Greetings from Pittsburgh...

[johnssc]

Good morning!

Just took a test drive with my 22 year old son last night and am now a proud owner of a my very own spot on the Orphan List!

Father and son agree that we just can't wait till I adopt an "Orphan."

Any advice on speeding that process (and I have gotten some good stuff already) would be appreciated.

Cheers!

[Dunerunner]

Keep in contact with your sales representative or whom ever runs the Orphan List.

Don't be overly specific about what you will consider, only what you must have!

Make sure your dealer knows you are ready to buy and are financially capable.

Get to know your dealer and establish a friendly relationship with them.

Good Hunting!!!

[angel]

I'll echo what Dunerunner had to say.

Develop a rapport with someone at the dealership. Keep in touch with them on a regular basis.
The less picky and specific you are the better your chances.
Be available. Some dealerships go down the list and don't leave messages. They offer to the first person they reach.

[johnssc]

Good advice, thanks!

What I have done so far is to tell them that I want to pre-arrange financing so that we are locked and loaded when a car comes in. I also told them that my only "requirements" are A/C and the paddle shift. Other than that I am leaving it wide open. I figure any Smart with the above two options will likely have the other things I want. Radios can be installed by the dealer as can other things I am sure so I can always fill in the blanks after purchase.

How often is "regular" contact? I do not want to be a pest, but if I called or dropped by once a week would that be a good thing or "pest-like?"

I don't have enough posts to pm yet, but if tomkk is out there I would like to learn more about the local Smart owners group.

Best,

Johnssc

[angel]

I don't think once a week is too often. If you're close enough call one week then visit the next. Could also get a business card then you could email too.

Make sure you're available when they call. More than one orphan has been adopted because they call someone, get an answering machine, hang up w/o leaving a message and move on. I got lucky and happened to be AT the dealership when they were getting ready to call someone. And I know at least one person here mentioned being at the dealership when they called someone about an orphan, hung up and said, "I'll take it."

Originally Posted by johnssc

Good advice, thanks!

How often is "regular" contact? I do not want to be a pest, but if I called or dropped by once a week would that be a good thing or "pest-like?"

....
Best,

Johnssc

[johnssc]

Good stuff, angel, thanks!

I am close enough to drop by. Alternating calls/visits on a weekly basis seems like a good plan. Maybe take another test drive or two to get to know the sales people a bit better...

[wahi]

johnssc, check your PM.

-wahi

[Dave Van]

I got my orphan from Rahal M-B Smart. My sales guy was Ben. Good folks that did not try any high pressure tactics. To really speed things up consider giving up the paddle shifters and look at a Pure with A/C...the paddles are OK but not a deal breaker. Good luck!

[wahi]

Dave Van,
Ben is no longer with smart. It's now only Monica.

-wahi

[Dave Van]

WHAT!! I just talked to him last week! Any idea why???