So last spring, the wife and I set up an order for an A3 TDI on the ED program, delivery date of Sept 1 2010. Got a call in June: Audi had screwed up and *ALREADY SHIPPED THE CAR* to our home city in the USA. We requested that they either ship the car back for pickup, or provide a car for us for the time we'd be in Germany. Audi didn't budge, only offered an "opportunity" to buy at "dealer invoice." We told them which way and where to wedge the car, and now I'm at a point where I never, ever want to do business with those idiots ever again.

Okay, so ... what would y'all have done, AudiWorlders? Any recourse?

So last spring, the wife and I set up an order for an A3 TDI on the ED program, delivery date of Sept 1 2010. Got a call in June: Audi had screwed up and *ALREADY SHIPPED THE CAR* to our home city in the USA. We requested that they either ship the car back for pickup, or provide a car for us for the time we'd be in Germany. Audi didn't budge, only offered an "opportunity" to buy at "dealer invoice." We told them which way and where to wedge the car, and now I'm at a point where I never, ever want to do business with those idiots ever again.

Okay, so ... what would y'all have done, AudiWorlders? Any recourse?

The dealer could have been a little more creative in their handling of the problem. With that much lead time you should have been able to get another car done and ready by Sept 1. I had a similar problem where they didnt order the car with the right options. when they found out they were able to take another car that was slated for production a few weeks before my delivery timeframe and change it to match my specs. I didnt benefit from their mistake but the dealer did (they got an extra s4 that didnt count against their allocation) but I still get the correct car and get ED.

That being said you obviously missed your sept 1 timeframe. The dealer may have been willing to give you another 1 or 2% off MSRP on the next car (since A3s are so high demand they probably sell their entire allocation anyway). That might give them some flexibility with you on price if you ED another car.

That's a huge bummer! Who did you deal with, Audi directly, or just your dealer?

what a shame!!!!

That's a huge bummer! Who did you deal with, Audi directly, or just your dealer?

It was arranged through a dealer. Their apologies were rather weak and feeble.

The dealer could have been a little more creative in their handling of the problem. With that much lead time you should have been able to get another car done and ready by Sept 1. I had a similar problem where they didnt order the car with the right options. when they found out they were able to take another car that was slated for production a few weeks before my delivery timeframe and change it to match my specs. I didnt benefit from their mistake but the dealer did (they got an extra s4 that didnt count against their allocation) but I still get the correct car and get ED.

That being said you obviously missed your sept 1 timeframe. The dealer may have been willing to give you another 1 or 2% off MSRP on the next car (since A3s are so high demand they probably sell their entire allocation anyway). That might give them some flexibility with you on price if you ED another car.

I'm not terribly interested in another ED with Audi at this point. Who's to say they won't screw up like this again? They were inflexible to the point of outright stupidity, and gave me no reason to want to go through this twice. Shame, too ... none of the other ED programs offers quite the same type of vehicle - a diesel "combi" with good mileage and performance. MB and BMW offer diesel only in sedans, and the Swedish automakers offer only gasoline engine vehicles.

I agree that the dealer could have been creative enough to offset your rental costs in Europe.
So what's the end of the story:
- had you taken delivery of the car, would the price have been the ED price, the MSRP, ...?
- if you declined the purchase, did you get your deposit back in full?
- did you actually book your trip?
- was your car delivered, and sold to another buyer?

I agree that the dealer could have been creative enough to offset your rental costs in Europe.
So what's the end of the story:
- had you taken delivery of the car, would the price have been the ED price, the MSRP, ...?
- if you declined the purchase, did you get your deposit back in full?
- did you actually book your trip?
- was your car delivered, and sold to another buyer?

The price would have been "dealer invoice." Below MSRP, don't know what the actual quote was, didn't ask or care. By then, the whole situation has passed my patience threshold. The deposit was fully refunded with apologies, weak as they were. We had our trip booked well in advance, and are doing that now, but with a rented Volvo C70 diesel instead :-). The car was delivered to the USA dealer and, I suppose, immediately sold, since we told them that we didn't want it under the unsatisfied terms of the original contract. In fact, legally, one could claim they had breached the contract. They simply couldn't be bothered to make it up in some other was that was satisfactory to us. Audi has probably lost two customers permanently due to their inept bungling of this deal.

Don't be shay and post name of your dealer - that we can avoid that stinker! http://forumkiev.com/images/smilies/stinker.gif

Sorry for ur experience. unfortunately you were new to this board and didn't see my post last winter regarding how bad ED can go. Over a year later I finally have closure on my damaged car, but I can tell you this....same conclusion you came to, no more business for Audi from me! Actually, passed on the new A8 and bought a Porsche Panamera, just because of the experience I had with dealerships, Audi of America and even Audi in Germany.

Look for another brand of car! IMHO.

Don't be shay and post name of your dealer - that we can avoid that stinker! http://forumkiev.com/images/smilies/stinker.gif

University Audi, Seattle, Washington.

University Audi, Seattle, Washington.

Oh, crap! That's the one I was planning to use. :(

Sorry to hear about your trouble, Don. I would defintely let AoA know about your experience and how likely you are (not) to consider ED in the future. TIME, Gary is still the guy to talk to at AoA, right? Do you have his contact information?

TIME, Gary is still the guy to talk to at AoA, right? Do you have his contact information?

Here is quote from Gary e-mail to me.
In order to provide customers a quick response with accurate and up-to -date program information, it is imperative that we have one point of contact for our Audi exclusive and European Delivery programs. Taking this into consideration, we ask that you please remove any reference to the names and internal phone numbers/email addresses of the Audi program administrators from the Audiworld Forum site.
All inquiries should be addressed directly with participating dealers, who will then contact AoA if further clarification is required. Audi currently has an existing network for customer inquiries, and is familiarizing dealers with information that will help answer incoming questions and support the growth of the programs.

If additional clarification is required beyond the dealer contact, we welcome any program questions or inquires and ask customers continue to use the following address to contact us via email.

europeandeliveryprogram@audi.com

audiexclusiveprogram@audi.com


As always thank you for you understanding and support of the Audi programs!

Here is quote from Gary e-mail to me.

Right, of couse, I had forgotten about that too. :( Well, I would use e-mail then. Changes of getting an answer are slim but we have to try.

Here is quote from Gary e-mail to me.

What is up with AoA. What an arrogant bunch of people in that office. I believe once upon a time "Gary" requested you remove other info that was posted here. If AoA cannot keep there numbers/email addresses and other internal documents inhouse, that is their problem. I don't think they have any legal standing asking you to remove any info. The document you erased a while back that "Gary" claimed as internal only, was made public from a dealership!

My experience has just finally concluded!!! More than 13mos after buying the car, finally done! AoA Euro program and several dealerships with a "Pathetic" performance in my grade book. And even after I personally settled with AoA, I had to work hard to get them to delivered what they promised!!! In the end the people that made the offer of the settlement would not even see it through and/or even return my phone calls!

I won't list any names, but here are their titles!

1. Euro Delivery director
2. National sales rep
3. Regional sales rep
-----------------------others
4. Dealership service advisor(dealership 2)
5. Dealership GM of sales(dealership 1)


I was/am not happy with their professionalism and/or their performance!

I will never buy an Audi again.

HI Gary;-)

In my opinion, if you need to buy an Audi, make it short and sweet! Don't make it a long relationship! Go in, buy it and leave!