Bye for now Smart Folks

Lewis · 01-21-2008, 10:04 AM

I want to wish good luck and enjoyment to all my fellow smartcar enthusists here.

I cancelled my reservation today in protest of the bogus fees being charged by the Ray Catena Smartcenter in NJ. To me the smartcar was never a practical choice (and that was before I found out about the poor mileage and requirement of premium gas) but it was an inexpensive fun choice and the prospect of being hosed by Mr. Catena and his merry band took the fun out of it for me.

I have a good deal of experience driving smartcars in Europe as rentals and still do want one eventually but not under these circumstances of being forced by PAG to only deal with Catena and then being told by Catena to take the rip off or leave it. While I am sure many of you guys and gals can shrug off the situation with the dealers I just have a personality that doesn't allow me to do so and enjoy the car.

I may just place another reservation in a few months with the idea that maybe in a couple of years they'll have the hybrid or diesel over here in the USA and the dealer ripoffs will have been stopped by the home office in Germany.

I doubt PAG cares a wit about the cheating but my wife is Dutch and I can tell you based on her take the Europeans who own Smart AG would not approve of this sleazy behavior by PAG- yes PAG- since there is no doubt in my mind that they COULD stop it in a day if they cared to.

Good luck to all of you with your Smarts!

Lewis

spdickey · 01-21-2008, 10:06 AM

Too bad, you probably could have sold your car to Orphan_Hunter.

jediknight36 · 01-21-2008, 10:09 AM

I would love some details on this. Our dealership in Dallas mentioned no extra fees. What fees are you talking about? PAG is Penske right? Please post details.

Lewis · 01-21-2008, 10:10 AM

Then I'd be JUST like all our friendly Smart dealers- no thanks.

My friend asked me why I couldn't take delivery and then resell it for a profit- I said that would make me a Catena!

NO THANKS! :-)

rrrucke · 01-21-2008, 10:13 AM

Good luck to you Lewis and I appreciate your candor. Regina

wahi · 01-21-2008, 10:14 AM

Lewis,

you're the man!

Fredvon4 · 01-21-2008, 10:16 AM

Lewis I am proud that you have convictions you will live by not just talk about... good luck to you

You have PM

E-SMART · 01-21-2008, 10:28 AM

I think that's why a lot of states have tried to mandate what the max that a dealer can charge for a "documentation fee" but of course that doesn't prevent him from other 'fees'. I can remember being totally disgusted when the Miata first came out in '89/'90 and seeing that 'extra' $5,000 tacked on as 'market adjustment' (i.e., dealer profit) ... as I remember, a base Miata (bare bones, little to no options) was only about $13.5K at the time so this was a HUGE extra mark-up ... needless to say, I refused to buy one until years later --- bought one in '95 and another in '99 which I still own. I think the only thing that PAG /smartUSA is trying to do is prevent the extra market price upcharge but if a doc fee isn't regulated (like in FL, can't remember about NJ) the sky is the limit ... while I'm not happy about IL's $150 max at least everyone in the state will pay the same (or less, from probably very few dealers ... after all its not required!)

spdickey · 01-21-2008, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jediknight36

I would love some details on this. Our dealership in Dallas mentioned no extra fees. What fees are you talking about? PAG is Penske right? Please post details.

Lots of other threads on the "dealer doc fee ripoff."

Some states like, Florida and NJ don't regulate how much dealers can pad the bottom line price of their cars with "dealer prep," "doc fees" or other add on charges. California limits them to $55. Florida dealers can rip you off upwards of $499. And as long as they charge everybody the same $499 they can legally do it to you, too. A strong dealer lobby has kept this theft legal for many years there. Attempts are being made to change this, hopefully its successful.

PAG has not addressed this at all. But I am VERY glad they are preventing the dealers from any "market" price increases!

My advise for NJ deliveries, get yours moved to New York, though it will add some time to your purchase. Just call smart USA, tell them you moved, and give them a NY ZIP.

SmartAzz · 01-21-2008, 12:07 PM

Sorry to see you go Lewis. I understand where you are coming from and hope they listen to you.

I do think contacting the AG and such could help since the basic aspect of not being able to choose your own dealer changes the whole thing innately, as opposed to other instances of mark-ups where consumers have the freedom to place orders and get cars anywhere they choose. There really seems to be a problem infringing on consumer rights/protections with this system if dealers are allowed to take advantage of what are basically captive reservation holders.

Best of luck with whatever you choose to get instead.