Columbus Ohio Confirmed

[valbeck]

I talked to Germain M-B dealership in Columbus and was told that Zack Germain is heading up the Smart Car division. I left a message on his voicemail. The salesman said that he's been told that the first cars will arrive in March. He pointed out that that is still the 1st Quarter.

He also said that Roger Penske has put ALL dealers on notice that the first to register and to confirm will be the first to receive his/her car. That NO OTHER criteria will be TOLERATED! No chance of "who you know"

So good news and bad. FYI Germain dealership Phone 866-488-1389 and ask for Zack

[Gortok]

Originally Posted by valbeck

... on notice that the first to register and to confirm will be the first to receive his/her car. That NO OTHER criteria will be TOLERATED! No chance of "who you know"...

That's what I got from the salesperson at my dealer...That is, no one gets skipped unless the customer declines the car...

[spdickey]

Same in Beverly Hills, Calif. And you can imagine what kind of money can be flashed in that town! Even Al Gore tried to buy his way in.

[jwight]

Still waiting to see if someone close to Columbus can send pictures of the Germain smart store.

[BimmerDob]

Well Zack has been a mini cleb on TV commercials for his dad's primary dealership (Toyota) in Columbus for some time. He was present at the test drive day when I stopped by and his dad came out too to chat with some folks.

Well my reservation confirmation said first 6-months, so March is well within that window and I don't expect I was first in the que for Columbus / Ohio.

I will try and swing by there and get a pic of any smart signs of life at their MB dealership.

[valbeck]

I spoke with Zach Germain the day after I left the message, HE actually Called Me Back! Wow He said that they rejected the idea of building a building for Smart cars, instead they are going to use the Mercedes dealer showroom. He also said that Penske's guys found Smarts on ebay and cancelled the sellers' reservations. Interesting, no?

[valbeck]

Oh, I forgot, he drove a 2008 fourtwo at the Calif dealer event and it drives great. I asked about selling snow tires and he said he'd look into itbut didn't know if they are available. I told him about a post I saw somewhere about a tire dealer in Canada who sells them. He asked for the link, so if you have it email him. Zgermain@germain.com

[BimmerDob]

Well I drove by the dealership Friday night, no sign of any smart "dealership" yet on the MB lot. I did see some foundation construction in the Lexus lot next door (also Germain), but no indication what that was for. Given what Zack shared, my guess it is construction for the used Lexus sales.

[Fredvon4]

You guys crack me up!

If Al Gore really wanted to jump line, I doubt any of you could prove he did.

As long as the pecking order is a secret, and as long as Car dealers are the most unscrupulous people on earth, there will be some hank panky... Expect it...

Fortunately the Smart is NOT a Ferrari, so the incidents will be relatively low.... but in this country MONEY does talk.... and te more you have the more you can make it speak....

Like I say...If The Beverly Hills Smart dealer diverted one or two to "special customers" how would any of us know?

[jonnysan]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

You guys crack me up!

If Al Gore really wanted to jump line, I doubt any of you could prove he did.

As long as the pecking order is a secret, and as long as Car dealers are the most unscrupulous people on earth, there will be some hank panky... Expect it...

Fortunately the Smart is NOT a Ferrari, so the incidents will be relatively low.... but in this country MONEY does talk.... and te more you have the more you can make it speak....

Like I say...If The Beverly Hills Smart dealer diverted one or two to "special customers" how would any of us know?

AS much as I hate to admit it, Fred, I think you are right on that one....no one would know, really. All we can do is hope for enough fairness in all this to actually and finally get our cars.