I've been dealing with my dealer the past few days trying to figure out what's going on with my car. They told me they see it's at port, but don't have a VIN for it, and didn't understand why.

Eventually my salesperson called the port (This is Port Newark in Newark, NJ), and was told that other dealers have called as well. According to what my salesperson told me he was told that due to the hurricanes in Florida their ports were closed and shipments were sent up the eastern seaboard, causing port Newark to be backed up.

Basically I'm told my car is at the port, but will take 1-2 weeks to get it through and to the dealership because of the backup at the port.

Has anyone else heard this? Do you think it's true?

 

Haven't heard of this, and god how I hope this isnt true. Put my deposit down for a SSM AT on 8/13, got a call this past labor day from my dealer telling me it's in port and will be in the dealership within 7-10 days. I haven't gotten a call from them since so I assume everything is on schedule. This is on LI, NY by the way.

 

Well your car is coming from the same port mine is then I'd assume. Let me know if you hear anything

 

Tried looking for something on the internet to prove the claims of Port Newark being backed up but found nothing. Found this information tho



The Port of New York/New Jersey is one of the leading ports in the United States for automobile imports and exports. In 2000, the Port of New York/New Jersey handled 564,718 vehicles -- 527,822 imports and 36,896 exports.

Toyota Motor Logistics Center, Inc.
Building 390, E. Port St.
Port Newark, NJ 07114
973-589-2051
FAX: 973-589-7393

Maybe you might get an answer from them if you call :?:

 

I should just drive there and demand my car, haha

I should call (or you can :D ) but hmm.. what would I say? I'm not a dealer or anyone wanting info

 

Dunno, ask if there is indeed a back-up in the port, and if so, how long will they be affected.

 

Has anyone else heard anything?

 

I don't know about a backup, but my dealer told me on 8/19 that my xB was at the port (also Newark), and I didn't get a VIN# either. It arrived at the dealer on 9/7. That's almost 2 weeks.

 

in all reality once the car gets to the port the dealer should have the VIN number. if they don't have the VIN #, then the car isn't at the port. unless the computer system is down there, they should be able to give you a VIN # if the car is there.

 

Unless it's still on a boat waiting to be unloaded? I don't know..

My dealer said the guy at the port told him it "isn't as simple as looking it up on a computer", whatever that means

 

i had this problem with getting my tc too, took 2 weeks once it got into port.

 

think about it.. it's a political year.. three year anniversary (how sick to think of it as an anniversary) of 9/11.. and you're dealing with importing products into the US.. especially a port close to NY! customs I bet is having a political nightmare having politicians coming down on them to have "extra security".. from the paranoia of politicians..

I bet they are just busy and understaffed, like any government dept... if it took a month i'd be worried.. but 2-3 weeks to clear is normal..

 

My car was scheduled to arrive at the Newark port on 9/7, and it arrived at my dealer in MA yesterday, which I guess is pretty standard, so hopefully they're not too backed up. Of course, my dealer doesn't do port installs, so that could be a factor, if there is a choice.