Im concerned about dealers selling cars without letting waiting list customers know

It's simple. The customer who puts himself on a waiting list told the dealership that he was willing to wait. And in fact, wait several months. However, the guy standing in the showroom might just leave and never come back if they don't sell him a car right then.

So, if you were a salesman working on commission, who would you sell a cancellation to?

Both of my Priuses were bought as spur-of-the-moment walk-in buys. Both were "cancellations". My father walked into a dealer several states away, and he too walked away with a "cancellation".

I feel no guilt.

 

I bought mine when I happen to walk in as the guy turned down the trade-in offer. The salesperson just said if you really want this car its yours so I don't have to "start calling".

 

I just bought mine used, about the same price as any other car of the same age a millege, thus I didn't have the higher cost that most do and I didn't have to wait, there are actually lots of Used Prius out there without high millege. As for waiting lists, I think it's dumb, jsut produce enough vehicles foe the demand, if you want anything that comes along don't get on a waiting list, jsut call around for a cancellation, otherwise you will have to wait for your package.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stanlwyjohn @ Jun 19 2006, 09:25 PM) [snapback]273778[/snapback]</div>

Mine was on a list too; but when I bought it, the guy who had it next, he was not in, so I got it.

And I was never on a list.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Marlin @ Jun 21 2006, 03:16 PM) [snapback]274821[/snapback]</div>

I did the same thing with my first 2005 Prius and also don't feel guilty. At the same time, I don't trust a dealer who takes $500 from a customer and essentially lies to them about a systematic waiting list. Most people are willing to wait because they believe the dealer has an organized wait list. I don't blame the salespeople for making the quick commission score; I blame the dealer. Its up to the dealer to set the sales rules, not the salespeople. I think its just bad customer service and borderline unethical. From a dealer's bottomline perspective, a 1 or 2 day delay by moving fairly through the wait list does not change their profits. Either way, the dealer is going to quickly sell every single Prius they can get their hands on. The only difference is that the person who feels they were treated fairly on a waitlist is much more likely to become a repeat customer compared to the guy who is willing to walk without an immediate sale.

I'm a perfect example. When I was ready to buy my 2006 Prius, I went back to that same dealer. They told me I'd have to get on their waiting list. I just walked away knowing that I so easily circumvented their wait list just 6 months earlier.