Dear 001 and 002,
Thank you for the article references in your Auto Spies, February 20th newsletter, "Must read for all owners of any cars from 2001 and beyond."
As I have contacted you about just recently, I have been helping my mother research and purchase a safe and reliable 4x4. She decided on the Volvo XC90, which of course is unavailable presently in the U.S. Thus, seeing as how the U.S. market for Volvo XC90s is empassioned with demand and sharpened by supply, I went looking across the Canadian border for her, (don't ya know?).
After contacting just nine (9) dealers via E-mail, I located two new XC90s readily available for sale, and one (1) demo version available come May, when the dealership gets its 2004 models in. [Yes, Canadian dealers will be in supply of 2004MY XC90s while U.S. customers are still taking delivery of 2003MYs and paying a minimum of $2000 more than the Canadians (if even able to purchase one at U.S. listed MSRP!)].
Herein lies my situation, as I have stated in reply to both Earle Eldridge, of USA Today and Tony Van Alphen, of the Toronto Star.
TO: Earle Eldridge
Thank you for getting the message out, Earle. Things are obviously amiss with business practices surrounding NAFTA and the courts may need to step in and draw some lines.
If you would be so kind as to loan a few minutes of your time, I have a relative and current situation.
I currently am attempting to purchase a Canadian-allocated, Volvo XC90 2.5T. Once I located a few such makes on dealer lots, readily available for purchase, I was told (via e-mail):
"Ben;
Unfortunately, I am not able to sell you this vehicle. I am not selling XC90's outside my province. I want the vehicles I have to be seen on my provincial roads. My last email was not an offer. I was simply responding to your email asking what was available. Best of luck in your search.
Sean [Fitzpatrick]
Business Manager
Volvo of Newfoundland
This was in direct response to me answering the question, "One more thing. Where are located?"
It is hard to say if this is a Ford/Volvo company policy, carefully channeled through the dealer, or if it is a true attempt to control the province's market via address-based sales.
Either way, - Canada , is this correct?
(Where is Ralph Nader's telephone number?!)
I thank you for your time, Earle. I shall appreciate any dialogue or supportive information you may be able to provide.
Sincerely,
Benjamin R. Davis
I just wanted to let you Auto Spies know that what you're teaching, is being learned. I realize this is not a forum for consumer advocacy and you are busy with real car stuff, so I will cease such E-mails. Further, approximately most of this half of my passion is in jest, - buying a Volvo must never be so g.damn serious.