A little dissapointed in the Smart rollout.

[kev]

Originally Posted by Smart AZ

This whole reservation process smells of deceit. I've played similar games several years ago with Corbin/Merlin motors and lost a $1000 deposit, I watched as ZAP struggled through DoT regulations, raced G&K ? to conversion and release of converted 42's(at outrageous prices!) and now I hear about the 3 month delays in Canada release (officially reported) so that the Canadian 451 will be released the same time as US 451.

It's gonna take some effort for Penske to restore my confidence. That being said, I intend to keep my reservation, watch how this all transpires and if it's late 08 or 09 before my order is available....
There's plenty of other options that I know will be available in the US by that time.

it is all timing... and they are sticking to there reservation dates. i'm proof of that.

kev

www.kev.net

[SnakeFarm]

Originally Posted by SPDYII

thus we may be treated as second class citizens. I hate that!

I used to hate that but now that I'm an older second class citizen it dosen't bother me as much.

[Bernie]

I came home and received a message on the phone this week from Smartcar customer service. It seems that even though I have had a reservation and confirmation number for some time now that Smart Corporate has decided who and where they will sell to. Since there is no dealership in my state then they will not sell to me until there is. Now I know that the Iron Curtain dropped quite awhile ago and there were times that you couldn't go to the west and buy your car and bring it back to the Ukrain but those days shouldn't be showing up here in the U.S. I think all reservation holders especially those that don't currently have dealers listed in their state should call 1-800-762-7887 (SMARTUSA) and go as far as asking for Jerome (Customer Service rep) to find out if corporate has approved you as a Smartcar owner. I made the call....and found out I wasn't approved to own one yet. Hmmmm...Help a fellow Smartcar wannabe owner out and ask why I can't be approved.

[spdickey]

Originally Posted by Bernie

It seems that even though I have had a reservation and confirmation number for some time now that Smart Corporate has decided who and where they will sell to. Since there is no dealership in my state then they will not sell to me until there is.

It would have been helpful if you had mentioned that you are in Alaska in your original post.

I don't believe there is an "Iron Curtain" posted along the Canadian border, but you are a bit far away. Perhaps you can drive down to Seattle and pick up your car? Dealerships to service your car can be found in nearby Canada.

The Hawaii residents are battling the same "Ocean Curtain" problem.

Give the smart center Seattle a call and ask what's up?

[Bernie]

My confirmation number is 7324411333 and my location is Anchorage, Alaska.
It is not unusual for Alaskans to pickup new vehicles in the Northwest such as Seattle, Portland or parts of Idaho. I have spoke with two Northwest dealers who are willing to sell me the car but Corporate doesn't want to send forward the paperwork to them since my physical address is in Alaska. Now when I told them my plan was to drive the vehicle in the area of the Northwest on vacation it didn't matter to Jerome (customer service) since they knew my physical address was here, and they wouldn't sell it to me until either I move south to a state that has an area dealership or they find someone to establish a dealership here. Thanks

[bmx43]

Originally Posted by Bernie

My confirmation number is 7324411333 and my location is Anchorage, Alaska.
It is not unusual for Alaskans to pickup new vehicles in the Northwest such as Seattle, Portland or parts of Idaho. I have spoke with two Northwest dealers who are willing to sell me the car but Corporate doesn't want to send forward the paperwork to them since my physical address is in Alaska. Now when I told them my plan was to drive the vehicle in the area of the Northwest on vacation it didn't matter to Jerome (customer service) since they knew my physical address was here, and they wouldn't sell it to me until either I move south to a state that has an area dealership or they find someone to establish a dealership here. Thanks

hello Bernie. your number explains everything. you are 196 days behind the people who first ordered the cars on Mar 19. i would assume that you have not even received the e-mail to configure your car yet? this has nothing to do with discriminating the buyer, you are just in the back of the line behind a whole lot of people.

[rrrucke]

Sorry but why do they care where you live??? All that matters is that you love smart and that you want to own one.

[bmx43]

Originally Posted by rrrucke

Sorry but why do they care where you live??? All that matters is that you love smart and that you want to own one.

the reality is that they don't. they just need to know where you live to decide where your car will be delivered. in Bernie's case, it has nothing to do with his location. he's just at the back of the line and hasn't really begun the process yet.

[Bernie]

Originally Posted by bmx43

the reality is that they don't. they just need to know where you live to decide where your car will be delivered. in Bernie's case, it has nothing to do with his location. he's just at the back of the line and hasn't really begun the process yet.

In fact it does matter where I live according to the Smartcar customer service. As far as what number I am in the que is irrelevent to me. I waited for the arrival of the PT Cruiser when they were released to public sales. It is the thought that because I reside a non-dealer state that I can't buy one...?
That's crazy thinking. We have people that drive Jaguars and even a Rolls and there is no dealer up here. Someone should be up front and come up with a better line than what I'm hearing.

[bmx43]

Originally Posted by Bernie

In fact it does matter where I live according to the Smartcar customer service. As far as what number I am in the que is irrelevent to me. I waited for the arrival of the PT Cruiser when they were released to public sales. It is the thought that because I reside a non-dealer state that I can't buy one...?
That's crazy thinking. We have people that drive Jaguars and even a Rolls and there is no dealer up here. Someone should be up front and come up with a better line than what I'm hearing.

bernie-

you are missing the point. your reg number means everything. it is generated by the date that you got in line. just because you have a reg number does not guarantee you a delivery date. i registered on 3/19 and did not confirm my car until 9/1. you are almost 200 days (and probably 30k cars) behind me and everybody else who signed up on 3/19. your processing has not even begun until you get an e-mail to configure your car which may still be weeks or months away for you. you are blowing up an issue that doesn't exist. i would guess that you will absolutely get a car when your number comes up, but you are way in the back of the line. sorry, but true is true.