Has this happened to you.?

Dood!
You should be writing this to Toyota!
Of course you should be pissed!

 

This is probably a situation of poor communication. I would definitely find a more person centered dealership.

 

It's the old sales stuff many try on those they know they have in their hands! It sounds like people out on the west coast are having a hell of time getting this car. I live in western maryland where I also searched and found '06s in different pkgs. I wound up going to Kern Toyota (Roger in sales), in Winchester, VA, and he had 4 I could pick from! I was LQQKing for the #8 pkg, but when I saw the white pkg. #7 I grabbed it!! The price was $28,100 (also had the Preferred pkg. w/mats etc...). He threw in...all weather front and rear mats, 2 hot key chain ($8. each), and 2 toyota logo plates! I did the deal on the phone and drove the 75 miles. Returned home and have been happy since. He also gave me a great trade-in price on my 2002 AWD Aztec ($1200. more than many other dealers!!!). The dealer where I live told me that if I didn't buy from him he didn't have to service me!!!!!!!! HA! JUST WAIT!!! IN either case I will go elsewhere. So u c some dealers think they can do what they want and get away with it!

I wish u luck...if u like Roger's # I'm sure he if he could/would help anyone within driving distance (mention Dr. BF), he'll know! His # is 1-540-450-1793

 

The car is not officially sold until it is taken out of the inventory during the finance processing. Your situation is unfortunate, but unless there is a specific understanding that the car will be held for you, it is first come first served at many dealerships.

I had a similar situation when I purchased my 05, except I was the one who got the car. I had been looking at it with a salesman, made no commitment. During the time, people from Orange Co called spoke with another salesman who told them the car was available. In the meantime, I purchased it.

I saw the people when they arrived, and was surprised that they were in a pretty good mood. My salesman told me they lowered the price for them by $1000 (still above MSRP and more than I paid, ) and they would get one out of the next allocation. So everyone was satisfied.

I think Cerritos could have offered you some deal for a future allocation rather than try and switch you to another model. You might not have purchased from them, but would probably not be as annoyed.

 

I don't think it is normal and I would try another dealership. When I first put my name on the wait list (back in November), the sales guy would call me and email me every weekend to let me know a car had come in even though it might not have been my preferred package or anything. I had told him specifically that I was waiting until 2006 to take delivery but that went past his head. Finally he called one day when I was at work and I told him straight out that I wasn't interested until 2006.

Well 2006 came and I didn't hear from him at all. I emailed him because I had wanted to know if it was too late to change color preference and if he had heard of my status on the list. I telephoned him twice on the same thing. No answer. Finally, I decided to go to another dealership and put down a deposit and I now feel like I am on a real list. I am actually the 4th customer who hasn't gotten an allocation and there are 4 Priuses coming in at the end of the month so if the colors match, I could have one of those, if not, I wait until March.

Long story short, definitely go with another dealership. That isn't supposed to happen.

 

Unfortunate thing (especially here in SoCal) is that if you want your Prius NOW, you can pretty much expect the dealer to want to charge you over MSRP for it. If you're willing to be put on a list and wait a few weeks or a few months, you'll get a better deal pricewise. I've had a good experience with Longo Toyota (El Monte) thus far, although I was a 'waiter'. I am getting the car at MSRP and am leaving here to go pay for it and pick it up in about 15 minutes. I can give you my sales guy's name/number if you're interested in being put on a list.

 

I think the 6K above MSRP at Carson is just asking price. Unless situation changed, you should be able to walk in and get it for 2K above at Carson, and maybe a bit better at the end of their inventory accounting month (with their Internet dept).

You probably need to stay working the phone but be ready to jump in the car and get to the dealer to do the deal in person.

I assumed the folks that were in a waiting position were insisting on MSRP and not above.

 

Mr. Salesman, go get the keys and the paperwork for that car and tuck it in your shorts. Once you have that come back to the phone and verify.

2 minutes later, bucky is back to the phone with said parts. Ok, sit on that until I get there, 30 minutes.


30 minutes later, you show up and dig the parts out of bucky's undies.



Otherwise, I wouldn't have expected the car to be there a half hour later.. especially in your market...

 

If they would have pulled that on me, I would have gotten the salesman and the salesmanager and told them per agreement you are ready to sign a check to buy the car "as agreed" but otherwise you are walking and tell them not to bother to call you if the other buy backs out.....

If the other guy has no money down on it, then its yours.

But you can get 06's for 500 under msrp or even msrp easily... it would be worth a 200.00 plane ticket and driving it home to get it for msrp or less.

 

I paid MSRP at Carson in early Jan but that was after I negotiated price before I went there.

Alex

 

On January 1, I called Gloria at the Internet/Fleet department at Carson Toyota about a package 7 I'd seen on their inventory list. She quoted me MSRP exactly and said she'd pull the paperwork and hold it for me until the next day with no deposit (she just took my name and maybe my phone number). I picked it up January 2 with no hassles at all. I think that when you deal with them, it's important to talk to the Internet/Fleet department and not the "regular" sales people.

 

I think they suck for having you come right in and then tell you that BS. However, you are at their mercy. It's the old supply & demand situation. If it were me the next time I got a call from a dlr. I would talk to the sales mgr. ist before going there. I would also verify that I would get 1st dibbs on the car if I was there within a certain time frame.

 

I agree. I've had much better luck dealing with the Internet salesman than the Lot salesmen. We worked with Morry at Del Toytoa in Thorndale, PA, and had two very positive experiences (06 Prius and 06 Sienna). He kept us up to date, charged MSRP for the Prius and several thousand less for the Sienna, and worked with us each step of the way. I'd go back to him anytime. I recommend him to anyone in the SE PA and Northern DE area.
You can keep the Lot guys... :blink:

 

Perhaps a call to Vegas Dealers (try Findlay in Henderson) : they teated me well, got my car in in just over a week, with the package/options I wated (#8), and I paid sticker.
5 hour drive, call first.

 

Dont give up on this awesome car just because they are jerks!..
First of all call toyota and ask for someone high up as you can go in the marketing sales dept. and tell him your story.

These cars are much easier to get now than they were a while back.

Just start calling around..... don't put any money down anywhere!.... you tell them here is your # and if they come across a car to call you and that you are calling other dealers too. That will cause the lazy salesman to leave you alone and only the go getters to help you before the next guy does.

If you really want a car... we can find you one if your willing to fly over and drive back.

I can almost bet you someone can find one in your area within a couple of days if your ready to buy now.

I just bought two... this car is wayyyyy cooool... don't give up for just a car thats a wanna-be hybrid. This car is realllly smooooth!... if drives and feels like a luxury car and has plenty of power. This is way too much money to spend on anything besides what you really want!..

I can almost guarantee you'll have buyers remorse if you don't get a prius... but if you do, I can also guarantee you'll love it to pieces!