Newbie looking for deposit advice

I think this is the thread you are looking for:

http://priuschat.com/forums/2010-to...s-rep-leave-deposits-several-dealerships.html

which model are you looking for?

 

I posted in that thread.

 

How exactly should a deposit go down? Is there a written agreement, or do you just send the dealer your debit/credit card number?

If I order a specific package/color/accessories, do they order it from Japan, or try and find something similar at port? Thanks.

 

i placed a $1000 refundable deposit by credit card over the phone and it was confirmed by email. the charge went through on my card.

the emails clearly state a pre-order $500 discount off msrp on my IV with solar nav.

i understand that if they decided to dick me around i wouldn't have much leverage, other than the emails and their craig's list adverts, and without a more traditional document and/or possession off the lot, it comes down to trust and follow-through

i also am on another, more local "list" but without deposits as the second dealer doesn't appear to be taking them. i also doubt they will be discounting at all, and may be plussing

 

i got my prius in 11/07 when they were the hottest item out there and gas was near $4/gal...i called dealers everyday and chkd their websites, saw an 08 touring w/ pkg 6 as i wanted on local dealer website, that they didnt know they had, must have just come in, salesman went to lot to verify, called me back and drove it home that night..deposits are worthless. he had deposits, but i had the advantage of time on my side, ie:right place right time..my advise, hang out in the dealers website and call your salesman everyday. make sure you know more than him as you will find you probably do..

 

Just start making calls and see if any slots are open

 

1. You wan a written agreement (or at least an e-mail) that it is refundable at anytime, for any reason. Many dealers just take a check and stick it in the file, without ever cashing it.
2. You can't really order any Toyota. The dealer just hopes to get the right car in its allocations, or trades cars with another dealer. If possible, its best to identify a specific car already showing up in the system. May be a little early for that at the moment.

 

Sounds like a dealer to avoid, big time. They have no morality or commitment to their customers.

 

Your best bet is to be flexible (sound like you are, at least with regard to color) and check MANY dealers. Frequently those in big cities have big wait lists and if you are willing to travel a bit, you might find the car you want faster in another, smaller area. I don't know if there are 2 regions within your driving distance, but for some reason, Toyota doesn't necessarily offer all packages in all regions. You might find what you want is not available in your zip code but is in the next state over.

AND
Ask how long their wait list is and how many cars they expect to get every shipment. They are allocated based on prior sales numbers (which is permanently damaging to shipments to smaller dealers or those that didn't sell many Prii early on). You might find 1 dealer gets 5-8 cars each time but has a 100 wait list and another only gets 1-2 but has a wait list of 10.