Tips on Buying Cars: Ordering a Vehicle, model options, exact details

Question
I'm ordering a new vehicle.  The dealer says he just needs a check or charge card number for the deposit to place the order, and that's it.  Shouldn't I have an order agreement stipulating the make, model, options, price and terms of the order?  Since I'm putting down a deposit it seems I should have signed paperwork specifying exactly what it's for.  Furthermore, I want the option to cancel with full refund of deposit if delivery doesn't occur within 9 weeks of order placement.  I don't want to be locked into an open ended situation with the likely forfeiture of my deposit upon cancellation.

Answer
Terry,

Thanks for your question.  What the dealer is asking for is a common practice.  Very few consumers special order a vehicle.  You can ask the dealership to print a buyers order or something with the exact details of the vehicle.  As far as a full refund, that might be difficult to expect, especially within 9 weeks.  Most special orders require 3 to 4 months to process, but it may be different from manufacture to manufacturer.  A deposit is generally not refundable.

Hope this helps.

Thanks - JB