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Am I being Hosed Around? And I need advice....

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by BooShine, Jun 6, 2009.

  1. BooShine

    BooShine Wishful Thinker

    Joined:
    May 9, 2009
    26
    6
    1
    Location:
    San Francisco, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    I'm sure it's just the anxiousness playing tricks on me, but I am curious to share my story with you all and see what you think.

    In March, I pre-ordered a Grey Prius 4 w/ nav from Freedom Toyota in Hamburg, PA. I waited patiently, scrounging the forums and Prius sites on the web to satiate my curiosity until one day Mid May when my sales rep called to let me know my EXACT car would be arriving among their first allocation. I was ecstatic, as anyone would be.

    Around the same time, I graduated from college in New York, and have since decided to drive across the country to San Francisco (this is part of my motivation for buying the Prius in the first place).
    I planned to leave on the 10th of June - and because the ETA on my car was June 1st, I figured i would have plenty of time to get used to the vehicle and ensure it was free of defects before embarking on such a long journey. it's my 1st Prius, so I wanted to be comfortable with the car as well.

    Getting through May was difficult (as most of you know) and it only got harder as the first deliveries were being made and pictures of happy owners began filling threads. Out of the blue, I received a call from my salesman who had good and bad news. His bad news was that the Winter Grey 4 was not going to be on the first ship over. The good news was that he would be getting a Black V with nav - he said it was at the port (this was late May) and would be there shortly if I wanted it. It wasn;t exactly what I wanted (a bit nicer, and black has grown on me) but the timing was becoming critical. I said yes.

    After doing some research, I discovered that Kentucky Highway hadn;t yet docked in Newark like he said - the ship had just left jacksonville.

    So now it is June 6th, my car was supposed to arrive at the dealership yesterday. No sign of it. All of the cars have been taken off KH and people as far away as Boston and NH have begun recieving their Priis. I'm beginning to feel like I made a bad decision.

    I know patience is a virtue - I'm trying! For me, it has become an issue of necessity. I really dont feel comfortable leaving for a 3000 drive in a car that hasn't been broken in (yes I have read the break in reqs) and esp one that I have never sat in or driven.

    What do I do? Is this "normal?" Is someone taking advantage of me? I have a VIN - is there anything I can do "tracking-wise" with it?

    Thanks in advance for any help.
     
    #1 BooShine, Jun 6, 2009
  2. eglmainz

    eglmainz New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2009
    887
    141
    0
    Location:
    Chicagoland, IL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    As much as it is killing you, you are likely not being jerked around. My dealer, (Jabber from this forum) also was able to give me a VIN# (which means that the car likely is yours), a little before delivery.

    My car was estimated to be in by June 20th, when I placed the deposit on the car with him in mid May. Then, once I know the name of the ship, I was able to pick up that my car had docked, but that was all I knew for a week or so. Then my delivery window was changed to 6/3-6/8. but for the last week or so, there were no updates from him until the car showed up on Thursday afternoon, right within the delivery date range that he was given.

    Most dealers are not privy to the full VIN # until the trucking company has been given the order to pick up the car. So, if you have a VIN #, most likely you will have the car within a few days.

    What was the original date range (not specific date) that you were given? If your dealer was trying to appease you he may have mentioned the first date of the date range for delivery. Example, June 1st to June 7th ETA. He just gave you June 1st. This is a guess on my part, but if you ask you dealer to show you the screen on his "Dealer Daily" he will be able to show you the current status.

    Speaking of delivery... Mine was the smoothest delivery process that I have ever been through. We spent less that ten minutes in the finance office, and drove home...

    So, hang tight, ask your dealer for one more update, and then relax, it will be sooner than you know it! Enjoy!
     
    #2 eglmainz, Jun 6, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  3. Jabber

    Jabber Chicagoland Prius Guy

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2009
    703
    213
    2
    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    PM me the vin # you have. I'll check the real status on it. From what I am seeing, the dealership might not be entirely truthful with you right now.
     
    #3 Jabber, Jun 6, 2009
  4. FlipStylee270

    FlipStylee270 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2009
    39
    8
    7
    Location:
    New York City
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Same thing here, the dealership I went to promised me a Overseas Joyce to have to car to me by June 27th, only to find out after I got home that this ship is no where to be found!

    They had no Vin # either, only a Ignition Key#, I thought I was going to get lucky, becaus I realy need this vehicle by July 1st.
     
    #4 FlipStylee270, Jun 7, 2009
  5. Blazehodges

    Blazehodges New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2009
    33
    2
    0
    Location:
    Phoenix
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    My suggestion is to play the field. I had feelers out at three different dealerships and they all said different things, different dates, different prices, etc. I did not pre-order or put a deposit down. I got a call last week that they cars had come in from one of the dealers. Called him right away, told him I would not pay over msrp, and drove home with the car two days ago. Work the system if you really want it!
     
    #5 Blazehodges, Jun 7, 2009
  6. whoever

    whoever New Member

    Joined:
    May 26, 2009
    21
    1
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    No big deal, just plot all the dealership along the way
     
    #6 whoever, Jun 7, 2009
  7. FlipStylee270

    FlipStylee270 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2009
    39
    8
    7
    Location:
    New York City
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I guess if my dealership does not pull through, by June 27th or provide me with updates. I'll eat that $500 bux if another vehicle comes up available for immediate pickup else where. due to my situation, I need this vehicle by July 1st.
     
    #7 FlipStylee270, Jun 7, 2009
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