Are dealerships getting accurate information on shipments?

I put money down on a Tacoma that was supposed to already have arrived, but the date came and went and now they have a new arrival date further out. I know that these reporting systems are not really built for this kind of flow, where usually there's cars on the lot or somewhere around it to trade. Sales people didn't have to depend on accurate reporting from the factory line till this whole fiasco.

I've passed up two other cars in the wait time and now Im kicking myself for not having sacrificed on one of my features and just having gotten one that actually exists.

Im worried that this car is just sitting at a factory somewhere not being finished because of some weird prioritization issue and my sales folk are just going to keep saying '2 weeks but this time for real.'

 

They only know what they are being told. Which is probably a guesstimate anyways. My dad ordered a new rav4 hybrid, it was supposed to be in this week and its now been pushed back to the end of june. A sales guy isn't going to say something like, oh well we dont actually know but it could show up any time now. Doesnt really look too great on the dealer.

 

Sitting in a factory somewhere not being finished? You didn't buy a Ford or GM, there is no "we'll build half a truck and finish it later" at Toyota. Production is delayed due to supply chain issues. Time tables will be ever changing until those issues are resolved...which won't be any time soon.

Your choices are hurry up and wait, or buy something off the lot.

 

In a word, no, they dont. It almost never goes direct from factory to dealer. It goes from factory to transport hub to port distributorship to local rail terminal to dealer.

Also, if a salesman tells you its sunny out, pack your umbrella. Not that they intend to be dishonest or anything, its just that most sales personalities have the compulsion to fill every moment with anything that isn't silence.

 

They keep telling me that it 'was last seen at the factory' and it should be going to the transport hub. Thing is they've said this multiple times, so now I essentially know that it just is at the factory and it seems they don't know when it'll move from there... I have to buy plan tickets if I don't get the car in time for a trip so they are really pissing me off with the run around...

 

The dealer really can't get a guaranteed answer from the factory. Note use of the word "should." I doubt that the dealer is purposely giving you the runaround, it's just that they can't get a firm date due to the supply chain issues AND that no salesperson wants to give a discouraging answer to a customer.
Patience is a virtue.

 

The Dealer Daily allows them to locate any vehicle designated for them. But, it merely shows location/status and projected/actual dates. I've attached a copy of one from my truck. They can see where yours is but not why it isn't moving. As has been stated, the issues are supply chain related, primarily with computer chips, which is affecting not just the auto industry.