How to track the car you have ordered?

[Corey_R]

Unfortunately, it's not about effort. They simply don't know.
I've been at a dealer in person when we've logged into the Patricks compliance site with the dealer login to look at the status. There isn't even an ETA, or a "number in queue" or anything. It's pretty much a "waiting" and "done" thing.

Even calling them makes no difference. All they say is "yes, it's somewhere in line" or "it's been put on a truck".

So it's not a case of "a bit of effort", it's a case that the Patricks system doesn't track the cars to the degree that some people are after, and therefore the dealers know about as much as you do! i.e. Nothing.

[langers_sydney]

Sman. What dealer, not Sydney I hope!

[sman66]

Its Paul Wakeling in Cambeltown, in well....greater Sydney I guess. I a left wondering if the saving was worth it in the end.
Not sure how people have gone with other dealers except for 'Klink' who has similar issues with his dealer in Lake Maquarie.
It is really the luck of the draw I suspect but the timing is terrible for me personally, hence the angst.
Venting a bit too I suppose and I am the type that likes to know what is going on,so do get a bit frustrated when I am left in the dark.
I have learnt much during this 9 or so months, and will be much the wiser next time.

[langers_sydney]

I do totally feel your pain, but I also get Coreys post that there is nothing the dealer can really do to be more accurate given the non precise aspects of the Patricks system....
What a strange black hole they slip into when they are so close to delivery....

Good luck

[JPanDAX]

Doesn't sound very good - 6 weeks from arrival? Sheeeeesssss!
My car arrived on the Morning Carol at Port Kembla on 28 May. It is at the dock I understand.... this is only a one hour drive at the most from Campbelltown where my dealer is.... a 10 minute drive from where I live in Wollongong.

I am dealing with Paul Wakeling at Campbelltown too - I hope I don't get the same deal!!!
I also hope there are no silly delay tactics so I miss out on the end of June delivery to getthe on road cost savings.
Actually I might give them a call tomorrow to see how things are going...

JP

[sman66]

Patricks (where they do the compliancing) is at Ingleburn, I believe, and that is only about 10 kms from Campbelltown.
Which salesperson did you go through? Mine is Brooke Mallard.
In the end you cant really do much but wait....Complaining to the dealers has really got me nowhere, only perhaps to get a little more information than settle for "it will be here soon" which for me may be 6 weeks.When they make an enquiry they can only see if it is the process of being complied and then she said it is "invoiced to the dealer" which is the first time they really know it is ready to go, and then it is 3-4 days till it arrives at the dealer. Then a few days for 'pre-delivery'.
Let me know how you go.
DS

[MADHUN]

The golf took around 6 weeks to arrive, although I was provided with a 1.9tdi which I was happy not to have met the operating costs of whilst we were waiting.

[JPanDAX]

Sman66 - I spoke to my dealer today (Nathan) at Wakelings. He said my car should be ready for 18 June, which will be all up 3 weeks from arrival at Port K.

He also mentioned something about Ingleburn too, so that sounds right. I think he mentioned this as I said I didn't want my car delivered to my home, I wanted to come and pick it up myself and wanted to do a full pre-delivery inspection before I hand over the cash. So that is like a prompt to get it right for when I take possession.

Nathan also commented that ALL GTI buyers seem to be passionate about their cars and always come and pick them up themselves.

I must admit Nathan has been pretty good to deal with. He is friendly and polite, and has always answered all my questions promptly. He supplied my COMM and VIN number up front and also extended a discount to do with the free on road promotion to me, which ends by July.

I hope there are no glitches between now and then.... Fingers crossed, on the home run and I don't need any delays as I sold my old car privately about 2 weeks ago now and have been driving my eldest daughters car around - she has been walking to Uni... hehehe - do her good! The other thing is my old car sold privately within 2 weeks of advertising for 8k more than any dealer was prepared to give me as a trade in, I got a good price for it... smiles all 'round I guess.

I feel sorry for you guys out there that have had issues, I hope they straighten out and the experience becomes worth it in the end.

Oh BTW - Nathan mentioned something about one car being delayed as apparently the NAVSAT system had been removed by someone at the wharves??? or something of that nature and they needed to replace it, thus the extra delay... sounds like a nightmare, and something that just should NOT be happening ... where is the security?

I also have a friend of mine who has just ordered a Polo GTI through Nathan and he has been happy with service so far ... mind you his car is not here until Jan/Feb 2012..... along wait!!!!!!! But he already has a comm number apparently...

If I was not happy with the service, perhaps the dealer should throw in some goodies like a cargo matt, premium matts, ipod cable, etc for the hassle, maybe even a further discount to try and put the smile back on your dial ??????!!!!!

Now I need to sort out the rego details and plates (going for Euro, black on white to match the car and the colour), I also mentioned about not getting the plates screwed on and using the double sided tape until I make the decision. They said if I provide them with he information of plates, holders etc they will supply and install what I want for delivery... sounds like good service

Cheers and good luck

I will update on here as to progress etc... over the next few weeks.

JP

[xordis]

Oh BTW - Nathan mentioned something about one car being delayed as apparently the NAVSAT system had been removed by someone at the wharves??? or something of that nature and they needed to replace it, thus the extra delay... sounds like a nightmare, and something that just should NOT be happening ... where is the security?

lol, security on the boats and docks. They are a law unto their own those guys.
The cars coming from OS spend 6 weeks on a boat, and the deck hands don't have much to do and spend most of there time stealing gear knobs and stereos.
It's usually the grey imports that they target, but will also go for new if its a nice one. (I guess these days they check ebay for the going rates)
Will also happen if the car spends too much time on the docks.
I once knew a guy who had a friend on the docks, and he has seen the boxes full of nice gear knobs and stereos they have pulled out of cars.

[sman66]

Thank you JP...
Did Nathan mention if the car was from their dealership? My car being delayed so long...it may well be the one with the missing SATNAV...
If so I think I should have been informed of a problem no matter what it was especially if THEY know.
Thanks for the information though.

[Xciteu]

Hey mate,read your post and had to make a comment in regards to the missing sat nav you mentioned. Sounds like it's a common thing. Up here in Townsville a CW Golf R just came into stock with same thing! Strange hey?!

[Corey_R]

Of course it's common... where do you think all these RNS510's that forum members get off ebay for far below even the German VW cost come from? It's obviously not legitimate channels, lol

[JPanDAX]

Nathan just mentioned that he had heard of a car, not sure if he meant one on theirs (Wakelings) but he did mention it. If it was yours then I believe you should be compensated for the delay as it is not your fault and the dealers country wide should be having something to say about the security of their goods being delivered if it is such a big issue..... Its all logistics, all supply chain, they need to sort such a security problem out if it is causing BIG problems, losses of any type and dissatisfied customers.

People say it is out of their hands, not the dealers, but if the dealers and VA don't at least try and control the problem then they should be taking the responsibility.... Kind of like using a dodgy company to provide coffee beans, etc etc, letting people die or live below the poverty line to get your coffee is your responsibility as you make the choice as to weather you buy it or not in the knowledge that these practices happen.... it's called consumerism and the power of the consumer as a collective - I'll get off my box now!!!

It is a bit sad to think that there are people able to get away with removing equipment from new cars, even before delivery to the dealer.... sad.... they should crack down on this at the wharves, increase security, as this is just wrong! Just another reason wharfies get a bad name too .... who is ever going to support them when they do this kind of stuff.....

I don't have a SATNAV in mine, but sure hope they don't take the stereo out.

I am anxious to hear that the dealer has the car now and it is all in one piece.

JP

[sman66]

Thanxs again GP.
I did ask the dealer last week in no uncertain way if my car had been damaged or had some similar issue and she assured me NO...but why would she do the right thing and tell me if it had?, then I could have made an informed decision about what I wanted to do. The last few weeks have really taken much of the joy out of this experience for me!. I agree too there should be some compensation for whoever's car is delayed due to any damage and the buyer should be TOLD if the car has had to have some form of repair, otherwise it is fraud, pure and simple.....Some my laugh it off and say it is common practice but it should NOT be.
I wonder if the Candy white golf R's new owner will know it has already had some console instrumentation replaced??
I think I may conatct VWA directly and ask for verification that my car has not been delayed due to such reasons.
Anyone know the number for VWA head office???

[Maverick]

lol, security on the boats and docks. They are a law unto their own those guys.
The cars coming from OS spend 6 weeks on a boat, and the deck hands don't have much to do and spend most of there time stealing gear knobs and stereos.
It's usually the grey imports that they target, but will also go for new if its a nice one. (I guess these days they check ebay for the going rates)

If you saw how the cars were loaded on to the ships into areas that are sealed off you'd realise there is no way for the crew of the ship to have easy access to the cars. Not to mention they would pickup whoever was doing it when the cars were unloaded and the headunits were noticed missing.

Will also happen if the car spends too much time on the docks.
I once knew a guy who had a friend on the docks, and he has seen the boxes full of nice gear knobs and stereos they have pulled out of cars.

A friend of a friend story, hardly something that you can rely on, having said that wharfies do have a reputation but there are easy ways to make money on the side then stripping out parts of cars that have a limited market in Australia.