Could someone please clarify what "allotment" is? I want to order 2012 C300/4M, but my dealer says, wait for more "allocation" on the first of the month. Is this some kind of quota? Can't they just order cars for paying customers? Any info will be helpful.

 

Buy a CPO used C and let someone else take the depreciation.

 

I think he means wait for more 2012's to come in, and you can choose from those rather than order one. Seems strange especially because you're willing to pay like you said.

 

No, I want to order a specific car with specific options, not to chose from the dealer's stock. They say, my order is ready to be placed once they get a new allocation. They could not change any of their already ordered cars, because the lighting package I want is not available until January production. It sounds like they cannot just order a car for January without getting their quota first.

Does anyone actually know how this works? Are any dealers here to explain please?


To grane: If all I wanted were to save a buck, I wouldn't be buying MB, would I?

 

Allotment or allocation is a term used in the industry to define the volume of vehicles the manufacturer allows the dealer to order in a set time frame, usually monthly. The amount is most often dependent on that dealer's recent sales volume. Even in the case when a dealer may be holding a retail sold order, if the dealer has used up their allocation for that month, they may have to wait for the next opportunity to order. This can happen if a dealer has placed orders for inventory, guessing at demand, and if those are no longer able to be edited, they cannot change one to match the retail buyer who just showed up, nor place his retail sold order immediately. They can search around for a dealer who has a matching order in the production system or in inventory to trade, and divert one of their wholesale units to the other dealer in exchange. Otherwise, more patience for the retail buyer becomes required.

 

My guess:

MBUSA is limiting the amount of C300s that dealerships can order & so the dealership is waiting their turn to order more C300s - one of which will be yours.

edit. Sport beat me to it!

 

Thank you gentlemen!

 

Apparently there is also extra allocation on top of regular allocation, like a bonus for previous good sales. My dealer's allocation of C class was all for SA, but a couple weeks later they also got some extras for Germany.

 

a little off topic, but i love your animated sig!
hahah kept watching it over and over

 

Definitely the Stance Scene.