1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Am I being a chump just for just going on one list?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by humdinger70, Apr 20, 2004.

  1. humdinger70

    humdinger70 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2004
    17
    0
    0
    I am on Dianne's list at Carson Toyota. I went on around the middle of November (I sent the deposit on Veteran's Day), so now I'm about 5 months into my wait.

    I have called no other dealership and am on no other list. I've read stories here and on other boards about people calling/e-mailing/whatever all over the nation just to see if they can find a car in their preferred package and color faster.

    Am I being a chump just for just going on my one list? There have got to be lots of others who are doing the same thing - one name, one list, patiently biding their time.

    --LG
     
  2. harryg

    harryg New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2004
    71
    0
    0
    Location:
    Camano Island, Wa.
    I too, am just on one list (Wilder Auto Center) in Port Angles, Wa. I've
    been on the list since Nov 15th. A few weeks ago I was offered a different
    color, same pkg, but turned it down as we are #1 on the list. Got a call
    last Friday saying that we are on the allocation list and it should be here
    in a couple of weeks.
     
  3. Dianne

    Dianne New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2003
    484
    0
    0
    Location:
    Laguna Niguel (but I work in Carson)
    I gotta be direct and honest here with you, and everyone. If I wanted a Prius BADLY and did not care where I got it from or how much I'd have to pay, I'd go on many lists as long as no deposit was required. :> If I wanted to wait and buy it from Dianne at Carson (me) and bide my time while they are ramping up production, and show a little faith and loyalty, then I'd be on my list! It depends on your personal agenda.

    Di


     
  4. bookrats

    bookrats New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2004
    2,843
    2
    0
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    I'm sticking with one order, through the broker I'm using; I feel that, if he's doing the best he can to get me the best deal he can, then I (at the least) shouldn't be putting in other orders without telling him.

    We have discussed the situation where, through word of mouth or whatever, I hear about a Prius that's available; in that case, I'll turn the info over to him and let him see if he can swing it.

    One important note: From what's being said on several threads, it sounds like Toyota is beginning to make efforts to track down multiple orders and consolidate them into one. I don't blame them -- these multiple orders must play havoc on trying to plan on what colors/packages to manufacture.
     
  5. rflagg

    rflagg Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2004
    947
    9
    0
    Location:
    Springfield, VA
    It all depends on how you feel - if you don't like your dealer, or think they're not working for you in your best interests, then by all means try others. I personally put deposits down at 3 places, and it was a good move for me - not only did I get my car quicker from another dealer, but the third dealer who was one of the two who didn't get the car to me was extremely curteous and friendly, and went out of their way to make me feel like an important customer. Next time, instead of going blind to any dealer around, I'm going straight to them because I appreciate their work.

    However - and especially since Dianne is your dealer - if you have a dealer who's bending over backwards for you and busts their behind to get the info out to their customers via emails, posting on forums, and any way possible - then stick it out with them if you can. If your current car is on it's last leg, or there's a situation where you need it immediately, just be honest with your dealer upfront.

    From what I've seen of Dianne on here alone, she's hands down the hardest working dealer I've come across in my experiences of carbuying.

    -m.
     
  6. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2003
    7,094
    2,115
    1,174
    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    She's also very active on many other boards such as www.tundrasolutions.com and others. My dealer can't even use email to communicate with me and she's on boards everyday helping people out - truly the hardest working dealer I've seen. It's good to see that Carson has a policy that allows her to keep in touch with the internet community so well.

    Thanks again for your help as a mod here, Di.
     
  7. bigbaldcuban

    bigbaldcuban New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2004
    599
    1
    0
    Location:
    Mansfield, TX
    I'm more along the line of Dianne' post. I don't want a Prius at any price, I've found one dealer who I'm happy with and I'm more than happy to wait for the car that I want from someone who's actually spent time trying to help me. I haven't waited as long as some people on here (Jan 5th) and thankfully my current vehicle is in pretty good shape (only 16 mpg though).
     
  8. jayjohnson

    jayjohnson New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2004
    12
    0
    0
    When you place an order at a dealer, does Toyota actually schedule and build a car to your exact specs (color and option package)? If not, how do you get the exact car you want?
     
  9. bigbaldcuban

    bigbaldcuban New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2004
    599
    1
    0
    Location:
    Mansfield, TX
    Eventually, you would get the car that you want, but demand is still so high that Toyota is just building them as quickly as they can and shipping them off. No custom orders. The quicker you want it, the more flexible you have to be with multiple dealers.
     
  10. jeffrey

    jeffrey New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2004
    94
    0
    0
    Jay- I believe the answer to that is "No".

    I put down one deposit at the highest volumn (for Prii that is) dealer around and waited for months for my car. Overall I feel the wait was justified for such a remarkable car. :mrgreen:

    If I was within a few hundred miles of Carson, though, I'd buy from Di as she impresses the heck out of me :)

    Peace:)
     
  11. Dianne

    Dianne New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2003
    484
    0
    0
    Location:
    Laguna Niguel (but I work in Carson)
    Hi Danny! Well, thanks for accepting my request to be one! I adore the community here. :>


     
  12. Dianne

    Dianne New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2003
    484
    0
    0
    Location:
    Laguna Niguel (but I work in Carson)
    Your dealer takes your name and # and waits for the cars he gets first and then tries to match it to the list in order. They do not ever place orders for this car. If you get EXACTLY what you wanted, then you are so lucky! :>


     
  13. fredr500

    fredr500 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2004
    13
    0
    0
    What I'd do if I were you is stay on Dianne's list and wait for her to call you. She seems very loyal and trustowrhty, if you are on her list you're in good shape.

    BUT, then I would start calling every dealer around on a regular basis and ask what they have. Decide how far you are willing to travel to pick it up and call that far away. There are stories here of people flying to the dealer and spending 2 days driving home. Ask yourself how bad you want one and what are you willing to do to get it?

    The Toyota site used to let you search dealer inventory, if you can do that then do it religiously. Every day or every few days.

    I was able to get mine within a week with just a 90 mile drive. I did it by searching inventory every day, and when one showed up I was on the phone immediately. As it wasn't an exact match for anyone on their list, and tey hadn't been able to reach anyone on the list to see if they would take it, I got it.

    It takes work and luck.

    Good luck.
    Fred
     
  14. Stilview

    Stilview New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2004
    61
    1
    0
    Location:
    Northern VA
    I got lucky. I called all the dealers from Richmond to Washington asking about their expected wait. Mechanicsville Toyota gave no info, but took my name and number. A couple weeks later, I get a call saying they had one coming in (silver #9, what we wanted) and first one to arrive with deposit gets it. Flying trip down I-95, 2 weeks, and we had it. 5000 miles later, no regrets and know folks with theirs on order much longer than initial call.

    Highly recommended dealership.

    Scott H.
     
  15. humdinger70

    humdinger70 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2004
    17
    0
    0
    So it looks like I'm not really a "chump" after all. :wink: I guess, after about 5-6 months, the postings about poor allocations (what EXACTLY is Toyota doing with all the cars they're building...letting them rot in some forgotten warehouse or on some unused shipping dock?), we all get a little antsy about getting one. And we all have pangs of envy when we actually see one on the road.

    :multi: :silly: :flame:
     
  16. chris_b_01

    chris_b_01 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2004
    132
    0
    0
    Location:
    USA
    I am on numerous lists

    I assume everyone else is as well

    It's for this reason that I think the demand might be overstated

    Whenever I get my car, I will have to "pass" on all future dealers that call me with a car. THere is no way I'm going to call 60 dealers to take me off their call lists.

    Chris