News from the phone call, where is it at?

[SmartCard]

Originally Posted by SMARTIEPANTS

my dealer called me today and said i would get the Vin # and the location of the car on Jan 14

Congrats! Please go ahead and post this contact (with all the pertinants) in thisthread

[smart1]

Just heard from my dealer in San Jose. Most everything is consistent with what has been posted. Two bits of news: first, the SJ dealership is expecting to get cars around Jan 22 or so, but they are still getting their list of reservation holders tomorrow. This list of reservation holders is for cars for Jan/Feb deliveries. They expect about 55 cars/month initially, and later about 75 cars/month. They have about 1000 reservations just for the SJ dealership. Also, as we've been guessing here all along, the cars will be as we configured them.
The other new thing I learned was that there isn't going to be an additional deposit beyond the $99 deposit we made long time ago!
The person I spoke with was pleasant, and he assured me I would hear from him later this week, but if not I was welcome to bug him next week as things get going. The building the SJ dealership is going to be in temporarily is coming along (I'll try to stop by and see it again tonight) with some furniture in place. They are trying to expedite getting the building ready so they can start selling cars, and they are just as eager as we are to get the show on the road!

[august8pm]

I don't know how you do it. I'm a Chicago 1182 and can't seem to get anything other than the vaguest of non-info.

Tips, anyone?

[spdickey]

Originally Posted by august8pm

I don't know how you do it. I'm a Chicago 1182 and can't seem to get anything other than the vaguest of non-info.

Tips, anyone?

$100-$500 tips are suggested for the smart salesman for the "secret information". $50 for the valet for when he brings your car out to you. $50 for the wash guy at the dealership goes a long way. $500-$1000 for the sales manager would help with those nagging warranty and accessory pricing problems.

Anything short of this like being nice when asking your dealer questions would help instead.

[august8pm]

Originally Posted by spdickey

$100-$500 tips are suggested for the smart salesman for the "secret information". $50 for the valet for when he brings your car out to you. $50 for the wash guy at the dealership goes a long way. $500-$1000 for the sales manager would help with those nagging warranty and accessory pricing problems.

Anything short of this like being nice when asking your dealer questions would help instead.

That was really funny. I love the incremental rise in tips, too.

Seriously, though, having gone through this with MINI in 2001, I know patience and kindness are the way to go. Maybe I'm too kind...?

[bumblebee]

Originally Posted by august8pm

Seriously, though, having gone through this with MINI in 2001, I know patience and kindness are the way to go. Maybe I'm too kind...?

I couldn't agree with you more. With the MINI we had to wait an extra 8 - 10 months in Texas because of some b/s between the state and BMW causing the delay for the MINI to establish dealerships here. It was a very tough wait and lots of calling to ask MINI and talking to the potential dealerships.

I love the Smart but I am not letting myself get all work up checking and calling around everyday to see when I am going to get my car. I just prefer to wait until I get a call from the dealership and go from there. People who reserved WILL get their cars eventually.