Opel Dealer Lead Time - Piss Take???

crookesa

Hi guys,

Bit of question on this one. See if I'm over the top on this one or not.

I went to buy a new car just before the end of March i.e. end of Q1 2011 to avail of their current offers before they ran out. I got a great deal from a dealer and ran around to find it €250 cheaper in the colour I wanted cause I had under my impression have the car registered by end of March to avail of the offer. It was an Opel offer for 3 years free servicing.
I lost deposit of €500 with another garage because this particular garage was coming into lower said they had my colour in stock and wanted a deposit to secure the car. I agreed and gave them a deposit losing my original one and hence costing me €250 more.
They then rang me and told me it had been double sold and the other buyer had paid their deposit first. I had since lost my car with the other dealer. I eventually agreed on all the same price and special offer of servicing by placing an order with a lead time of 7-8 weeks. I thought great....
Until I had a scrappage car and it broke down so they collected it after about 5 weeks to tell me sure it's a 7-10 week leadtime now. News to me!!!
I have since got a phone call telling me that it'll now be the end of July and that there's a backlog because of Q1 orders which having spoken to others doesn't seem to be true. The deposit is non refundable according to the dealer.

Do you think they're just taking the piss and took the non refundable deposit to get an extra order on their books to show another sale to Opel? Any advice from people in the know of the business would be appreciated, first time buying a new car.

Mods: Am I allowed to name and shame???

DoubleBogey

Not in the industry but I have bought a couple of new cars and 7-10 week lead time is normal. Was recently told 10-12 weeks.

Order before the car even goes on sale or else be quick and take what they get in in their first batch. Problem is you won't have a great selection of colours.

R.O.R

What kind of Opel is it?

I'm being quoted mid July for Insignia's that were ordered in the last 2 weeks, but haven't ordered any Astra's for ages. Don't get much interest in the rest of the Opel range either.

crookesa

DoubleBogey wrote: »

Not in the industry but I have bought a couple of new cars and 7-10 week lead time is normal. Was recently told 10-12 weeks.

Order before the car even goes on sale or else be quick and take what they get in in their first batch. Problem is you won't have a great selection of colours.

Yeah but I was told 7-8 then 7-10 and now 3 months. It just seems to suck you in then push out and out to a realistic time frame. Bad form I think

crookesa

R.O.R wrote: »

What kind of Opel is it?

I'm being quoted mid July for Insignia's that were ordered in the last 2 weeks, but haven't ordered any Astra's for ages. Don't get much interest in the rest of the Opel range either.

I ordered an Opel Insignia at the end of March. Your lead time is 8 weeks and mine is now in week 10. I wouldn't have minded if I was told the truth from the start but it just seems like it's industry practice to give a nice lead time then add a month onto it.

dell1211

crookesa wrote: »

Mods: Am I allowed to name and shame???

you are in the middle of a transaction with a dealer, why would you want to name and shame, that will only make matters worse

ncmc

Not Opel, but I do work in the business and 7-10 weeks is pretty standard. In fact, we quote 12 weeks to cover ourselves. Alot of our cars have been delayed for some reason, we are never really given a reason. One suggestion I heard that the earthquake in Japan was delaying certain parts, but that could be BS.

I think the mistake your dealer made originally was telling you less time, probably to secure the sale. He should have been honest and told you it would be more likely 3 months, but then he would have risked losing the sale.

-Chris-

crookesa wrote: »

Mods: Am I allowed to name and shame???

Nope

crookesa

ncmc wrote: »

Not Opel, but I do work in the business and 7-10 weeks is pretty standard. In fact, we quote 12 weeks to cover ourselves. Alot of our cars have been delayed for some reason, we are never really given a reason. One suggestion I heard that the earthquake in Japan was delaying certain parts, but that could be BS.

I think the mistake your dealer made originally was telling you less time, probably to secure the sale. He should have been honest and told you it would be more likely 3 months, but then he would have risked losing the sale.

That's the thing about it I wouldn't have minded if they had said that from the start but it seems every phone call is just another one to say it's longer and longer...

galwaytt

I know someone waiting on a new Renault since January, and it's still not here.

crookesa

galwaytt wrote: »

I know someone waiting on a new Renault since January, and it's still not here.

That's just a joke...

Drummerboy08

crookesa wrote: »

That's just a joke...

I know of a Skoda that's ordered since Decemeber and it hasn't been BUILT yet.

I'm quoting 16 weeks for an Insignia at the minute.

R.O.R

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

I know of a Skoda that's ordered since Decemeber and it hasn't been BUILT yet.

I'm quoting 16 weeks for an Insignia at the minute.

I really hope mine aint going to take that long. Hopefully my dealer had some build slots in the system for the ones I've ordered.

They have absolutley no reason to be telling me porkies.....

crookesa

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

I know of a Skoda that's ordered since Decemeber and it hasn't been BUILT yet.

I'm quoting 16 weeks for an Insignia at the minute.

16 weeks for orders place today like? Well if you knew that then you have the choice but when you're told 7 then 10 and now 14 that's not great customer service at all!!!

Damien360

Our company is with Merrion fleet. Lead time for Insignia estate 130bhp mid spec is 16 weeks. Which means my company will look at that in 16 weeks and decide to wait until 2012. January orders this year arrived end of may. Look on the roads, the insignia is a very rare animal, particularly the estate. It has been around since 09 and priced well but still not out there in any kind of numbers.

-Chris-

Get them to order it now. If it's deliverable in October they'll put you in it. It's only in Nov & Dec that they'll postpone the deliveries.

Damien360

-Chris- wrote: »

Get them to order it now. If it's deliverable in October they'll put you in it. It's only in Nov & Dec that they'll postpone the deliveries.

Ah, but that would be management thinking ahead and being smart. I have resigned myself to putting another 25000km on my car and getting a new one in January. At least then I will not be disappointed.

JoeA3

I ordered a new VW 13 weeks ago and it arrived at the dealers today. Dealer told me from the outset it would take approx 12 weeks so I can't complain. I would have expected to wait at least 8 weeks anyway, which I did the last time.

Drummerboy08

crookesa wrote: »

16 weeks for orders place today like? Well if you knew that then you have the choice but when you're told 7 then 10 and now 14 that's not great customer service at all!!!

It can depend on the car too though. Certain cars could be coming through the system quicker than others, which may justify the 7 week lead time.

Others are 14-16 weeks.

Damien360 wrote: »

Our company is with Merrion fleet. Lead time for Insignia estate 130bhp mid spec is 16 weeks. Which means my company will look at that in 16 weeks and decide to wait until 2012. January orders this year arrived end of may. Look on the roads, the insignia is a very rare animal, particularly the estate. It has been around since 09 and priced well but still not out there in any kind of numbers.

That's the problem with companies, very few actually believe what they're told by the leasing guys until they actually need the car and they can't get it.

the culture of deference

galwaytt wrote: »

I know someone waiting on a new Renault since January, and it's still not here.

Strange, i ordered mine in march (special colour) and got at end of april.

So if it takes 7 weeks to order and build a car and ship it over here, someone somewhere is not telling the truth.

bazzachazza

Crooksy its the joys of buying new. Once ya pay the deposit you lose control.

My 6 was promised to me start of Jan 09 and I got it 5 weeks late due to the engine not being in production. He swore he had told me, I have a very good memory for these things especially when I spend so much and he never said a word about it.

My dad called the week his Golf was due to be delivered to be told there was a production issue with the DSG box in it in fact they hadn't even ordered the car in the first place. He was told it would be another 12+ weeks wait totalling 24+ from other date (6 months) He told them to shove it and walked away and waited a few more months and bought his Insignia. He hadn't paid a deposit so he was lucky.

Dealers will make up some weird and wonderful excuses as to why cars are late. They will tell you anything to get you to buy and put a deposit down. The last few places I bought cars from the dealer has actually shown me the computer screen to confirm the car is ordered and shown me the production schedule if possible. I ask for a receipt to prove the car has been ordered.

12 weeks is about standard for a car to be ordered and put into production and delivered.

Sure Eddies Skoda they ordered the wrong car for him and he had to wait 2 months for the correct car to be built and brought over.

Is he still honouring the trade in price with scrappage ?

Funny was only thinking I hadn't seen your new jammer in the car park yet

crookesa

bazzachazza wrote: »

Crooksy its the joys of buying new. Once ya pay the deposit you lose control.

My 6 was promised to me start of Jan 09 and I got it 5 weeks late due to the engine not being in production. He swore he had told me, I have a very good memory for these things especially when I spend so much and he never said a word about it.

My dad called the week his Golf was due to be delivered to be told there was a production issue with the DSG box in it in fact they hadn't even ordered the car in the first place. He was told it would be another 12+ weeks wait totalling 24+ from other date (6 months) He told them to shove it and walked away and waited a few more months and bought his Insignia. He hadn't paid a deposit so he was lucky.

Dealers will make up some weird and wonderful excuses as to why cars are late. They will tell you anything to get you to buy and put a deposit down. The last few places I bought cars from the dealer has actually shown me the computer screen to confirm the car is ordered and shown me the production schedule if possible. I ask for a receipt to prove the car has been ordered.

12 weeks is about standard for a car to be ordered and put into production and delivered.

Sure Eddies Skoda they ordered the wrong car for him and he had to wait 2 months for the correct car to be built and brought over.

Is he still honouring the trade in price with scrappage ?

Funny was only thinking I hadn't seen your new jammer in the car park yet

Baz,

I have no problem if I know these things up front. The dealer knew exactly what I was ordering spec and all, so should be aware of these things.

Everything is as is when ordered or before so will see but I hate the bull**** Baz of them telling you stuff to get the sale then pawning you off with excuses. It's bull**** that they are (pardon the pun) in the driving seat!!!

I'll wait and see what my enquiries uncover...

R.O.R

crookesa wrote: »

Baz,

I have no problem if I know these things up front. The dealer knew exactly what I was ordering spec and all, so should be aware of these things.

Everything is as is when ordered or before so will see but I hate the bull**** Baz of them telling you stuff to get the sale then pawning you off with excuses. It's bull**** that they are (pardon the pun) in the driving seat!!!

I'll wait and see what my enquiries uncover...

Ask them what order status it's currently at. They should come back with a number, hopefully somewhere between 35 and 42. I'm not 100% sure of what they all mean, but I think 35 means it's on the production line - 42 means it's in the Opel compound.

If you can get that info either post it here, or pm me the details on the car and I'll see what I can find out for you.

An Elite with DVD NAVI800 that I ordered on the 4th April is showing a delivery date to the dealer of the 15th July. Opels so far this year are usually beating the delivery date to dealer by up to 2 weeks.

crookesa

R.O.R wrote: »

Ask them what order status it's currently at. They should come back with a number, hopefully somewhere between 35 and 42. I'm not 100% sure of what they all mean, but I think 35 means it's on the production line - 42 means it's in the Opel compound.

If you can get that info either post it here, or pm me the details on the car and I'll see what I can find out for you.

An Elite with DVD NAVI800 that I ordered on the 4th April is showing a delivery date to the dealer of the 15th July. Opels so far this year are usually beating the delivery date to dealer by up to 2 weeks.

I have asked the question but it an open answer that comes back. "Prob the end of June bug we'll see".
I just ordered an Elite 160BHP with fitted bluetooth as only extra didn't think that would delay it much at the start but no I'm wondering should I have just gone bog standard.

R.O.R

crookesa wrote: »

I have asked the question but it an open answer that comes back. "Prob the end of June bug we'll see".
I just ordered an Elite 160BHP with fitted bluetooth as only extra didn't think that would delay it much at the start but no I'm wondering should I have just gone bog standard.

Most stock cars are coming in with Bluetooth fitted, so that's not a problem.

What colour & bodystyle did you order?

batman2000

ncmc wrote: »

. Alot of our cars have been delayed for some reason, we are never really given a reason. One suggestion I heard that the earthquake in Japan was delaying certain parts, but that could be BS.

It's true a lot of the manufactures have suffered a loss in production because of this

crookesa

R.O.R wrote: »

Most stock cars are coming in with Bluetooth fitted, so that's not a problem.

What colour & bodystyle did you order?

I ordered a Silver Hatchback and something I hadn't considered either is that if they miss the end of June I won't get scrappage cause the car has to be registered before the end of the month!!!

R.O.R

crookesa wrote: »

I ordered a Silver Hatchback and something I hadn't considered either is that if they miss the end of June I won't get scrappage cause the car has to be registered before the end of the month!!!

Closest I have on order is a Black Elite Hatch with B/T. Ordered 17th May and scheduled to arrive 29th July (so should be around the 15th July).

Try and speak to the dealer principle and explain you need it registered before the end of June to get the scrappage. The dealership will be able to register the car if they have the birth cert number, which should be available while the car is in transit.

It will be in the dealers interest to have the car registered by the end of the month so they can hit their 2nd quater targets, so they should be as accomodating as possible.

It does sound like the order wasn't put in to the system when you actually ordered it.......

dell1211

the culture of deference wrote: »

Strange, i ordered mine in march (special colour) and got at end of april.

So if it takes 7 weeks to order and build a car and ship it over here, someone somewhere is not telling the truth.

I doubt yours was built to order, probably turned out that they/someone else had it in stock

crookesa

R.O.R wrote: »

Closest I have on order is a Black Elite Hatch with B/T. Ordered 17th May and scheduled to arrive 29th July (so should be around the 15th July).

Try and speak to the dealer principle and explain you need it registered before the end of June to get the scrappage. The dealership will be able to register the car if they have the birth cert number, which should be available while the car is in transit.

It will be in the dealers interest to have the car registered by the end of the month so they can hit their 2nd quater targets, so they should be as accomodating as possible.

It does sound like the order wasn't put in to the system when you actually ordered it.......

Yeah hopefully or they just pull it from stock somewhere else so I don't miss that deadline. Otherwise it's going be a few quid out of their pocket!!!

the culture of deference

dell1211 wrote: »

I doubt yours was built to order, probably turned out that they/someone else had it in stock

Ok. Renault Ireland checked for the car and there were none in Ireland, or in their holding depot. Would a dealer lie about this?

I was given a 16 wk lead time.