$2000 waiting list

[vibrato]

I've got a question here......

If a dealer has an Orphan, is it offered to the next reservation holder regardless of how the vehicle is configured, (which should ethically be the case), B4 it is offered to the general public who likely has a thicker wallet or is salivating to get the beast?

If not - why not? I think the res system is flawed. It appears that an Orphan is up for grabs and dealers exploit the public to add to their profit margins. Why does the reservation not pass to the next in line and so forth? Maybe it does. Maybe some dealer(s) can explain how their system is equitable to reservation holders. Well, I'd like to know anyway. Anyone care to opine?

[angel]

Originally Posted by vibrato

I've got a question here......

If a dealer has an Orphan, is it offered to the next reservation holder regardless of how the vehicle is configured, (which should ethically be the case), B4 it is offered to the general public who likely has a thicker wallet or is salivating to get the beast?

If not - why not? I think the res system is flawed. It appears that an Orphan is up for grabs and dealers exploit the public to add to their profit margins. Why does the reservation not pass to the next in line and so forth? Maybe it does. Maybe some dealer(s) can explain how their system is equitable to reservation holders. Well, I'd like to know anyway. Anyone care to opine?

No. Because in many cases the dealerships do not know who is a reservation holder other than those for whom they have information that their vehicles are on the way. The ONLY reason the Dallas dealership knows I am a reservation holder is because I visited and gave them my information. It seems that each dealership has it's own way of handling orphans and orphan lists.

[SmartAnita]

$2000 is outrageous! What kind of system is that?

[SmartCard]

Originally Posted by sbernali

Dealership is SMART OF UNIVERSAL CITY CA. The salesman was very very help full. SMART OF WEST COVINA was not as good but they dident ask for a deposit to be on there list but they only had 4 cars UNIVERSAL CITY had like 40.

One important tidbit missing here - are you a $99 reservation holder already?

[StevenM1TX]

Originally Posted by sbernali

I just got on a waiting list at a dealership were you give them $2000 and it should take 3 to 4 mouths before they start offering you orphans. Has anyone done this?

Nope, at my dealer there was no deposit requested of me at all to put me on the list (well except the $99 to smart for the original reservation). Since I was near the top of the list, I got one out of the first batch delivered. $2000 seems a bit steep to me.

[angel]

Is it possible that they require $2000 in order to keep the list to a reasonable limit? Thus keeping those who are not seriously ready to purchase off a list that may be growing by the day. Maybe someone should ask the dealership why they require $2000 when the reservation fee required by smartusa is only $99.

[ex300SRT8]

Yes, my $2K went to Universal and I was #8 on the list. I put my $ down the third day they were open and it took me approximately 3 weeks to get my car. When I actually purchased there were two cars available to chose from and I took the black Passion. As was explained to me, these were cars that the dealer tried on numerous occasions to contact the reservation holder with no reply. The $2K was then applied to the purchase.

[angel]

I took my own advice and called. I spoke with a lady by the name of Julie. She said that they have been open less than 6 weeks and already have a list of 75 names. Thus the fee is to ensure those being put on the orphan list are serious about buying.

[smartyPantz]

The dealerships in my area (Md & NoVa) would only put you an their "orphan" list if you were already a reservationist.

[hampyoung]

Salt Lake City (Lindon), Utah dealership asks for $1K deposit to get on the orphan list. And to start the $99 reservation ** likely so they can say their orphan list is for those that already have a res.