Seriously VW? Why I won't be getting a Polo Gti

[Molotov]

Well aware of the 12+ month waiting list, I spoke to a dealer yesterday who priced a VW Polo Gti with audio and comfort pack. Conversation went like this:

VW: Ok, so a 3 door with with audio and comfort pack would come to $X and you're looking at at least a 12 month wait.
Me: Ok, yep.
VW: And you may not get one with the options you specify.
Me: What?!
VW: Yeah, we get a set allocation and you may not get one with the exact specifications.
Me: So you're telling me that I can order a car, wait 12 months and then it might not be the car I ordered.
VW: Yes. It's like that for Polo Gtis and the Golf R right now.

Did this guy make a mistake or VW have lost the plot? Sure you can be a victim of your own success but VWA's attitude to their customer's leaves a lot to be desired.

[Candyman]

Can't comment about the Polo but the dealer is wrong about the R

[broxigar1983]

Phone around, some VW shop should have a GTI on the floor ready to be sold, might not get exactly the specs you want, but there are a few members in here that got some lucky deals like that.

[NRD80Y]

I wouldn't be put off by what one salesman said. Either try another Dealership or try privatefleet.com.au. Should be no issues at all getting what you want to order (unless I guess the model or options change ie: becomes MY12/13)

[Molotov]

Phone around, some VW shop should have a GTI on the floor ready to be sold, might not get exactly the specs you want, but there are a few members in here that got some lucky deals like that.

Yep, not criticizing VW for coming up with a good car or for offering you floor stock or pre-ordered vehicles that might not be in your spec but surely if you custom order a vehicle in a specific specification and wait longer than a year you should get what you ordered.

Unfortunately just about ever encounter I've had with VW sales at the moment has left me with the distinct impression that VW don't need my business right now. That's fine, but it's an attitude that will only serve them well during the good times and from the way the markets are looking, the fat lady is starting to warm up her vocal chords.

[Candyman]

In contrast, I found the VW dealer we used to find our R was exceptional

In fact, the whole experience to date has been awesome.

Even though I can track the car myself as it heads over from Germany, the dealer keeps in touch regularly.

They dealt with my changing order needs and gave me plenty of options to choose from.

If you have a confirmed build, there is an obligation to supply (given it will be in the contract)

If it annoys you too much, maybe consider a different make ?

[Molotov]

Polo suits my price range at the moment. I could afford a GTI and talked price with Chatswood Classic Cars but they re egged on the price they quoted me over the phone (which wasn't even particularly sharp) and told me furphy's like "the Corporate Discount doesn't apply to Gti models".

[Candyman]

I refuse to deal with CCC or Denlo !

For car purchase or servicing.

Good luck mate. Hope it works out for you

[GTI mk6]

Well aware of the 12+ month waiting list, I spoke to a dealer yesterday who priced a VW Polo Gti with audio and comfort pack. Conversation went like this:

VW: Ok, so a 3 door with with audio and comfort pack would come to $X and you're looking at at least a 12 month wait.
Me: Ok, yep.
VW: And you may not get one with the options you specify.
Me: What?!
VW: Yeah, we get a set allocation and you may not get one with the exact specifications.
Me: So you're telling me that I can order a car, wait 12 months and then it might not be the car I ordered.
VW: Yes. It's like that for Polo Gtis and the Golf R right now.

Did this guy make a mistake or VW have lost the plot? Sure you can be a victim of your own success but VWA's attitude to their customer's leaves a lot to be desired.

I would visit another dealership or two and speak to a 2IC or GM to hopefully get a realistic answer
before throwing in the towel.
At the end of the day, you have to do what feels right for you

We dealt with the dealership GM (coincidentally), no mention of maybe not getting what we ordered, this is why we are
ordering one....to get the specs we want after all?

[Molotov]

Appreciate the tips guys, thanks. Im not in a rush so I'll cast the net a bit wider (in terms of dealers and manufacturers) and see how I go.

[pologti18t]

I've had a chat with Molotov...

We use a leasing company for novated leases and when I asked them about delivery times they told me to contact two of their preferred suppliers.
I rang a specific contact person at each dealer and was surprised to get a similar response. Leave at least 18 months to be sure of delivery. Any dealer who quotes < 9 months should be treated with suspicion.

Basically the conversation went in the direction that they really aren't all that happy selling customer order Polo GTis due to the waiting times and the ongoing conflicts they endure with customers awaiting GTIs already ordered with unfixed delivery dates.

They looked up cars they had ordered in addition to customer cars. Ordered in Feb but still with no production date/slot.

[Corey_R]

Molotov, it sounds to me like the dealer and/or salesman you were talking to was telling you "little fibs" about the Polo GTI and Golf R in the hope of steering you towards a Golf GTI (I presume). This way the dealer is able to get a sale on the books a little earlier etc.

If you order either the Polo GTI or Golf R, you will get exactly the options that you've requested - unless the dealer stuff's up the order entry (though there's plenty of time to figure that one out).

As others have suggested, try another dealer.

[Hail22]

Speak to Tony Grgic Chatswood Classic cars he is the manager there he will most likely try to find you a build slot and he won't beat you around the bush telling you stories of "the day the car salesmen became incompetent."

[Molotov]

Thanks again guys - this forum has been a great asset and everyone has been really forthcoming with advice, recommendations, price etc.

Corey - the pricing spreadsheet has been really helpful. Cheers.

Pologti18t - Appreciate all your help. I did try the avenue we talked about and specifically asked for a quote but got pushed back to the other dealer under that company and then it was the same routine all over again.

GTI Mk6 - thanks for the info.

Hail22 - Thanks but unfortunately it was Tony that I was dealing with at Chatswood. My initial impressions of Chatswood were very good - easily arranged test drive, friendly staff - but they lost credibility when it came to doing a deal. Firstly they re-negged on the price I was quoted over the phone and then they said that the Corporate Discount doesn't apply to GTI's. The whole reason I went through the Corporate Program was to purchase a new VW painlessly and without the hassles of going to several dealers. Wishful thinking perhaps.

Ranting aside, a mate of mine gave me the keys to his new Mk6 Golf Gti tonight to stop me whinging. Took all of 3 seconds for me to start loving VW again. I'm a sucker for that exhaust 'burp'.

[Hail22]

I'm stunned and sorry to hear that mate, he did me a ripper of a deal when i bought my bros MK 6 GTI and my 77TSI.

Goodluck ok