Tracking Progress on your Polo and Polo GTI

[LRich]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum, but have been browsing since I ordered my Polo (77tsi pepper grey, sports, audio, leather) in December last year. The delivery co-ordinator at my dealership has been ridiculously unhelpful - numerous unreturned emails and phone calls for the last couple of months and I've finally gotten a VIN # today. Apparently my car was supposed to ship yesterday but still looks to be sitting on the dock. Is there any way I can find out what ships were supposed to leave yesterday / are leaving soon? Does anyone know how long the ship takes from Sth Africa to Melb?

Really appreciate your help!

Thanks,
Laura

[gavs]

hi Laura, welcome to the forum and to Polo boat watching

Unfortunately for you, your dealer has probably told you fibs (for a change) because if it was meant to have been shipped yesterday, it would show up as loaded on vessel in the status. It should show that it is at least "booked" but there are no booked cars showing up when I just searched The last cars loaded on a vessel were loaded on the 11th of April, the next vessel to arrive in Port Elizabeth is the Toreador on 18th April, then you will have to wait until the Tombarra which is the 30th of April.

Sorry for the bad news...

[gavs]

Ok, spoke with VGA customer care today, the guy was actually rather helpful which was good. After a brief chat about how my car is currently playing boats somewhere off the west coast of Africa and how I am tracking it through the VIN, we got onto talking about the Patrick Stevedores industrial action at the Webb dock here in Melbourne and the potential effects it will have regarding supply of cars etc. Now, take this with a grain of salt as we all know the level of truth that can come out of VGA but this person I spoke to seemed pretty clued up.

According to the logistics area (which I believe this person is involved with), there are no reports of the Stevedores action affecting the delivery of any VW models as yet, so far, it is only affecting Japanese based ships, none of Wallenius Wilhelmsen ships have been affected yet, both the Torino and Manon have discharged their cargo basically on time, the Torino based cars dispatched 8 days after arriving which is pretty good, based on that, those of you with Manon cars, they should hopefully be dispatched today if all goes well.

That being said, those of us who have another 3 weeks and 6 days, 2 weeks 6 days for those on the Tombarra, we might face a different scenario...

[gavs]

Crap, forgot the other 2 things I was going to mention!

Corey's post: There are 2 major companies that work the Melbourne docks, I'm not sure if Patrick's controls the Webb dock or if it is shared between them and P&O. If indeed it is shared, WW can turn around and say no to patrick and yes to P&O stevedores.

Patricks logistics who do all the pre-delivery stuff (remove spring spacers, pull of plastic screens, put owners manuals in teh cars, compliance plates etc) are a separate division of Patrick's, they're Patrick's logistics so they aren't affected by the strike action.

Ohmang: Yes, you are right. Where there are no striking workers, ships are being dierted there already. One has been diverted up to Port Kembler, a couple of others to Geelong so the cars will get off the boats ok. Like I said before, so far WW haven't been effected so fingers crossed, they won't be!

[LRich]

Thanks gavs.

any idea of how I can get some accurate information out of VW? it seems as soon as the contract is signed, customer service is no longer a concern to them!

[gavs]

Unfortunately you are unlikely to get any useful help from VGA because they are basically just an importer. Your dealer principle can let their sales people get into the NADCON system which will give you tentative dates. Maybe give the dealer principle/manager a call and voice your concerns about the severe lack of customer service at his/her dealership. Before you do, maybe PM me which dealership in Melbourne it is...

[snedden9485]

Im also on the Morning Carol. Lets hope its on time!

[snedden9485]

Where is the link to the tracking site guys?

[snedden9485]

I need something compatible with Mac OS if there is anything??

[Frostee]

Try here

Live Ships Map - AIS - Vessel Traffic and Positions

As far as I can seeTombarra and Morning Carol are both out of raange (or have sunk)

[Buller_Scott]

As far as I can see Tombarra and Morning Carol are both out of raange (or have sunk)

they'll get here. think positive

im really hoping that you guys will get your cars BANG on time (if not early) so that we can have the polo cruise before winter sets in.

fingers crossed!

[gavs]

Tell me about it. At least it has been recently warm, hopefully the snow doesn't fall before we can have our fun!

[Frostee]

Hey Buller_Scott, thanks for your positive thoughts. Hopefully the port issues won't worsen. I just listed my MINI for sale last night and it's being detailed as I type. Here's hoping for a quick sale. I so don't want to trade it in as I would rather have the cash in my hand rather than theprofit the dealer will make over the trade-in price.

[snedden9485]

It seems my car is somewhere out of range of the coast of Dakar. I am guessing it shouldnt have too many ports before coming into our waters right? Anyone know?

[gavs]

Morning Carol only docks in Durban, SA before Fremantle, then Melbourne, Port Kembla and then brisbane.