Paying deposit to get on waitlist common?

[taycanpath]

I just realized I’ve been going into getting on waitlists by expecting to put a deposit down. I’d much rather put down a deposit at the time an actual allocation comes in instead. What is usually expected? I’d imagine currently there’s lots of having to refund deposits for all the people on the waitlists dropping from them. Do you think if I asked to only put the deposit down once the allocation comes up they’d be alright with that? And until then, put me in line on the waitlist?

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[PanameraFrank]

It's typically a $1,000 refundable deposit to get on a waitlist with Porsche. If you've done business with that dealership it's negotiable, otherwise generally non negotiable.

 

[Archimedes]

There’s no standard amount. Every dealers different, but most want some type of deposit to put you on a formal list, just to show you’re serious. Best to just ask your dealer.

 

[WasserGKuehlt]

My impression - having reached out to 3 dealers - was that getting on a Taycan waitlist required/requires a deposit. The exact number varied (was quoted 1k, 2.5k and 5k respectively). The deposit is fully refundable until an allocation is assigned - at that point you have the option to pass on the allocation, or commit; if the latter, the deposit becomes 'earnest money/advance' and is no longer refundable. You may be required to put down more cash at this point.

The positive aspect of placing a deposit is that you enter a legal agreement of sorts with the dealer - it won't include your index in that list, but you know you do have a spot. It's less likely for a dealer then to reorder the list, give others preference when an allocation becomes available etc.

 

[W1NGE]

I just realized I’ve been going into getting on waitlists by expecting to put a deposit down. I’d much rather put down a deposit at the time an actual allocation comes in instead. What is usually expected? I’d imagine currently there’s lots of having to refund deposits for all the people on the waitlists dropping from them. Do you think if I asked to only put the deposit down once the allocation comes up they’d be alright with that? And until then, put me in line on the waitlist?

You typically don't have a choice - reservation fee / deposit (£5K).

If you don't then you will take pot luck for an allocation which may never materialise as someone else who paid a deposit will get priority.

Not unique to the Taycan.

 

[Jasper4S]

Here (the Netherlands, Europe) it is not normal. You sign a contract and thats all. You have 30 days to reconsider (non businesses only), after those days you must buy your purchase

 

[lwc1001]

3 dealerships around me are asking for $5k deposit to be waitlisted. I found a 4th dealer that will have me on the waitlist for no deposit until allocation. Currently number 8 on the list and #1 has been waiting since 2/2022. I was told i should get an allocation summer 2023

 

[taycanpath]

3 dealerships around me are asking for $5k deposit to be waitlisted. I found a 4th dealer that will have me on the waitlist for no deposit until allocation. Currently number 8 on the list and #1 has been waiting since 2/2022. I was told i should get an allocation summer 2023

Yeah that sounds like what I'll propose, no harm in trying.

 

[taycanpath]

My impression - having reached out to 3 dealers - was that getting on a Taycan waitlist required/requires a deposit. The exact number varied (was quoted 1k, 2.5k and 5k respectively). The deposit is fully refundable until an allocation is assigned - at that point you have the option to pass on the allocation, or commit; if the latter, the deposit becomes 'earnest money/advance' and is no longer refundable. You may be required to put down more cash at this point.

The positive aspect of placing a deposit is that you enter a legal agreement of sorts with the dealer - it won't include your index in that list, but you know you do have a spot. It's less likely for a dealer then to reorder the list, give others preference when an allocation becomes available etc.

Did you end up going on the waitlist for more than 1 dealership? I was just told by a salesman, paraphrasing, "Porsche frowns upon seeing you with an order demand from more than 1 dealership, they may not sell you the car". Sounds like an exaggeration.

 

[WasserGKuehlt]

Did you end up going on the waitlist for more than 1 dealership? I was just told by a salesman, paraphrasing, "Porsche frowns upon seeing you with an order demand from more than 1 dealership, they may not sell you the car". Sounds like an exaggeration.

Me - no, but others here have (and have gotten allocations - or even cars!); you can look for a "deposit etiquette" thread. I'm sure P doesn't like "artificial" demand, but I'm also sure they're quite capable of taking the 'distinct' count of those pre-orders..

 

[991CT]

Here in Switzerland i placed my configuration online, shared it with the dealership, in Dec 2021, no deposit, but we signed a contract. Car was delivered to me on Apr 1st 2022, picked up and still didn’t pay a dime until invoice arrived a few days later. Swiss standards !! But I love it.

 

[ssim]

Did you end up going on the waitlist for more than 1 dealership? I was just told by a salesman, paraphrasing, "Porsche frowns upon seeing you with an order demand from more than 1 dealership, they may not sell you the car". Sounds like an exaggeration.

As long as you get off the other lists once you have an allocation, I think you'd be okay...and I probably wouldn't do more than 3-4 order demands.

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