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I spent a long time deciding on a new Highlander after an extensive selection process. The purchase order went in before Christmas 2007 and after 10 weeks I still have not seen the vehicle.

The dealership went strangely quiet after I was misled on a delivery date. If Toyota NZ want to dominate this segment of the market, as some claims in magazines suggest, then there needs to be an improvement in stock levels and delivery times.

...somewhat dissatisfied with the buying process... though still think the vehicle is excellent for its segment.

Brent

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 14 December 2009

Thanks for the email.

Yes I agree, the Highlander does represent good value for money in its class.

I can understand your frustration as once you commit to buying anything new, it's a real pain having to wait.

Toyota isn't the first and won't be the last to keep their customers waiting once a new vehicle order is placed. One of the challenges any new vehicle distributor faces is keeping sufficient stock levels in NZ and quite often supply from the factory is limited due to worldwide demand.

I remember one of their competitors had a six month customer wait a year or so ago due to huge local and global demand for a particular model.

Sometimes it's a bigger worry when a new vehicle distributor can deliver a vehicle the next day because of slow sales, little public interest in the particular model and huge stock piles.

It's hard to get the balance right.

This is where good communication between the dealer and the customer is so vital, and quite often can mean the difference between a happy or disgruntled customer.

I have passed your comments onto Toyota NZ.

Hopefully they will communicate directly with you. Let me know if they do.