Is Dealer wrong?

The dealers have no control over what comes in. They have no ability to order anything when it comes to the Prius. They can only take what they get allocated. Before they were so scares dealers could look at the upcoming arrivals and pick and choose to "order" you want you want but this is not the case anymore.

 

This is mostly correct. In actuality the dealers do have some control. The dealer cannot order a Prius. Toyota decides how many of what package and color to build. Once they are built, the dealers select the cars they want from the ones being shipped. It's a draft system, with some dealers getting more and earlier picks. Bigger dealers that sell more Prius get better picks. They can't order one, but they can pick one with your options when it comes along.

Tom

 

That may be a market thing. I know in the Southeast market they don't have any control over what they get. I have had several dealers confirm this. The only course of action a dealer could do was a dealer trade.

 

It could also be a difference from when we purchased ours in 2006. It could be that they no longer notify the dealers of what is on the boat.

Tom

 

From what I understand (in the Southeast district at least) the dealers can see what's on the boat but it's already doled out before they have a chance to pick and choose. I know it was not like that in March of '08 before the current craze though because we were looking then and my preferred dealer could snag stuff before they hit shore.

 

So not to try an hi jack the thread, but I "ordered" a Mag Grey pkg 2 in July. My dealer told me it hit Cali Aug 23rd and my delivery date was Sept 2-8. Well I did not get my car today. Should I be concerned about this? I have already signed papers on it. Already sold my current car and am delivering it on wednesday. How long does it take once it hits the port to get to the dealer?
Oh yeah I'm new here. Hi! This site has been great research for me. Thanks!

 

At my dealership........
I put down a $500 deposit and was told I was 14th on the list.
He told me every dealer does things differently.
I specified option package 2, in order of preference: Green, Red, Black.
I was told I would be offered other Prii if one came in unclaimed, in order of being on the list.
In 3 weeks I was offered a Magnetic grey option package 3.
I passed...........
One week later a black option 2 Black one came in. Now mine.
My wait was not all that long at all.............

Interestingly enough when mine came in, 3 others came in as well. All sold, and two of them had Prii in trade. 2 customers traded in their slightly used Prii on new ones as the trade value was so high.

I have heard though that other dealers in my area have "bumped" people on the waiting list in favor of those who would pay over sticker..................so its anybody's game depending on who you deal with.

I'm pretty happy with my dealer as he let me have a car while waiting for the check from the credit union.............it took a week! Never thought that would happen!

 

I guess things work differently in the UK.. I ordered a "T4" (all tourings) model in Dacuma Grey.. 2 weeks later I took delivery.

 

To the original poster, you may want to call all the dealers in your accessbile area to find out how they obtain and sell Prii.

I found each dealer in my area somewhat different. The closest is very small, does not sell many Prii. Next closest takes info over phone from me, calls two weeks later 'we've got a Mag. Gray pack 5 coming in 2 days, you said you wanted'.

Dealer 15 miles away had a waiting list, no charge, I ended up getting mine from them.

Dealer 25 miles away took $500 deposits and was very organized, best reputation. Got my refund in 2 days from them.

Some dealers had a few Prii in stock. Some would sell first come, first served.

Soo, call around. It's like job hunting where every company is different.

Other things can do while waiting is get financial plan in order, check / shop for credit if needed, learn about Toyota financial services and stuff the finance/business manager will try to sell you when 'buying' the car. Go in armed and ready. 'nuff said, I'll shut up. 1 more thing ... check the contract numbers carefully, those finance folks can botch numbers here and there.

 

I bought my Prius (the Millenium Falcon) from the closer dealer without shopping around. Gas had just hit $4/gal, and Prii were flying off the lots. I was #90 on the waiting list, but after about 5 weeks, my guy called and said "my" car was on the boat headed east.

I second the advice to research the upsells the dealer will try and get you to buy. I actually went in before my delivery was scheduled to do the paperwork--and got hit with the extended warranty, the pre-paid maintenance, a AAA-like package for towing and jump-starts. Fortunately, I was able to take that all home, and jump onto this site to decide what -- if any-- I needed.

I took none of them, thinking I'll go through here for the extended warranty after my bank account bounces back a bit!