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Smart Shopper European Delivery Experiences, Advice and Info
251 messages, Last post on Jul 13, 2008 at 5:01 PM
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Some posters have asked whether a U.S.-spec car can be bought in Europe, driven for an indefinite amount of time and eventually brought back to the U.S. I have recently checked into this, and here are some comments: 1) Yes, it's possible to do it. You would need to take European Delivery (if such a program exists), or speak to the Military/Diplomat factory representative (if you fall into these categories) for the respective company. 2) Automobiles in Western Europe tend to be 30% cheaper than they are in the U.S., with the exception of in the U.K. 3) Upon returning to the U.S., you are subject to substantial costs for freight ($2-3,000), duties and fees. 4) Getting a U.S.-spec car registered and insured in Europe does not seem to be a problem, even in the U.K, where the cars have right-hand drive. 5) Expect to pay substantial VAT, as well as U.S. taxes, on U.S. delivery, and you do not get the VAT back. (On a Boxster it runs about $6,500) In short, it can be done, but the American government is on a different and more legalistic wavelength than is the rest of the world, and doing it would be a time-consuming and expensive headache. Why does this not surprise me?
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Hello All - I'm strongly thinking about picking up my CLK320 through MB's European Delivery program. I'm looking for some recent experiences others have had with the program. Basically, you're getting 2 free nights, saving on your destination charge ($645), and use of your car in Europe, plus the factory tour. Any hotel recommendations or travel suggestions?? Any must-go places or things to skip?? Thanks |
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I posted this message on another thread, but I think it is appropriate here also. This past summer I bought a new Saab 9-3 using their IDS (European Delivery) program. I had purchased a Saab convertible through the same program and same dealer (Blue Grass Motor Sports, Louisville Kentucky) in 1996, and at that time the total experience was very satisfying. So I decided to do it again. At the time I placed the order (August) the prices for the 2001 models had not yet been set. So Saab US added $750 to the 2000 price with the stipulation that, if the actual price increase were less than $750, I would be refunded the difference. I agreed and paid the additional sum. When I returned from Europe in November, I learned that the price increase had been less than $750 and called Saab US to request a refund. I was told that they had sold the car to the dealer at a predetermined price and that any refund would have to come from the dealer. I contacted Blue Grass and asked about a refund. They agreed it was due me and that it would be mailed to me. This was early November. In December I was advised by Saab that my car had arrived in the US and had been shipped to the dealer. I called the dealer to let them know and also reminded them that I had still not received the refund due me. I was told that it would be processed immediately. Three weeks passed and I had received neither a call from the dealer telling me that the car had arrived, nor a refund check. I called Saab USA again and was told that the car had arrived at the dealer some time ago. They called the dealer who then found my car sitting among all the other new 2001 Saabs, but without a window sticker and with 5000 miles on the odometer. They never apologized, but merely explained that someone had taken off the Swedish license plates and they didn't recognize that it wasn't a new car (no window sticker, no plastic seat coverings, etc, that come with the new cars.) By February I still has not received a refund. So I called again. And again. And again. At first the sales rep said he didn't know what the problem was and he would check. He never called back. This happened several times, and then he suggested I call the sales manager directly. I did this several times also. He was never available to take my calls, nor did he return them as requested. By mid March my patience had worn thin and I wrote to the sales manager complaining about the treatment I had received and advising that if the refund weren't issued, I would take legal action. No response. So I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. My check arrived in the mail the day after the Bureau contacted them. So much for customer relations. I sold both the Saabs and now have a vey nice Volvo S60 T5. I know dealers and sales reps read these messages. I'd really like to know what would prompt behavior like this. I was a good customer (emphasis on was), had all my service done at their shop, and I thought I had a good working relationship with these people. They knew I was interested in an Audi, which they also sell, yet for five months they showed absolutely no regard for me as a customer or as a person. As to pricing. All the paperwork indicates that it is a direct sale from the Manufacturer (Saab) to me, unlike domestic sales in which the manufacturer sells to the delaer who then sell to the customer. The car title showed a direct sale from Saab to me. Yet Saab told me that they had "sold" my car to the dealer. What seems to happen is that the dealer charges the "fixed" price but then is required to send less to the manufacturer. I don't know what the actual spread is, but the invoice price from the factory listed on the import papers for duty assessment is almost $2000 less than the European delivery price listed by Saab on their web site. Despite what they tell customers, Saab dealers do make money on these sales. |
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1--Any information as to what changes they plan to make in the 2002 3 and 5 series? Particularly, what items they may add to the base standard car? 2--Any idea when the earliest possible date to pick up 2002 models at the Factory under Euro Delivery? |
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| does anyone have any experience with the Mercedes program? do you save significant money over buying in the states? is it worth the hassle? | |
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I contacted a local BMW dealer on the earliest delivery of a 2002 Convertible 330i and he indicated a January or February 2002 delivery. I then contacted the BMW web site number for BMW and they said I could get the same car in late September of 2001. But, the very polite woman I was talking to on the web site phone number said they only get an allocation of 10 of the above mentioned convertibles a month and they (the European Delivery people) support over 300 BMW dealers thou the US so you have to place a fully refundable order now. Refundable until prices etc for the 2002s come out. Then you must firm up the order in order to maintain your spot on the production line. I would appreciate any comments from BMW owners that have gone through the European delivery system. The only downer I see is I personally would not care to take delivery in the snowy season. Top down in the Alps? You can save big bucks if you have frequent flyer miles to get you to Munich. For instance business class from Los Angeles to Munich roundtrip is 80,000 miles. |
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Replying to: fronobulax (Aug 27, 1999 8:13 pm) |
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Replying to: fronobulax (Aug 27, 1999 8:13 pm) |
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Replying to: fronobulax (Aug 27, 1999 8:13 pm) I am a Canadian living in the States as a resident (hold a permanent job here). Does my status qualify me for ED? I know they need to see your passport when you place your order through ED. I just don't know if being a resident in the States is enough. |
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Replying to: fronobulax (Aug 27, 1999 8:13 pm) you'll find it. |
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