My R8 Has Arrived...but, Audi Will Not Deliver

[R8 TULSA]

My Audi R8 arrived at port in Houston, Texas on January 21st.
But, Audi USA will not release my vehicle as they have placed a price hold
on it, because they do not know how to price the Audi Exclusive options I ordered.
I was given a MSRP of $135,850 USD which included all US options plus Audi
Exclusive full leather in Mustang / Tuscan Brown. Seems there is only one
person that works for Audi USA that can do this and therefore I wait until?
I have called the R8 desk at Audi USA and have been told the same thing
as my dealer has said. I again asked if the price I was given was correct
and told yes and that it would not change. So my question is why can't
Audi USA produce a window sticker and release my vehicle to my dealer?

[SANDMAN]

I dont think it is just Audi USA.
I think Audi has made a great car but they are so far behind Porsche when it comes to customer information and back up that it is crazy.

My dealer can not get Audi to give a price on simple things.
I know it will be about what the dealer has told me but you would think that if they offer the option they would have a price for it.

Maybe they just spin a wheel with numbers on it and come up with a price.

Hope they sort it out for you soon.

When you get your car post a pix of the interior.

[Axxlrod]

Interesting but very frustrating for you I'm sure. I'd be interested to know some of the Exclusive options prices, as I originally ordered my car with deviating stitching through the Exclusive program, but cancelled that option after I was told it would be over $3000 just for different colored stitching on just the steering wheel and door panels!

[SK1]

Doesn't help you at all, but I have totally different experience - in Hungary/Europe. I have asked prices and details on many different options including Exclusive and got details quickly, even discount % was quick to get confirmed. For comparison I asked prices in Austria and in Germany - both went quick. Changing spec was also without a problem.
Reading some similar topics I have the feeling you have serious issues at Audi USA there. I would never think that any company can allow that especially in the US.

[R8 TULSA]

I just received a telephone call from Audi USA telling me that they just
discovered that the person who produces the window stickers has left
the company and they have had to turn it over to Volkswagen USA to
do so. Again, they can not tell me when my R8 will be released.
Perhaps it's their way of punishing me for willing to spend more
money with Audi by ordering an Audi Exclusive interior!

[Axxlrod]

Tulsa, that is absolutely ridiculous and unbelievable at the same time. You mean to tell me there is one guy who makes all of audi's window stickers? no way. So even though you have already been told of the final price, the hold up is that they can't figure out how to itemize all the info on a window sticker? Audi USA seems like an amateur dog show.

[R8 TULSA]

Tulsa, that is absolutely ridiculous and unbelievable at the same time. You mean to tell me there is one guy who makes all of audi's window stickers? no way. So even though you have already been told of the final price, the hold up is that they can't figure out how to itemize all the info on a window sticker? Audi USA seems like an amateur dog show.

I had the same question and was told that there is only one person who does
the window stickers for an Audi Exclusive vehicle. Hard to believe! I just called the R8 advocate number and was told again that they are working on
it. And, no answer other than "working on it" when they thought my vehicle
would be released.

[hmp10]

I've encountered this attitude from Audi USA, too. I made an appointment to take my car in for service at a dealer that was over a 2-hour round trip drive away. When I got there, the tech said he was not allowed to do any repairs on an R8 without getting approval from Audi. However, Audi USA was not answering their phones due to a staff meeting.

These kinds of issues reflect an organization that is deeply mired in internal bureaucracy, that is all wrapped up with its internal rules and procedures, and that views customers as distractions from the really important business of keeping their paperwork straight.

[800]

Audi Exclusive is a joke. I have equally bad experience when asking about it. Nobody knows anything. It's worse than even BMW Individual!

[SFR8]

I have to say Audi USA sounds like a U.S. Federal government. Not customer focused and user friendly. They need to realize that everything in the company exists to serve one thing, that is the customer. An exchange of revenue for product/services. Either they change or the customer will have to change (to another company). After all they are not the only one who knows how to make a sports car. I like the R8 very much and am sad to feel that I might have to put up with a subpar organization. In terms of customer service and infrastructure, Audi USA does not sound like it is anywhere near MB or Porsche.