Computer Error RE: Confirmations/Configurations

[SnakeFarm]

Originally Posted by SmartCard

yeah, I was wondering about a few of these recent, out of place configs.

Wasent there some guy that "reserved" in Jan 08 and shows a DDE in July?

[meaux61]

Bob Wilshaw is the midwest regional manager.

Meaux

[SnakeFarm]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

Merc...I am in Texas and DDE for my (not yet configured #2 order) 1470 has held steady at Dec 08 to Feb 09

Mine has held steady at Jan-Mar 09.

Hey, it looks like we might get our "reserved" smarts around the same time next year!

If we still have jobs after the economic collapse that is going to be caused by the big evil oil companies charging eight bucks for a gallon of evil gasoline that Ill have to burn up in my evil SUV causing even more global warming so that all the polar bears have to go on the rampage for food and start eating up all the corn we need to make ethanol.

THE SKY IS FAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLINNNNNGGGGGGGGGGG....

[bumblebee08]

Ok, at the risk of upsetting everyone, I'm putting in my two cents. Since I'm the "1541" Jeepster is talking about. It was with great reluctance that I posted my configuration information. I knew some people would be upset, but I never imagined that people would take it this far. I posted my information in good faith that it would be accepted as a data point for reference, not used to " back door" me out of my configuration. Obviously my faith was misplaced. I understand that those who reserved ahead of me are not happpy with the situation. But the actions I have seen posted here are un-excusable. I didn't force smart to send me that e-mail.

Look at it this way. If PAG was to recall a set of configurations, what do you think the publicity repercussions would be? They already have a nightmare on their hands with the DDE, do they want to add to it? It seems to me a simpler solution is to admit the glitch, let those few who have configured pass. Then fix it, and start where they should be at. It appears from the posts I've seen, there are relatively few who configured out of sequence. Besides, where do they go back to? Just 15XX? Include the 14XX? Where do they stop? I realize I'm biased, this could seriously affect when I get my car.

The truth of the matter is, if Jeepster gets his way, it still probably will not significantly affect when he gets his car.

Like I said before, I realize now that posting here was a mistake, one I won't make again. Any information regarding my configuration or delivery will remain mine alone, and I advise anyone else with a " high" res. number do the same. It's ashame that's what this whole process has come to.

I have decided that I will wait for my smart, that is what I want. If I have to wait until next year, I will.

That's my view, let the knife throwing begin....

[MENSA42]

Originally Posted by bumblebee08

Ok, at the risk of upsetting everyone, I'm putting in my two cents. Since I'm the "1541" Jeepster is talking about. It was with great reluctance that I posted my configuration information. I knew some people would be upset, but I never imagined that people would take it this far.

The truth of the matter is, if Jeepster gets his way, it still probably will not significantly affect when he gets his car.

DAMAGE CONTROL!!! what do you mean 'if Jeepster gets his way'?

first, 'bumblebee08', while yes i was referring to you, i didn't call the 'smart police' on you. all i asked was why were some reservations being configured before others. if anything, i was more concerned for those who were 1300's and 1400's who haven't been 'invited' to configure. i didn't want to become one of them in, say.....10 months from now,still waiting to configure while others in the 1800's were placing there wants and wishes.

when Mr Wilshaw called me, he was aware of this 'computer glitch' and got the impression he had been for some time. my email to Jennifer at smart USA really had nothing to do with it.

sorry if i upset you by breaking the news that you may have been configured 'in error'. maybe i should have just let smart make that call. i only thought it would help all the others that didn't understand and that were bailing on their orders to realize that they are aware there was a problem and they are addressing it.

i'm only trying to be fair....fair to EVERYONE. i will patiently wait in my place in line until i get one. unless of course, my turn comes on the 'orphan list' and i get a call for a car that i just can't live without. unless that happens, i expect to take delivery of my smart around the end of 2009.

[Razorback]

Originally Posted by meaux61

Bob Wilshaw is the midwest regional manager.

Meaux

You sure about that? According to this link His position is higher than that. http://www.theautochannel.com/news/p...ess037967.html

[MENSA42]

WOW!!! and to think he called little old me!

[tipo158]

Originally Posted by Jeepster55

if anything, i was more concerned for those who were 1300's and 1400's who haven't been 'invited' to configure. i didn't want to become one of them in, say.....10 months from now,still waiting to configure while others in the 1800's were placing there wants and wishes.

when Mr Wilshaw called me, he was aware of this 'computer glitch' and got the impression he had been for some time. my email to Jennifer at smart USA really had nothing to do with it.

What I want to know is why your concern merited a phone call from Mr. Wilshaw and my concerns on the same topic resulted in a stock response or two and then they ignored me.

Don't feel picked on, bumblebee08. I don't think of us have ill will towards other reservation holders. None of us created this situation.

Besides, to your point, bumblebee08, look at it this way. If PAG was to recall a set of configurations, why would the publicity be any worse than things like the DDE fiasco and letting first month reservation holders sit around for almost a year without receiving and invitation to confirm/configure (while simultaneously sending invites to people who have only reserved for a week)?

I am just wondering if this whole 'computer glitch' is their new cover for giving preference to reservation holders based on zip code.

alan

[Winnetou]

Of course smart USA must allocate cars by region! Their dealers must be provided a sufficient flow of cars to sell in order to stay in business. It is a fact that demand for smart cars in America has varied greatly by location, and is highest, I believe, in Southern California. If smart had attempted to fulfil orders solely according to reservation numbers, most of the cars imported for months would have had to be shipped to a minority of dealers, leaving few or none for the others. This would have been a disaster for the dealers, and for smart USA, since it is in their interest, while introducing a new car to America, to have the cars appear on the roads in all regions.

As a result of the logical plan of supplying dealers somewhat evenly, people in high-demand areas will wait longer than average, and those in low-demand areas will wait less than average. Thus, one’s reservation number (date) can only determine one’s place in the queue at a particular dealer in a particular region.

I don’t think that smart USA ever claimed that reservations would be fulfilled strictly according to date.

Bumblebee08, when I reported my brief interval from reservation (#1482, 22 January, 2008) to configuration (1 February, 2008) on the “Reservation to Confirmation to Delivery” thread, I was at first accused (by some only) of being either ignorant or a deliberate liar. It happens that demand is relatively low in my area, yet there are three smart centres within practical driving range. Every-one is frustrated by the waiting game, especially those in high-demand regions where the wait can be surreal.

It is a shame that socialistic labour laws in France apparently make it too risky for smart to better meet current demand by adding a third shift at smartville in Hambach.

[tipo158]

Originally Posted by Winnetou

I don’t think that smart USA ever claimed that reservations would be fulfilled strictly according to date.

From the smart newsletter, volume #10:

To begin, we started our Reservation Confirmation Program for current reservation holders, which is the next step to owning a smart fortwo. Please be patient as the smart USA team will be contacting reservation holders based upon the date the reservation was placed.

Would you like to reconsider your remark?