718 GTS Allocation Waiting Times
Discussion
Porsche guy said:
Think you need to lay the law down, are they just holding your deposit for obvious reasons?
Hope not.
Thankfully I doubt it’s likely they’d go through all the hassle of the ordering process for the minor benefit of holding a £3k deposit. Hope not.
They agreed to the order only after a couple of years after I initially expressed an interest, and me being in contact a handful of times just to keep them up to date with my situation and what I was looking for.
I know the sales manager signed off on my placing the order but the challenge for me as I see it is that I don’t really hold many cards here. I’m not a long standing customer and don’t have a huge existing relationship with their sales manager. There’s every chance that the sales manager may choose to give the next slots to a “better” customer.
I’ve not been able to get a straight answer from the sales exec as to where I am on their list, but equally I do not want to be an annoying/pestering customer as they could easily just cancel the order and return the deposit.
It’s a fine line I’m having to tread given most slots do go to people who’ve bought multiple cars over several years.
MrChips said:
Hmm, what's the latest info they've given you ref a build slot? My original estimate was most likely Q1 2022 based on their current rate at the time. I understand that build slots have been hugely impacted this year so i don't doubt my turn isn't anytime soon but things like this really do make me worry that they're not taking my order seriously!
I'll ask them about the PEC next time i'm in contact with them.
The sales guy I’m in contact with is on leave until mid next week so will give you an update once I hear back from him. I'll ask them about the PEC next time i'm in contact with them.
I was told I was 5th in line at the point of deposit and I had no previous relationship with this OPC and was doing the rounds of calling every OPC up to see who would take my deposit and put me on the list.
They initially wanted a £10k deposit but agreed for a £5k deposit once I told them that’s what the other OPCs were asking.
Porsche guy said:
Strange, the deposit on a car is/was £5k
This was from the paperwork, the sales guy did originally say £5k but then asked for £3k as it’s not a GT car officially.
Have to say I don’t have any suspicion that something is wrong here, just that there’s a very real possibility that I’m way down the pecking order which means more “important” customers may get given a slot ahead of me rather than it being done in order of deposits being made.
I also think the official line is that dealers shouldn’t be taking a deposit at all until they know they have a production slot. However I work in the industry and the real world is of course very different!
Edited by MrChips on Sunday 5th December 20:23
MrChips said:
Porsche guy said:
Strange, the deposit on a car is/was £5k
This was from the paperwork, the sales guy did originally say £5k but then asked for £3k as it’s not a GT car officially.Have to say I don’t have any suspicion that something is wrong here, just that there’s a very real possibility that I’m way down the pecking order which means more “important” customers may get given a slot ahead of me rather than it being done in order of deposits being made.
I also think the official line is that dealers shouldn’t be taking a deposit at all until they know they have a production slot. However I work in the industry and the real world is of course very different!
Edited by MrChips on Sunday 5th December 20:23
MrChips said:
This makes me bit sad in the sense that i placed a deposit for a Spyder in Jan 21, but have yet to have any invite to the PEC, and also no slot. I always thought the trigger point for being offered a day at Silverstone was when they'd secured a build slot!??
I think you're expecting thinking to be a bit more joined up than it really is, but PEC invite and allocation seem to roughly align from my experience of ordering last 2, spec freeze after that seems to be more of a moveable thing. Does seem you are waiting longer than me, but you've gone for something special, and I guess they'll want to build a few at the same time as each other.Ordered a relatively plain 718 Cayman in early Feb '21. Allocation was in May or June I think, spec freeze late September (painfully later than expected), car landed last week of November (earlier than hoped for, dealer had expected mid-December), and I picked up weekend just gone. PEC invite turned up end of April and I haven't even thought about it because last time around the "experience" felt to be such a long time before the car was in my garage. Around the time of the spec freeze on my latest one, 911 orders were evidently all for 2023 delivery at my local Porsche Centre, so it's not like we get it worse.
Hopefully you'll hear something soon. If it helps any, even a relatively "pov spec" 718 has brightened the last few days - just great! Both mine were approximately 10 months from deposit paid to delivery. They are worth the wait.
Liam
MrChips said:
Have to say I don’t have any suspicion that something is wrong here, just that there’s a very real possibility that I’m way down the pecking order which means more “important” customers may get given a slot ahead of me rather than it being done in order of deposits being made.
I had a very serious conversation about this with my local Porsche Dealer when I found out my first 718 Cayman was going to be at least 3 months later than originally predicted. (As it turned out, it was 5 months later.) I was told in terms that I completely believed that the order of deposits being taken is the order of cars being allocated and delivered. It might be worth doing as I did back then, and having a word with the dealer principle / MD to believe it. I honestly don't think they allow queue jumping, even though it seems you might need a special handshake or something to get on "ze list" for some models.
Liam
Had two deposits for a GT4 (one of which was ordered as a GTS4 on the off-chance it could be upgraded) at two dealers for months and months. I finally pulled the plug after six months with no communication or any indication about availability, build slots, build times, expected deliveries etc.
When I asked for my deposits back I was told by both dealers... wait, we might be able to get a slot soon. Really? Just as I pull the plug both dealers stick their heads above the parapet?
Great, so I get a slot, when am I likely to get a car...?
Er we 'think' maybe sometime in Q2 2022...maybe.
Porsche ordering is a s
t show.
I have jumped ship and gone with another brand. I'm not going to be carrot-dangled on the off-chance that Porsche might 'let me' buy one of their cars on a schedule that is indeterminate at best.
In the meantime they launch the GT4 RS; Great, another car that no one can actually buy whilst customers are still waiting for any crumb of an idea when they 'might' get a vehicle.
I know Porsche is an 'aspirational brand' but for a company that has spent the last 90 years 'continuously evolving' they ought to get their customer service sorted because that is far from aspirational.
I know the world is in a bit of a mess at the moment and production is 'difficult' at lots of manufacturers but most seem to be able to set expectations and actually produce cars.
When I asked for my deposits back I was told by both dealers... wait, we might be able to get a slot soon. Really? Just as I pull the plug both dealers stick their heads above the parapet?
Great, so I get a slot, when am I likely to get a car...?
Er we 'think' maybe sometime in Q2 2022...maybe.
Porsche ordering is a s
t show.I have jumped ship and gone with another brand. I'm not going to be carrot-dangled on the off-chance that Porsche might 'let me' buy one of their cars on a schedule that is indeterminate at best.
In the meantime they launch the GT4 RS; Great, another car that no one can actually buy whilst customers are still waiting for any crumb of an idea when they 'might' get a vehicle.
I know Porsche is an 'aspirational brand' but for a company that has spent the last 90 years 'continuously evolving' they ought to get their customer service sorted because that is far from aspirational.
I know the world is in a bit of a mess at the moment and production is 'difficult' at lots of manufacturers but most seem to be able to set expectations and actually produce cars.
Edited by Coilover on Tuesday 21st December 12:57
Doubtless there are some dealerships that play it straight but there are too many of these stories where it appears that the customer is being at best misled if not downright duped.
I’ve personal historical experience of buying Porsche cars and waiting 12+ months for them and it was a lot more straightforward than it appears now.
Unfortunately chip issues and the fact that PCGB sit in-between Porsche AG and your dealer gives freedom for confusion and doubt to be introduced.
I too am heartily sick of Porsche constantly promoting cars in the media that no one can buy. It’s no longer an aspirational brand merely an impossible one.
I’ve personal historical experience of buying Porsche cars and waiting 12+ months for them and it was a lot more straightforward than it appears now.
Unfortunately chip issues and the fact that PCGB sit in-between Porsche AG and your dealer gives freedom for confusion and doubt to be introduced.
I too am heartily sick of Porsche constantly promoting cars in the media that no one can buy. It’s no longer an aspirational brand merely an impossible one.
Thought I'd join this discussion as I've got a Cayman GTS 4.0 manual on order.
Might land towards end 2022, latest 1.3.23
The waiting is a killer. Ive had various models over the years; 986, 987 Boxsters and 981 Cayman. This will be my first 718 and given the life expectancy, the last!
Might land towards end 2022, latest 1.3.23
The waiting is a killer. Ive had various models over the years; 986, 987 Boxsters and 981 Cayman. This will be my first 718 and given the life expectancy, the last!
badger748 said:
Thought I'd join this discussion as I've got a Cayman GTS 4.0 manual on order.
Might land towards end 2022, latest 1.3.23
The waiting is a killer. Ive had various models over the years; 986, 987 Boxsters and 981 Cayman. This will be my first 718 and given the life expectancy, the last!
Can I ask when did you put down a deposit?Might land towards end 2022, latest 1.3.23
The waiting is a killer. Ive had various models over the years; 986, 987 Boxsters and 981 Cayman. This will be my first 718 and given the life expectancy, the last!
RTA3 said:
Can I ask when did you put down a deposit?
Not too far back actually. OPC optimistic back end 2022, worst case, first 1/4 2023. Either way, its a 12 or 15 month wait. Broadly what I was expecting and mirrored a few other OPC's I spoke to during the process.
As i understand its £3k dep. Bring it up to 10% when you lock in spec.
What came out more in my discussions was the fact that a cut off point for deposits / order was close. The vibe i got was that mid-2023 was the end point for new 718's. I guess we will see how the electric revolution goes!
Ordered a Boxster GTS 4.0 in Feb 2011, with delivery for April 2022, dealer informs me today that he has no allocation and no idea when he will. Very frustrating. Does anyone know what the workflow process is?
My guess (with some gaps):
ORDER PLACED -> DEPOSIT PAID -> ?? -> ?? - ALLOCATION MADE -> FINAL SPEC CONFIRMED -> EST DELIVERY DATE -> ACTUAL DELIVERY DATE
I'm looking to collect some data on this. If you're interested, I have a spreadsheet here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/127d1AypKv4...
Feel free to add your data. Would be interesting to do some analysis.
My guess (with some gaps):
ORDER PLACED -> DEPOSIT PAID -> ?? -> ?? - ALLOCATION MADE -> FINAL SPEC CONFIRMED -> EST DELIVERY DATE -> ACTUAL DELIVERY DATE
I'm looking to collect some data on this. If you're interested, I have a spreadsheet here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/127d1AypKv4...
Feel free to add your data. Would be interesting to do some analysis.
Athboy501 said:
Johnrosk said:
Good morning all
It would be interesting to know how long people have been waiting to get an allocation after paying their deposit. To date, I have been waiting 5 months.
I'll be collecting mine 9 months to the day I ordered it.It would be interesting to know how long people have been waiting to get an allocation after paying their deposit. To date, I have been waiting 5 months.
I work for a much smaller manufacturer and the chip shortage really is wreaking havoc.
I don't think the PEC invite is linked to anything other than the order being processed. I had mine along time before my build slot was confirmed.
Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff