Thanks to this forum, and others, I worked out  what I want, and followed a strategy for improving initial prices.

 

I asked around to see if anyone had anything in stock, but there was very little, and none suited me. So it had to be a long wait, which meant it may as well be just what I want - a 1.6 TDI CR SE GreenLine II DPF Outdoor 2WD in metal grey.

 

I waited until:

* delivery date likely to be soon before the registration changes to 54, so many buyers may be delaying ordering

* the last day of the month (April) in case dealers hadn't filled their sales quotas

then got internet quotes.

 

Carwow’s best offer was 8% off, from a dealer 130 miles away from home (who wouldn’t negotiate lower).

DriveTheDeal offered 11.3% off, including delivery driven about 300 miles. I didn't fancy my new car being driven that far.

 

Carfile was good. Jonathan Lawless offered 13.6% if I collect it. I didn’t fancy going 370 miles for it, but he could deliver to my door on a trailer for less that it might cost me to get it myself, bringing the discount to 12.2%. I thought that this deal would be it.

 

Then I phoned dealers in Scotland nearer home. Two about 100 and 115 miles away offered 9%. Surprisingly my nearest dealer (only 100 miles) beat the internet - 11.3% so I got out the credit card.

 

So now its a long wait.  They guessed 12/14 weeks. When/how can I get a better idea of the build week? I get an impression from this forum that I can phone someone in in Skoda UK.

Well done on your new purchase, just hope A.C. Inverness isn't the dealer.

Well done on your new purchase, just hope A.C. Inverness isn't the dealer.

Not them, I'm nearer to Glasgow.  One of the dealers was an A.C. They phoned me late that evening after I'd ordered elsewhere, and said  they could have beaten that price. I reminded him that he'd scorned better than 9% earlier, and argued with me that my poor experience at another branch some years ago wouldn't apply again.

So now its a long wait.  They guessed 12/14 weeks. When/how can I get a better idea of the build week? I get an impression from this forum that I can phone someone in in Skoda UK.

 

As long as you have your order number from the dealer then either get you dealer to give you weekly updates, or ring Skoda UK and quote your order number.

I waited 12 weeks from order to delivery which in the grand scheme of Skoda is short, it is not uncommon to wait 4-6 months on some models. - i ( waited 6 months for my FL OCty vRS)

 

As said - Get the order number from the dealer & ask what provisional build week has been given for build.( if they don't have a provisional build date then ask why & pester )

 

Then approx 1 week before build date ask dealer or call Skoda Customer services & armed with your order number ask if there is a confirmed  build date.

 

Once you have this confirmed date, expect to have to wait 2-3 week before collection.

I waited 12 weeks from order to delivery which in the grand scheme of Skoda is short, it is not uncommon to wait 4-6 months on some models. - i ( waited 6 months for my FL OCty vRS)

 

As said - Get the order number from the dealer & ask what provisional build week has been given for build.( if they don't have a provisional build date then ask why & pester )

 

Then approx 1 week before build date ask dealer or call Skoda Customer services & armed with your order number ask if there is a confirmed  build date.

 

Once you have this confirmed date, expect to have to wait 2-3 week before collection.

That would be nice, but is this a realistic time?

 

Colin

That would be nice, but is this a realistic time?

 

Colin

Yes it is.. As soon as it's built is onto a train to Emden Docks, the a couple days later will be on a boat to the UK

 

Mine was built on 7th a Monday and it was going across the North Sea on the 13th (Sunday), then its through customs (a few days) and then onto the dealer network in my case it arrived on the 22nd (Tuesday). So from being built to be at my dealer it took 2 weeks

Thanks for the advice. The dealer wrote today  "it has been scheduled for build week 25 ( week beginning 16/06/2014 ) All going to plan we would expect the car to be available for delivery to you about four weeks after that but I will keep you updated".

Be aware that dealers have been known to "delay" orders to accommodate their quotas.

 

Fred 

Be aware that dealers have been known to "delay" orders to accommodate their quotas.

 

Fred 

Thanks, Fred. I ordered from the dealer in week 18, so 7 weeks before building doesn't seem long from what I read on this forum.  The dealer gave me the order number, so I'll check with Skoda UK that there isn't a hidden delay. 

 

By  the way, will it make any difference to me whether I go to an Authorised Skoda dealer, a Franchised dealer or an Official Skoda dealer, whatever these descriptions mean?  Maybe the higher up the pecking order they may be the more likely they'll have several Skoda experts and a good stock of spare parts?

Škoda gave me week 25 to build, and it was. It arrived in Glasgow early in week 27, and I collected it yesterday.  All faster than the original estimates. The evening drive home (100 miles to my part of Argyll) was very peaceful, and indicated a very respectable 63mpg.

 

If Škoda or anyone else ask me I'll strongly recommend Henrys the dealer and their Jamie Hay. The whole transaction was pleasant and faultless.

Pleased for you :clap: !  Don't forget to edit the car details in your profile - it'll save us having to look up your first post above to check what you've got!

Good to hear you had a trouble free delivery.

 

Enjoy the yeti - had 2 now and driving them has always given me a little grin (even if only inside)