Factory Order Program
Factory order terms, defined
Here is a list of ‘Factory Order’ terms and what they actually mean. No jargon, just plain English so you know exactly what's going on at every step of the process.
- 15 terms
- 4 categories
- Every definition stands alone
01 · Paperwork & Identifiers
What the documents and numbers on your order mean
- Factory Order
- Sometimes called a “Sold Order.” This is a vehicle that's built specifically for you. You pick the specs, Ford builds it, and it comes straight to Nick Mayer Ford. It's not something sitting on a lot somewhere, it's yours from the start.
- Order Confirmation Number
- Once your factory order is placed, it gets assigned a confirmation number that you can find on your order documents. Think of it like a tracking number for a package, you'll use this to follow your vehicle through the ordering and build process. Your Sales Representative will make sure you have it.
- VIN — Vehicle Identification Number
- Vehicle Identification Number, this is the unique ID that stays with your vehicle for its entire life. From the moment it's scheduled for production, through the build, through every sale and registration, this number follows the vehicle forever. You'll see it come up once Ford assigns your vehicle to a production slot.
- Buyer’s Order
- This is the document that confirms the purchase price that you and Nick Mayer Ford agreed on. It shows the vehicle price, your deposit, and the Documentation Fee. State taxes, title, and license fees get added at the time of delivery. Basically, it's the receipt that says “this is the deal.”
- Window Sticker
- During the build process, Ford generates a virtual window sticker for your vehicle. This shows all the standard and selected features, estimated fuel efficiency, and the vehicle's MSRP. It's just the manufacturer's suggested retail price, your deal with Nick Mayer Ford is separate from that number.
02 · Money Terms
What you pay, when, and what protects it
- Deposit
- This is the amount that's non-refundable when you place your factory order, it locks in your commitment to the build. Here's the important part: the deposit is applied to the bottom line of your sale price on the buyer's order, acting as part of your down payment. So it's not an extra charge, it goes toward what you're already paying.
- Documentation Fee (or DOC FEE)
- This is a flat fee charged by Nick Mayer Ford to process all the legal documents on the dealership's end. In Ohio, this covers things like title processing and administrative costs.
- MSRP — Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
- Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price, this is the price Ford recommends the vehicle be sold at. It's the number you see on the window sticker. Your actual price with Nick Mayer Ford may be different, and with price protection, it's locked in the moment your order is submitted.
- Price Protection
- This is the transparent promise Nick Mayer Ford makes to you on what you pay for your order. Factory orders are price protected the moment they are submitted and accepted. Once your name and address are applied to the submitted order, your buyer's order price does not change, even if the MSRP goes up. You might see the window sticker show a higher value later on, but you'll always pay the same agreed-upon price. This price protection is tied to you specifically and cannot be transferred to someone else. Ask your Sales Representative for more details.
- Affiliate
- Some associations or employers have “affiliate” relationships with Ford and may qualify you for incentivized interest rates, cash incentives, or discounts. In a lot of cases, Nick Mayer Ford's sales price is already a great deal, and we may be able to stack an additional applicable discount on top of that. Talk to your Sales Representative to see if you qualify, it's worth asking. See A-Plan, Z-Plan, X-Plan and D-Plan ?
03 · Logistics & Delivery
How it gets to us, and then to you
- Transport
- This refers to the process of the finished vehicle making its way from Ford's assembly plant to Nick Mayer Ford here in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. This is the “in transit” phase, your vehicle is on a truck or rail car heading to us at 6200 Mayfield Road.
- PDI — Pre-Delivery Inspection
- Once your vehicle is built and shipped to Nick Mayer Ford, it arrives in what's called “Ship Mode.” Our team then goes through it, cleaning it up, turning on all the functions and features, calibrating systems, filling fluids, and inspecting it for safety, functionality, and any cosmetic damage that may have happened during transport. By the time you see it, it's ready to go.
- Delivery
- This is when you, the customer, actually take possession of the vehicle. You can either drive it straight off the lot here in Mayfield Heights, or take financial and liability possession of the vehicle while it stays on our lot for a few days waiting for shipping. Either way, it's officially yours.
- Shipping
- This is when we're sending the vehicle from Nick Mayer Ford to wherever you need it. Our logistics team works with trusted third-party carriers to get your new ride to your door.
Note: Ask your Sales Representative about shipping options and any associated costs based on your location.
04 · Who Builds It
The manufacturer behind your order
- Ford Motor Company
- The manufacturer that builds your vehicle. Ford is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan and operates assembly plants across the U.S. and internationally. When you factory order through Nick Mayer Ford, your order goes directly to Ford Motor Company, and they build it to your exact specifications.
Still have questions about any of these terms? Call us at 440-697-3590 or stop by 6200 Mayfield Road, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124. We're happy to walk you through anything.
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Where to go next
Ready When You Are
Ready to start your factory order?
Now that the vocabulary is out of the way, let's build the one you actually want. We'll quote it in writing, against MSRP, before you commit to anything.