Info from my dealer

[greatfoxmusic]

Hi there

I just reserved my fourtwo today and I read through a bunch of posts here. If my dealer is correct, I have some info that might clear some things up, IF they are correct!

My local dealer sayeth:

Your wait on delivery on a fourtwo depends on what region of distribution you are in. For instance, I was told there was a 1.5 year wait for me. I asked if they traded around or sold unfulfilled orders early (what you call "orphans"). The salesperson said they do sell orphans but they won't trade among dealers. She also mentioned that another nearby dealer in AZ had a 3 year wait.

Reserving a fourtwo at a dealer is NOT the same as registering online. I gather it is advantageous to do it at a dealer in person, even though the website appears to be the same.

This might explain why some people are getting their configuration done before other people, it depends on where you live.

Anyway this is what I was told. I'm not going to name any names because what they told me might not have been intended for distribution.

Thanks

**Todd

[PassionforPassionCT]

I was told by my local dealer there is no way to reserve one through them. Online is the only way to go. It is advantageous if you want one sooner to get on "orphan lists" at different dealers. Dealers may not want to trade with other dealers, especially with a brand that doesnt even have any stock. But you can still pester every dealer you want to get on the orphan list. They may be quite long now, but if you arent picky (unlike me) about colors and options you may very well get one long before me.

[jwight]

greatfoxmusic, I hope you reserved through smartusa.com and put down a $99 deposit. I'm very suspicious of things like 1.5 and 3 year wait times being quoted when we've seen info on 200 USA spec smarts a day coming from the factory - 40,000 cars produced over 40 weeks for the USA. The smart website is still saying you can reserve 2008 smarts, so something doesn't add up.

[Old smart]

My smart dealer says that you can't reserve or order through them, nor can they reserved or order for you. That is why they have an independant computer station in the show room. It allows a potential customer to go on line to smartUSA and do the $99 thing without involving the dealer.

Also, the dealer is not allowed to order for themselves.

The smartUSA website no longer mentions reserving a "2008" as it once did.

[greatfoxmusic]

Originally Posted by jwight

greatfoxmusic, I hope you reserved through smartusa.com and put down a $99 deposit. I'm very suspicious of things like 1.5 and 3 year wait times being quoted when we've seen info on 200 USA spec smarts a day coming from the factory - 40,000 cars produced over 40 weeks for the USA. The smart website is still saying you can reserve 2008 smarts, so something doesn't add up.

Well yes, I guess the dealer just did it for me then from their PC at the dealer!

With so many different stories here about what actually is happening with orders, I think smart really could use better communication to their franchise dealers...

What a cluster.

[mini me]

The smartUSA website no longer mentions reserving a "2008" as it once did.[/quote]


I emailed and asked if the reservation are now for the 2009 model or if they are still accepting reservations for 2008. We will see if they give me an answer.

[T12121]

I asked my local dealer about getting a orphan (via email) and she told me that my dealer dont get many orphans (which stinks.) So it looks like I will have to wait for smart. also I dont have any close dealer to me (even my own "local" dealer is 1.5 hours away.) Next time I am in indy I will try to stop by that dealership and maybe chat with them and see if I can get any info.