[MR2] [mr2-nw] Singing The Yaris Blues

[Aaron Willis]

Jerry, I haven't been on the sales floor for several years - for a
variety of reasons - but I'll add what I can.  By all means send me a
description of what you're looking for and I'll see if one of the
friendlier guys at the desk can help locate one.  Let me know what you
expect to pay, as the only real motivation for the sales desk to help me
here is that they may be able to find the vehicle and actually sell you
the car.

I'm not sure what to say about your dealings so far.  It's true that the
Yaris is a very low-volume car, relative to a Corolla or Camry, and that
not a lot of people choose them.  You may also be looking for an
uncommon combination that does not reflect what the few others who buy a
Yaris end up wanting.  Any dealer will naturally try to stock the models
and combinations that sell, that appeal to the masses, and you or I
would be their lowest priority.  We are the finicky ones who want a very
specific product, are unwilling to accept substitutions, are unlikely to
allow them a decent profit, and are likely to bash them brutally when
Toyota calls with a survey (which hurts them very badly right in the
pocketbook).  We are the worst kind of customer, and I would not be
surprised if your dealer is reluctant to even deal with you because he's
seen our type many times before.  He might rather let you find your car
elsewhere while his staff attends to the throngs of nice folks who want
another beige (or maybe white or silver) Camry LE.

It's also true that Toyota moves at THEIR pace, not ours, and anything
built in Japan tends to arrive when it is good and ready.  I have NO
idea how much information dealerships are given about product that is
not yet on the ground in the US, or that has not even been built yet. 
If it is anything like the parts game, they will issue several ETAs,
pushing it progressively farther back, until it arrives unannounced on
their curb one morning.

In most dealerships I've been in, everyone who isn't holding a wrench or
a mop is a "manager" of some sort.  I think that's just a ploy to
satisfy those Consumer Reports readers who've been told to march in
boldly and demand to see the manager.  In your case, it is very possible
that the "manager" you spoke with was not capable of dressing or feeding
himself, let alone finding your Yaris.  If you want to continue working
with this dealer I suggest you speak with either the general manager or
the general sales manager before abandoning hope.  Any "floor manager",
"crew manager", "shift manager" etc are probably not going to be much
more useful than most other car salesmen...

MR2 content: hold on, it's here somewhere...I'll find it...

On Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:19:15 -0800, "Jerry Helman"
<jerrymaryhelman at webtv.net> said:
> After deciding we wanted a new Yaris, we ordered a 2008 from a local
> dealeship. They and other dealers were unable to find one in stock with
> the options we desired. We were told it would be a 4 to 6 week wait.
> (Built only in Japan) After 5 weeks we sold our Galant and checked with
> the dealer as to progress. Told us they couldn't find any record of it,
> but would check and get back to us. After grabbing the sales Mgr. and
> asking why after 6 weeks they couldn't even come up w/a VIN for it, I
> was told that the car had not even been started yet! Now they say that a
> temp. VIN is issued at start of production and a valid one issued at
> shipping time....At least 4 more weeks. We were offered our $ back, and
> they said Toyota builds when they feel like it...same problems with
> Highlander models. They also claimed that Toyota didn't sell many Yaris
> in the US, but had no answer when I pointed out that it is difficult to
> increase sales of a product that isn't available. The dealer says they
> check twice weekly with other dealers witin a 500 mile radius. As of yet
> they are unable to match our option list. Would you dealership savvy
> members let me know if this standard Toyota factory behavior? Aaron, I
> know you work for an Oregon dealer...I'd appreciate hearing your input.
> Thanks for listening to my rant...and perhaps all should reply direct as
> this isn't exactly MR2 related.
> Jerry-trying to be a 100% Toyota family without much luck-Helman    
> 
> 
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-- 
Aaron Willis
'85 AW11 7A-GE hybrid
'77 TE51 3T/2T-G project