Why is availability of Priuses so uncertain?

[rschulzejr]

I am in the market for my third Prius. My first Prius, bought in 2002, is still in the family and is used by my 16 year old daughter. My second Prius, bought in 2007, was totaled when my 19 year old was rear ended by an F250 pickup. So, I would like to buy a 2010 Prius--not a problem, right?

Well, here's what has happened after a month of trying to buy a Prius. You would think I was trying to negotiate for a vintage Ferrari. Over a month ago, my wife and daughters decided they would like a white 2010 Prius with the solar sunroof option.

I contacted my local dealer, Savannah Toyota. They said they had one available with my desired specs. Fine, say I, take a deposit on my Amex card and I'll pick it up today. I get a call back six hours later saying that the salesman had been unaware that the car was already sold, and they did not have another. Not a problem, these things happen.

Not to be deterred, I contacted my other local dealer, Chatham Parkway Toyota. They too told me that they had one available. Fine, say I, take a deposit on my Amex and I will buy the car, cash for MSRP. Later that evening, I get an email from the salesman saying that his manager was charging a $3500 "Market Adjustment Fee" on top of MSRP--is that ok with you? "Absolutely not, say I, we had a deal and you just changed the terms. You have lost a sale."

So back I go to Savannah Toyota, having perused their website of "new car inventory." I picked out a Prius with all the features I wanted, said to be available on September 22 to the dealer. I emailed a copy of the spec sheet, including the car's VIN, to the dealer, saying I want this car, I don't mind waiting a month to get what I want. Once again, I placed a $500 deposit on my Amex card and received a signed confirmation of my deposit on the card with written confirmation of my agreement to buy the car at MSRP.

Two days ago, I got a call from the salesman saying the car was "not available." Now his manager is saying I can order one but it might take three to four months to arrive. What is going on here? This is insane. All I want to do is buy a car, and I'm willing to pay cash for MSRP. Why is this such a problem?

[blueumbrella]

What is going on here? This is insane. All I want to do is buy a car, and I'm willing to pay cash for MSRP. Why is this such a problem?[/quote]


This is a simple case of demand exceeding supply in your area. These guys are going to sell to the highest bidder no matter what, hell with any agreement. Although it does not help you now, this situation is going to change with the introduction of more and more of these kinds of vehicles. Have you considered going out of state?

[JamesBurke]

Blizzard white with solar in SE. Only 1 available 18 more coming. Do you know how to search inventory for SET? I use this link and dealer in NC. Fred Anderson Toyota Raleigh North Carolina New Highlander New Light Harnett

Sorry your local dealers are... !###%$.

[bedrock8x]

It is because you are right in the middle of C4C craze, the salesman will sell to the highest bidder. The salesman broke his promise that you car is available and is not, this is a very typical tactic called bait and switch. They just want to get you to into their showroom and try to pressure you into something else or at highest price than agreed upon.
Now the C4C is over, the inventory will start building up in a one month or two, try again then.

[Dondoh]

This post has the incoming ships for the east coast.
Car Carrier Ship Tracking

[DianneWhitmire]

The sheer variety of cars and their available colors and options are what make this a crapshoot most of the time. One never knows what the next buyer will request, and what they are open to.

Each individual dealership is a microcosm of the great picture.
I can ask for a specific car allocation after allocation, but the folks asking for that same car for the longest amount of time will get the car first, that's just how it works. You have to use your ability to dealer trade and finagle cars for the sold orders. And, pray that your clients are flexible.

That said, it sounds to me like your dealerships local to your region are adding profit markups on the window stickers... so your real problem is the dealers you are interacting with, not Toyota as a whole? I am no stranger to that practice in Southern CA - although we don't do that here at my dealership - and it's a shame when it happens to you as much as it has.

Dianne

[vela]

I just posted about one that is (supposed to be!) available in Knoxville, TN, at least it was yesterday. About checking inventory, I agree it is worth it to look at inventories, though I have to admit I was told by dealerships that those listed as available on an inventory were not necessarily really available to that particular dealership for a variety of reasons.

If I hear of another car fitting your description, I will be sure to post. Good luck!

[rschulzejr]

Originally Posted by vela

I just posted about one that is (supposed to be!) available in Knoxville, TN, at least it was yesterday. About checking inventory, I agree it is worth it to look at inventories, though I have to admit I was told by dealerships that those listed as available on an inventory were not necessarily really available to that particular dealership for a variety of reasons.

If I hear of another car fitting your description, I will be sure to post. Good luck!

Thank you for all of the responses. I've had some interesting discussions with the dealers about the meaning of the word "available." The dealer's website said the car I ordered was "available" on September 22 (this was way back in August). Now I'm told that "available" really doesn't mean available. Reminds me of the old Bill Clinton line: "it depends what the meaning of is is." In any case, the doublespeak from the dealer is impressive in its slippery grasp of what most people take to be the English language. For those reasons, I feel that Toyota should do something about the "inventory" feature of the dealer's websites: it is to say the least misleading if not downright dishonest when customers are assured that a car is available when it is actually not.

[mindmachine]

Well all I can say is I have had a deposit on an order (preference)for a Barcelona Red IV Solar with Bisque interior since June 2 and I am still down 3 from the top of the list. I hate all this preference BS saying you can't just order a car.

Last year I ordered Lexus 400h the way I wanted it exactly to a T. I had it in 3 months, now Lexus hybrids aren't easy to get either and its the same company so what gives anyway?

[DianneWhitmire]

Many dealerships, such as ours, uses a "live feed" from the computerized inventory that has no way to discern between the sold-with-deposit-on-it cars and the available ones. I'm sure I have cars showing today that look as if they are there or open for sale -- many which are not and haven't been for weeks.

That's why I post our Prius inventory here at PC. Because I know what's really open for sale - that goes for every single model we sell (not just Prius).

I used to do the complete online inventory myself daily... but that's too much work anymore. Yes, it's a hassle at times to deflect the frustrated phone calls, but it's also nice to be able to find a replicate car for someone who wanted a vehicle already sold, allowing me to go get them another one like it.

Dianne