[cableguy]

Well here we are at the beginning of September and no Q3 sitting in my garage yet. After arrival at the Port in San Diego on the 16th my Q3 made it to the dealer in LA a week later. It was scheduled to head to Portland last Thursday, but the sales guy in LA said that there ended up being no space on the truck due to an auction that day. Then it was scheduled to leave today, but yesterday the trucking company informed them of an AC issue on the truck so it won't leave until Thursday. To make me feel better he said this was better than having the truck "brake" while in transport. Boy that makes me feel dandy!

So this odyssey started at the beginning of May with order submission from broker to dealer. Order entry notice from Audi 5/14. Production complete 6/24. Arrival at US Port 8/16. Arrival at dealer 8/23. When it will get to the broker in Portland remains to be seen...

I originally purchased from the broker because we had done business with him before and he appeared to have a good discount and I don't enjoy the haggling process at the dealership. It also didn't appear that our local dealership was "hungry". However, now I'm thinking that my 3% discount off MSRP wasn't the best deal available and I've paid a price in a longer wait time due to the broker's process of bringing the car through an LA dealership. I'm also not getting the benefit of the Audi customer treatment that I would expect from my local dealer, and it's all out of the broker's and the dealer hands (they're at the whim of these truckers they say).

I've expressed my frustration but it's not getting me anywhere so far... My latest tactic was to ask for some type of additional discount. Will see what comes back - not expecting anything. If anyone has any advice on this, let me know.

Sorry for sharing the frustration...guess this is one of those lessons learned.

Hopefully that new Q3 will be here sometime next week...but not holding my breath.

 

[john]

Hey John,

Hate to hear this for you. Sorry for your frustration. I received nearly 10% discount off MSRP on both my Q3s. If you are not committed to this broker you might consider contacting a dealer now to see what they have. I always ask "Would you travel 100 miles to save a $1000?" If yes, then check out some dealers - you might get some better satisfaction.
If not, hang in there - we feel your pain. Just know that when you do get your Q3 you are going to LOVE IT!!!

John

 

[cableguy]

Thanks for the condolences. The sad fact is that I've already paid for my car...had to in order to get the dealer to release it to the broker, which makes this additional waiting even more painful. Never had to pay for a car before getting to drive it home...This is turning into one of those lessons learned. Hard to believe they were discounting 10% off MSRP - that's quite a deal. When I looked up the pricing on Edmunds and other sites it appeared that the price I was paying was pretty much what people were paying on average (I know that means some got it for less) and the spread between dealer invoice and MSRP was less than 10%. So congrats on your deal...if I live long enough to buy another car I might want to get it in Ohio and have you do the negotiating!

 

[john]

Thanks for the condolences. The sad fact is that I've already paid for my car...had to in order to get the dealer to release it to the broker, which makes this additional waiting even more painful. Never had to pay for a car before getting to drive it home...This is turning into one of those lessons learned. Hard to believe they were discounting 10% off MSRP - that's quite a deal. When I looked up the pricing on Edmunds and other sites it appeared that the price I was paying was pretty much what people were paying on average (I know that means some got it for less) and the spread between dealer invoice and MSRP was less than 10%. So congrats on your deal...if I live long enough to buy another car I might want to get it in Ohio and have you do the negotiating!

I would love to help you! I love doing this part and working with multiple dealers to get a great deal. And I did drive 100 miles on the second Q3 for the best deal; it's worth it!

 

[Otto]

To be fair to your dealer, I don't think that there is much he can do about all these delay issues you've been having. They still suck, but don't blame the dealer. As far as the truckers, I just don't think that you will be able to get anything out of them, though you could try pressuring them and airing your grievances.

I'm sure once you actually receive your Q3, you'll be happy and this will all be in your new rear view mirror.

Keep us updated. Good luck.

 

[DampDuffer]

When your Q3 finally arrives, just enjoy it!!

Easier said then done, but don't give a second thought to the cost and the time it took for you to finally feel the full enjoyment of driving your Q3 on some of the scenic and winding roads of Central Oregon.

Regrets about the process will just eat you up if you let it!

Meanwhile, our new Q3 has been sitting at our dealer for almost a week waiting to be picked up, but as we are out of the area for another five days, it will probably be Saturday before we finally get the opportunity to get behind the wheel and put the pedal to the metal.....the anticipation is exciting.

 

[rnlabas]

John -
I wish I could help more too - but as said above - you WILL love this car !!!

 

[cableguy]

Thanks to everyone for the condolences and support. I did hear back from my broker saying he would talk to the sales guy and see what they could do to "ease my pain". This is one of those delicate times - I understand that the trucking business is outside their control and they've made that very clear in communicating with me. But had I known about the process before hand I might have gone another direction...

(Hopefully) tomorrow the Q3 will get on the truck and then (hopefully) it will make it to the broker in a few days without further incident or delay. Had wanted to have it in time for the holiday weekend so I could use the extra time to become familiar with it...but not to be.

 

[john]

Thanks to everyone for the condolences and support. I did hear back from my broker saying he would talk to the sales guy and see what they could do to "ease my pain". This is one of those delicate times - I understand that the trucking business is outside their control and they've made that very clear in communicating with me. But had I known about the process before hand I might have gone another direction...

(Hopefully) tomorrow the Q3 will get on the truck and then (hopefully) it will make it to the broker in a few days without further incident or delay. Had wanted to have it in time for the holiday weekend so I could use the extra time to become familiar with it...but not to be.

Would you consider flying to where the car is and driving it home? Or taking a rental car one way to pick it up and drive it home? Taking action always helps me feel better and this might be a way to get it since you pre-paid for it.
John

 

[cableguy]

If I was retired and I had known ahead of time that it would take 3 weeks to get it here and the dealer would pay me to do it - well then I might have considered doing that...But it would be a (largely boring) 1000 mile trip each way and would cost a bundle....so not worth it. The waiting isn't THAT painful.

 

[john]

If I was retired and I had known ahead of time that it would take 3 weeks to get it here and the dealer would pay me to do it - well then I might have considered doing that...But it would be a (largely boring) 1000 mile trip each way and would cost a bundle....so not worth it. The waiting isn't THAT painful.

Understood. I love to problem solve something like this. Could be a cool adventure!!