Computer Error RE: Confirmations/Configurations

[SnakeFarm]

Originally Posted by bumblebee08

If PAG was to recall a set of configurations, what do you think the publicity repercussions would be?

Had you been paying attention you would have noticed that PAG gives not a rats patootie about publicity repercussions.

Live and learn... live and learn.

[rawlus®]

Originally Posted by tipo158

Why doesn't MINI have these distribution problems?

i suspect mini does not have these problems because they do not have 35,000 people waiting in line for minis that have not yet been manufactured.

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by bumblebee08

While we are all clearing the air here, let me apologize to Jeepster55. I guess I probably read more into your post than was actually there. It had been a long hard couple of days on a business trip and I was tired. Probably should have waited until today to post.

hey 'bumblebee08'....as they say 'down under', no worries mate!

and i know it's just me, but i would like to believe that they are doing all they can at this time and until someone can prove there is some sort of conspiracy going on, i'll continue to give them my 'benefit of a doubt'. i hope i'm right anyway.....if not, i'll be really PISSED!!!!

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by SnakeFarm

Had you been paying attention you would have noticed that PAG gives not a rats patootie about publicity repercussions.

Live and learn... live and learn.

i think if that were true, they would simply send 20-25 cars per month to each dealership and let THEM sort it out. then it wouldn't be 'who was first' but 'who you know' and 'how much dough ($$)'.....ya know?

[tipo158]

Originally Posted by rawlus®

i suspect mini does not have these problems because they do not have 35,000 people waiting in line for minis that have not yet been manufactured.

But at one time they did have a huge line at one point and long wait times. When I almost bought a MINI (in 2004), I was told that the wait was 10 months, but I might get it sooner.

MINI does a much better job at managing customer expectations. When you placed your order you had a pretty good idea when you were likely to get the car. When you place a reservation for a smart, there is no indication when you might get a car for some time after you place your reservation.

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by tipo158

When you place a reservation for a smart, there is no indication when you might get a car for some time after you place your reservation.

i placed my 'reservation' online like many others. afterwards, i spoke to my dealer in person and they told me 12-18 months. the DDE, in my case, even coincidedes with this timeframe.


as much publicity, good and bad, smart has gotten (and some of both is much deserved), i simply can't imagine ANYONE getting 'on board' with a reservation now that doesn't know the waiting period. you would have to have been living in a CAVE to not know.

the staff at smart center of indianapolis tells potential buyers on the sales floor that there is currently a 12-18 month wait.

as i've said before, if you can't wait for that time period, then get on an orphan list and wait. otherwise, everyone needs to stay !

[toogrvy]

Originally Posted by tipo158

MINI does a much better job at managing customer expectations. When you placed your order you had a pretty good idea when you were likely to get the car. When you place a reservation for a smart, there is no indication when you might get a car for some time after you place your reservation.

It took 4 months to get our MINI. They sent emails as soon as our car went into production, then each stage of production-sent to the dock-loaded on the ship-in transit....you get the idea!

[rawlus®]

mini's production is probably more than 4 times smart's - and, things would probably be much different if EVERY mini had to be custom configured and ordered.

the problem of tracking is probably easier when custom orders are the exception rather than the rule.

not faulting mini's system. just noting that they are hardly apples/apples comparison to smart.

[Fredvon4]

"you would have to have been living in a CAVE to not know."

Really?? IN a cave?.... hummm

I think you massively over estimate how many SCOA members there are vs how many reservations there are....

[SmartJJ]

Originally Posted by rawlus®

mini's production is probably more than 4 times smart's - and, things would probably be much different if EVERY mini had to be custom configured and ordered.

A large number of MINIs are custom configured ** with a lot more customizing options than smart has...