Question about dealer policies...

[AerodynamicHippo]

Hello all,

Quite a few months ago, I was the second person to put a $500 deposit down for an FRS. Finally, the FRS of my dreams came in last month. My parents and I were going to buy it. We have more than enough money to get the car, but we weren't able to make ends meet at the time in order to get the car. I called my salesman and told him that I was not able to complete the deal and that I would wait for the next shipment, so the salesman sold it to someone else. I was fine with that, as I expected to get the FRS that came in the next shipment.

Fast forward a couple weeks. The salesman hadn't contacted me since the day I told him that I wouldn't be able to purchase the car, so I decided to email him to ask what's up. He said the next FRS he would be able to get me would be in September or November When I asked what gives, he said that several other people had placed their orders. He also informed me that I was off the waiting list for an FRS, and that their policy for preordering had changed. Now, a check of $1,000 would be required, and the dealer would cash the check.

My question is...is it right for him to be doing this? Shouldn't he have contacted me about the change in policy or before he took me off the waiting list completely? Or...before he even let those other orders get ahead of me? After all, I did have a deposit down wayyyy earlier. Thoughts?

[Sigh-on-Rice]

To me, what that dealer did is not right and I would look for another dealer because of that.

[Rossman]

They probably changed their policy because of people putting down orders then cancelling them - the deposit is supposed to really show a serious commitment to purchase. That you put down a deposit without being sure that you could finance it when it came time, is on you.

It's possible the dealer could have dealt with it better, without knowing the exact conversation you had with the dealer when your reserved car came in, it's really hard to say.

[Capt Canuck]

Originally Posted by AerodynamicHippo

...My parents and I were going to buy it. We have more than enough money to get the car, but we weren't able to make ends meet at the time in order to get the car. I called my salesman and told him that I was not able to complete the deal and that I would wait for the next shipment... I expected to get the FRS that came in the next shipment.

Fast forward a couple weeks. The salesman hadn't contacted me since the day I told him that I wouldn't be able to purchase the car, so I decided to email him to ask what's up. He said the next FRS he would be able to get me would be in September or November When I asked what gives, he said that several other people had placed their orders. He also informed me that I was off the waiting list for an FRS, and that their policy for preordering had changed. Now, a check of $1,000 would be required, and the dealer would cash the check.

Maybe the reason they changed their policy is because it's the simplest way to separate serious buyers ready to purchase a car from those who are not.

I do not understand how you have more than enough money but cannot make ends meet? Either you have the money or you don't and apparently you didn't.

Also how exactly did the bolded bit above play out? 'Sorry cannot buy the car now, but I'll wait for the next shipment.' What was the dealers actual response to that? Just after a buyer pulls out and says we'll be ready for the next one, if I was the dealer I wouldn't exactly be filled with confidence.

They communications between you and the dealer may not have been great, but I don't see anything to be up in arms about.

[Shagaliscious]

Did you tell him when you would be able to afford it? Maybe he thought that you would call him when you had your finances in order.

[thermobox]

You seem to have answered all of your own questions.

You were the second in line.

You cancelled your order.

You asked for the next available order.

The Salesman said that the next available order would be in X month.

The Salesman explained the new standard of operation for orders.

It looks as though you jumped out of line and you want to jump back in where you were at originally.

Since you dropped your order several others have signed up with or without the new standard of operation and are awaiting their orders to arrive.

I don't see anything wrong here. This car is brand new and we are all having to adapt to what Subaru is putting us through. I have already had cancellations because of life happenings.

If you like the guy/store, sign up. If you don't like the guy/store because of how things have changed then don't sign up.

Originally Posted by AerodynamicHippo

Hello all,

Quite a few months ago, I was the second person to put a $500 deposit down for an FRS. Finally, the FRS of my dreams came in last month. My parents and I were going to buy it. We have more than enough money to get the car, but we weren't able to make ends meet at the time in order to get the car. I called my salesman and told him that I was not able to complete the deal and that I would wait for the next shipment, so the salesman sold it to someone else. I was fine with that, as I expected to get the FRS that came in the next shipment.

Fast forward a couple weeks. The salesman hadn't contacted me since the day I told him that I wouldn't be able to purchase the car, so I decided to email him to ask what's up. He said the next FRS he would be able to get me would be in September or November When I asked what gives, he said that several other people had placed their orders. He also informed me that I was off the waiting list for an FRS, and that their policy for preordering had changed. Now, a check of $1,000 would be required, and the dealer would cash the check.

My question is...is it right for him to be doing this? Shouldn't he have contacted me about the change in policy or before he took me off the waiting list completely? Or...before he even let those other orders get ahead of me? After all, I did have a deposit down wayyyy earlier. Thoughts?

[Sigh-on-Rice]

Originally Posted by thermobox

You asked for the next available order.

I understood as the dealer would keep OP's deposit and put OP off of the 1st shipment and put OP on the 2nd shipment. If the dealer said next "available" shipment, then I agree with you that nothing was wrong with the dealer/sales person.

[fistpoint]

Originally Posted by thermobox

It looks as though you jumped out of line and you want to jump back in where you were at originally.

That's all I got out of it...and the part about having plenty of money but a short time later didn't? Sounds more like he wasn't quite ready after all.

Having enough money means the unexpected event that apparently occurred would still not thwart the purchase. The fact that it did means he didn't have enough money. End of story.

[FRSowner]

In harsh terms, he doesn't need you, you need him. He obviously can sell the cars as fast as they arrive. He doesn't need to be strung along by people that 'might' buy it.
Get your deposit back and go elsewhere because you will not get good service at that dealership going forward.
Next time, be sure you can follow thru with your commitment before you put down a deposit.