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do they build extras?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Gabe, Jun 22, 2006.

  1. Gabe

    Gabe New Member

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    I just put a $500 non-refundable deposit down on a prius that was "up for grabs" currently in the initial stages of being built in Japan. The dealer said that it was not allocated to a dealership. I haven't heard of anyone being told this before, so I asked why other dealerships don't get them this way. He said they don't want to pay for them, but didn't really elaborate (do they get the allocated ones on credit?). If it pans out, I'll be very happy because they even let me pick my interior color (chose grey for a seaside #5, not a common combo from what I've seen). I can't help being a little skeptical though. I'll feel a lot better when I get a vin #.
     
    #1 Gabe, Jun 22, 2006
  2. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Check the VIN. See if it's a salvage.
     
    #2 richard schumacher, Jun 22, 2006
  3. Gabe

    Gabe New Member

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    It is a toyota dealership. I don't think I have to worry about it being a salvage, that is not a tactic that could go under the radar, they would quickly get shut down. Besides, they've been around for a while and I couldn't dig up any dirt on them online or here. One Priuschat member actually posted them as a good buying experience.

    My concern is more about them taking my deposit money and not actually having ordered a prius, just hoping for it in a future allocation or trade with another dealership. They've got me on the hook (non-refundable deposit, which I did press the sales manager into saying he would refund if I didn't get the car, but I don't have that in writing so it means nothing). I'm sure they'd eventually get one in, but September 30th is too close for me to come up with an alternative if this dealer doesn't com thru on time. I've talked with several other dealers and none offered to order one from the factory and I've never even read about that here (btw, thanks everyone for this wonderfully informative site). So, they are either doing me a huge favor or giving me the shaft. I was hoping someone here might know if there are actually extra Prii available for order or at least if there might be something to dealerships not ordering in unallocated ones because of some associated cost (maybe pay in advance as oppose to getting them on credit, I have no idea how they work and the sales manager was already frustrated with me at the point when he said "other dealers don't want to pay to order them," so I let it go).
     
    #3 Gabe, Jun 23, 2006
  4. christianaggie07

    christianaggie07 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Gabe @ Jun 23 2006, 02:47 AM) [snapback]275698[/snapback]</div>
    First off, it sounds like the salesman is a jerk. Never let them speak disrespectfully to you, which it sounds like they were. My father was a car salesman for over 20 years and no matter what the sell is, they always get a commission. So, I say go talk to the sales manager and get your refund.

    When I was shopping for my Prius, I went to Star Toyota here in Houston, TX. They are the largest and oldest Toyota dealer in the Gulf State region (Texas, Louisiana, a couple others). Only large dealerships (flagships) like them are actually able to order a Prius. Most others say they can, but really they are waiting for the right allotment. I know this because my good friend was the salesman who was going to order the car for us. They do not have to pay for anything - Toyota simply substitues the one you ordered for another in the dealer's allotment. From the way it sounds, the salesman was lying to you to get you to put down a deposit.

    I was lucky enough to find the exact one I wanted to order on a lot a mere 50 miles away. I went there, and after 3 long hours of negotiating, I got a Package #7 for the MSRP of a Package #5 - I got my Prius under invoice. I was able to do this because they knew I knew that they were going to make money no matter what and I was ready to write the check. I let them know I wanted to buy that car, but only at the price I wanted to pay. Don't let them try to down play your negotiating ability because the Prius is in high demand. They are still at your mercy and working for you. :)

    If I were you, I would request that they show me the order form - probably on a computer screen. If they won't , demand your $500 refund. Then find the closest flagship dealer (look for a large port) and order it from them. Usually, get ready to gasp, it only takes about 2-4 weeks to get the one you want.

    This is your car, your baby for several years. You are investing thousands into it, and for some reason, some salesmen blow you off. I walked out of 7 dealerships until I went to Star. I only wish that they had mine in stock so I could have bought from them.
     
    #4 christianaggie07, Jun 23, 2006
  5. subarutoo

    subarutoo New Member

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    Why would anybody EVER agree to a non-refundable deposit? You might get lucky, and find a car on your own the next day. That's how I got mine. Non-refundable? No way.
     
    #5 subarutoo, Jun 23, 2006
  6. rfred

    rfred New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(subarutoo @ Jun 23 2006, 02:26 PM) [snapback]275949[/snapback]</div>
    Yeah, we learned the hard way. Eventually got a very nice car, but the salesperson had no incentive to find a car outside his allotment. During the time that we endured his lack of motivation, we inquired with other dealers and passed up several chances because we had $500 tied up elsewhere. Caveat Emptor indeed!
     
    #6 rfred, Jun 23, 2006
  7. Gabe

    Gabe New Member

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    Update-

    The dealer came through! We got our seaside pearl #5 with grey interior, in the specified time frame. For a while it really seemed like we were getting the run-around. At one point the sales manager seemed almost eager to give us back our deposit so something was definitely not right, but we were persistent and now we have our car!

    I don't know what to think about the original "extra" sales pitch though. The original sales lady no longer works there and the sales manager we ended up dealing with is incredibly talented at not giving straight answers so we don't really know how they ended up getting the exact car we wanted (it is not a common interior color for the seaside pearl) At no point did they say they had it on their allocation (we asked continually). Could be they had it promised to someone in addition to us who canceled and that's why we didn't find out until they had it. Or maybe they traded for it. Who knows.

    Gabe Thomas (who is very happy to be a Prius owning member of Prius Chat!)
     
    #7 Gabe, Aug 16, 2006
  8. Charles Suitt

    Charles Suitt Senior Member

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    <_< Gabe...

    It is always helpful to know WHERE you are. Many PriusChat folks have put their geographical location in their "signatures." Other PriusChat folks would have an easier time assisting you. Just a polite suggestion.
     
    #8 Charles Suitt, Aug 16, 2006
  9. jimmyrose

    jimmyrose Member

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    Glad it worked out for you, but I really have to say: asking for a non-refundable deposit on a car this hot is a bit oxymoronic. It's not like the car's gonna sit long on the lot if you withdraw from the deal... it sounds like it bound you more to the dealer than the car to you...JMHO
     
    #9 jimmyrose, Aug 16, 2006
  10. Ichabod

    Ichabod Artist In Residence

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    Ditto congrats on the purchase. It sounds like you lucked out because your first post sounded like the beginning of a nightmare to me! :eek:
     
    #10 Ichabod, Aug 16, 2006
  11. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

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    Congrats on getting the car you wanted!

    Based solely on what I've learned on this chat board, dealers in some other countries can special order exact cars: The buyer specifies what he wants, signs a binding contract to buy the car, with penalties if he backs out, and gets a VIN immediately.

    In the USA (again based solely on what I've read here) dealers get their cars through their regional distributor, who gets them through Toyota USA. Each dealer gets an allocation (based on past sales numbers) and certain packages are not available in certain regions. A dealer can then trade with another dealer, or even arrange multi-dealer roundabout trades. But they are always working with existing allocations.

    That's what I've read here. I think your salesperson may have not understood how the dealership got its cars. Glad the ending was a happy one!
     
    #11 daniel, Aug 16, 2006
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