Newsletter Vol 11

[spdickey]

Just remember all the things that happened in November even without the newsletter.

1) Lots of reveiws posted by publications following the end of October press event in San Jose.

2) The Los Angeles Auto Show in late November where the US spec smart made its public debut.

3) US spec smart cars available for public test drives at the smart House, Venice, California.

And next week another Road Show Event in Washington, DC. coming soon.

I think we've had a LOT of news during November.

In December we'll see the "official" announcement of the dealers (as if most of us don't know all ready who's ours will be). Some dealers will actually be "soft opening" in December, first cars will arrive in about 3-4 weeks. And "grand openings" will begin the first week of January.

Its going to be a Happy smart Year!

[SPDYII]

Thanks to this forum we found out about those things you listed and more. Without this forum most of us would have been in the dark on all those things.

[Fredvon4]

Hey no disrespect spdickey, we appreciate the info you and others have fed us, but you are NOT the paid for contracted IB communications Internet network PAG has.

We were not told to check in with spdickey or SmartCarofAmerica for current info....

We faithfully paid the $99 and expected for that consideration more current info then we have...

Can you definitively say how much any additional warranty or extended service plans will cost? Can you say with any certainty when and where the first load of cars will be distributed? Can you give all 30,000 of us some clue as to the distribution scheme so we can hold pat or move on with replacement car needs?

Please don't feel this series of barbs is personally directed at you... I am just a little tired of 1173s and 1174s apologists telling us to be patient...

This lack of info is pure BS and I don't like the Car salesman sense I am getting about who is in control... I know that drill well... I am a customer and I should be in control....

Sure, it is good to know that we have a fairly decent underground network keeping us sane--- but...no matter how you spin it, PAG has seriously let us down, and lot of us don't' like it any....

[rerruf]

Amen to that!

[lhoboy]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

Can you give all 30,000 of us some clue as to the distribution scheme so we can hold pat or move on with replacement car needs?

Even though I am a relatively early 1178 with almost a certain delivery within the first 3 months of the year, I think it is absurd that Smart can't predict (within a couple weeks one way or another), when someone in the 12 or 1300s can expect to take delivery on a car. Of course, they can't predict the drop out rate, but they could assume 0 dropouts and periodically update the estimated delivery date which would get earlier as dropouts do occur.
My 2c for better customer relations.

[Fredvon4]

For some of you who may not appreciate this concept....

I negotiated my last 4 new cars to be favorable purchases for me... 14 years ago when I moved to central Texas I introduced myself to the ownership of the local Ford dealer.

I explained that I would be good for his business because when I am treated fairly I promote and talk good about those places...BUT because I was a Senior First Sergent I had the ear of hundreds of potential customers...

He got the message... I got good deals and over the last 13 years I have actually got several cards in the mail with $100 or so as thanks for sending a sale their way.

Back last April when I drove a Smart car in Germany I went looking for how to get one when I found this program... Over the next several months I can account for at least 24 people who sent $99 for the reservation...they did this becaus I made them aware of the program and I talked up the car based on my semi expert knowledge about the Lil bugger

I bet within our group here on SCOA there are dozens if not hundreds of similar stories...

I think us early reservationists are due a little respect and defference....

No, I certainly do not think PAG owes me a $100 finder fee... but I sure would like some better communication as a minimum

[propes]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

Please don't feel this series of barbs is personally directed at you... I am just a little tired of 1173s and 1174s apologists telling us to be patient...

Hey, I'm a 1360 telling everyone to be patient!

Actually, I expect the early numbers to be more antsy than I am - they're the ones that are buying on more faith than the rest of us (although that doesn't stop me from being ---really--- envious).

Would more information be nice? Sure! Were we promised it? No. If anyone can tell what promise PAG has reneged on, I'd love to hear it. Now, not having been in line for a pre-release car before, I can't tell you if this is standard procedure or not, but at least to me, it just doesn't seem like that big a deal.

If that makes me an apologist, so be it. Ask me again if we get into the 2nd week of January and we're all wondering where the info is.

[spdickey]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

And I'm tired of you folks at the back of the line being impatient when I put my money down nine months ago and am still waiting. But I knew back then that January would follow December.

Can you definitively say how much any additional warranty or extended service plans will cost? Can you say with any certainty when and where the first load of cars will be distributed? Can you give all 30,000 of us some clue as to the distribution scheme so we can hold pat or move on with replacement car needs?

Please don't feel this series of barbs is personally directed at you... I am just a little tired of 1173s and 1174s apologists telling us to be patient...

This lack of info is pure BS and I don't like the Car salesman sense I am getting about who is in control... I know that drill well... I am a customer and I should be in control....

Sure, it is good to know that we have a fairly decent underground network keeping us sane--- but...no matter how you spin it, PAG has seriously let us down, and lot of us don't' like it any....

1) smart has not announced the extra warranty costs. Why ask me?
2) Why does it matter where the first truck load of cars go? Its not for you anyway. I'm on the west coast and the trucks won't get here before some folks on the east coast get delivered. However, the difference is probably only a few days.
3) Here's a clue, as announced by smart, cars will be distributed (more or less) in the order of reservations. Reserve late get a car late. 30,000 cars are set to be sold during 2008. That's 365 days starting on January 1. Plan on getting yours on December 31, 2008 and perhaps you'll be surprised that it comes early.
4) All the information I cited was not "hidden" or could only be found through an underground network. Its all generally available stuff through many different outlets. We just see it all here because we all work to find this stuff and put it on one place so you can find it easily and you get a forum to ***** when its not enough.

Lack of information is not BS. Bad information is BS. i can wait for the good stuff.

I know you have some specific questions that smart hasn't answered yet. I have the some of same ones as well. I'd like to get my car yesterday. I just thought that November was one of the richest months for lots of smart info and wanted to point it out to you.

I've been waiting for this car since I saw it in Vienna in 1999. The not knowing for years if it would happen at all is much more than finding out if the extended warranty is $500 or $1000 for two-three years. I can wait a few more weeks (or months in your case) for it.

I hope to have a Happy smart Year in January. But my dealer hasn't contacted me, yet.

[saronian]

Originally Posted by spdickey

Lack of information is not BS. Bad information is BS. i can wait for the good stuff.

I agree. We are down to the final few weeks before a lot of release items are finalized. It would be more disappointing to receive inaccurate information about dealerships, options, and delivery status, just to make a projected announcement date.

Let's assume we'll hear something official in the next two weeks, after all we know the cars are already in production.

[Fredvon4]

There are a bunch of you who assume that PAG and IB do not know these things. I think that is a false assumption

Sure bad info is BS.... DUH!

In the items you guys have posted about Pensky's and Shembri's interviews and speeches, they both brag about the web based program, and in the bragging, make claims about the efficiency of the system and the ability to keep the customer informed and engaged in the car buying experience

(hey don't shoot the messenger, you guys are the wizards who ferreted out the info and posted the words and video speeches) Did you notice I have about 25 posts here thanking you all for the info?

From the SmartUsa Web FAQs (this info was also in the body of our "reservation" confirmation):

The best source of information about smart coming to the United States is our website – www.smartusa.com. The site has changes frequently and as information becomes available about dealership locations, ordering, USA model selection and other information it will be posted on the website.

Also, please register for our monthly e-newsletter on our website and become a smart “insider�. Timely and current information will be delivered to your email account monthly.

Just checked.... still zero mention of any warranty or extended service options

Both PAG and IB were put on notice over 6 weeks ago that we seek more info

I think SmarShanna's and my own letters to these people was polite, respectful, and full of legitimate questions.... not one word back...

NOT even the courtesy mail about; "We have received your note and are assigning someone to respond---do not reply to this mail."

What would be the harm of the "apologists" simply saying something like..."Yes that sucks, you guys have a point"?