buy at dealership vs reservations

[dinosaur1]

A dealership here in WI has the smart car I am looking at purchasing, but I do not know if this is their test drive model. can i buy at the dealership or do i HAVE to reserve one?

[SubSlr88]

The smart dealers around here only have the units ordered previously by those on the reservation list - a long time ago. If someone decides not to buy their reserved unit then the dealer should go to his 'orphan' waiting list to find a buyer.
If you want one quickly, this is the way to go - especially if you have no preference to color, interior, add-ons, etc.
As to the 'test drive' vehicle, I suppose that it's sale would be up to the dealer.
Until the pipeline is completely filled and the reservations list down to 'zero' there won't be many of these sitting around on dealer lots for sale. . . far different from the US Automotive dealer business model that cranks out thousands of cars in hopes that someone is going to buy them all.

[tverb]

First, go to the dealership. Ask if they have any orphans for sale. Do they have a list of people waiting for orphans? Yes? Get on the list.

Second, go online to <www.smartusa.com> and reserve the smart of your choice.
The $99 deposit is refundable.

Third, visit the dealer frequently and/or establish a good relationship with the Sales Dept.
(At some dealerships if a person is in the store and ready to buy when an orphan becomes available that person gets it). Hope this helps.

[Dunerunner]

My dealership required a reservation in order to get on the Orphan List, at least when I visited and talked Orphan they repeatedly asked "Do you have a reservation?" I would Reserve, Get on the Orphan list and watch for a smart that meets my requirements and price ceiling anywhere and everywhere I could.

[Dan500]

My dealer in Bloomington was the same as Dunes, you had to have a res. to get on the list. I think that`s fair and the way to go. Good luck!

[zipp2001]

I never went online and reserved one I went online and applied for credit to purchased a smart car. Recieved approval the next day with an emial saying it was good for 30 days. Went to the dealer the next day with my email notice. The salesman said I could put down my $99 and go on a waitting list. I showed him my email and he left and came back 10 min. later and said they had several different smart car that I could choose from if I didn't want to wait. So I looked at what they had and bought my Passion Coupe (yellow/black) on the spot. Had a few things added and picked it up the next day. Been just over three weeks now and I love it.

[MENSA42]

Originally Posted by zipp2001

I never went online and reserved one I went online and applied for credit to purchased a smart car. Recieved approval the next day with an emial saying it was good for 30 days. Went to the dealer the next day with my email notice. The salesman said I could put down my $99 and go on a waitting list. I showed him my email and he left and came back 10 min. later and said they had several different smart car that I could choose from if I didn't want to wait. So I looked at what they had and bought my Passion Coupe (yellow/black) on the spot. Had a few things added and picked it up the next day. Been just over three weeks now and I love it.

so just HOW MANY are 'several'? interesting strategy......maybe I'LL try that

[rwjrn]

Go to a dealer. You could get incredibly lucky like me. I went in and asked to get on the orphan list and they said they had 2 cars available. I bought one and the other one sold 5 minutes later. Although, the dealer told me to please not send him anyone wanting to buy a car because they didn't have any. Kind of ironic.