Griswolded

"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
03/03/2014 at 10:41 • Filed to: None

Friday we bought a terribly un-Jalop car, but one that'll be fine for our family. My wife decided on a 2014 Highlander after driving and apples-to-applesing all comparable options. Not my first choice, but I will admit it will be a glorious place to sit while in Austin traffic. The new interior is seriously remarkable. Lots of room for growing kids. Et Cetera.

ANYWAY, she knew exactly what she wanted in terms of trim and options, and went to several regional dealers to haggle. We settled on a shop after we got a great rate offer, a solid trade-in value on our languishing 13 year old Camry, and the sales team treated us with dignity and respect, a rare experience around here. The car wasn't on the lot but it was in their system, meaning it was probably sitting at the port, fresh off the boat.

We ordered the car Friday and they said it would be in Saturday, ready to take home by 5 pm. They'd call us when it was time. So we waited. No call. By 3 pm we were wondering what was up. I called and it was reportedly on the truck, and arriving within the hour. Oh, and here's the VIN so you can set up your account for their infotainment system and get insurance going. OK then.

So the VIN. It was for a completely different trim and color than what we ordered. We called back. It must be a mistake. Don't worry about it. There aren't usually VIN errors, but maybe the Toyota rep just gave us the wrong number. That must be it.

6 PM. No call. No car. We call them. No one returns our call. We call again at closing and were told the dealership was closed Sunday but could we please come in on Monday to discuss "flexibility with our requirements."

Oh boy. Going at lunch.

DISCUSSION (17)

Frank Grimes > Chairman Kaga
03/03/2014 at 10:44

HOLY CRAP!

I would hate/kill them about now.

N/A POWAAAHH > Chairman Kaga
03/03/2014 at 10:46

I'd be pissed! You should walk in there while slowly eating a banana and stare at the sales guy without saying a word.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Chairman Kaga
03/03/2014 at 10:46

Ugh.

theuserformerlyknownasaluminumfoil > N/A POWAAAHH
03/03/2014 at 10:49

I'm picturing this going down right now, and it's an excellent strategy.

I approve

Mattbob > Chairman Kaga
03/03/2014 at 10:53

Tell them that this is America, not communist china darn it, and you will get what you want/pay for or you will go somewhere else!!!!

BJ > Chairman Kaga
03/03/2014 at 11:06

Please tell me you ordered it with this colour combination! The headliner is awesome.

Kinja'd!!!

quarterlifecrisis > Chairman Kaga
03/03/2014 at 11:15

Conveniently, you have the upper hand. I'm sure one of their competitors would love to scavenge a sale from another dealership.

Chairman Kaga > quarterlifecrisis
03/03/2014 at 11:30

I'm thinking either that or some quality upgrades. We haven't signed anything binding yet.

Chairman Kaga > Chairman Kaga
03/03/2014 at 11:40

Well, we spoke too soon. Seems it was just a big mixup between the dealer, the port, and the truck driver. Our car ended up at the wrong dealership because they somehow mixed up the VIN with the bill of lading. Ours just showed up. Wife and I are still headed down to see what's up, and hopefully finalize the deal.

quarterlifecrisis > Chairman Kaga
03/03/2014 at 11:41

Word.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > N/A POWAAAHH
03/03/2014 at 11:43

best haggling tactic ever.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Chairman Kaga
03/03/2014 at 11:44

ask for a discount for your troubles.

or at least some free accessories.

N/A POWAAAHH > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/03/2014 at 11:55

bonus points if he wears a gorilla suit

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > N/A POWAAAHH
03/03/2014 at 12:00

OR a banana suit

N/A POWAAAHH > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/03/2014 at 12:10

Kinja'd!!!

Haha yes!

SonorousSpeedJoe > Chairman Kaga
03/03/2014 at 19:10

Good to see that you finally got the Highlander. Does this mean that the CR-V is gone?

Chairman Kaga > SonorousSpeedJoe
03/04/2014 at 10:33

Nope. This replaced my wife's 13-year old Camry that had become increasingly unreliable over the past year. According to our "10 year financial plan" I have the CRV for 6 more years.