We live in Northeast and supply is limited. I imagine this is everywhere but I am wondering if we can maximize our chances by putting deposits on more than one dealers. Worried that we wont get the package we are looking for (luxury), and this way we have better chance if we put money down at two places.

 

You can put as many deposits as you'd like, but make sure they're refundable. Some dealers take non-refundable deposits and unless you're in a state that prohibits them, they're legally covered should you choose to change your mind.

 

You and me both . I’m in the Northeast as well (DMV area) and I’ve been trying to get the hybrid luxury since January. I have one deposit down and I have about seven other dealerships “looking out” for me. This is the Hunger Games! No one can tell me why it’s so hard to get that package here. Anyway, like the commenter above said, increase your chances by putting down multiple deposits, as long as they are refundable. Some dealers will still add you to their list without a deposit. Good luck!

 

oh brother! Since January!
I asked a few dealerships and they won’t just put my name. Some have higher deposit than $1000 which I am not necessarily willing to put. I may have to go out of state.

 

Ive tried that route as well. Most states are not selling to out of towners. However, please let me know if you find luck!

 

yes I have been rejected by some out of state dealers. How the tables have turned 😏

 

I contacted about 40 dealers and had this happen maybe 4 times. On the East Coast, I contacted Nalley Lexus Smyrna and they were happy to sell to an out of state resident; they were also charging the least amount of markup I found (granted for tint and paint protection) at $1299 I think. That was for a luxury 350h.

Every other dealer was happy to sell to anyone and I actually bought from CA while living in WA.

 

40!?
I thought I was excessive engaging 4 dealers.
how many deposits did you put?

 

Ha, well I wanted a car and wasn't about to wait 6-18 months like I was told by a lot of dealers. And 40 didn't include the Toyota dealers when we were looking at a Highlander... (add 38 to that number).

Anyway, we had deposits down at 4 dealers. Ended up that one dealer in CA wasn't really working off a "reserved" list, so it was first come, first served and I called at the right time to snag one. All deposits were refundable without issue. Now, there were dealers that wanted non refundable for 6 months or something like that, and we avoided those like the plague. If it's "bad" to give Uncle Sam a year long interest free loan, why would I want to do that for a car dealership who is already charging me extra? The amounts were also flexible. Some asked for $1,000 and we said $500 while others asked for $2,000 and we said $1,000. Seemed like only the CA dealers were unwilling to move on deposit amount.

Now, granted looking out of state comes with it's own headaches in terms of trade in tax credits (if applicable), registration, taxes, etc.. But if it means cutting the wait down to two months (which is what I figured ours ended up being altogether from decision to taking delivery), it seems like a small price to pay.

 

Thank you! This was very helpful! I haven’t called 40, but I’ve called at least 15 out of staters and they all rejected me. I will try Smyrna. I’m like you - I’m willing to deal with the headache of an out of state purchase if that means I can get a car sooner. I don’t understand why the Northeast is not getting 350h luxuries at the rate of the southern dealerships. This is a high income region!

 

Sure, happy to help. I think one "trick" you can use to eliminate those that won't sell to out of staters is to look at whether they require a zip code in their "contact us" form. If they do, then the likelihood that they won't sell out of state goes up.

 

Traditional supply chain behavior involved the Dealer and guest agreeing on the
cars features, price and payment method, name(s) to be titled under and time frame.
Choices were (and remain), On ground inventory - same day, dealer trade - same week,
incoming built - same month, modify a yet to be built incoming - next month and finally,
specific Factory Order - same calendar year but sometimes next model year.

Narrowing in on Dealer Trades for this thread. Writing up a deal and providing the
earnest money deposit is a commitment between the Dealer to provide a car and a guest
to provide the funds and take the car. It's a contract for both, what happens when you
discover the car you committed to suddenly is yanked out from under you. Your vacation
or employment or family needs for the car are disrupted, faith in the dealer plummets, maybe
legal action is considered... Are you in the market for multiple cars, running a business that
needs a fleet of matching cars, Pizza shop, Uber franchise? Great, line them up.

What you are actually doing is attempting to commit the Dealers without committing to anything
yourself. First come, first serve, right? The stores waste a bunch of time calling each other chasing
the single unicorn that you want which only raises the value in everyone's mind. When "your" car
arrives the dealer knows your hot for it cause everybody in the Zone has called for it, don't be
surprised if it suddenly gets rustproofed, alarmed, chromed, curb feelers added...

 

Mcomer - Was your comment supposed to be an indictment of putting down multiple deposits?

 

good thing I can walk away then 😀
have already confirmed with dealers there won’t be any addons to surprise me when delivery comes around.

 

Indictment; Noun, wrongdoing. Trying to clarify the inefficiency and inequities
that are created when the formerly simple and honorable method of entering into
a contract where all sides agree to a common result. Unless you are legitimately
needing more than one car you should refrain from entering into multiple contracts.