Well, I walked over the the Buckhead Smart Center at lunch today. It was small, like the car, and was pretty hopping. I met a very nice guy who was picking up his Blue/Silver Passion (Robert), and the Smart Center people were pretty friendly as well.
On the down side, I didn't see a lot in the way of trinkets, so I didn't buy anything. Perhaps there's a separate boutique area? It's kind of weird going to a dealership where the staff knows they won't be selling you something, at least not for another 12 - 18 months. When I got home tonight I signed us up for a test drive. It seems that's what they do more than anything else - give test dives to people, who then decide (perhaps) to make a reservation, and to return a year or two later to pick up the car. I'm still trying to wrap my head around that model.
I think it's a pretty cool concept - just very foreign to us Americans (at least this one). I only wish I could have figured out how to buy a key chain or something, just so I could take something with me. The weird thing? I didn't even take a Smart Car brochure, even though they have our $99.00 interest-free for the next millennium. Go figure. Heck, they should have said "You made a reservation? Thanks! Here's a T-shirt!". That would certainly help us commit, being sheeple and all.
But that's just me. I'm a weird artist-type oddball. I'll find my Smart swag online somewhere. I'm still a big fan of the car, the company, and Buckhead Smart, and I'm counting down the 365-730 days 'til our car arrives.
Still, the place feels more like a product delivery room. It kind of reminds me of Vonnegut's description of suicide parlors - clean, white, sombre, yet bright. I think you just show up when your number is up, sign the paperwork, and shake a few hands, and off you go. But then again, it's just a car, not some religious experience/epiphany - just a product to pick up. Might as well be a can of tomato sauce.
Hmm, maybe well get a red Passion.
Jeff in Atlanta
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