To factory order a new car, you build it in the manufacturer's online configurator, pick a franchised dealer, sign a buyer's order and pay a deposit. The dealer submits the order to the factory. SnagMyCar sends your exact build to every dealer for that brand in your radius, collects written quotes, makes them compete, then handles the dealer through delivery.
How a factory order works through us
A custom order is still a dealer sale. The manufacturer builds the car, but a franchised dealer places the order, takes your deposit, sets the selling price and signs the paperwork with you. So terms vary by dealer, even on an identical car. Our job is to get those terms in writing and make dealers compete for your order.
- You send us your build. Finish the car in the brand's configurator and send us the build code, the PDF or a screenshot of the summary page. Tell us your radius and if you want pickup or delivery.
- We email every dealer for that brand in your radius. Each one gets the same build and the same list of questions, so the answers line up side by side.
- Round two. We send the strongest written terms back to the other dealers and ask them to beat it. Then the top two get a final call.
- You pick. You see every written quote in one comparison and choose the dealer. Nobody calls you during the process. Dealers deal with us until you decide.
- We check the buyer's order. The winning dealer sends a buyer's order for your build. We compare it line by line with the terms you picked before you sign or pay a deposit.
- We stay on it until delivery. We follow up for the order confirmation, chase build and shipping updates, and deal with the dealer if something changes.
The quote rounds follow the same schedule as our in-stock searches, about 3 to 4 days from signup to a finished comparison. The full process is laid out on how SnagMyCar works.
What to send us
The cleaner the build, the cleaner the quotes. Send us:
- The configurator build code or link, or the PDF summary. A screenshot works if the brand gives you neither.
- Model year, trim, exterior and interior color, wheels and every package and stand-alone option.
- Any option you would drop if it delays the build, and any you will not give up.
- Your search radius, zip code and pickup or delivery preference.
- Your target timing, if you have one, such as a lease ending or a trade-in you need to move.
If you have already been quoted by a dealer, send that too. It gives the other dealers a number to beat.
What we ask each dealer to put in writing
A factory order quote has more moving parts than a quote on a car sitting on the lot. We ask every dealer the same questions, in writing:
| Item | What we ask for |
|---|---|
| Selling price | The price relative to the sticker for your exact build, before taxes and fees. |
| Market adjustment (ADM) | Whether one applies, how much and whether it can be removed. |
| Fees and add-ons | Doc fee and any dealer-installed products, itemized, so you can refuse the extras. |
| Deposit | Amount, how it is paid, whether it is refundable and on what terms. |
| Allocation | Whether the dealer has an open allocation for this model or would have to wait for one. |
| Timing | Estimated order submission, build window and delivery window. |
| Price changes | Whether the agreed price holds if the manufacturer raises the sticker before your car is built. |
| Delays | What happens if the build slips: your options, refund rights and any price change. |
Dealers that leave items blank get asked again.
How to protect your deposit
The deposit is where factory orders go wrong most often. A few rules keep you covered.
- Get the refund terms in writing before you pay. The buyer's order or a signed deposit agreement should say whether the deposit is refundable, when and how fast.
- Pay by credit card when the dealer allows it. It gives you a dispute route if a refundable deposit is not returned.
- Tie the deposit to your build. The paperwork should list your configuration or reference the build code, so the deposit cannot quietly move to a different car.
- Ask what happens if the dealer cannot deliver. If the order is cancelled by the factory or the dealer, your deposit should come back in full.
Timeline realities
Build times vary widely by brand, model and option mix. Some mainstream orders arrive in a matter of weeks. Low-volume luxury and exotic cars can take many months, and the most limited models can run longer than a year. A dealer's estimate is an estimate, not a promise, and the factory controls the schedule.
Three things usually set your timing: whether the dealer has an allocation to place the order now, when the factory schedules your car for production, and how far it has to travel to reach the dealer. Ask for an estimated build week once the order is scheduled, and ask the dealer to send updates as the status changes.
What can change before delivery
A lot can move between the day you order and the day you sign the final paperwork. Know these before you commit:
- Sticker price increases. Manufacturers sometimes raise prices mid-year. Some dealers honor the price on your order. Others pass the increase on. Get the answer in writing.
- Model year changeover. If the order window closes, your car may roll into the next model year with different options, colors or pricing.
- Option changes and deletions. Parts shortages can lead a manufacturer to remove a feature or substitute a component. Ask how you will be told and whether you can cancel.
- Build changes you request. Most brands let you change a build until it is locked for production. After that, changes are usually not possible.
What to check at delivery
Do not sign the final contract until you have checked the car against the order. A new car does not need a pre-purchase inspection, but it does need a careful delivery inspection.
- Match the VIN on the car to the VIN on the buyer's order and the window sticker.
- Compare the window sticker to your original build, option by option, including paint and interior.
- Walk the paint and body in daylight for scratches, chips, dents or mismatched panels from transport.
- Check the odometer. A few delivery miles are normal. A lot of miles is a question.
- Test every feature you paid for, plus both keys, the manuals and any accessories that ship with the car.
- Compare the final buyer's order with the terms you picked. Look for add-ons or fees that were not on the agreed quote. Our guide to dealer add-ons shows what you can refuse.
Our new car buying checklist covers the signing day in more detail. If the dealer is out of state, read buying a car out of state for tax and registration questions.
Luxury and exotic builds
Factory orders are the normal way to buy many luxury and exotic cars. On allocation-limited models, the dealer decides who gets a build slot, and a car may sell at or above sticker. We cannot promise an allocation. What we can do is get written terms from every dealer in your radius, push for a smaller or no market adjustment and fair deposit terms, and keep your inquiry private. Read more on buying luxury and exotic cars through an agent.
What it costs
A factory order costs the same as an in-stock search: $499 in total. You pay $99 at signup. The $400 success fee is charged only after the dealer's buyer's order matches the terms you picked. We never take money from dealers or lenders, and you buy and title the car directly from the dealer. Full details are on the pricing page.
We currently serve buyers in Florida, Ohio, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Delaware, Vermont, Wyoming and Idaho. We do not handle orders for brands that sell direct, such as Tesla, Rivian, Lucid and Polestar, because there is no dealer to negotiate with.
Ready to send your build? Start your search.
Questions
Can you custom order a car through a dealer?
Yes. For most brands sold through franchised dealers, you build the car in the manufacturer's online configurator and a dealer places the order with the factory. You sign a buyer's order and usually pay a deposit. Because any dealer for that brand can place the same order, you can ask several dealers for written terms on your exact build and choose the one with the best price, deposit and timing.
Is it cheaper to factory order a car than buy from stock?
Not always. A factory order means you pay only for options you want, which can lower the sticker compared with a heavily equipped stock car. Dealers may also discount less on a car that is already sold. On the other hand, a dealer may be keen to fill an open allocation. The only way to know for your build is to compare written quotes from several dealers.
Is a factory order deposit refundable?
It depends on the dealer and the brand. Some deposits are fully refundable until the order is scheduled for production. Others become non-refundable at a set point, and on limited exotics they may be non-refundable from the start. Get the refund terms written into the buyer's order or a signed deposit agreement before you pay, and make sure the deposit is tied to your specific build.
Can a dealer raise the price after I place a factory order?
It can happen if the manufacturer raises the sticker price before your car is built and your paperwork does not protect you. Some dealers honor the original price. Others pass increases on. Ask each dealer, in writing, whether the agreed selling price holds through delivery. We include this question in every factory order quote request so you can compare the answers.
What do I send SnagMyCar to start a factory order?
Send your configurator build code or link, the PDF summary or a screenshot of the build page. Add your zip code, search radius, pickup or delivery preference and any options you would drop to speed up the build. If a dealer has already quoted you, send that too. Start at snagmycar.com/start.