[digger]

Wow! This forum is incredible! We are taking delivery of our 01 MB EX sometime in "the middle" of this week.

They don't have a VIN# yet which is a little bit worrisome, but they say that's how their system works. True? No VIN# until the week of delivery? Are they just blowing smoke and setting us up for delay?

 

[johnkalajian]

As I understood the process, the dealer gets the vin number shortly after the van is built and before shipment. It takes around ten days to get the van from the factory to the dealership. Dealer should have vin number before van is shipped.

 

[famguy]

Vin #'s should not be a problem. Just as long as everything with a # matches. Just double check the Van before you drive off. The dealer is responsible for the van until you drive it off the lot. Congrats on your new van.

 

[famguy]

The van should have all of it VIN #'s from the factory. The dealer does not need to install any tags. That's just odd to see the dealer doing that.

 

[digger]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by johnkalajian:
As I understood the process, the dealer gets the vin number shortly after the van is built and before shipment. It takes around ten days to get the van from the factory to the dealership. Dealer should have vin number before van is shipped.</font>

That's how I understood it as well. But the dealer is telling us that our EX is "coming in by the end of the month", which for them, translates to "by Friday". I don't know what the deal is. They don't have a vin#, but they know the EX is coming in. Strange.

 

[digger]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by famguy:
The van should have all of it VIN #'s from the factory. The dealer does not need to install any tags. That's just odd to see the dealer doing that.</font>

I meant to write: they don't know the vin#, so we can't sign the contract, and I can't get my insurance setup on it; not that they need to add the vin# to the EX. And I thought they new the vin#s well before the vans actually arrived at the dealership.

 

[sdp]

johnkalajian is 100% correct. Each dealer knows how many Ody's, LX or EX and color are due each month (i.e., their allotment) weeks in advance. The VIN is know as soon as the van is built. My dealer emailed me the VIN the day my van was built, even before they knew the shipping date.

I suggest you pester your dealer about his lack of knowledge, or try to uncover if he is playing some kind of game. Perhaps getting the Ody from some other dealer, or he's stringing you along in case he can find someone to pay more for the van before he lets you have it. No VIN for you = no commitment for him is my take...

Let us know how it goes for you.

------------------
Steve
'01 GG EX w/ 2900 miles
Towing package, fog lights, KB subwoofer, leather steering wrap, splash guards, cargo tray, wheel locks, cross bars, Pioneer speakers

[This message has been edited by sdp (edited 06-26-2001).]

 

[sdp]

oops, my mistake. Jim, please delete.

[This message has been edited by sdp (edited 06-26-2001).]

 

[travis]

When we signed up for our van I was led to believe we would have a VIN # before the van got here. Then as it turned out, the van got here on time even though we had not received a VIN # before hand. Maybe the dealer had it and just didn't give it to us. I really don't know.
We were even told on Monday of the week that the van wouldn't arrive that week because it wasn't on their report. Then on Wednesday the van showed up. Maybe their system is not as perfect as they would like and sometimes strange things happen. I felt comfortable with our dealer so I guess I really didn't worry about it.

Travis

 

[famguy]

They should have the VIN # when they order the van. That is how they track new arrivals.
The dealer had my # as soon as the van was ordered. But if you don't have the #, you can use your current insurance as temporary for the van till the new policy can be set.

 

[digger]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Each dealer knows how many Ody's, LX or EX and color are due each month (i.e., their allotment) weeks in advance. The VIN is know as soon as the van is built. My dealer emailed me the VIN the day my van was built, even before they knew the shipping date.</font>

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">When we signed up for our van I was led to believe we would have a VIN # before the van got here. Then as it turned out, the van got here on time even though we had not received a VIN # before hand. Maybe the dealer had it and just didn't give it to us. I really don't know.

We were even told on Monday of the week that the van wouldn't arrive that week because it wasn't on their report. Then on Wednesday the van showed up.</font>

Interestingly opposite answers. It seems like maybe some Honda dealerships are setup for the vin# before shipping deal, and some aren't? For those that got their vin# well in advance, were you on a waitlist? We aren't.

All I know is, the dealership is telling us they know how many vans are coming in within a given week and the colors and that's it. They get 15 a month and this is the end of the month.

Actually the dealership called today to tell us that some LXs came in and that on our early paperwork it said LX. But, he saw that we are buying the EX and that they are supposed to get another shipment by the end of the week.

[This message has been edited by digger (edited 06-26-2001).]

[This message has been edited by digger (edited 06-26-2001).]

 

[sdp]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by digger:
Interestingly opposite answers. It seems like maybe some Honda dealerships are setup for the vin# before shipping deal, and some aren't? For those that got their vin# well in advance, were you on a waitlist? We aren't.
</font>

Well, Travis said the dealer may have had it and just didn't tell him, which leads me to believe the dealer just forgot to tell him or that Travis didn't ask for it. I can see where a dealer might not offer it if not asked - I know my mother wouldn't care to know the VIN or ask...

I'd guess that some dealers or sales managers keep their salespeople away from these "nitty gritty details" while others are fully aware/involved. Or maybe even that some dealers bother to look it up or ask, while others don't want to be bothered.

I was not on a wait list. The dealer, Alton-Blakely, posted here in early March that they had just found out that 3 Ody's were allocated to them in a late April build, and that they had noone waiting for them. They posted the 3 different colors that were coming in, and that one was a navi. I signed up for the GG EX via email and gave them a credit card deposit over the phone. The next email was that it was built, here is your VIN, and we'll let you know when it is scheduled to ship (and arrive). I used the VIN to get my insurance paperwork in process, though I needed the Certificate of Origin (title) to finish it up. They receive the COO before the van even shows up, which they faxed to my insurance agent for me.

So my guess is, at worst they are too lazy to look it up. In any case, the dealer keeping in contact with you is a good sign. Good luck with your purchase, and sing out loud when you get it!

 

[travis]

I guess I should try to give more details. sdp, you are correct in saying I did not ask for the VIN. When I put down a deposit in early May the dealer told me mid June to get my van. In early June I called and they told me it was being built and would arrive by June 13. On June 11 I called and they told me they had received their list of what was arriving that week and my van wasn't on it. I assumed that was the list that had VINs. Then on June 13 they called and said the van was there. It arrived even though they weren't expecting it.

So they might have had the VIN before the van came and I didn't get it because I didn't ask. Or they maybe only got the VIN when the van arrived. I don't know. ( come to think of it, I am not adding much to this conversation am I ;-)

I do have a question though. I talked to my insurance agent and he assured me I was covered on my new van for 30 days because of my coverage on my old vehicle. Is that a law that is specific to certain states or would that apply to everyone?

Travis

 

[groupset]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by travis:
I do have a question though. I talked to my insurance agent and he assured me I was covered on my new van for 30 days because of my coverage on my old vehicle. Is that a law that is specific to certain states or would that apply to everyone?</font>

That's the way it is in Oklahoma, Travis. I've been with State Farm for many years; I've got 30 days coverage on any newly-acquired vehicle (whether new or used) that's a replacement for a currently insured vehicle with them. I always advise them the day I get a different vehicle, however, just to avoid any potential problems.



------------------
David
'01 GG EX-NAVI
Classic Soft Trim leather kit; Audiovox entertainment system; Gentex auto dimming compass/temp rear view mirror; Pioneer speakers front & rear; splash guards; cargo tray; cargo liner; power door mods; Helm manual; Honda litter bag.

 

[travis]

David,
Actually I am in Oklahoma City, so I guess we have the same situation.

Travis


------------------
2001 MB EX, Splash Guards, Cargo Tray, Wheel Locks, Pioneer Speakers

 

[Atonal]

Hmmm... I just bought a 2001 GG EX-NAVI on Monday 6/25/01, and received my van on Tuesday 6/26/01 in the color I wanted with the options I wanted. Did I get lucky???

 

[digger]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by johnkalajian:
As I understood the process, the dealer gets the vin number shortly after the van is built and before shipment. It takes around ten days to get the van from the factory to the dealership. Dealer should have vin number before van is shipped.</font>

You were all right, and our saleswoman lied to our face. We got our vin# today. Our van shipped two days ago and as of 5 pm today, there is no arrival date set, but the new car manager estimated "second week of July".

We are pretty p-oed at this point. If the van wasn't coming in for 3 weeks, then say so. Don't tell us it is coming in the following week when you know for a fact it is not. An SS EX came in that was available, but why should we take an SS when my wife wanted MB and was told it was coming in by the end of the month? Our saleswoman knew all along it wasn't going to come in that early.

On top of that, they never applied for financing for us - so our quoted interest rate was simply an educated guess by the sales manager. This is not a minor detail either as I have had some credit problems in the past so the interest rate is key to the monthly payment, and our ability to afford an EX.

I have cards in my hand that they haven't seen yet. I will divulge the details when they get played out. I'd love to write about them, but you never know who reads this board.

Stay Tuned.

Digger



[This message has been edited by digger (edited 06-29-2001).]

 

[groupset]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by travis:
David, Actually I am in Oklahoma City, so I guess we have the same situation.

Travis</font>

Sorry Travis! I didn't realize you were just down the 'pike when I posted my message.



------------------
David
'01 GG EX-NAVI
Classic Soft Trim leather kit; Audiovox entertainment system; Gentex auto dimming compass/temp rear view mirror; Pioneer speakers front & rear; splash guards; cargo tray; cargo liner; power door mods; Helm manual; Honda litter bag.

 

[digger]

I'll chronicle this is the proper dealer stories forum, but we are now the proud owners of a 01 MB EX - which we got from a different dealership, for the exact same deal, and the proper financing.

Amen.

Digger