a profit grab.
Trap #4: Trade-In Bait and Switch
Dealers may promise a strong trade value when you order, then lowball you months later.
Trap #5: Financing Shell Game
Interest rates and lender programs can “mysteriously change” between the day you order and the day you pick up your car. Dealers use this delay to squeeze more profit.
👉 Related: Why Every Financed Car Buyer MUST Request a Copy of Their Contract
Why Dealers Resist Orders
If ordering is so beneficial for them, why do they push back?
- Less Add-On Profit: Buyers who order tend to be more informed and resistant to junk fees.
- Tighter Margins: Lot vehicles often have better incentives.
- Less Emotional Pressure: Dealers thrive on instant gratification. Ordering kills the “buy today” urgency.
Elizabeth’s take: “When you order, you remove half the tricks from their playbook. That’s why they hate it.”
How Dealers Still Win
Even when you order, dealers still benefit:
- Allocations: Each ordered unit counts toward monthly sales goals.
- Profit (Guaranteed): Even with slim margins, a sale is a sale.
- Customer Lock-In: Once you’ve waited months, you’re emotionally invested. Dealers know most buyers won’t walk away.
Smart Strategies When Ordering
Here’s how to protect yourself the Homework Guy way:
✅ Get the OTD Price in Writing: Demand a signed buyer’s order with every fee.
✅ Lock in Financing: Secure your own bank/credit union loan or insist on written terms.
✅ Hold Off on Trade-Ins: Don’t lock in your trade until your new car arrives.
✅ Track Your Order: Ask for the factory order number and monitor progress.
✅ Be Ready to Walk: Even if you waited months—don’t let sunk costs trap you in a bad deal.
👉 Need expert help? The Homework Guy Hassle-Free Car Buying Service can handle the order and protect you from dealer games.
Why Dealers Pretend It’s a Big Favor
They obligate you by saying things like:
- “We’ll pull strings for you.”
- “It’s tough to get this car.”
- “You should be grateful we’ll even place the order.”
That’s just sales theater. The reality? Your order is easy money for them.
Kevin’s reminder: “Don’t let the dealer flip the script. You’re the one doing them the favor, not the other way around.”
Conclusion
Ordering a car from the factory can be smart—but only if you protect yourself from dealer tricks. You’re not inconveniencing the dealer; you’re helping them. They get a guaranteed sale, floorplan savings, and future allocation benefits.
But unless you lock in an Out-the-Door price, financing terms, and delivery protections, you could still fall into the same traps as any walk-in buyer.
And that’s why thousands of buyers turn to The Homework Guy. We’ve seen it all, and we’ll make sure you don’t get burned.
👉 Start here: The Homework Guy Hassle-Free Car Buying Service
FAQ
Q: Do I have to pay extra to order a car?
No. Manufacturers don’t charge dealers to place orders. Any “special order fee” is made up by the dealer.
Q: How long does ordering a car take?
It depends on manufacturer allocations, but 2–6 months is typical. Some models could take longer.
Q: Can I cancel my order?
Yes. You can refuse delivery, especially if the dealer changes price or terms. Don’t let them trap you.
Q: Does ordering a car save me money?
Not automatically. Ordering helps avoid some add-ons, but you still need a locked OTD price to guarantee savings.