11 months order to delivery. Is it a deal breaker?

[mrichards]

Hi all,

Placed an order for a Scout manual in November 2011. Was expecting delivery within a couple of weeks. We had placed a special order because I wanted the optional sunroof and budget restraints (among other things) meant we weren't stretching to the premium.

Have just found out that no, we're not getting our car in a couple of weeks... in fact, production isn't scheduled until week 29 which will be in July 2012 with an expected delivery sometime towards September/October.

11 months from order to delivery.

Apparently, in Skoda-land, Australia is a small fish in a big pond and the Scout being a low volume seller puts any special order low on the priority list.

My predicament is to either wait it out, look at a Scout without the sunroof or look to another model.

I know this forum is full of the party-faithful but wondering if others have ever been in a similar situation and whether this length of delay would be a deal breaker.

The longer we wait, the closer we are to an updated model.

[team_v]

No way would i be waiting 11 months for a car.
I would be lookng at stock in the country, or at something else.

[Jake02]

11 months? I'm not sure a new Scout is worth that... Maybe one without a sunroof then? Or a slightly used/demo Premium? I'm sure they'd exist!

[dArK5HaD0w]

i'd definately pass if i was looking at an 11 month wait.
surely u can compromise on one or two things and get one thats already in the country......somewhere.

i've heard of sunroofs and the 4x4 drivetrains being the cause of such long delays.

[K1W1]

The longest I have ever waited for a car was 6 months and that was because of a massive industrial strike in Germany in 1984.
Put the onus back on the dealer. The basic scenario is supply me with a car that is acceptable to me in the time frame agreed at (or very near to, your call) the price agreed or give me a refund. The real issue will be your contract and what is says about the delivery date.
According to the NSW Fair Trading website this will apply:

Delays in delivery

Where delays in the delivery date occur, consumers should check their contract for terms and conditions. Some contracts may allow for an extension of time for the dealer to supply the vehicle.

Generally, contracts can only be cancelled where there is a breach of the terms and conditions.

Make sure that you know where you stand before you contact the dealer. That way you may be in a position of strength (if the contract can be cancelled due to failure to deliver as per the terms) or weakness (if there are no delivery terms). Whichever position you are in will determine exactly how you approach the dealer.

[mrichards]

When we ordered we were told 3-4 months which sounded reasonable and the timing of delivery worked well for us. But another 6 months, I don't think so.

The key issue was that up until the last week we had a lot of trouble getting information out of the dealer. If we knew of the problems sooner then we'd have decided something different. That said, the dealer isn't giving us any trouble with regards to a refund of deposit and have offered quite a good deal on a car in stock without the sunroof. Unfortunately, it is now stock that has been in the country for a few months.

We have to work out where we compromise - a good deal on a car that isn't exactly what I was after, or look to another marque for the right specs.

I appreciate the responses - they're along the lines of our thinking and I really wanted to know what others would do in the same situation.

[BlackOctaviaRS]

11 months is ridiculous - I thought 6 months was bad for a Superb wagon, but 11 months just isn't good enough.

Still, could be worse - I've heard the Polo GTI is a 12-18 month delay...

Kiwi's spot on the mark - check your contract in detail.

[BottomScratcher]

Apparently, in Skoda-land, Australia is a small fish in a big pond and the Scout being a low volume seller puts any special order low on the priority list.

11 months is way too long. I was lucky enough to find new floor stock with exactly the options I wanted. Regarding the comment above, I can well imagine your frustration, but the options are very simple. Wait, or don't wait. Skoda aren't pushing your order back because Oz is a small market. In Europe car manufacturers build new stock and orders in a "season". The MY12 season started mid last year. The MY13 season won't start until mid this year. That's how it works over there. Unfortunately for us, once the cars are built in CZ, a land-locked country, they then have to be transported to a sea port, and sent half way around the world on a ship before we see them.

[K1W1]

When we ordered we were told 3-4 months which sounded reasonable and the timing of delivery worked well for us.

I'm sorry to say this but what you were told is legally irrelevant unless of course you could prove in a court that somebody deliberately lied to you. What is on the contract in writing is all the actually matters legally and that will determine where you can go.

[mrichards]

The dealer is being quite good about it all and they are not holding us to the contract. The manager has said that if we want out then we'll get a full refund of deposit and no hassle.

[K1W1]

The dealer is being quite good about it all and they are not holding us to the contract. The manager has said that if we want out then we'll get a full refund of deposit and no hassle.

That's great. I would still confirm that conversation in writing. All you need to do is send a polite email recapping the conversation and asking the manager to confirm that he agrees with your interpretation. Stay polite and nobody will have a problem but you must cover yourself just in case.

[brad]

waited 11 months for a Titanium spec Mondeo diesel wagon. not worth it considering wife changed jobs 6 months later & handed it back & got a Subaru Outback at the new place.

[dArK5HaD0w]

this was early last year - scout comes in at #3.


guess its only gotten worse!!!

[mrichards]

VAG seem to be over-represented.

[JustCruisn]

What is this list ? It is lost with no context.
Some of the models listed are not for AUS market.