USA/Canada Delivery Thread

[Hell4Leather]

I was told by dealer at deposit that if someone above me cancelled, that spot would be offered to anyone below that position for a premium cost to move up to that spot. I havent seen any offerings and was told at the test drive (Dec22) that no one above me has cancelled but they had one or two below that had. It was my understanding if I didnt pay to move up on the list I'd stay where I was regardless of cancellations.

Premium cost to move up? That doesn’t sound right. My dealership in TX has continued to take deposits, at least with my sales rep. If someone drops out, which apparently hasn’t happened, the next person would just move up. I don’t think you can pay your way to the top. My gut says say you misheard what they meant.

 

[Lotustoronto]

Premium cost to move up? That doesn’t sound right. My dealership in TX has continued to take deposits, at least with my sales rep. If someone drops out, which apparently hasn’t happened, the next person would just move up. I don’t think you can pay your way to the top. My gut says say you misheard what they meant.

I have been outright told by dealers, if you have a good trade in you get bumped ahead in line. And yes you can always pay extra to be put ahead of people in line. Happens all the time and all different types of dealers. Just the way "most" dealerships work these days.

 

[Next Decade]

Earlier depositors requested to wait for a Base/non-FE Emira.

Your deposit date (and time) trumps all in our reservation list. We've been honest & working straight down the list since the beginning.

If any of our depositors have questions/concerns about their place in the queue, please call me directly at (317) 245-6312.

- Tony P.

I figured that might have had something to do with it. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[benjh1028]

I have been outright told by dealers, if you have a good trade in you get bumped ahead in line. And yes you can always pay extra to be put ahead of people in line. Happens all the time and all different types of dealers. Just the way "most" dealerships work these days.

Unfortunately this has been documented at several U.S. dealerships. I think some have even provided specific thresholds like $20k to grab an FE slot.

 

[Hell4Leather]

Unfortunately this has been documented at several U.S. dealerships. I think some have even provided specific thresholds like $20k to grab an FE slot.

Wow, just wow. I can understand someone paying $10k premium for a car that has landed but for a build slot, just wow.

 

[idleuser]

Galpin was asking 10k markup for FE slots. Several members cancel after being told it would cost 10k for a build slot.

 

[Maurice R]

Premium cost to move up? That doesn’t sound right. My dealership in TX has continued to take deposits, at least with my sales rep. If someone drops out, which apparently hasn’t happened, the next person would just move up. I don’t think you can pay your way to the top. My gut says say you misheard what they meant.

I agree with you. I may have commented on this some time back.
I had a conversation with one of the owners of this dealership (lotus of Dallas)about people wanting to pay a premium to be moved up
They had some entitled rich and rude p..ck tell them he would pay in full immediately plus a premium to be bumped to top of list. He was told that would never happen and they basically told him to go elsewhere.

 

[Hell4Leather]

I agree with you. I may have commented on this some time back.
I had a conversation with one of the owners of this dealership (lotus of Dallas)about people wanting to pay a premium to be moved up
They had some entitled rich and rude p..ck tell them he would pay in full immediately plus a premium to be bumped to top of list. He was told that would never happen and they basically told him to go elsewhere.

Earth Motor Cars. Nice. Even if you aren’t buying an Emira, they have what can only be described as a Baller Level inventory.

 

[4380r]

Wow, just wow. I can understand someone paying $10k premium for a car that has landed but for a build slot, just wow.

It’s a different company now, but when I bought my first Elise new, if someone ahead of me dropped out, my dealer and at least two others I knew of at the time, saw those slots as theirs and if nobo on the list wanted to pay a premium to move up, they’d sell it to someone who was never on the list.

 

[Lotustoronto]

If you find a good dealer, treat them well, they are few and far between these days.

 

[Hell4Leather]

If you find a good dealer, treat them well, they are few and far between these days.

I’m stunned. I guess a big shout out to Earth Motor Cars in Dallas, TX.

 

[Porter]

Galpin was asking 10k markup for FE slots. Several members cancel after being told it would cost 10k for a build slot.

10k deposit? Or 10k extra to be willing to do the deal?

If the latter, I don't see how that's any different than a request for a bribe. Just because it's the staff of the dealership making the request and not the owner, doesn't mean it isn't a bribe demand by the owner.

The desired transaction is between the customer and the auto manufacturer, remember. So it's important to keep that context in mind.

 

[Hodl]

10k deposit? Or 10k extra to be willing to do the deal?

If the latter, I don't see how that's any different than a request for a bribe. Just because it's the staff of the dealership making the request and not the owner, doesn't mean it isn't a bribe demand by the owner.

The desired transaction is between the customer and the auto manufacturer, remember. So it's important to keep that context in mind.

I was quoted 20k mark up at time of my deposit for an FE slot by them back in 2021 a month after reveal...

 

[OneThreeOne]

Someone on the Emira Owners FB page is claiming that USA cars are in production.... He claims he inquired while at the factory as they were LHD. I have my doubts this is accurate. Just because they are LHD, doesn't mean they are USA spec. Makes no sense. It was posted in the Naples Lotus advertising 4 Emiras thread.

 

[idleuser]

10k deposit? Or 10k extra to be willing to do the deal?

If the latter, I don't see how that's any different than a request for a bribe. Just because it's the staff of the dealership making the request and not the owner, doesn't mean it isn't a bribe demand by the owner.

The desired transaction is between the customer and the auto manufacturer, remember. So it's important to keep that context in mind.

10k markup.

 

[DerTheDer]

Someone on the Emira Owners FB page is claiming that USA cars are in production.... He claims he inquired while at the factory as they were LHD. I have my doubts this is accurate. Just because they are LHD, doesn't mean they are USA spec. Makes no sense. It was posted in the Naples Lotus advertising 4 Emiras thread.

Could be ones to validate them in the US.

 

[Cachaco131]

Boardwalk (NorCal) said July/August for first deliveries.

 

[Eagle7]

Someone on the Emira Owners FB page is claiming that USA cars are in production.... He claims he inquired while at the factory as they were LHD. I have my doubts this is accurate. Just because they are LHD, doesn't mean they are USA spec. Makes no sense. It was posted in the Naples Lotus advertising 4 Emiras thread.

If you're on FB, ask if they saw the long amber lenses in the front headlights. The U.S. cars have to have those. If they don't, they're for other countries.

 

[Aero]

To clarify for my dealer on buying a FE slot, the dealer would only 'sell' that higher slot (not necessarily a FE) after someone that cancelled. That higher spot would then be an option/available to all already on their current list. There was no selling FE slots to people who wanted to pay more and bumping others down. Once I made a deposit I was guaranteed to be that allocation number with no one bumping me down.
When I was calling around at deposit time I did find a few shady dealers were wanting nonrefundable 10k and were 'almost' guaranteeing a FE. I found that extremely unethical and didnt want any part of that dealership.

 

[benjh1028]

I still think the right thing to do is move people up at no cost as others drop off. I think any selling of slots is shady regardless.