When will the reservation system be declared dead???

[PassionforPassionCT]

Originally Posted by spdickey

Much better than all the "cutting in for dollars" that was done with the early Prius, Fiero, PT Cruiser sales, etc.

Thats still being done with the orphans, which should be first going to reservers.

[RussBarnes]

I have purchased several dozen cars over my years on this green ball. About 8 years ago I stopped fooling with the morons they hire at car dealers and started using the internet, big sigh of relief. Then along came the smart and it was made even one step better because up until pick-up I now had zero interface with a human (?) trying to pitch usless add-ons and act like they were gods gift to humanity because they controlled the pipeline.

I received my smart as promised because I signed up on day 1 in March of '07. Would I have liked a few things different, of course, nothing it perfect because perfect is in the eye of the beholder, but it was GOOD.

Along came the orphen issues and I can side with the registered buyers and this is where there has been a big break-down. I would have been major P.O.'d if I was on a long list and similiar cars were going to market the old way that I never have had a chance to even know about. IMHO, this is where Smart U.S. really dropped the ball on what was a great marketing scheme. They should have left each car at the P.O.E. until the buy decision was made rather than distributing these to what we all call "stealerships". That way when a car was canceled at the port it would have gone on an available list and open to the next users that were in line. The problems would vanish by a huge factor and the turmoil would not have erupted. It also might have kept the stealerships more comptetitive in there add-on fees because they would have to compete on a level playing field. The ability to move cars among traditional U.S. dealers is a key to thier success that smart didn't recognize. And when there are only a maximum of 74 dealers it isn't rational to have a central list to shuffle a cancelled car from Knoxville, TN to say Phoenix, AZ.

Maybe hindsite will open their eyes, on the other hand their eyes may be so blackened by this that they may throw up their hands.

My vote (not that it counts) fix it, do it right and keep what is the most innovative marketing since ole Henry said: "any color they want as long as it is black".

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by karltrev

Reservation system should have been discontinued end of December untill production can be increased. Current handling of the orphans is only causing discontent. Non-expert opinion.

The "reservation" system and the "orphan" list is apples and oranges! One has NOTHING to do with the other! The reservation system is fine; it you don't want to wait, then don't; but quit crying!

[doenut]

I'm not sure I agree with you, smartSparky. I can go into any auto dealer and say that they don't have exactly what I want and I want to order from the factory. Two or three months later I'll have exactly what I want and the price I knew about from the beginning, AND I can follow the manufacture from the beginning until delivery. Not true for ANY car, but MANY.

[doenut]

I must agree with many on this forum regarding Orhpans. I believe they should go to reservation holders WHO HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO GET ON THEIR LOCAL ORPHAN LIST. My dealer doesn't even GO TO the orphan list! They simply sell to whomever walks through the door. I was told by one of their salespeople that she has NEVER called anyone on the orphan list and has never had an orphan last longer than one hour! How's that? Can't even expect a call for an orphan, even though I got on the "so called" orphan list in January.

[dennyrex]

smartUSA owns the reservation system; the dealers own the orphans. I'm not sure smartUSA can dictate to the dealers what they can do with their cars after someone cancels their reservation.
dealer by dealer the policy appears to be, with some giving first right of refusal to reservation holders. this seems the prudent course. then after reservationists pass, then they can add on what they like "free-market"-like and sell to anyone. I suppose.

[Smartdavis]

It's odd the dealers don't seem to recognize how they are being perceived out here in the virtual world, and put together a common orphan policy. It would only take a few phone calls and the goodwill would be tremendous. I would think they would want the whole Smart launch to be as successful as possible. How hard would it be to have a simple policy that everyone could understand?

[dennyrex]

that would work in areas that have multiple dealers, not sure how much motivation they'd get in areas where they are the only game in town for hundreds of miles around.
but maybe goodwill gestures are an early casualty of the economic situation. sometimes I think that they think we're all supposed to grow long teeth and be tearing at each other's flesh in time's like these. one for one and all for naught, sorta deal.

[Smartdavis]

Originally Posted by dennyrex

that would work in areas that have multiple dealers, not sure how much motivation they'd get in areas where they are the only game in town for hundreds of miles around.
but maybe goodwill gestures are an early casualty of the economic situation. sometimes I think that they think we're all supposed to grow long teeth and be tearing at each other's flesh in time's like these. one for one and all for naught, sorta deal.

I hear you. The world is getting a bit meaner. It might have something to do with today's video games too (if you can kill it, you can win it). Sounds like the best way to get an orphan is to pitch tent in the showroom and stop bathing.

[SnakeFarm]

Originally Posted by Karl Roth

I like the system and think they should keep it.
karl

... and make it work.

Working Reservation System = Fully Loaded Yellow/Black/Leather Passion in my driveway before ANYBODY IN AMERICA without a reservation gets one like it.

... but hell, I'd settle for configuration invitations going out in the order of the date they were made. It's just frustrating as hell that I reserved in September and people who did not reserve until January have configured and are ahead of me in line just because I happen to live in a place that ordered a lot of smarts?

I STILL don't understand.