DDE

[Wally]

My DDE has come and had gone, returned and went away again. Oh so meny times. At this time it is gone again and I know others have also had this happen. So what happens now? Do I get the 90 day e-mail from smart? Do I get a call from the dealer? Does the DDE return with exact dates? Is there a pattern? My last DDE was March 2009 - May 2009 . This is enough to drive a person nuts

[gbryers]

As you look around the site, you will find many and varied thread on this same topic, dating back to when the DDE was first introduced. In my case, it started with a date that made it 14 months from order date, went forward several months, and ended up taking a nose-dive at the end to when I got my car - ten months after registration. It is frustrating, and you do have the option of an orphan, though with the DDE prediction so close, it would probably be better to wait, but as you surmised, you are not alone

So hand in there - the wait is definitely worth-while!

[psychobeth]

From what happened to me, my DDE jumped all over the place until I got my 'configure your car' e-mail. About a month later, I got the '90 day' e-mail which was pretty much on target. My DDE still shows March to May and I've had my little pocket rocket for almost two weeks now.

She was my early birthday gift - from me to me!

[kdfcogwheel]

That Crazy DDE

I didn't go the conventional route as most everyone. I "converted" my order to a Brabus rather than wait for the "configure" email. I felt it would speed up the process a bit and I would like to have a 'special edition' model if at all possible. Shortly (a month) after I converted I received an acceptance email. Another month later I got 4 different changing generic DDEs. Then back into the black hole of despair with "cannot estimate." But, like magic over two months more I finally received 'real' DDEs with actual dates. Now I am sure of when it will arrive. I informed the dealer, (note: to me they seem a bit clueless), and he said he found an orphan Brabus sitting in port just like I ordered. Did I want it? Heck Yea! Where do I sign up. That is where I am now, awaiting delivery this week. For me, start to finish=8 months.

[batateam]

That is where I am now, awaiting delivery this week. For me, start to finish=8 months.

[pajoe]

We are in a similar situation, it has been since July for us and a month or two now since we configured. We have rejected opportunities to buy a more expensive orphan with options we do not want, and I suspect part of the reason it is taking so long is they want you to buy one of the more expensive orphans available. I don't mind the wait, but if they wait too long we may buy something else from one of the local dealers that are offering great deals these days and I know the current situation with the local new car dealers will not last forever..

[el viejo]

I wish I could help, but...I registered in April 08 and 'configured' in October. I check DDE every friday; "unable to estimate." Every two weeks I phone 1-800-smartUSA; the list line of #&*@ I was fed was "we've elevated this to the logistics team, and someone will get back to you." Not yet. Lesson learned: do not configure with options; my sales rep has told me "if you'll take one without all these options, we've got orphans you can pick up today"; in otherwords, they are trying to trade me DOWN which is a whole new version of "bait-and-switch".....Stay tuned; DDE "still unable to estimate".....

[SmartDigger]

"unable to estimate." is a good thing. It means you are about to get real dates.

[drmickeyer]

My daughter's graduation Smart slowly crept up to August-October 2009 after configuration. Now says unable to estimate. So... my salesman found the exact car sitting in Baltimore port and had it shipped here. It has already arrived and I have paid for it. It will be a great surprise for her when we pick it up in 3 weeks (they are holding it until we are nearer to graduation).