What has happened to the Confirmation Process?

OC1Dave · 12-14-2007, 09:16 AM

Did they stop at #1207, quit on Nov 30, stop at 10,000 cars? Has anyone received a "confirmation" e-mail in December? Xmas break? Computer glitch?

SPDYII · 12-14-2007, 09:25 AM

That is a good question. I would like to know the answer to that one myself. Accord to the "new and improved" Smart website they claim that the confirmation process is continuing. So far I haven't seen any evidence of that here, and I sure it would appear on this site if it was happening.

centerxtreme · 12-14-2007, 09:58 AM

I've had the same question. I asked this on the smart wed site and just received this response......
.... At this time, we cannot estimate when you will be contacted to configure your fortwo, as the number of invitations continues to increase. These invitations continue to be sent, approximately every week.

smart1 · 12-14-2007, 10:08 AM

Nobody knows what's going on right now. We haven't seen any more confirmations going out in December in this forum, and we should have. It's pretty clear there has been a gap of at least 13 days without any confirmations. The guess I've seen that makes sense to me is that they were hoping to transition this to dealers, but apparently that's delayed. They may also have taken enough confirmations for the first half of the year, and perhaps they are pausing a bit to try to catch up on car manufacturing and wring out their process before they stuff more into it.

Old smart · 12-14-2007, 10:56 AM

I have thought before that there was a conscious decision to terminate the email invitations at COB on Friday 30 NOV, and prepared to turn over the process to the dealers. But with the slippage of the dealer announcement and now the couchy statements on the updated website, I think they got blindsided by the dealers not being ready as expected. Not ready, not a dealer. They are probably winging things right now, and I wouldn't be surprised if they re-instituted the email invitations for a while so as to not waste anymore time on that front, though they already have plenty of confirmations in hand to last them a long time.

A little bit different subject, but with the dots on the map and in some places mega gaps between them, I think they will start seeing many more dropouts. I know there are many here who have been trying to wishful-think a dealer into their local area, and have been holding onto a reservaton waiting for good news. The dots pretty much indicate now what the news really is. I think now many will recover their $99 and sit tight until a close-by dealer is designated, if ever.

spdickey · 12-14-2007, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishrdnc

I have thought before that there was a conscious decision to terminate the email invitations at COB on Friday 30 NOV, and prepared to turn over the process to the dealers.

...they already have plenty of confirmations in hand to last them a long time.

Other reports state that the reservation/confirmation process would continue both on the internet and at the dealers (undoubtedly both going into the same database).

Stuffing confirmations into the system faster than they can build cars would be counterproductive. Dropouts after confirmation cost more to smart USA than dropouts before confirmation. Better to pace the confirmation in line with production capacity.

And now with over 40,000 reservations the line keeps getting longer.

Carnut · 12-14-2007, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishrdnc

A little bit different subject, but with the dots on the map and in some places mega gaps between them, I think they will start seeing many more dropouts. I know there are many here who have been trying to wishful-think a dealer into their local area, and have been holding onto a reservaton waiting for good news. The dots pretty much indicate now what the news really is. I think now many will recover their $99 and sit tight until a close-by dealer is designated, if ever.

PAG is not stooopid. I am sure that they factored in the potential cancellations from wishfull hinterlanders. They were obviously surprised by the number of non metro areas reserving. Once we get 2008 cars on the streets, barring any major recall flap, and a competitor out of left field, the smart will be a big hit 2009 going forward, unless gas prices tank considerably. Holy resale value Batman!

SPDYII · 12-14-2007, 11:15 AM

I agree, that the line keeps getting longer everyday. When is are the Smart people going to start changing their tune? As far as I know they are still saying that you will be able to receive your car in 2008. We all know that that isn't true unless at least one of two thing happen. Either they have a massive drop out rate or a massive increase in production. Both of those don't look probable. It seems really unfair to the people joining the end of the line everyday think they will receive their car in 2008. I know if you are at the front of the line you may feel like you don't care about what happens at the end of the line, but I think you should. It is all the same line and we all want the same thing. A Smart Car.

spdickey · 12-14-2007, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPDYII

As far as I know they are still saying that you will be able to receive your car in 2008. We all know that that isn't true unless at least one of two thing happen. Either they have a massive drop out rate or a massive increase in production.

smart USA has been saying it both ways... sold out in 2008, but you should reserve now and MAY get a car before 2009. Or check with your dealers for probable cancellations.

I'm sure they still want orders and at the same time not raise expectations that cannot be met. Its a tough balancing act when the attrition rate starts getting higher as us rabid fans get their orders filled and the regular Joe (or Jill) starts having second thoughts about waiting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Associated Press 12/14/2007

Penske, who also is chairman of Smart USA, spoke about the power of the Internet in drumming up interest in the Smart car without ever making a sales call.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5378724.html

This is a whole new way of introducing a new car to the public. It's been a big success for Penske. I don't foresee them dropping the net reservations at all.

And just think what happens when our cars hit the road next year. Interest will naturally skyrocket. Aren't you glad you got your $99 when you did? I know I am!

Old smart · 12-14-2007, 11:53 AM

"As far as I know they are still saying that you will be able to receive your car in 2008."

That statement was said some time ago now, applying to those with reservations on or before that time. No one reserving after that date should presume the same situation for themself.