waiting waiting waiting

[Damo105]

Hey all,

After a 4.5 month wait my car arrived in Melbourne on the ship Otello on 6 Feb. As yet no word from the dealer on a delivery date, but surely it can't be long now.

Did anyone else have a car on this ship? If so have you taken delivery yet?

You would think that once the car has been unloaded from the ship that Skoda Aust could give a pretty accurate delivery date, but not a word from anyone. Rang the dealer last Friday and all they could say was they usually get a car about 10 days after it docks.

[K1W1]

Two to three weeks from the time the ship arrives till delivery is about normal.
When they come off the ship they go to Patricks for customs paperwork, compliance checking and damage rectification (if required) then they get to the dealership and then it generally only takes a couple of days till delivery depending on the dealership. It seems that nobody knows anything until the dealership gets notified from Patricks that the car is about to be delivered to them.

[SkodaK]

I also find it really hard to understand the lack of communication I've received from the dealer. I order one of their most expensive models from a quote straight off the price list, wait more than seven months for delivery, and the only contacts I've had with them are those that I have initiated! Mine landed in Melbourne on January 10th and I had previously asked the dealer to give me two weeks notice of availability so the finance company could sort its stuff out. Finally got sick of not hearing anything and rang early February, to be told they were waiting for a request for invoice from the FC and that the car doesn't get touched until the cheque is in the bank. With any luck I might see it this week.

[Damo105]

The dealer told me it's about 10 days after it's offloaded from the ship that they receive the car. Today was day 10. I drive right past the dealership on my way home every night, and noticed tonight they have a blue RS wagon in their storage yard that wasn't there yesterday, so I'm hoping it's my car.

[K1W1]

to be told they were waiting for a request for invoice from the FC and that the car doesn't get touched until the cheque is in the bank. With any luck I might see it this week.

That's crap.
The car doesn't get released to you until the money is paid but "not touched" is just rubbish. If that's a common attitude in dealerships these days the whole concept of customer service must have gone out the window.

[SkodaK]

It might be crap and rubbish, but it's true. The vehicle sits in an off-site holding yard until the funds clear. Then an order gets placed for delivery into the dealership's workshop where pre-delivery detailing etc. is done, it might then get sent out for aftermarket stuff like a towbar, then it gets registered. Another 3 to 4 days. My wife bought a car from Doncaster BMW last year, she left with a hamper full of goodies, various gifts and trinkets, some other piece of merchandise arrived in the post for Christmas, and two glossy magazines show up regularly through the year. There's probably a fair margin made on their cars, or they understand the continuing value of strong customer relationships, most likely both.

[spaz74]

My car was built in week 1 2011 and arrives in Melb on Saturday. Can't believe my 7 month wait is nearly over.
Enjoy your car when you get it!

[Jake02]

My car was built in week 1 2011 and arrives in Melb on Saturday. Can't believe my 7 month wait is nearly over.
Enjoy your car when you get it!

So great that it's finally here! Also, can anyone explain (without an arrogant response) why, if the car was built week 1 2011 and is almost here practically a month later it takes so long for the order to be built?

[spaz74]

My order was originally for build week 35? and then was put back to week 49 (the dealer had to choose 2 cars to be put back. He explained to me there were no margins in my order and that's why I copped it I know for a fact there was very, very little profit in my order as it helps not to deal with a commission based employee . I contacted the dealer and said unless the car was built in week 1, 2011 I was was going to cancel my order. I didn't want my car being built so close to the end of the year since here in Australia it is all about what year the car is built when thinking about resale. Skoda Australia got on board and helped out with my request so it was built on Jan 4th.
Lets just say I have learnt to be patient!! A lot of meditation and yoga involved in such a long wait..........

[Damo105]

Not sure which week my car was built as the dealer provided stuff-all information. I know it was loaded onto a ship a few days after Christmas, so I'm guessing it was built in December. I should have also asked that the build be delayed until January.

But aside from that, Skoda and their dealers really need to get their act together, waiting 5 months for a car is just crap. How do they expect to sell any cars in Aust?

Now the car is at the dealership and virtually ready to go, but I can't have the car until Monday as the dealer wants COD from the lease company. Apparently a purchase order from the lease company isn't enough.

I'm not locked into the lease until the car is delivered, and I am so tempted to just cancel the deal.

[woofy]

It might be crap and rubbish, but it's true. The vehicle sits in an off-site holding yard until the funds clear. Then an order gets placed for delivery into the dealership's workshop where pre-delivery detailing etc. is done, it might then get sent out for aftermarket stuff like a towbar, then it gets registered. Another 3 to 4 days. My wife bought a car from Doncaster BMW last year, she left with a hamper full of goodies, various gifts and trinkets, some other piece of merchandise arrived in the post for Christmas, and two glossy magazines show up regularly through the year. There's probably a fair margin made on their cars, or they understand the continuing value of strong customer relationships, most likely both.

I have got all kinds of nice things from Mazda in the past, but got bugger all from Richmond Skoda until they botched something up, I then had some goodies thrown in when I picked it up after the stuffup.

[SkodaK]

So great that it's finally here! Also, can anyone explain (without an arrogant response) why, if the car was built week 1 2011 and is almost here practically a month later it takes so long for the order to be built?

I ordered 4/7, was told 4 months, then in September was told week 48 (which did happen) due to high demand in Europe exceeding factory capacity. Delays or short supply of the panoramic roof were also suggested by some as a reason. I considered cancelling at that point but didn't because a.) any other vehicle from Europe with specific options will take months to build and deliver, and b.) there's nothing out there which you could seriously consider as an alternative to the Superb wagon. the countdown is on . . should see it any day now.

[woofy]

The roof definitely was an issue. I'm surprised they don't offer the smaller roof, the Passat wagons have it, so strange that Skoda doesn't. Or maybe its just here.

[spaz74]

I ordered 4/7, was told 4 months, then in September was told week 48 (which did happen) due to high demand in Europe exceeding factory capacity. Delays or short supply of the panoramic roof were also suggested by some as a reason. I considered cancelling at that point but didn't because a.) any other vehicle from Europe with specific options will take months to build and deliver, and b.) there's nothing out there which you could seriously consider as an alternative to the Superb wagon. the countdown is on . . should see it any day now.

I have to agree with you 100% for your reasons!!!!

[theduckster]

Just ordered my Superb last week. Looking at July/August delivery which is fine by me as that is when I was looking at getting a new car anyway. Looking at a April, build week 15 or 16. So hopefully all goes to plan.

The dealer tells me that there is a tracking system that you can use to track the vehicle once it has been built and is ready to ship. Will post more details, if I ever get them.

My mate got told there was a 9 month waiting period for the Volkswagen Golf GTI she wanted last October. She wanted it that badly she decided too join the queue. So it looks like if you want something European it looks like a waiting period is required. Hopefully we all get the cars that we want and the wait is worth it! I know I can't wait until August!