If my Prius is AT PORT - how long should it take to arrive?

Re: If my Prius is AT PORT - how long should it take to arri

It was the exact one I specified back in May (or was it April?). Since then I've gotten the "key ring" so I'm hoping the rebate voucher won't be far behind...

 

Re: If my Prius is AT PORT - how long should it take to arri

OK: in port on 9/9, will pick up today, 9/17. So 8 days in my case...now I'm hoping the car is everything everyone here and at PriusOnline.com says it is, but prepared for the inevitable failure to meet expectations. Fingers crossed.

 

I wasn't as specific on package and color because I had sold my car while car was on order. Originally wanted a package #7 but after several months, contacted dealer and they noted that if I wanted a package 9, it would come at least a month sooner. Also, if I wasn't to specific about color, it would be even sooner. Anyway, bite the bullet and changed order to a #9 plus any color other than white or black. (Also traumatized!) In summary, car was driftwood 9 at MSRP 3.5 months after initial order.

 

Re: If my Prius is AT PORT - how long should it take to arri

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Varko\";p=\"40049)</div>

If anyone has better information I will happily yield the point. But here is my understanding of the method used in the U.S.:

Each Toyota regional office orders cars from Japan, based on what they think will sell best, and without reference to any specific customer "orders." The regions allocate cars to dealers, again without reference to specific customer orders. Prior sales volume determines how many cars are allocated to each dealer. Some time around the cars' arrival in port, the Regions notify the dealers of their allocations. Maybe it happens earlier, when the car is still on the ship, but I don't get that impression. This is the first news the dealer has of what cars he is getting. He learns the VIN's and the colors and options packages.

Some dealers wait until then to sell their allocated cars to the highest bidder, or first-come first-served at a set (high) mark-up.

Those dealers that have a list can then match these cars with customers on their list, based on what those customers said they were willing to buy, and their position on the list.

You did not order a specific car. You merely told the dealer what you would like. Once your dealer knows his allocations, about the time they reach port, he can decide, This car goes to Varko; or, I'll call Varko and see if he/she wants this one.

I got exactly the car I wanted because my dealer went to the trouble of investigating, and trading allocations with another dealer, to get me the car I wanted. Briefly, his allocation from the Region included car X and another dealer was alloocated car Y, and he phoned and arranged a swap, so the Region shipped car Y to my dealer and car X to the other dealer.

They do it differently in Europe: you order a definite car, you get a VIN, you can track your car through production and shipping, your deposit is non-refundable and you are contractually obligated to buy the car: no backing out. And you pay about 50% more than we do. Maybe the grass is greener on our side after all.

 

Re: If my Prius is AT PORT - how long should it take to arri

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jeffo\";p=\"40089)</div>

Except for the EPA mileage figures, which by now you know are unrealistic under most driving conditions, this car will totally exceed all your expectations by lightyears.

 

Re: If my Prius is AT PORT - how long should it take to arri

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel\";p=\"40146)</div>

If anyone has better information I will happily yield the point. But here is my understanding of the method used in the U.S.:

Each Toyota regional office orders cars from Japan, based on what they think will sell best, and without reference to any specific customer "orders." The regions allocate cars to dealers, again without reference to specific customer orders. Prior sales volume determines how many cars are allocated to each dealer. Some time around the cars' arrival in port, the Regions notify the dealers of their allocations. Maybe it happens earlier, when the car is still on the ship, but I don't get that impression. This is the first news the dealer has of what cars he is getting. He learns the VIN's and the colors and options packages.

Some dealers wait until then to sell their allocated cars to the highest bidder, or first-come first-served at a set (high) mark-up.

Those dealers that have a list can then match these cars with customers on their list, based on what those customers said they were willing to buy, and their position on the list.

You did not order a specific car. You merely told the dealer what you would like. Once your dealer knows his allocations, about the time they reach port, he can decide, This car goes to Varko; or, I'll call Varko and see if he/she wants this one.

I got exactly the car I wanted because my dealer went to the trouble of investigating, and trading allocations with another dealer, to get me the car I wanted. Briefly, his allocation from the Region included car X and another dealer was alloocated car Y, and he phoned and arranged a swap, so the Region shipped car Y to my dealer and car X to the other dealer.

They do it differently in Europe: you order a definite car, you get a VIN, you can track your car through production and shipping, your deposit is non-refundable and you are contractually obligated to buy the car: no backing out. And you pay about 50% more than we do. Maybe the grass is greener on our side after all.[/b][/quote]

Thanks, daniel, for that great explanation. This is totally different than the explanation that the salesperson gave us in March. I don't know if they thought it would be different back then and Toyota changed things or what, but we were told that the dealership would be told when OUR car was done being built and about to ship to the U.S. They made it sound like an order.

Communication (or the lack there of) seems to be the biggest problem when dealing with Toyota.

What you are telling me is that I may never see a Tideland AM in this region It all depends! This is less than wonderful news, considering how long we have waited.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Varko\";p=\"40688)</div>

Well, then I have some good news for you (as a fellow Seattleite):

• The AM model is available in the PNW. (Checked the Toyota site, and this is true for the 2005s -- which is what we're getting.)
• I ordered a Tideland AM too, and I'm told that this is what I'll be getting (if I have patience :roll: ).
  • 
    PS Love your avatar.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bookrats\";p=\"40690)</div>

• • 
    
    Technically, I am not a Seattle-ite. We live 50 miles north in Arlington, but most people are not going to know where that is. We are more of a suburb of Everett, at least it is turning that way. Our car is on order at the dealership in Burlington. The Everett dealership had sold their demo model and told us to rent a Prius if we wanted to test drive it :!: They also were selling Prii by auction, we decided not to do business with them.
    
    I figured AM would be available (was offered a white 2004 by another dealership, declined see previous post above), but I have not heard of/seen any Tideland in this area and the Burlington dealship keeps asking what other colors we will except.
    
    I hope you are right that Tidelands are coming and I will keep my fingers crossed for us both.
    
    P.S. Thanks, that was our cat, Thomas, in the snow. He loved to play in the snow.

 

I got a call from Gresham Toyota (Portland OR area) 2+ weeks ago. They had a 2004 Prius Tideland #7 available for $29K, so we must get them in the NW US.

 

Interesting...hmmmm :roll:<thinking>...but we have decided not to pay more than MSRP. $29K for a 2004 AM is quite a mark up. Besides, we have waited this long we have decided to wait for the 2005.

P.S. My dad lives in Gresham

 

Re: If my Prius is AT PORT - how long should it take to arri

I'll be interested to see if you can find any dealer in Washington that will sell a Prius at MSRP. I talked with no fewer than six, and their markups ranged from $1699 to nearly $6000! (I ended up negotiating a lower markup than these, but still had to pay over MSRP - just got my 05 Black Package BC on Friday!)

 

Re: If my Prius is AT PORT - how long should it take to arri

I ordered mine way back in November and got it 2 months later. My dealer, also, made it sound like a "special order," and made it sound as though special orders were apart from regular allocations. I never did find out what really happens because it would have meant some serious interrogation of people higher up than my salesman, and once I had my car it really seemed like a moot point. Apparently they put in extra effort to get me the color and pkg I wanted, and that seemed to warrant gratitude more than interrogation.

 

Re: If my Prius is AT PORT - how long should it take to arri

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jeffo\";p=\"40711)</div>

The dealership in Burlington said they were selling at MSRP, at least when we ordered they did. They are 75 miles north of Seattle and in a rural farming community. I have done business with the Ford dealership up there and they have great customer service. Most of the dealerships up there seem to do business on the level. They are all competing for a small customer base.

 

Re: If my Prius is AT PORT - how long should it take to arri

I talked with dealers in Spokane, Wenatchee, Moses Lake, Tacona, Edmonds, and Bremerton -- and they ALL had hefty markups. Wish I'd known about Burlington!

 

If you ordered from Burlington you'd probably still be waiting!

Moses Lake is the other dealership we have talked to due to a favorable post here at this site. We were disappointed. When we first conacted them in April we were under the impression that they would be selling the Prius at MSRP. Being a new dealership and in the middle of nowhere they were getting (had available) several more cars than anyone else around here. But starting in June they have offered us a handfull of cars (most of them white) asking usually $2000 above MSRP. We have declined due to color, model, and price. The salesperson even called back to ask how much over MSRP we would be willing to pay. When my husband said none (particularly when it is not the car we want), the salesperson said he would have to talk to his manager. This was several weeks ago, we haven't heard back from him.

***ADDED Post Script***
My husband tells me they did call back a few days later with a white AM for $300 over MSRP. Of course, he declined and I blocked it from my memory because it was another white vehicle. ukeleft:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Varko\";p=\"40760)</div>

That is sad. More and more dealers getting greedy. You could try Helena Motors. I guess that greed is spreading. I hope as supply exceeds demand that buyers stick it too them. The rural dealers will end up with cars sitting on their lots eating up interest. Wahoo. We should make a list of dealers who change their policies and tell folks to avoid them until they are selling cars below there own cost to save money on intrest.

 

WTG VARKO!!

stick to your guns!!

that is the only way wel will straighten the greedy ones out!@'
im proud of you girl!

 

We bought our Prius at the end of March in Moses Lake at MSRP. The first one they offered me was white; not for me either!!!

We also got a Prius for my dad in June at that same dealer in Moses Lake, but by then they were asking $1000 over MSRP (for a white one). We talked them down a bit and dad thought $400 over MSRP was OK. Still, its the pits for someone in the middle of eastern Washington to charge so much!