Info from Lokey Autos/Tampa Bay

[2smart4u]

Info??? There is none. The 'main' guy is on vacation til the 14th. Apparently he is the only one running the show and there is NO ONE ELSE that can possibly give me any info there. Don't call the Mercedes part of it as they couldn't care less. The smart center will be finished at the end of this month so don't hold your breath is basically the response I got.

I would rather drive to Sarasota than deal with this lack of professionalism (I'd rather go to Sarasota regardless as I've never cared for that area of Clearwater). No emails (from smart OR the dealership), no calls, nothing. I called and left a voice mail for Miguel Bartoli (who seemed like a nice guy when I spoke w/ him a couple of months ago) and I would suggest all of our other locals to do the same....727-374-2326.

They have really dropped the ball IMO. Having the 'main' sales guy go out of town THIS WEEK??? come on, gimme a break.

[wilmhih]

I tried to get answers out of Mr. Bartoli and was told the Clearwater dealer wouldn't open until around the beginning of March. I sent this response to Smart and told them this was unacceptable (since I reserved on the first day) and they moved my reservation to Sarasota. (At least that's why I think it got moved to Sarasota) It's been about a week since I've heard anything from Sarasota, but I'm expecting them to call anytime.

Smart better be careful. If they keep up this crappy customer service, I'll go get a Hyundai that gets the same mileage. I haven't heard of customer service this bad since my friend's experience with Toyota.

[KP4 smart]

Good luck with the move to the Sarasota dealer. When I spoke with Judson, at smart center Orlando, he said Orlando is receiving their complete January allocation of 37 cars plus an unspecified number for the Sarasota customers. The Florida DMV license has not been issued to smart center Orlando, but they expect it on Monday or Tuesday. Once approved, they will release the demos from the Jacksonville port, and then they will transport the rest of the vehicles.

According to what someone else posted, Orlando is expected to charge $799 for documentation fees. I've avoided the subject with my dealer; I don't have much hope, but I'm waiting to see if smart-USA chimes in on this gouging next week.