Confused! [ordering from dealership]

[Batman]

Hello all.

I have never bought a new car directly from a dealership so I have no knowledge on the subject. I did not get a warm fuzzy feeling leaving the dealership, its not that I think they're shady or anything just not great feeling about the ordering process.


At the dealership I was informed that there was a 8 month to 1 year wait time on just ordering a Redline with another 2 months of build time after placing the order. I go inside and talk to the salesman assigned to ordering to get my name on the list, no deposit or anything required, which makes me uncomfortable, almost like I wasn't being taken seriously. If I put down a $500 deposit the dealer knows that I am serious about buying the car.

Is this normal for a dealer to not take a deposit? The salesman told me the deposit wasn't needed because they would have no problem selling the car off the lot.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

[Rick Tinley Park]

Originally Posted by Batman

Hello all.

I have never bought a new car directly from a dealership so I have no knowledge on the subject. I did not get a warm fuzzy feeling leaving the dealership, its not that I think they're shady or anything just not great feeling about the ordering process.


At the dealership I was informed that there was a 8 month to 1 year wait time on just ordering a Redline with another 2 months of build time after placing the order. I go inside and talk to the salesman assigned to ordering to get my name on the list, no deposit or anything required, which makes me uncomfortable, almost like I wasn't being taken seriously. If I put down a $500 deposit the dealer knows that I am serious about buying the car.

Is this normal for a dealer to not take a deposit? The salesman told me the deposit wasn't needed because they would have no problem selling the car off the lot.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

Welcome aboard - perhaps I can answer a few of your questions and I am sure the great members of this forum will chime in as well.
First ---The Wait the time before your order actually gets into the build stream varies. Every Saturn Dealer is allocated X amount of cars (the X = how much business they do and the sales of convertibles in their area - EG: Minneapolis will get less cars than LA) the allocations are not just dumped on the doorstep and everyone starts ordering - they are doled out over the build year. So one dealer may have 3 cars a month to order while another get one every two months. Depending upon how many people are in line the wait can be long - HOWEVER -- Once we are past a certain date (April something rings a bell - but not at all sure) the cut off for 2007 models is made and the switch goes over to 2008 SKYS.
Now as far as deposits go....
My dealership took no money from August 15 2005 until they got their allocations and I was assured of a car - then they asked for $1000. Fully refundable if the deal did not happen. Some places required more - some less some did not require any deposit - it is completely up to the dealer.
A few things to watch for -- You want the car at MSRP - and no forced options. If you are willing to take options at least be aware of what they will cost as you might be paying $2000 for a security system that would cost you $350 if you buy it yourself. If a dealer is forcing stuff on you - please look for another dealer.
Make sure you have price protection, make sure they contact you BEFORE they actually order and you get EXACTKLY what you want.
Just a few suggestions...

Total length of time is waiting to put your order in (You may hear the term Image) + the build time. And yes the build seems to be about 6-8 weeks.

[fordman]

Originally Posted by Batman

Hello all.

I have never bought a new car directly from a dealership so I have no knowledge on the subject. I did not get a warm fuzzy feeling leaving the dealership, its not that I think they're shady or anything just not great feeling about the ordering process.


At the dealership I was informed that there was a 8 month to 1 year wait time on just ordering a Redline with another 2 months of build time after placing the order. I go inside and talk to the salesman assigned to ordering to get my name on the list, no deposit or anything required, which makes me uncomfortable, almost like I wasn't being taken seriously. If I put down a $500 deposit the dealer knows that I am serious about buying the car.

Is this normal for a dealer to not take a deposit? The salesman told me the deposit wasn't needed because they would have no problem selling the car off the lot.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

Sounds like the dealership we are dealing with. GOOD LUCK!

I would go to a different dealer if I had to do over but we were #1 or #2 to order a R/L, its a BIG MESS!!!

If we were needing another type of car I would NOT use this dealer.

[GaryH]

Sounds about right. If you want a warm and fuzzy feeling, buy a teddy bear at Wal Mart. If you want a Sky, you'll have to wait.

[Skyflare]

WELCOME!!

I had to deal with 9 of my local area Saturn dealers in order to find one that would take my money and place my order back in mid-November. Then it was only because a forum member, (Thanks, CaliforniaDreamin!) had alerted me to a dealer who was taking deposits and placing oders. Back then I was number 6 on the list. Not sure of your location and how many dealers you have in your area, but hang in there and keep looking. All of the guys who have waited say it is worth the wait!

[Skip]

Originally Posted by GaryH

Sounds about right. If you want a warm and fuzzy feeling, buy a teddy bear at Wal Mart. If you want a Sky, you'll have to wait.

What about a teddy bear sitting in a Saturn showroom ? Then you have that warm fuzzy feeling in a Saturn dealership...Skip...

[xmicro_Redline]

I was talking to my dealership since Summer of 06. He took no money and placed no real order for my Redline until Nov of 06. I took delivery on Jan 26th, 2007.

Did you talk price?, and are you getting the Redline?? I also was told Sticker price for my car until the dealer got his limited Redline allocation #'s. Then it turned into $2000.00 above sticker. Being that I was 1st on his allocation list I paid the overage.

I recommend getting on the list at as many dealers as you can drive to. Call each one every 2 weeks until one actually places an order, writes up a receipt and gives you an order #. They are only producing 15 - 20,000 total Sky for ach of 2007 and 2008. Out of those less than 25% will be Redlines. You are looking at about 5000 redlines produced. That's about how many cars fit in the parking garage where I work. Very small # for avery big country.

GOOD LUCK!! The wait begins, but it is sooooooo worth it, hang in there!

[KimberlySky]

I didn't have to put a deposit down.

[spunkie]

During the eight months it took to receive the Sky, I had a $1,000 deposit at two dealerships!!

Shirley

[tjfox]

I didn't have to put a deposit down ($100) until the order was written. I was on the wait list for 8 months and I got it 3 months after the written order, Of course that was even before they started to make them.

[MidniteBlues]

Originally Posted by KimberlySky

I didn't have to put a deposit down.

True, However you needed the "state lady" to get ya your car--Besides, you paid cash for it, it helps-- I put down 1K when I assumed an order--It was asked for some type of deposit--

[cyberbro]

Get Something in writing.

Originally Posted by Batman

Hello all.

I have never bought a new car directly from a dealership so I have no knowledge on the subject. I did not get a warm fuzzy feeling leaving the dealership, its not that I think they're shady or anything just not great feeling about the ordering process.


At the dealership I was informed that there was a 8 month to 1 year wait time on just ordering a Redline with another 2 months of build time after placing the order. I go inside and talk to the salesman assigned to ordering to get my name on the list, no deposit or anything required, which makes me uncomfortable, almost like I wasn't being taken seriously. If I put down a $500 deposit the dealer knows that I am serious about buying the car.

Is this normal for a dealer to not take a deposit? The salesman told me the deposit wasn't needed because they would have no problem selling the car off the lot.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

[Batman]

Thanks for the information all. I'll be headed to the dealer thursday to ask the important questions. There are only two saturn dealers in my area but I'll also check back where I'm from its a small area so I might get lucky!!

[KimberlySky]

Originally Posted by MidniteBlues

True, However you needed the "state lady" to get ya your car--Besides, you paid cash for it, it helps-- I put down 1K when I assumed an order--It was asked for some type of deposit--

SOOOOO TRUE!!! Well they didn't know I was paying cash.

BUT FOR SURE MAKE THEM GIVE YOU SOMETHING IN WRITING!!!!!!! THE first "WORKBENCH" was a very-very-very thing piece of paper that got me my car.

Don't let them give you some crap of oh well it's months away yet till it will come in so you really don't need something in writing. NO NO NO GET IT IN WRITING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[spunkie]

Originally Posted by MidniteBlues

True, However you needed the "state lady" to get ya your car--Besides, you paid cash for it, it helps-- I put down 1K when I assumed an order--It was asked for some type of deposit--

I don't think paying cash had any influence in my case. The dealers were up-front about the period of time, as well as letting me know where I was on the "list". It's just a long wait.

Shirley

[MidniteBlues]

I agree with the last 3 posts above-IN THERE ENTIRETY-Absolutely get a peice of paper, and at a minimum I would insist on at least giving a $500.00 deposit--That, to me shows seriousness on the part of the buyer--OF course, and A MUST!! is a honest and a GOOD dealer This IS A MUST!! One that is up front and eager for your business, you can tell who wants a sale--

[pphjj5]

There is a Green red line with tan and black interior, Tan Roof..sitting at the dealer were I bought my RL Now for sale...Sticker with no games here in Il.

Interested shoot me a email and I will put you in contact with them.

Someone ordered it and there wife said no!////////////

[Asucar]

Originally Posted by pphjj5

There is a Green red line with tan and black interior, Tan Roof..sitting at the dealer were I bought my RL Now for sale...Sticker with no games here in Il.

Interested shoot me a email and I will put you in contact with them.

Someone ordered it and there wife said no!////////////

Kwayne might be interested as his car came in auto instead of manual....

[pphjj5]

Originally Posted by Asucar

Kwayne might be interested as his car came in auto instead of manual....

Did not look to see if it was auto/Manuel...I can put you in touch with the G.M of the dealership if interested

[Rick Tinley Park]

Never had anything in writing; the delivery on my car was to the day they said - when I ordered.
It's the way it is supposed to work.
Of course it helps that it was the 4th Saturn I bought.