WARNING to prospective buyers re: waiting lists

[cali30us]

In Feb. 2004, I put myself on a waiting list at Toyota of Long
Beach in Long Beach, CA. I received a couple updates from time to
time, assuring me that I'm getting farther up the list.
When I got home from work this evening, I had a message on my
answering machine from 10am, saying that my Prius would be there any
minute, and that if I got down there right away, I might have a
chance to get it.
The new General Manager, Gary Twombley, suddenly decided to make
the Toyota Prius first come, first served. As soon as one comes in,
they call EVERYONE, and to hell with how long you have been
waiting. I live 2 hours away from the dealership and have a full
time job. I'm screwed, and will have to buy another car somewhere
else.
Be forwarned, because this could happen to you. Dealers can change
the terms whenever they please. I have talked to dealers that take
deposits any where from 0 to $1000; some that deposit the money, and
others that hold the check; some that maintain one list, others
where each agent maintains his own list, and I know people who were
told that they are on the list, only to find out months later that
they couldn't be found on the list.
I called Toyota, and they said that the dealers are independent
and can do basically as they please.
Good luck to all of you. You'll probably need it.