What does "allocated" really mean????

Allocation just means that they are getting the car. I've heard a few differing statements about it not being allocated until they near port, but I think they allocate them as they roll off the line in Japan. I would go for it, and call the dealer 1-2 times per week. See if he can give you a print off of the ship, and do a search on here for "carrier tracking." Jamesburke has a thread going where you can find out where your car is on the ocean, and when it hits port. Then it tends to spend 2-5 days in port (depending on what is being installed as accessories.) After that it moves into (F)reight status, and that means it gets loaded up and onto a truck. Then it depends on where you are located as to how quick it gets trained/trucked to your dealership.

 

I think you're over reacting. The blue one was probably sold, and he should have called you. he left you hanging until he could call you to sell you something else it appears. If he had called you back immediately and said the blue one was sold you may have walked. That is the only "jerking around" I see in this posting.

It's not the dealer or even the region jerking you around. It's just the way Toyota imports. They put together packages, put them on a ship and then notify the regions as to what is coming. The region will then match up with your order. The fact that they have one allocated to your spec's means they have your car. (You'd better take it if that's what you want) If the boat didn't have any or enough to meet your needs they would get you something close or you could wait until they get the car as you want it.

My choice was not coming in it appeared on the first ships so my dealer was eventually able to get an allocation of a close choice. It was my car if I wanted it. Before the car came in the next allocation came in and he was able to secure the car I wanted. I'm taking it instead.

As far as when they are allocated, I don't really believe the dealer finds out from the factory roll out.Maybe the region does and it takes a few days to get it all in order. Both times my dealer has given me an allocation printout it was when the ship was approaching the Panamal Canal (East Coast deliveries), obviously the west coast would be different. The initial allocation sheet I was given did not have an ETA on it. BUT the car was theirs

Just because they don't have information to give you does not mean they are jerking you around (although some dealers may indeed jerk you around). Taking your deposit to another dealer won't change the process, but if it's a dealer with a larger allocation it may increase your odds for a timely delivery of exactly what you want.

The dealers are not like PriusChatter's and tracking ships. If you know it's allocated to them, then simply find out what ship it is on and track it yourself. You'll know a lot more about it that they do (or care to know). You should be able to estimate after some research how long it takes to hit certain destinations and the timing to the dealer. Don't expaect a dealer to track this for you in the level of details that most on here desire.

Also the fact that it's allocated means it's on its way.

Since you're on the East Coast you're like me and waiting on a ship to Newark. My last thread is about the New Century 1.
The first ship was the Kentucky Highway, followed by the Pyxis (whos cars are being delivered as we speek to dealersips), the Andromeda Leader that has unloaded and was about 5 days behind the Pyxis. The Overseas Joyce is a few days away from port and I'm waiting on the New Centur 1 that I am hoping by now is around the Panama Canal. Someone mentioned another ship yesterday. I had not heard of it but it may be in the mix too. It seems like once the ships hit Jacksonville, it will take about 3 days to then hit Newark. Then within 10 to 14 days the car should be at your dealership.

 

Don't know where in ME you are, but we're very impressed with the patience & persistence exhibited by Marty at Central Maine Motors in Waterville. We took a ride in an '09 with George at Charlie's some time ago (after driving a new Insight with Josh at their Honda store across the street) Found him knowledgeable but a tad overbearing.

Marty tells us - and it appears to be borne out in numerous messages here - that neither the V or IV with roof that we originally specified were anywhere on the horizon in their area of accessibility - at least not in the white my wife now has settled on.

He says he's located a white IV w/o pkgs that we should see sometime in the next 3-4 weeks. Central ME, by the way, does not charge paperwork fees. (That can save you up to 400 bucks around here!) We've purchased a Honda and a Subaru from Charlie's, been generally happy with the salespeople & service, but were pleasantly surprised to find equal or better accomodation (so far) closer to home. Hope this helps.

 

I'm sure it depends on the region and the dealership, but from where I stand, allocation CAN mean a lengthy wait. My dealership advised me that they had an allocation for the car I wanted, and sent me a spec sheet showing the name of the ship it was on. I religiously tracked the ship into port, and then... waited... and waited, and I'm still waiting, a month later. To be fair, the salesman originally gave me a delivery date of 6/19-6/20, so the fact that it wasn't delivered soon after arriving at port wasn't a big surprise.

However, 6/20 has now come and gone, and I've been told it will probably be another two weeks, as they are "backed up in Memphis."

So, near as I can tell (without actually having received my car yet) allocation means that they will be getting that car, but it says little or nothing about when.

 

There is a Toyota port in Memphis? I hope so as my dealer is in Memphis as well!

SG

 

Allocated means the same thing as a spearker saying in conclusion. Nothingout:

 

If it's allocated, you should be able to get a print-off with a VIN number.