Advice Needed: Unacceptable dealer behavior?

[Pit of Babel]

I'm new to posting, though I have been reading the forum for a few months now. I need a bit of help here. Looking to buy 2010 JSW (w/ DSG, rubber mat kit and panoramic sunroof).

After doing my preliminary research online, I test drove a JSW on Oct. 1, loved it, put down a $500 deposit so I could request options to my liking. Dealer quoted me $40 under MSRP. He told me the car would take 30-60 days to come in. I told him I was planning a move across the country, would like to have the car before then if possible. He said it shouldn't be more than 60 days. (I understand this is not a "guarantee.")

After three weeks, I called to get an update on the car. I said I was hoping to leave the state in mid-November, but could wait until the end of November if necessary in order to drive my car out. He said the car would be going into production on Nov. 3, but he had no idea how long it would take to get it into the lot. (No guess whatsoever.)

He calls the first week of November to say that the car should arrive at the end of December. 90 days after I ordered it. This obviously bothered me, because he had told me it shouldn't take more than 60 days, and I had no intentions to postpone my move for an entire month.

Yesterday I arrived in Seattle. Was trying to figure out how I would get my car at the end of December and drive it across the country. Yesterday evening I got a phone call -- from my dealer, calmly informing me that my car has arrived and he'd like me to stop by to pick it up.

If he had any inclination whatsoever that his projected end of December date was wrong by over an entire month, shouldn't he have called to update me? He knew I was flexible with my move, and could have waited an extra couple of days in order to pick up my new car. You may have some idea of how much this infuriates me.

So now I am expected to fly back to Michigan and then drive it for four days to Seattle.

My complaint: First, he told me my car would take a month longer than he initially projected. I started to change my plans accordingly (planning to move in November without my car, considering forfeitting the deposit to simply buy a car out here). Then the car arrived on time, and between the three weeks of when he told me December until it arrived on the lot in November, he didn't track the progress of the car to update me, despite my requests.

What a mess. What would you do? Forfeit the deposit and try to buy a car out on the West Coast (and wait another 2-3 months for it to come in)? Fight the deposit and buy a car on the West Coast? Negotiate with him on the price, to cover the nuisance and to cover partial costs of having to fly home and drive out West AGAIN (no easy feat)? If I negotiate, what would be reasonable?

With 6% sales tax, doc fees, projected reg fees and all else being equal:
Estimated invoice: $28,380
His initial price: $29,624 (approx. $40 under MSRP)

Please, all suggestions help! Have a happy holiday! I'll be crunching numbers so I can give him a call first thing tomorrow.

 

[Pit of Babel]

Wow, that was really long. I'm sorry, folks. Let me try to do this concisely.

1. I put down a deposit for a 2010 JSW. Quoted 30-60 days to arrive to dealership. I plan a cross-country move for AFTER I receive my car.

2. 30 days later, I call for an update. Arrival time is now expected 90 days from order date. No apologies, I get a little pissed. Can't postpone move that long, consider my options.

3. Another 21 days later, I receive a call. My car has arrived. A few days earlier I moved, planning on a December arrival date. But now it's too late. Again, no apologies. "Sorry, I didn't call you when I knew that it was a month earlier than I last said." "Sorry, I know you just moved, but surprise! It's here." None of that.

4. To cover my expenses of flying back and driving the car, as well as general frustrated, how much would be appropriate to request off? I was originally quoted $40 under MSRP ($1244 over invoice, inc. taxes and fees).

Thanks again, and apologies...

 

[drewnyc]

I would be happy I found a dealer who is willing to part w/ a TDI for msrp or less.



also for future reference, you could have posted on vwvortex and gotten your car production updates yourself...

 

[Pit of Babel]

A keychain would be swell. And an apology. And less snow in Idaho. :\ That would really help.

A low estimate of flight costs and half of driving costs lowers the price $418.
Letting him keep 2/3 of his profit from invoice lowers the price $414.


Also: His doc fee is $214, but Michigan caps their doc fee at $190. Is VW somehow exempt from state law?

 

[MonthOLDpickle]

Honestly, you should never trust a dealership and delivery dates. BUt I would definitely try to talk the price down or try to get free stuff. Though there is probably nothing you can do besides..not getting it.

 

[soldierguy]

You're on track crunching the numbers. I'd factor in the following:

- Can you find the car you want at a better price at your new location?
- At the new location, would you have to take a car that has or doesn't have options that you want or don't want?
- Factor in travel costs (airfare, fuel, hotels, food, etc)
- Don't forget about the sales tax...if the sales tax in your original purchase state is less, chances are really good that your new state will still want their share. In most places, you'll end up paying to your new state the difference between your old and new state sales tax rates if you bought in the old state and registered it in the new state. Also, some states factor in a trade allowance...if the old or the new state does, you'll pay sales tax only on the purchase price of the vehicle MINUS the value of the trade-in. Check both your old and new state's DMV websites for more information on their sales tax policies.

As far as being upset with the dealer...frustrating, but I seriously doubt that they intentionally withheld information just to mess with your move and screw up plans...that just doesn't pass the common sense test in my book. I would chalk it up to the dealership not being informed about incoming vehicles, and I'd lay that more on VW, not the dealership. I say that because when I saw the Golf TDIs pop up on some CA dealer websites at the beginning of November (when I bought mine), none of the dealers I spoke with had any idea that they would be arriving...they had been told by VW that they wouldn't get any Golf TDIs till early December. They got their first shipment of them 30 days earlier than VW had told them. So while it's surely frustrating and a hassle on your part, I wouldn't blame the dealership.

 

[Pit of Babel]

Thanks for your response, soldierguy. Obviously I'm upset, but I don't want to take it out on the dealer if there wasn't anything he could do. I doubt he was purposely withholding this information, but over a month off on a car that he could track seemed ridiculous.

Unfortunately, Washington state tax is incredibly high: 9.5%.
Michigan is 6%.
I'm afraid this difference would offset any amount "saved." However, it would save me the time and energy from driving west.

I'm still looking for work, but was also considering moving to Oregon -- which has no sales tax. If only I could see into the future!

 

[MonthOLDpickle]

Pit of Babel its 9.8 in Seattle area while 9.5 up in Everett. Don't know about the one in Edmonds, depends on what county it falls into.

And about Oregon (I am not bashing I enjoy the place) the economy is worse than WA. My GF decided to attend U of O in Eugene and shes in her second year. I been trying to find a job since she started, even in Portland. Food for thought. Helps to mention I am a diverse drafter.

Also Portland is selling JSW at MSRP on ebay but at the actual dealerships they are trying to sell above MSRP between 2.5K to 4K.

I don't think the tax will make a difference due to flying back and picking it up, than driving it. Like one mentioned, can you find one with features you want?

 

[Pit of Babel]

I'll have to take a look. Unfortunately, the dealerships are probably closed today. I suppose I could call to check. Are there online sites you recommend to see what cars are on lots? I'm currently in the Seattle area.

That's definitely food for thought. I have family in Oregon, and they warned me it's a tough market there right now. Michigan's #1 in unemployment, followed by Oregon. That's why I figured I would have better luck in WA. It probably seems silly that I'm buying a car now, when I'm unemployed, but it's a graduation present long past due.

 

[tomo366]

It is sad........everytime a thread like this shows up it is a Newbie.........
And if you took the time and used the search feature you would have your anwser.........The dealer has access to the Computer and the order number is updated once a month.........so yes he should have known when the car was going to be there........How ever lately VW has been increasing production on TDI's and releasing cars early.........
Tell them you moved and ask for your Deposit back.........They will have no problem selling that car........It however has been reported here that JSW prices are greatly inflated in the PNW.........
Good Luck in whatever you do.

 

[k1xv]

Unless you register the car in Michigan, I suspect you will have to pay the Washington tax when you register it there.

Whatever you do, don't pay Michigan sales tax if you are going to register the car in Washington and get Washington plates. Get a temporary plate in Michigan if it is your intention to register in Washington.

 

[owr084]

Washington will collect the difference between the sales tax paid in Michigan and the local WA sales tax. But, Washington does not call it a "sales" tax - it is an "excise" tax.

Double check, but I believe sales tax on a new vehicle is deductible on your fed tax forms.

Do not try to cheat the Washington tax man by registering it in Michigan to avoid WA taxes. You are now a WA resident a Michiganer. In WA, it is sport to rat out your neighbor if they have out of state plates. Part of the animosity was caused by RV owners escaping $$$ in taxes by registering out of state.

Also, look at the build date of the car. If the week it was built does not match up with your timeline with the dealer, then they have some explaining to do...

 

[Pit of Babel]

This is all great help. I'm going to continue checking into WA law -- I know they are a bit strict, considering their neighbor Oregon's lack of sales tax.
As I don't have a job (i.e. gainfully employed), perhaps I don't count as a resident. I'm subletting an apartment, and am applying to jobs out of WA as well, just in case. But when I do become a resident, I guess I'm going to have to pay up.

Where can I find the build date on a VW? Inside of the driver's side door?

 

[owr084]

I believe the week comes from the VIN. The month can be found on the emissions sticker, usually on the door jamb.

Thinking about it some more, if you can register it in MI and refrain from doing anything in WA that might make you a citizen (license, voter registration, etc.), you might get away with it. Do your homework. Ask the DMV what happens if you, as a non resident of the state brings in a car you purchased in your home state. What would it cost to transfer the title if you decide to stay.

 

[Pit of Babel]

Yeah, I think I will make some phone calls to double-check. I don't know how long I'll be in Washington, at the moment have no plans to register as a voter and don't see a reason to need a WA driver's license. It's all good to know. It might still be worth it for me to purchase the car in Michigan, as I put down a non-refundable $500 deposit. (Unless anyone knows of a way I can talk that back into my pocket.)

Thank you for the help!

 

[takebars]

Have you talked to the dealer about paying for a transport? Seems that would be easier for you and fairly close in price.

 

[Pit of Babel]

When I first put down the deposit, I told him there was a chance I would need the car delivered out here, asking for a recommendation. He said he didn't know how much something like that would cost, and he had no specific recommendations for a transit company.

As I was paying the destination charge, I asked if there was any chance I could simply get the car delivered to Seattle (this was all before it was delivered in MI). He said no, because this car was assigned to his dealership, and no swaps would be accepted.

Any suggestions for a transit company?

 

[Concat]

My advice is to relax, and enjoy your cross country drive. It will be over before you know it, and you can enjoy your new car by Christmas

It sucks, no doubt... but ordering a new vehicle in the midst of a big move isn't exactly ideal in the first place.

 

[owr084]

Contact Leonard "Harvieux" - he uses transporters frequently to bring in the TDIs he finds around the country.

But, I say go for the drive! Just be careful and take you time.