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From: jjsk@ihuxn.UUCP (jim kent)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: HONDA CRX (follow up)
Message-ID: <735@ihuxn.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 27-Jun-84 12:24:42 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihuxn.735
Posted: Wed Jun 27 12:24:42 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 28-Jun-84 05:31:55 EDT
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 66


[ ]

This is an update to my previously submitted artical, part of which
is shown below.

 >Does anyone out there have information on the new Honda 2-seater. I
 >know its been chosen as "import car of the year" by Motor Trend,
 >but do they actually exist? I ordered one 2 months ago at a dealer
 >in the Chicago area. At that time, quoted delivery was to be within
 >2 months. They now say I wont get one for another 2 to 3 months!
 >Anybody getting a different story? I know they are now selling
 >these cars at a BIG markup over list. When I ordered mine, the price
 >was still around list. Could it be that the said dealer is delivering
 >the cars based on the amount of profit he makes, and not on first come
 >first served? Nah, that wouldn't be ethical and we all know car dealers
 >are ethical. Don't we.  (:-) ALso, I didn't put on any dealer applied options.
 >I think I'm in big trouble.

Yes I was in big trouble. Last week (6/21) I received a letter from my
friendly Honda dealer concerning this order. The letter thanked
me for waiting, but since Honda could not supply CRXs in sufficient
numbers to satisfy existing orders, they are hereby cancelling my order
enclosing a check for my down payment. They appreciated my business and
hoped that they could satisfy to my future transportation needs.

I called my salesman about 2 weeks prior to this and he refused to tell
me my position on the waiting list, reason: "not company policy". I immediatly
got to the sales manager and found that I was 5th on the list.
Two weeks later I'm cancelled. 

After receiving the cancellation notice, I again called the sales manager
for an explaination. He said its all in the letter. I asked if the
price of the car has increased. He said yes but "couldn't remember
how much". I asked how they were going to distribute the CRXs they do get?
He replied that his salesmen will call their customers and offer them
for sale when they get a car in. They will not take any specific orders.
They were doing this to "give everyone a fair chance to get the car".
(roughly translated to plain English, "We will sell this car, loaded
to the gills with dealer options, to the highest bidder.")

I called Honda America in Ohio. They said they could do nothing about
questionable business ethics of thier dealerships.

I contacted two other nearby dealers, both were taking CRX orders.
Each quoted 8 weeks maximum. One dealer showed me his waiting list complete
with names, order dates and the actual delivery dates. In June he
delivered 11 CRXs. I would be #4 for a blue, 1.5, 5-speed. The price
about $200 more than my original deal in March.(7200 + 200)

I am curious as to my rights, if any, in this case. Anybody care to
guess. The order form that was signed by the dealer and myself had
"Non Binding Contract" printed on it. It also stated that if I had
cancelled the order a 5% cancellation fee would be imposed. (5% of the
total delivered price.) Obviously one-sided. No mention of cancellation
by the dealer.

				Jim Kent
..!ihnp4!ihuxn!jjsk

P.S. How does one get even with this dealer? Any suggestions?

P.P.S. I just talked to a salesman at the dealer who cancled my order.
It seems that cars are magically available again. They are taking orders
at an additional $500 markup over my original price. Surprise! Surprise!
They are quoting 4-week deliveries.