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Prius Dealer Allocation

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by MechaJohn, Aug 5, 2006.

  1. MechaJohn

    MechaJohn New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2006
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    Location:
    Houston, Tx
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Can anyone tell me how the dealer allocation works? I have been working with a dealership here in Houston and the salesman seems to be stringing me along. He first told me that he could order the package I want and it would be here around August 9th. I asked him for the status this week, and last night I received the following email:

    I have an allocation in about a week of most of the vehicles we will be getting in August. Hopefully, we will match your Prius then.

    I already have a buyer for my current vehicle. He is willing to delay the purchase, but needs it by the 15th for his son to take to college.

    What I am trying to figure out now is whether or not it would make sense to look at other dealers in the area. Would it help me get the car sooner? Would all the dealers in my area be pulling cars from the same pool? I don't know if they get their cars from a pool, or if they can get a specific color/package combination. Also, I'm concerned that another dealer would merely pull the same stunt.
     
    #1 MechaJohn, Aug 5, 2006
  2. davidf

    davidf New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MechaJohn @ Aug 5 2006, 10:17 AM) [snapback]298239[/snapback]</div>
    Someone can probably speak to this better than I, but here's my understanding:

    Dealers don't generally request a specific configuration right from the factory. Instead, each dealer is given a certain number of Priuses based on lots of factors (how many the sell per month, how many cars total they sold last year, etc. etc.) When the allocation comes in, a car matches your request, and you're at the top of the list, you get it. This is why it can be useful to be as general as you are comfortable with when requesting a specific car. In other words, "a Magnetic Gray #7" might take much longer than "a #7, any color". The factory uses sales statistics to decide how many of each color/package to make.

    Further, if a car is allocated to a dealership and they haven't got a specific buyer for it, other dealers in the area are then given a chance to match that car to their wait list. So if the Magnetic Gray #7 came in to a dealer across town and they haven't got a buyer, yours could sell it and bring it to their dealership. This probably isn't going to happen much in areas where there's a big wait list.

    Hope this helps out. If I've made any mistakes, someone correct me B)
     
    #2 davidf, Aug 5, 2006
  3. MechaJohn

    MechaJohn New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2006
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    Location:
    Houston, Tx
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(davidf @ Aug 5 2006, 12:32 PM) [snapback]298242[/snapback]</div>
    Thanks David!

    I did give the dealer two color options and two package options to help get a match quicker, but then he mislead me by giving me a date. Also, he used the word order. From your description, I would assume that what he meant was if one comes in matching my aspecs in the next shipment, he would put my name on it.

    Another reason I have a problem with this dealer is that when I first contacted them about the Prius, I had found one in stock at their dealership and asked if it was still available. They said it was and we set up a test drive. I had been contacted by this Internet Sales Manager because I applied for the $200 coupon on the website. I talked him into accepting the coupon even though the Prius is listed as an exception (You don't find this out until you get the coupon and your contact info is sent to a sales person). Anyway, when we got to the dealership to do the test drive, they told me that the car was sold. After arguing, he finally admitted that he knew it was sold, but wanted us to go there to his dealership.

    My concern now is that even if they find the car I want, they might sell it to someone else, knowing that they can get MSRP. I hate car dealerships. :angry: I once bought a Saturn, and it was a pleasure and a great car (no negotiation, a fair price, and great mileage 35-40MPG). Unfortunately they don't make that model anymore.
     
    #3 MechaJohn, Aug 5, 2006
  4. CarlK

    CarlK New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MechaJohn @ Aug 5 2006, 01:53 PM) [snapback]298253[/snapback]</div>
    Allocations may be different by region; I'm in the Southeast region (doesn't include Texas) and they have two allocations per month. The real key to your problem is what your dealership is willing to do. You are getting close on your "must have" date so you may want to try some other options while you wait. As mentioned, dealers can search and trade with other dealerships to match allocations with "requested models" (ie orders). Some dealers will readily do this and some flatly say it can't be done. I'd suggest sending e-mails to dealerships that you would consider within a reasonable drive and tell them what you want and when you have to have it by. It certainly won't hurt and you may find a dealer who has what you want or can get it quickly. My experience has been that the smaller more rural dealers are sometimes the ones more willing to work with you. By the way, I'd have trouble dealing with someone who admitted he lied to you just to get you into the showroom. But maybe that's just me. Hope this helps and good luck.

    Carl
     
    #4 CarlK, Aug 5, 2006
  5. RichBoy

    RichBoy New Member

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    you should ALWAYS check several dealerships, and buy from the first one that gives you the pkg and color you want for msrp. It helps to be flexible with the colors if you can. good luck. With gas prices the way they are, Priii are flying off dealer lots.
     
    #5 RichBoy, Aug 5, 2006
  6. MechaJohn

    MechaJohn New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2006
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    Location:
    Houston, Tx
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RichBoy @ Aug 5 2006, 02:37 PM) [snapback]298309[/snapback]</div>
    Thanks RichBoy and Carl, that's exactly what I plan to do. After some research, I found that I am not alone with regard to unscrupulous salesmen. Check out this thread: How-Much-Communication-with-your-Salesperson-Dealer
     
    #6 MechaJohn, Aug 5, 2006
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