Hi,<br><br>I am new to the group and recently put my order in for my MY2001 silver Prius. ($500 deposit!)<br><br>As seems to be the general experience with many of you, my Toyota dealer does not seem to know anything about the car or the process of what happens when you order the car. I finally got them to put my e-mail address on the order, supposedly, but they are "having trouble" printing out a copy of the order for me. They did give me a purchase request number, but I am not sure how to proceed with this to check on the status.<br><br>Could someone who went through the process please describe what is supposed to happen next? I know there was some mention here about getting e-mail and some kind of package of goodies (calculator, owner's manual, etc.) from Toyota shortly after ordering. What should I be expecting to receive at this point? Approximately, when does the next thing happen?<br><br>In addition to this being a Prius, it is also my first NEW, new car. So, I am eager to have everything go smoothly and correctly. I promised myself five years ago when I had my then seven-year old Ford Escort GT (1988) repainted, that my next car would be electric. The Escort still runs well, and my husband will be driving it, but time to keep my promise!<br><br>Anyway, thanks for this group, and looking forward to your responses!<br><br>Sharon

In Message 4752 : slw_cat said:<br><br>&gt; I am new to the group and recently put my order in for my MY2001<br>&gt; silver Prius. ($500 deposit!)<br>Congratulations Sharon! Welcome to the Prius family! Good color choice too! :-)<br><br>&gt; As seems to be the general experience with many of you, my <br>&gt; Toyota dealer does not seem to know anything about the car or <br>&gt; the process of what happens when you order the car.<br>The condition is called CLUELESS!<br>First: WHO is the dealer? Please do NOT be afraid to name names since current owners might be able to share their experiences at that dealership. Likewise, wannabes can consider if they REALLY want to business there. Perspective IS important! What you feel / think MATTERS!<br><br>&gt; I finally got them to put my e-mail address on the order, supposedly,<br>Humm??? Did YOU - PERSONALLY place YOUR order on the Toyota Prius web site? Or did you let the dealer "order" for you?<br><br>&gt; but they are "having trouble" printing out a copy of the order for me. <br>This is NOT a good sign!<br><br>&gt; They did give me a purchase request number, but I am not sure how <br>&gt; to proceed with this to check on the status.<br>IF the order was PROPERLY entered with YOUR E-Mail address, then YOU should be getting E-Mail from Toyota. This is what happens when YOU place YOUR order for YOUR Prius.<br><br>&gt; Could someone who went through the process please describe <br>&gt; what is supposed to happen next?<br>The entire process is plainly outlined at the Prius web site BUT:<br>1) YOU place YOUR order on the Prius web site: <a href=http://prius.toyota.com target=new>http://prius.toyota.com</a> and get YOUR PR number.<br>2) YOU pick a Prius certified dealer to deliver YOUR Prius, negotiate price (MSRP and not a PENNY more) and the other dealercrittercrap, give them your PR number and they "should" confirm YOUR order.<br>3) You do a LOT of waiting while YOUR Prius is being built.<br>You see - it is YOUR order, NOT the dealers. It's YOUR car, NOT the dealer's.<br>ALL the dealer does is prep and deliver YOUR Prius - after you pay them, of course.<br><br>&gt; In addition to this being a Prius, it is also my first NEW, new car. So, <br>&gt; I am eager to have everything go smoothly and correctly. <br>Well...<br>There are NO mandatory "options" - Absolutely NOTHING that the dealer is authorized to add to YOUR Prius without YOUR permission. You should get EXACTLY what you ordered - NO more and NO less. Mistakes simply do NOT happen - it's a pure attempt to defraud YOU. (apology to "our" member dealers but your competition DID earn their reputation...)<br><br>There is, to the best of my knowledge, NO "protection plan" specifically applicable to the Prius. If you feel you MUST have it "costs" (from recollection of a group member that canceled and actually got a refund on the Platinum Plan ) about $800 - $400 for Toyota and $400 "profit" for the dealer. You "can" do better elsewhere.<br><br>Finally - with TWO exceptions, the ONLY options available for the Prius are listed on the official Prius website. The exceptions are the very expensive 6 CD changer (dealer can order and add) and the Cruise kit ( THANKS Priusman ! ) which should be available momentarily. The Navigation system IS NOT an option - and is unlikely to be an add-on. Side air bags are NOT an option. You CAN'T get "Blue" or DRL.<br>Of course, if you are a celebrity, politician or a "notable" someone, you can order anything your heart desires...<br><br>Please keep in mind: It

Sharon,<br>See message #4567 detailing confirmation process.<br>Good luck,<br>Zeke

Sharon, I think you've gotten pretty good direction on what should happen with your order. I would like to add 3 things. <br>1)The purchase request number means nothing unless you have confirmation in the form of an e-mail from Toyota corporate.<br>2)If you are certain that your name and e-mail address is on the purchase request I am pretty sure that if things did not go correctly Toyota should send you an e-mail within two weeks, or 15 days, or something of that ordersaying that your order was not finalized with a dealer and that you need to do so or get removed from the order list. I would imagine that the confirmation e-mail should come during the same period.<br>3)If that period goes by and you have heard nothing - no confirmation and no finalization request - you probably need to go back to your dealer. Don't bother asking them questions. Just have them give you the contact information for your REGIONAL sales manager or customer service person. If the dealer offers to call for you, don't take the bait unless you are right there and see them press the correct numbers on the phone. Make certain that the regional person is given your name and contact info. Probably you are better off just calling yourself. The regional office is the only possible place you can go for satisfaction... or Priusman. But I'd go for the region as the more "legitimate" route.<br>I think Bill Powell got the point across with all of the capital YOUs. It's your money. If the dealer hassles you about making phone calls let them know that it is your money and as a Toyota customer you have the right to take every action necessary to insure YOUR complete satisfaction. Even though it might be a difficult wait, you should probably wait the two weeks before you call the regional person and have them check on your unconfirmed order. Maybe somebody has more detailed info on this confirmation wait.<br>The Prius was my first new car purchase as well and I wouldn't wish that nightmare on anyone (though owning the car certainly does sweeten the experience a bit). And if your dealer happens to be Lawrence Toyota in NJ (ptooey!) go elsewhere as quickly as possible. Don't look back. Otherwise, do what it takes to insure that you are satisfied and of sound mind about the situation. Best of luck.<br>Scott

I forgot to point out that if you get the "you need to finalize with a dealer" message then your dealer obviously screwed up and you'd best get a hold of your regional guy as quickly as possible.<br>Scott