Omaha Dealer Update

[Ativan]

By the way there is a $295 dealer prep handling fee tacked on that they say all their dealerships do.

[Vlad92]

Are you saying they want $295 IN ADDITION to the $279 documentation fee? If so... that is unacceptable!

[gotwavs]

Dealer prep is PDI, the vehicle inspection which takes 45 minutes and is already part of the base price of the car.

[Ativan]

Documentation fee or dealer prep, one in the same, and I could not remember if it was 275 or 295, either way it is a way for dealers to make more money.

[Ativan]

I went to test drive one today. I had my eight year old daughter with me. THey told me I had to leave her behind in the showroom as they had to ride along also. Management also stated that. Obviously they must not have children, as who would leave their child behind. They did not even offer to let the two of us drive once around the parking lot. Customer service needs improvement. Supposedly I should be getting my Smart soon. You would think they would at least keep in mind I have waited since March 19th to even drive one. The BMW dealership had no problem when a friend and me test drove the Z3 coupe by ourselves. Perhaps I will have to buy Minis for my four children who will be teenagers in the next 5 to 6 years instead of Smart cars.

[SmartAzz]

Originally Posted by Ativan

I went to test drive one today. I had my eight year old daughter with me. THey told me I had to leave her behind in the showroom as they had to ride along also. Management also stated that. Obviously they must not have children, as who would leave their child behind. They did not even offer to let the two of us drive once around the parking lot. Customer service needs improvement. Supposedly I should be getting my Smart soon. You would think they would at least keep in mind I have waited since March 19th to even drive one. The BMW dealership had no problem when a friend and me test drove the Z3 coupe by ourselves. Perhaps I will have to buy Minis for my four children who will be teenagers in the next 5 to 6 years instead of Smart cars.

That is lame, I have also been able to test drive 2 seaters with just my husband. Don't give up on the Smart for the kids yet though, not having back seats a big plus since they say teenage driver accidents are largely due to the distraction resulting from a car full of friends (and cell phones I'm sure), 2 seats vs the 4 in a Mini is a plus ;)

And the upcharge is stinky too, perhaps wait and get your Smarts elsewhere.

[StevenM1TX]

In some cases it is an insurance requirement that the dealer rep comes along for the test drive. This may well not be the case in this instance, but it does seem possible.

[Pivosmart]

There's a lot of rez's out there peed off about these bogus fees. I've got a bad feeling on these dealers. They're feeding off the excitement of a new thing. Performance was quoted in the Omaha World Herald saying they would not jack up the price. Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

Here's a response from PAG:
Thanks for the note John.



We are aware of the “prep” and “delivery” charges. We have found each state has its own laws pertaining to this and all manufacturers cannot do anything about it.



We are communicating to our dealers about the spirit of the brand.



I hope your experience is positive. Thank you for your interest and enthusiasm.



Ken Kettenbeil

Director Communications & Community Relations

Penske Corp

[chubhunter]

Originally Posted by Ativan

I went to test drive one today. I had my eight year old daughter with me. THey told me I had to leave her behind in the showroom as they had to ride along also. Management also stated that. Obviously they must not have children, as who would leave their child behind. They did not even offer to let the two of us drive once around the parking lot. Customer service needs improvement. Supposedly I should be getting my Smart soon. You would think they would at least keep in mind I have waited since March 19th to even drive one. The BMW dealership had no problem when a friend and me test drove the Z3 coupe by ourselves. Perhaps I will have to buy Minis for my four children who will be teenagers in the next 5 to 6 years instead of Smart cars.

Thats ridiculous! I'll be sure to mention it when I go in this week for a test drive. There is no excuse for that. It might be in demand but lets face it's a 15 thousand dollar little car. Not a Z06 vette or a Shelby GT 500. Give us a break.

[Ativan]

EXACTLY IT IS RIDICULOUS> I hope Smart Lavista reads these pages. I drove 30 miles to the dealership. My daughter came along because she wanted to ride in one. No way in hell, I leave an eight year old by herself at a busy dealership. Work with your customers.