Salesman disappeared?

So little info to start off. Im early 50's and have only owned a couple of vehicles that I bought used and drove until they fell apart. This is my first actual new car buying experience so bear with me. (I know thats unusual, what can I say?..)

I put a deposit down on a SR5 maybe a week and a half ago. Had spoken with sales guy on the phone. Truck is still in the build phase and they said it would be delivered in December. He had said he sent me paperwork via email a couple of times but I hadnt received it and had to follow up with him. When I did he finally sent the motor vehicle purchase contract.

(Side story, this was a red flag to me because I had been talking to another salesman at a different dealership who had said he sent multiple emails which I never got. I checked junk mail folder, called him a couple of times after which he said he would resend. Long story short never got the emails and he fell off the face of the earth and I moved on. Is the "non-existent email" thing some sort of sales tactic Im not aware of?)

Anyway, I did finally get the contract from this guy. Lots of blank spaces. No VIN, no color, doc fee line blank, # of cylinders blank, # of doors blank, etc. Ive tried calling three times now and have left messages for a call back with no reply. Is this typical? I feel funny signing a document with so much info missing. Also, I havent seen the truck yet so, again, hesitant to sign anything.

Am I supposed to sign this partially filled in doc for a truck I havent laid eyes on yet or do I wait until it has arrived? Are they blowing me off because I havent returned a signed doc? Can they sell the truck to someone else even though I have given them a deposit, and if so whats the point of a deposit?

 

I'd sign nothing filled with blanks.

Go to the dealership and ask for the sales manager. If he defends his internet salesman, go to another dealer.

 

Former sales director here. Salesmen and women are very lazy. They tend to rather focus on the low hanging fruit (customer sitting in front of them) than the guy buying next month who they possibly haven’t met yet. Plus it’s not a deal for this month so they are less inclined.
Furthermore to get the “contract” they have to have their desk manager load the information into the computer then find the elusive finance manager who’s probably in the back office supplying pork to the receptionist in order to print the buyers order.
I wouldn’t be concerned about lack of doors, VIN, etc. I would be concerned if it lacked a selling price including all fees. They may not have a VIN yet, but not sure when that is assigned. I would also make sure you can offer a $500 refundable deposit to show you are serious (it also “locks” down the unit in your name).

 

This is good to hear. They had confirmed over the phone the deposit was refundable. (not sure if thats worth anything). Contract lists total contract sales amount, amount to be financed, cash on delivery, total payments etc. They do list an admin fee which I assume is their version of a doc fee?

 

Correct, usually I’m concerned with the bottom number. They can charge $5,000 dealer handling if the OTD price is what I feel is fair. Most franchise dealers do pre-loads such as tint, passive security like etch or data dots, make sure none of that is on the truck since the margin is ridiculous typically. We sold window etching for $355, of which our cost was $72 for the warranty coverage ($283 profit).

 

with dealers, if it's not in writing, with everyone getting a copy, it doesn't count. i would check on your deposit.

 

Thanks for the replies.

So am I correct to assume I can just sit tight and wait for a call from them that the truck has arrived, I look it over, take it for a spin and if all is well I then sign the contract? Prior to that, the deposit holds the truck in my name until I either buy it or back out of the deal and they cant or wont sell it to someone else?

 

Career salesman here, not automotive. Lazy sales people don't exist in my industry. We run a 3-6 month cycle and we're always, always looking a year ahead. Don't paint us all with the same brush
If you're buying something from me, you're getting a turn-key industrial solution within budget and on time. I'm the guy picking up the phone at 1am when you have questions, and I'm the guy on-site every time something unexpected (and it always does) pops up. I'm the guy you call if you want something done right, not cheap. Pay a premium not to have problems, and you don't have problems.

Car salesmen though. Yah, they suck for the most part lol. I don't sell products, I build relationships and sell solutions.

 

Long story short, they don't care. It takes zero effort to fill out a contract and make sure it's emailed properly. I email contracts several times a week to people spending hundreds of thousands of dollars, and I just do the bare minimum and call them to confirm they received the documentation and let them know to direct any questions my way. It takes almost no effort to see the sales process through correctly. You've unfortunately been dealing with shitty salespeople. But car dealers will hire most anyone, so it's not a big surprise.

Side note -- I used to sell Toyota forklifts back in the day. Forklift, just like a car, right? Nope. I had to have a 4 year degree, went through 3 interviews, and after I was hired, I was flown to Columbus, IN for a week of classes at the manufacturing plant several times. I haven't sold a Toyota forklift in 10 years, but I can still rattle off all the features, benefits, and incentive programs for an 8FGCU25. (8 series, Forklift, Gas(propane) Cushion tire, U(forget what the U means) 25 = 5,000lb lift capacity)

One last fun fact. The toyota car techs and toyota forklift techs wear the same uniforms.

 

I don't know what you're selling, but I feel compelled to buy. I'll take 2.

 

If you ever need to build a turn-key distribution center with storage, material handling, and conveyance, give me a call lol

 

Correct

 

Updating this thread. Finally heard form the salesman a while back. Long story short the delivery date has changed several times. Always next week with me calling on Friday and him saying next week. Got a call from someone other than him (didnt catch the title other than I think he was a finance guy) who now said between Dec 21 and Jan 5. Is it normal for the dates to continuously change from week to week? Started in October when they couldnt give me a date, then sometime in Dec, then a couple of specific weeks in Dec and now end of Dec/beginning of Jan. Is this normal behavior?

I understand they have no control over shipping, but does it take a month to get from MX to MA?