Beware: Orders are NOT guaranteed!

[russcook]

Update. Success (for now). I have received a letter from the dealer confirming that they will be delivering the Challenger I ordered at the agreed price. My name is back on the order with Chrysler. It took an attorney letter with the following information:

1. A copy of the email I received two years ago when I put down my deposit confirming that I would receive the first Challenger delivered to the dealership.
2. A copy of the signed purchase order contract stating the agreed price, description of the Challenger I ordered and the words "non-refundable" next to the deposit figure.
3. A copy of the Ward's Auto article on dealer pricing of the Challenger.
Don't Want People Paying $20,000 Over

The letter stated that if the dealer would not honor the contract, then I would file complaints with the department of consumer affairs, better business bureau, dealer license bureau of my state, and contact the local CBS affiliate (I figured being specific would make it seem I knew people there or had contacted them already). Also I would file a court complaint for breach of contract, or if no contract exists, then fraudulent misrepresentation and would get a court ordered injunction on the Challenger I ordered (thanks for that one jptxchallenger) until the issue was resolved one way or the other (goodbye johnny come lately who offered them more for the car I ordered).

FYI. If you have to write a similar letter to your dealer, check first with the secretary of state to make sure you know the owner's name and information. Turns out I was dealing with the owner's son, not the owner (who was retired). I sent my demand letter to the owner father (certified mail to his home) and the whole situation changed.

Also I think Chrysler is hearing our complaints. The customer service representatives I contacted recently were extremely helpful. They emailed the district manager and kept me on hold while they contacted the dealer to "find out what the heck was going on". Some reps are more helpful than others, so if you are not satisfied, call back.

After reading here that some people want to pay dealer's 100,000 over MSRP, I believe people who think they have solid orders at 10,000 or 20,000 over MSRP have reason to worry. Be prepared.

[ResumeSpeed]

Originally Posted by russcook

...After reading here that some people want to pay dealer's 100,000 over MSRP...

Total salesman BS story, he was lying through his teeth. I bet if you asked some of the other salesman at the same dealership you'd get a different answer from each one.

[DeviceSpy]

If they are going to pay 100,000 over the MSRP - that puts the price at around $150,000. I know where you could probably get an original restored Challenger for that price :-)

[jptxchallenger]

Congratulations Russcook,

I don't mean it to sound like I am complaining but if you look at when Ford did the new Mustang they sold several hundred thousand units. With that great success they are now able to build the Shelby, Mach 1, Bullitt etc.

I cannot wait to see a Vanishing Point version of the Challenger and a 6 speed manual and all of these great things. However these will all be great dreams that will die due to the evil words "lack of sales".

Ford made the Mustang sound and feel that anyone could afford one thus made it easier for people to take interest in buying the car.

If Dodge makes the process easier to get a Challenger and welcome the potential new customers they will have a huge hit that will sell several hundred thousand units.

It would be great that they give a break to the loyalist on the first run and say we want you guys to drive these things and brag about how great it is.

When the day comes that I take possesion of the one I have on order, do I want to show it off and brag about it.

You betcha!

[SIX-PAK]

Ruscook - finally some good news for the loyal customer ! Good for you
May this serve as an example to who ever wants to screw with us !
Did you get the positive response from more than one customer representative at Chrysler !!?? Wow ! Chrysler is finally feeling the pressure to step-in ! Good stuff indeed

[SRTpusher]

sweet, glad to hear everything worked out ok!

[GEORGE]

I'm Sure You Want A End To The Madness ,this Is My Solution ,file A Suit In Small Claims Court/ $20.00-to$45.00 Dollars To Do So. Sue Dealer./dodge Etc. Sue For Maxium In Your State. All You Need Is Your Contract, Present It To The Judge He/she Will Make The Either Tell You Are Wrong, Or Award You A Judgement. The Judge Will Either Offer You The Max Money Or The Car If They Inforce The Contract.
A Lawyer To Represent The Dealer Will Cost $500.00 Per/hr. You Probably Never Get To Court, The Dealer Rep. Will Be Calling You When They Are Served With Thr Court Papers For The Suit.
I Know This Works, I Did To State Farm Ins. Co . They Called Tried To Snow Me I Said No Thanks, They Called Back 5min. Later And Settled.
The Catch Is Them Paying A Lawyer When They Have No Defence, They Loose Any Way They Look At It,even If Thr Judge Rules In Their Favor.
Good Luck.
P.s. Cheap Way To Get Legal Answer..

[russcook]

Originally Posted by 6 Pack

Ruscook - finally some good news for the loyal customer ! Good for you
May this serve as an example to who ever wants to screw with us !
Did you get the positive response from more than one customer representative at Chrysler !!?? Wow ! Chrysler is finally feeling the pressure to step-in ! Good stuff indeed

In the beginning all I was told was to contact the district manager and schedule a meeting. However, the customer service representatives could not give me his/her name and phone number. They told me to contact the dealer for this information. I contacted numerous dealers in my area and no one could (would) provide me with that information. Since then they all were helpful, sending emails to the District Manager and contacting the dealer for me without me asking them, putting me on hold, and providing me with feedback. They also asked me detailed questions on the situation and recorded everything.

I really hope this does not happen to any more people. Customers should be able to sign the purchase order contracts and leave their deposit money with the dealer with confidence.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by russcook

In the beginning all I was told was to contact the district manager and schedule a meeting. However, the customer service representatives could not give me his/her name and phone number. They told me to contact the dealer for this information. I contacted numerous dealers in my area and no one could (would) provide me with that information. Since then they all were helpful, sending emails to the District Manager and contacting the dealer for me without me asking them, putting me on hold, and providing me with feedback. They also asked me detailed questions on the situation and recorded everything.

I really hope this does not happen to any more people. Customers should be able to sign the purchase order contracts and leave their deposit money with the dealer with confidence.

I'm really glad to hear you fought the jerks and won, I really am. Dealers may claim the "right" to price-gouge and break contracts, but we as consumers have the right to fight back.

[jptxchallenger]

Just out of curiousity, who all in this group has orders placed with their dealership with deposits?
The reason I ask is it would be cool if we could all let each other know on how our actual orders were handled with the dealership when the Challengers are delivered.

We should make sure that we give either a great review to Chrysler or the most negative review on how these orders were handled.

It would be great to help out the friendly dealers and totally slam the ones that do not care about the loyal customers.