Looks like another set of confirmations went out!

[jwight]

I seem to remember something about the dealers giving test drive priority to those who haven't driven the car yet. So, dealer calls, go to showroom, test drive, make final buy decision? Or, dealer calls, ask for needed paperwork to be sent/faxed (including copy of warranty terms!), go to showroom with paperwork filled out, test drive, make final decision. Or, just say screw it, in for a penny in for a pound, dealer calls, no need for test drive, go to showroom checkbook in hand, fork over money and wait (more) for the car to be delivered?

For those who've driven the car, delete the test drive part. Would be interested in hearing how you expect your purchase process to unfold.

[spdickey]

Originally Posted by jwight

I seem to remember something about the dealers giving test drive priority to those who haven't driven the car yet. So, dealer calls, go to showroom, test drive, make final buy decision? Or, dealer calls, ask for needed paperwork to be sent/faxed (including copy of warranty terms!), go to showroom with paperwork filled out, test drive, make final decision. Or, just say screw it, in for a penny in for a pound, dealer calls, no need for test drive, go to showroom checkbook in hand, fork over money and wait (more) for the car to be delivered?

For those who've driven the car, delete the test drive part. Would be interested in hearing how you expect your purchase process to unfold.

Actually I heard one dealer won't let you test drive unless you are called for an appointment. They'll call reservees first.

My plan...

All ready buttered up dealer, visited under construction showroom and expressed interest in car.

Then, wait for dealer to call. Test drive. Tell them "I'll think about it." Go home with paperwork. Fax it back, give credit card for deposit. Wait for delivery. With checkbook in hand, go get car.

Never, never, never do a deal on the away teams field as all of your scenarios show. Get the deal done away from the dealership, and just go in to test drive and later take delivery. This keeps you away from "the grind" (sorry, the smart buying experience) at the dealership while your salesman goes into the back to "discuss the deal" with the sales manager while you are left stewing in a cubicle.

[jwight]

I know what you mean; not a lot for the dealer to play with here (and besides, they're on our side, right? ) We're all paying MSRP; I don't think anybody falls for the paint, fabric protection and undercoat pitch anymore, and we should all have financing/insurance prearranged. In Ohio dealers will try to add a "document fee" but it's strictly a scam and the response is NO! So, unless a lot of dealer installed options are part of the plan it sounds like a pretty level playing field (even though I'm not a fan of paying MSRP for a car.) I think I'll ask for a copy of the invoice on the car just for grins.

[tipo158]

Originally Posted by spdickey

Smart USA is behind schedule, I admit. Perhaps by about 4-6 weeks, forgivable IMHO, not forgivable by the impatient.

Good thing you haven't put any "real money" down yet on the car or you'd be hitting the ceiling by now.

Please go back and read my posts. I said that I expect to get my car in late summer or early fall and that works out just fine with me.

No, I would not be upset if I had put "real money" down. I would feel more comfortable, because, in case you haven't read the fine print on the reservation, the $99 doesn't guarantee you much. If I had signed a purchase agreement and paid "real money", I would be more assured of getting a car and Smart would be under greater obligation to let me know what's up.

I think all the fuss about confirmations coming a bit out of sequence is a lot about nothing. Perhaps they should make everyone else wait until they can fill the orders for you at your dealership first? Seems to me that would be the best for you.

You seem to have a problem completely reading through my posts before responding, so I will repeat myself.

Confirmations sent out now are for cars that won't be delivered for more than 6 months. Smart should not need 6 months to sort out the distribution for those cars.

They could save themselves a lot of public grief from people noting that someone with a later reservation number than theirs is confirming before them if they just did confirmations in order and sorted out the distribution later.

I believe that I am raising legitimate questions about the way that Smart is doing business.

For some reason, you keep trying to read between the lines and imagine that my questions are somehow complaints that I am not getting my car soon enough. That's kinda stupid because whining in these forums will not get me my car any faster.

My hope is that maybe someone at Smart is reading this and will realize that they need to communicate better with their customers.

alan

[nelle96]

mine is 1261,,no confirmation yet,,so much for the quere

[spdickey]

Originally Posted by tipo158

Confirmations sent out now are for cars that won't be delivered for more than 6 months. Smart should not need 6 months to sort out the distribution for those cars.

That is why they are delaying your confirmation until needed on the factory floor and subsequent distribution logistics to your dealer. Confirmations made too early in the process create a backlog that may result in later cancellations. Since you are patient enough to wait for your car later this year, you must be patient enough to wait for your confirmation and request that a car be built to your specifications.

Sorry if my answers go beyond your questions. There are others beyond you that are reading the responses here and I'm trying to be clear.