The latest from a smart car dealer - Page 2 - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

SAFE4NOW · 12-15-2007, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul c

First, thanks for being so helpful and up-front with us. Could you expand a little on the above? Is this "internal list of some sort" limited to those with reservations, and will those people be offered the car in reservation order? Is the unclaimed car only offered to the "next person on the list"? I wouldn't think they would be interested since their cars would be arriving shortly. I guess what I'm really asking is this: Will unclaimed cars still be sold only to those who have gotten in the long line, and will those people be dealt with in reservation order?

Because it will be up to each dealership, I would assume each will have it's own process.

It can go whichever way the dealer wants it to, it becomes a " free " car. Free meaning, the original rezo backed out, so it is no longer spoken for, and therefore the dealer may chose who it goes to. It could be give to an employee, to a neighbor, the last person to sign up for a rezo, it could be the next person who walks in the door and says " Hey, I want to buy that car "

The one thing I do know is that it cannot be sold for over MSRP, so its not like it will be sold for more profit one way or the other.

I am interested to see what actually happens, though I cannot imagine that anyone will actually back out... I mean look at how long everyone has been waiting .... I'd be more realistic that they would take it no matter what, then maybe flip it on e-bay or the private market.

But as it was laid out to us in class, it is up to the dealer to chose.

Hold off till 1/2/08 , go in and ask the sales manager if he has a plan for unclaimed cars.. that will tell you where you stand with your dealership. While you are at it, ask nicely if he would keep your name/number in case one comes in unclaimed, to contact you...

<< maybe even include a Gift Certificate to a nice steak house....>> ( That last part was meant to be funny.. Ha Ha )

Steve

SmartCard · 12-15-2007, 05:06 PM

Cars should be delivered by VIN number, so its your car and the dealer can't sell in to someone else just because he's local.

paul c · 12-15-2007, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAFE4NOW

Because it will be up to each dealership, I would assume each will have it's own process.

It can go whichever way the dealer wants it to, it becomes a " free " car. Free meaning, the original rezo backed out, so it is no longer spoken for, and therefore the dealer may chose who it goes to. It could be give to an employee, to a neighbor, the last person to sign up for a rezo, it could be the next person who walks in the door and says " Hey, I want to buy that car "

I am interested to see what actually happens, though I cannot imagine that anyone will actually back out... I mean look at how long everyone has been waiting .... I'd be more realistic that they would take it no matter what, then maybe flip it on e-bay or the private market.

Steve

So far, no one has put down any money other than the refundable $99.00. Despite that, about 10% haven't followed through on their confirmations. If no "earnest money" is needed before the cars actually arrive, I would expect quite a few people won't buy the car. After all, stuff happens. Will there be a process at the dealer to increase the likelihood that the car will be purchased by the original reserver? To put it another way - when do we give you some actual money?

SAFE4NOW · 12-17-2007, 07:26 AM

Once your dealership notifies you that your car in en route, then the money talks start. If you have your own money, then you would pay upon delivery. If you are using an outside source, bank, CU, etc, you would get a buyers order and start that process as well. So, when the car arrives, you will be ready to go.

I am sure that we would not sell your car to anyone other than you, unless you outright passed on the purchase. That just is not good business sense. Add to it that SMART will not allow a dealer to sell above MSRP, there does not appear to be a reason a dealer would sidestep your rezo.

Steve

Carnut · 12-17-2007, 07:32 AM

I Kind of like your use of "rezo" for reservation. Just curious if it is your personal jargon or something you picked up at PAG school?

FWOIII · 12-17-2007, 08:13 AM

I have heard that some dealers are going to require a contract to eliminate the flip effect. PAG will not allow inflated priceing. The dealers don't want to be "Chumps" either.