I just got off the phone with my dealer. He called me this morning, and said he got the call from the Toyota office in Baltimore. The car had been at the port for a while (as I suspected, based off the info from everyone else on this site). They asked my dealer what options I wanted (I picked the single CD and mats), and said delivery to the dealer should happen within 1 to 2 weeks.<br>After taking care of the essential business, I then asked the dealer why I received the call from him. Weren't we supposed to receive the call from the port directly? The dealer said he didn't know but would find out. True to his word, he called me back 5 minutes later and told me the Toyota office at the port (this is in Baltimore; I don't know if this applies anywhere else) has been told NOT to call the customers directly, but to call the dealer only. They did used to call the customer, but now are calling the dealership only. The only explanation the dealer could offer me was that this eliminated "some steps" and possibly made the process go faster.<br>It least it seems to explain the deafening silence from the ports on the East Coast. . .<br><br>stats up

Hmmm... of the two Prii we ordered-one for me (delivered) and one for my wife (waiting, waiting..), I've received only one manual and no calculators. The calculator sounds cool -apparently it's embossed with the "Prius" logo- I'm Jealous!!

&gt; drewnicus said:<br>&lt;snip&gt;<br>&gt; They did used to call the customer, but now are<br>&gt; calling the dealership only.<br>&lt;snip&gt;<br>&gt; It least it seems to explain the deafening <br>&gt; silence from the ports on the East Coast. . .<br><br>Folks, I have a REAL problem with this unannounced change in what was, apparently policy, or at least de-facto policy through precedent of action.<br>&lt;ENGAGE CYNIC MODE&gt;<br>To put it bluntly - there is NOT a car dealer in the world, let alone in N.J. that I'd EVER trust in an order process like the Prius. It's just too easy to make a "mistake" when the port calls the dealer... "yeh - he want's it loaded..." and then claim it was a "mistake" or blame it on the port. Especially since my Prius order is constructed entirely of recycled electrons and NOT on anything considered as a "real" written order.<br>Time will tell how this works out but, for the public record, the ONLY option I'm "ordering" is the floor mats. Let's all see what "$extras$" my Prius "accumulates" between the time it rolls off of the ship and into the dealership.<br>Before I disengage cynic mode, please remember that car dealers didn't just "grow" their reputation - they earned it the traditional way: screwing one customer at a time. Just talk to any retired, or reformed, car salescritter about the tricks they've seen pulled on the rubes. (Of course, they have NEVER even considered such a thing themselves...)<br>&lt;DISENGAGE CYNIC MODE&gt;<br>And I DO hope the remainder of my Prius experience is stress and cynicism free.<br>Bill Powell<br>(temporarily out of ammo)

I picked up mine from the dealer last night. It arrived from Baltimore Saturday, after spending 3 weeks at the port with no explanation of why. <br><br>The salesman was still clueless and did little more than have us sign the paperwork, take the check and hand us the keys. No special briefing like others have mentioned being required by Toyota. Clueless when I asked about an extra master key, said Toyota would be sending me a key for free, but it sounded like he was talking about a "credit card" key. <br><br>I did average 51.8 mpg (by the computer) on the way home, which is a good sign. Put another 120 on it today and I'm having a hard time keeping it under 62 mph on the highway. The speed keeps creeping up on me. Did find that I can get to the office and back on battery alone. Its two miles on town streets. Unfortunately, the office is often the starting point for a days driving, or I could get away with an pure EV. <br><br>For those still waiting my order dates are:<br> <br>7/14 Completed on line purchase request<br>7/20 Received Prius dealer order notification<br>7/27 Received Purchase request update expect deliver in 2-3 months<br>9/20 Drop by dealer, car has been in port since 9/18 <br>9/? Received letter and owners manual in mail<br>10/6 Email from dealer to say he's given the ok to the port to install CD and floor mats.<br>10/12 Email from dealer- notification car is ready for transport. Should see it 4-7 days<br>10/17 Email from salesman saying car is in and will be ready that evening. Pick it up.<br>Still waiting for my calculator.<br><br>WaltR

Bill Powell- Thanks for your insight (no pun intended) on options, orders and dealerships. In my opinion, all of us in the midst of the Prius acquisition process are much better off and much more informed because of the information sharing we have at this and other web sites; your comments and questions have been very beneficial. I'm sure someone had a reason for changing the way customers are contacted, but I agree that it would have been nice to have been informed of that change.<br><br>FWIW- I went ahead and ordered the New Car Features manual as you recommended. It was very easy order, promised in 1 -2 weeks and arrived in 4 days. When I get done reading it, my dealer will be calling me for info instead of the other way around :\ IMHO, it is an absolute necessity if you REALLY want to learn all the details about how this car works. Anyone who missed or misplaced the ordering info, see Bill's message #1936 on this site.<br><br>Walt R.- Congrats on your Prius delivery!<br><br>-Andrew