Waiting for CR-V to arrive, have you had a similar experience?

[mjolnier]

You've probably heard this story before, but here goes...I emailed a local dealer looking for a Silver EX-L, which he said was arriving in a few days. I went to the dealership, negotiated about $1500 off the sticker price and left a deposit. The next day I get a call from them saying the silver one is actually not arriving in a few days, but a Sapphire Blue one is, with all the same equipment, they wanted to know if I wanted that one instead. I said I would take it if they offered me some accessories or a better deal, they said no. So I told them I would pull out of the deal unless I got my silver one, which they said would arrive within two weeks, even if they had to do a swap. I don't mind waiting the two weeks, since I got a good deal and a fair value on my trade-in, but should I be more concerned, and does this happen to lots of people? In the past I've always bought from what's on the dealer's lot, so this is a new experience for me. Thank you.

[Binky]

Once they have your money you're on the hook. But since they couldn't deliver the vehicle within the timeframe they agreed to, they broke the contract - but they still have your money and they're baiting you (again) with another vehicle. Great practice... if your the dealership.

Best advice - If the dealership is requiring a deposit have the dealership put in writing exactly what the deposit is for, exactly when it is to be delivered and include what they must provide if they break the contract (such as assessories at a discount). Bet the dealer won't sign.

I haven't been asked for a deposit for a Honda within the last 10 years - I've purchased more than 6 new Hondas in S.C.

[Hap]

It happened to me also. I bought a kia sedona brand new and the color they said they had wasnt there. Then they told me I would like the blue color that was coming in better than the one they said they had. I ended up buying it but I didnt get anything extra. I could of backed out if I wanted to though.

[mjolnier]

My dealer did mention that there is a website they check to see what inventory is coming their way, does anyone know what that is and how to access it?

[jalo]

Well selection is obviously really limited right now. I searched for 2 weeks on my own and with several dealers looking for a 08 CR-V EX-L Navi in Green Tea, Glacier Blue, Silver, or Gold. I wasnt being picky about color at all.

I had at least three different dealers looking for dealer trades, and one of them even had a White EX-L Navi to trade with someone for one of the colors I wanted. Still

I emailed, i called, i drove by dealerships, and looked at online inventories until i finally found two Glacier Blue EX-L Navi's at two different dealers. I put a refundable deposit at one and went directly to the other.

Just keep looking and don't wait on a salesman to find you anything.

[Honda 367]

I was told that EX-L with Nav is less than 2 % of the total CR-Vs right now. I think the idea is to have the customer commit with a non-refundable deposit before the car gets to the dealership. This way, they don't have to keep as many unsold vehicles in their lot and reduces overhead. Also on a popular model such as CR-V with features like NAV, they can afford to demand non-refundable deposit and make you wait. They know they can sell them.

I think Honda dealerships have us over the barrel. We really don't have too much leverage, especially if you've made non-refundable deposit like I have. I will just have to wait.

[dude]

I am looking at buying a LX for my wife. I looked at my local dealers inventory and they had one red one. I wrote the dealer and said I was sending my wife down to look at the red one. Well the next day its not on the inventory. I wrote back and asked about it and he answered other question but never answered anything about having or getting any red ones. Now reading this post makes me wonder...So it appears in the last week of checking their site only the red one sold, bazaar!