Does an '08 deposit actually guarantee me a car???

[FL_Prius_Driver]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(carolbrady @ Sep 10 2007, 10:50 AM) [snapback]510038[/snapback]</div>

Just an update: I talked to my salesperson. She has no info regarding 08 Prius pricing as of yet, she could not get me a VIN number and said maybe we are looking at another 5 weeks (vs. the 8 weeks she threw out at me the other day). Hmmmm.....

I am not feeling overly confident at this point.
[/b]

Don't get discouraged yet. Nothing shady or deceptive has been described. Just the standard (poor) treatment most dealers give to someone on the hook is what this sounds like. Prius availability has always been a matter of supply and demand and the beginning of a new car period is one of the worst times. In 2001 I had to wait many weeks....and in 2007 I had to wait many weeks. You are getting one of the best cars every made. There are many out there who have VERY long waits (6 months) described. I know the feeling that you are forgotten and nothing is happening. This changes with one phone call.

[EarthFriendly]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(carolbrady @ Sep 9 2007, 11:13 AM) [snapback]509521[/snapback]</div>

I called to f/u yesterday (which was a week from deposit date) w/ the salesperson.
[/b]

This does not sound good to me, but then again, I am kind of old fashioned.

[Godiva]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(carolbrady @ Sep 10 2007, 09:50 AM) [snapback]510038[/snapback]</div>

Just an update: I talked to my salesperson. She has no info regarding 08 Prius pricing as of yet, she could not get me a VIN number and said maybe we are looking at another 5 weeks (vs. the 8 weeks she threw out at me the other day). Hmmmm.....

I am not feeling overly confident at this point.
[/b]

Tell her you want a full refund of your deposit and you're taking your business elsewhere. They are jerking you around.

[JimN]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Sep 10 2007, 11:08 PM) [snapback]510413[/snapback]</div>

Tell her you want a full refund of your deposit and you're taking your business elsewhere. They are jerking you around.
[/b]

You can look for inventory at www.cars.com and read through www.carbuyingtips.com. Ignore the sales bimbo. Start contacting Internet Sales Managers at other dealers. First suitable car at the best price wins.

[JimN]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Sep 10 2007, 11:08 PM) [snapback]510413[/snapback]</div>

Tell her you want a full refund of your deposit and you're taking your business elsewhere. They are jerking you around.
[/b]

You can look for inventory at www.cars.com and read through www.carbuyingtips.com. Ignore the sales bimbo. Start contacting Internet Sales Managers at other dealers. First suitable car at the best price wins.

[jonjonbear]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Sep 11 2007, 09:16 PM) [snapback]510977[/snapback]</div>

You can look for inventory at www.cars.com and read through www.carbuyingtips.com. Ignore the sales bimbo. Start contacting Internet Sales Managers at other dealers. First suitable car at the best price wins.
[/b]

Hmmm..Interesting. We went to the dealer here in Austin (Champion Toyota) I think was the first or second week of August and wanted to order a 2007 if possible. He told us that the new model was coming out soon and the likelihood of us getting the color/trim was slight and suggested we pre order an '08 since we were not in a dire hurry. He didn't have the pricing but thought it would be similar to the '07. I told him I had read they were under 300.00 difference and he hadn't gotten any pricing. They require a 500.00 refundable deposit. He first filled out a small form about the size of a recipe card maybe a bit bigger. Wanted to know exactly what we wanted, color, trim, add ons and such..I told him to keep the add ons except the XM radio(down here they put these pricey "extra mile packages which are a bunch of add on stuff)..I may have them add the glass breakage sensor which I was going to do myself until I found out you have to get it . He then went to the Toyota website and we built the car (which was really a 2007) and he printed two copies, kept one and gave us the other. He then took a photo copy of our credit card.(I thought that was weird but he said it was kept safe) He said he figured or was told they should start arriving around the middle of October early September (Austin Texas) so we called on Monday and he said our car was "scheduled for delivery" on the first of October..Exciting but sure hope he is being straight up with us. He seems like a great guy and had all sorts of awards in his office for top salesman and letters from customers..We felt good working with him. Sure hope those '08's start showing up down here in Texas pretty soon as I think I have the Jetta sold! One thing I find a bit disturbing is that the Prius doesn't come with road side assistance unless you pay extra for it? That was a slight turn off..It came free with our Jetta.

John

[jonjonbear]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Sep 11 2007, 09:16 PM) [snapback]510977[/snapback]</div>

You can look for inventory at www.cars.com and read through www.carbuyingtips.com. Ignore the sales bimbo. Start contacting Internet Sales Managers at other dealers. First suitable car at the best price wins.
[/b]

Hmmm..Interesting. We went to the dealer here in Austin (Champion Toyota) I think was the first or second week of August and wanted to order a 2007 if possible. He told us that the new model was coming out soon and the likelihood of us getting the color/trim was slight and suggested we pre order an '08 since we were not in a dire hurry. He didn't have the pricing but thought it would be similar to the '07. I told him I had read they were under 300.00 difference and he hadn't gotten any pricing. They require a 500.00 refundable deposit. He first filled out a small form about the size of a recipe card maybe a bit bigger. Wanted to know exactly what we wanted, color, trim, add ons and such..I told him to keep the add ons except the XM radio(down here they put these pricey "extra mile packages which are a bunch of add on stuff)..I may have them add the glass breakage sensor which I was going to do myself until I found out you have to get it . He then went to the Toyota website and we built the car (which was really a 2007) and he printed two copies, kept one and gave us the other. He then took a photo copy of our credit card.(I thought that was weird but he said it was kept safe) He said he figured or was told they should start arriving around the middle of October early September (Austin Texas) so we called on Monday and he said our car was "scheduled for delivery" on the first of October..Exciting but sure hope he is being straight up with us. He seems like a great guy and had all sorts of awards in his office for top salesman and letters from customers..We felt good working with him. Sure hope those '08's start showing up down here in Texas pretty soon as I think I have the Jetta sold! One thing I find a bit disturbing is that the Prius doesn't come with road side assistance unless you pay extra for it? That was a slight turn off..It came free with our Jetta.

John

[Godiva]

I would never let them photocopy my credit card, I don't care what bull$h¡t explaination they have.

In fact, the salesman at San Diego Toyota wanted to take my driver's license into the office to photocopy it. I handed him a photocopy I had already made and said "here, I've already done it." He said no, he had to do it himself. I got out of the car and left. Suddenly he didn't have to do it at all and kept calling me back.

What happened? They wanted to swipe the magnetic strip on my license. And possibly run some repeated credit checks to lower my credit rating.

I don't deal with anyone that wants me to hand over my driver's license unless it is a police office, Highway Patrol or another officer of the department of motor vehicles for the state of california.

If Ralphs or Vons wants it? Tough. I'll shop elsewhere. They have no right to swipe the magnetic strip on my licene. I have no idea what information is on there but they are NOT entitled to it.

[Godiva]

I would never let them photocopy my credit card, I don't care what bull$h¡t explaination they have.

In fact, the salesman at San Diego Toyota wanted to take my driver's license into the office to photocopy it. I handed him a photocopy I had already made and said "here, I've already done it." He said no, he had to do it himself. I got out of the car and left. Suddenly he didn't have to do it at all and kept calling me back.

What happened? They wanted to swipe the magnetic strip on my license. And possibly run some repeated credit checks to lower my credit rating.

I don't deal with anyone that wants me to hand over my driver's license unless it is a police office, Highway Patrol or another officer of the department of motor vehicles for the state of california.

If Ralphs or Vons wants it? Tough. I'll shop elsewhere. They have no right to swipe the magnetic strip on my licene. I have no idea what information is on there but they are NOT entitled to it.

[Jeannie]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jonjonbear @ Sep 12 2007, 10:40 AM) [snapback]511258[/snapback]</div>

One thing I find a bit disturbing is that the Prius doesn't come with road side assistance unless you pay extra for it?
[/b]

It doesn't come with road-side assistance unless you but the Toyota extended warranty (which I got through this site). But I have an option for road-side assistance through my cell phone provider, cheaper than AAA.