So I went to Toyota three days ago and agreed to purchase a 2016 that they "found" at a dealer somewhere that was exactly what I wanted and promised to call me the next day to let me know the progress of getting it here (said it would be a week or less). Since I hadn't heard anything yet today I called the sales person who said "oh that one isn't available now" so they are going to have to get one that is just being made and I'll get it fresh off the boat in a couple weeks. I questioned her about what happened to the one she had "found" that was available when I was there with her and she gave me a big long story that was a little difficult to follow. Bottom line is it's not really there (or never was?) - did she just screw up and not put a hold on it (or whatever they do) when I gave her my $500 check or what? Does this sound reasonable? I was sort of ticked off but nothing to do about it I guess.
welcome! she may have screwed up, or the other party may have. sometimes they get a better offer, in the meantime, and your $500. isn't a contract, so they don't care. one thing you may want to do, is get some documentation on your order, so a few weeks doesn't turn into a few months. is this your first time with a car dealer? caution: they are not gentle. all the best!
This is similar to what happened to me. I test drove a Three but wanted a Four, so the dealer found one about 200 miles away. Something happened that it was no longer available, so they put in an order for me. About a week later the dealer called back and it turns out the original had been damaged in shipping, so the dealer sent it back for a repair. Now that it was back to the distant dealer, I could buy it. Not saying that's what happened in your case, but it sounds like the inventory search doesn't necessarily mean that it's available.
Well I have a copy of the "Motor Vehicle Purchase Agreement" if that's what you mean. No, I've bought many cars from Toyota but this is the first time I haven't walked out with the new one right away. This time I want Sea Glass Pearl, a three with ATP and black interior and she keeps telling me they are "rare." She also gave me a copy (my request) of the info sheet on the one I was supposedly getting but she wouldn't (or couldn't) tell me where it was as in answer to my question re. how long it was going to take to get it here. The young woman who worked with me was in her 20s and fairly new I think - didn't know the answer to many (most) of my questions!
You might want to speak with the Sales Manager to get your questions answered. Or the Fleet Manager? Enjoy your new Prius. (I hope my Prius lasts me the rest of my life! I hate the whole car-buying experience!)
"Penelope" will long, long, long outlive me! I'll be pushing up daisies, and she won't even have 30,000 miles under her skirt!
And we can all tell you stories of rip-offs by car salesman who have ripped them off over their life-times. Buyer beware. It took me 8 salesman (6 dealerships) before I found one who was interested. And that was only when I rang my closest dealership and said to the phone attendant "I want to talk to someone who KNOWS, LIKES and is interested in PRIUS - I've spoken to 8 salesmen who weren't in the slightest interested [didn't tell her 2 were at her dealership], and if the person you put me onto is the same, I'll hang up immediately." Apparently she consulted the Sales Manager, who put me onto my salesman who bent over backwards to show it in a good light. Enjoy your Prius when she arrives - mine took almost 4 months before I found one I could buy, but I think TOYOTA Australia either didn't order or receive many cars from what sales staff have told me.