$300 deposit? what the...

[whirlybirdpro]

I have been on the orphan list at the Buckhead smart dealership for a couple of months now and didnt have to pay a 300 dollar deposit just to be on the list. Today i called the knoxville location to get on that orphan list, since i live in TN for school and my parents live in ATL i can be on both lists, but they wanted a $300 deposit and i was like oh nvm. so is this a new thing or what? i guess ill just wait for a pure with just a/c in atlanta...

[a2jack]

Originally Posted by whirlybirdpro

I have been on the orphan list at the Buckhead smart dealership for a couple of months now and didnt have to pay a 300 dollar deposit just to be on the list. Today i called the knoxville location to get on that orphan list, since i live in TN for school and my parents live in ATL i can be on both lists, but they wanted a $300 deposit and i was like oh nvm. so is this a new thing or what? i guess ill just wait for a pure with just a/c in atlanta...

Lots of posts on this board about this subject.IMO moneys for Orphans are not deposits. You are buying an Option. A2Jack

[whirlybirdpro]

but why didnt i have to put one down in atlanta?

[a2jack]

Originally Posted by whirlybirdpro

but why didnt i have to put one down in atlanta?

Smart corp has no policy on selling orphans. It's all up for grabs by the dealers.
(And oh boy do they grab.) Read the tales of buying orphans in Fla. right here on this list. A2Jack

[Smartdavis]

Some dealers are requiring deposits and some not to be on orphan lists. I think in the LA area the deposit would be much higher at one of the dealers.

[broccoli2]

North Hollywood... $2000

[smarteepants]

I had to put a $1000 non-returnable deposit. Lynden Utah. I'm glad I went through with it. Had my orphan 3 weeks later. I otherwise would have had to wait until July10 at the earliest. Obviously, you don't want to do it this way at more than one dealer.

[Springlering]

We're on the orphan list in Atlanta, too. No deposit charged to us either.

I checked a couple of days ago, and they said there are no Pures with just AC anytime soon, and to plan on getting a Passion instead,if we can get ahold of an orphan at all.

I appreciate it that they didn't charge one, but wouldn't have objected to paying a deposit. When we picked up the Yellow Peril (my dad named it) on Monday, their phones were ringing off the hook. One of the receptionists answered a call from a woman. We could hear the woman screaming at her all the way over in the corner where we were sitting, "You're a dealer aren't you? Whaddaya mean you don't have any in stock?" She soothed this extraordinarily rude woman by putting her name on the orphan list. Had it been me, I would have orphaned her all right, right out to the dipsy dumpster.

The rep we were talking to had been talking to a guy for about 45 minutes, and finally told him, "Gee I'd love to talk to you all day,but I have customers waiting".

I think a deposit would weed out some window shoppers who aren't serious. IMHO, there's some folks out there that get their jollies just by saying "I'm on the waiting list". No one here of course. Anyone who seeks out a forum is probably a little bit better class of fan!

[cmjars]

Yes... I am one of the ones who put $2000 down (refundable) in North Hollywood.

Guess what I got my car in 3 weeks for a fair price and I had a great time while purchasing my Smart Thank you again Universal Smart Center

-Chris

[sbernali]

I was on a $2000 waiting list got my Pure with air, power steering, cd and alarm in 4 weeks 5 days. Would have given more to be on the waiting list but they would not take it pluse it gos towards the purchase of the car you don't loose it.