Dealer email says 5 days to give $1000 deposit

[tjmodz]

Originally Posted by MinnySmart

Sounds shady... For starters you might want to contact SmartUSA and see if they can offer any information regarding such demands.

As my delivery got close, I got a phone call from my dealer, Fairfield, CT., asking whether I was going to take delivery or not. And that if I was going to buy the car I had 2 weeks to put a $1000 deposit down.

The Fairfield Smart Center is owned by Roger Penske. If his dealerships are doing it, I don't think calling SmartUSA is going to get any results.

I think it is a B.S. practice, especially since most dealerships are not just around the corner for most people. You want to buy the product they are selling, but have to take an hour or more out of your day to give them ANOTHER deposit to prove it.

[Dunerunner]

spdickey - The key phrasing here is "upon the execution of a purchase agreement." No purchase agreement has been entered into, this is a demand for $5K to hold a car that is in production across the pond! It borders on extortion.

[conchobar]

Originally Posted by spdickey

It appears that your smart dealer is trying to limit the number of cars that arrive on his lot that then turn into orphans. By requiring to enter into a purchase agreement prior to delivery with a more substantial deposit than the $99 you put down on reservation will insure the dealer that you will indeed take delivery of the car. This was all spelled out in the agreement you made when you reserved. Don't want the car? Don't pay the $5 grand and get your $99 back.

You are clearly projecting something that is not in the original post. I have no problem with entering a purchase agreement. I actually find the $1000 deposit fair. I have a problem with the idea that I have 5 days from an email to act. MikeDCOP kindly upped a portion of the confirmation email which states,

"After you have been contacted by such dealer to place your order, you will have 30 days to complete the mutually agreed upon written purchase agreement with the dealer. "

How does giving me 5 days to act or forfeit my car coincide with the above statement? I would like to read your response.

[SuperGeek]

You have 5 days from the email to act, and the dealer may consider a phone call such confirmation. They first want to make sure you're still interested, so the car doesn't sit on the lot for a month. Then they want you to demonstrate good faith commitment by way of a deposit. This is almost always negotiable... my dealer ASKED how much of a deposit I could put down, and I offered $1k, paid at time of delivery. Each dealer is different, but bottom line is they want to sell the car. Making you mad isn't worth the profit they may get off the car resold as an orphan, so it would be stupid for any dealer to intentionally jerk you around.

Call the dealer, but call SmartUSA or 411 ("Smart Center [CityName]") for the phone # if you suspect it's not a legit email... there are scams out there.

[conchobar]

I replied to their email last night. This is what I wrote.

"Hello ******,

It has been a long time coming. The earliest I can make it to the dealership will be on Monday Sep. 15, 2008. 5 days is very short notice, due to my schedule. Granted, my Smart confirmation letter stated,

"After you have been contacted by such dealer to place your order, you will have 30 days to complete the mutually agreed upon written purchase agreement with the dealer. The Smart USA dealer may require you to deposit additional funds upon the execution of the purchase agreement."

The $1000 deposit is more than fair, but the 5 day time frame doesn't seem to coincide with the confirmation letter I received from SmartUSA. I will contact you Thurday 9/11/08 by telephone to discuss this further. I look forward to speaking with you, and obviously picking up my Fortwo."


I received another email from the dealer today, and here it is.


"Hi ******,

Glad to read you’re excited about your smartcar. Please don’t be concerned about the 5 days. We have found that putting a time on the formalization process speeds up the process especially when we have large numbers of reservations to keep on track. If you need the 30 days we would be more than happy to accommodate you. Just let me know a convenient time for you to come by."

So all is well, I do understand dealers not wanting to hold product. I have similar issues in my line of work, If they had stuck to original email, I would have been upset. Given that isn't the case, I am happy.

[JPaul]

conchobar, you're happy, we're happy.

[Karl Roth]

I did not buy my car at Inskip but did visit there on a get together hosted by the dealership and found the young lady that runs the shop to be quite reasonable and nice. Lots of the posters on this board have made noise that the deposit should be higher. Looks like the dealer is trying to nail down the "bailers" early. I hope you are able to work something out if you want the car.
karl

[rawlus®]

i got the notice in the original email more than a month after i tool delivery of the car. although my stealership was not inskip but herb chambers somerville.

inskip is pretty easygoing i think. i've been there multiple times and that'll probably be where i take my service too. Inskip is also part of the Penske Automotive Group - so it's sorta in the family i guess.

anyway - i called my dealer when i knew my vehicle would arrive and told him when i would pick it up and there was never any discussion on additional deposits prior to pickup. as far as i was concerned, it was mine as soon as it left the factory.

as to obtaining financing - you can get financing without a VIN#, you don't even need a car in mind. i had a blank check from the credit union approved up to $17K more than a month before my car was due to arrive... i only ended up using about half that amount tho - did the rest in cash and financed the half for 24months.

[Britmck]

Originally Posted by conchobar

You are clearly projecting something that is not in the original post. I have no problem with entering a purchase agreement. I actually find the $1000 deposit fair. I have a problem with the idea that I have 5 days from an email to act. MikeDCOP kindly upped a portion of the confirmation email which states,

"After you have been contacted by such dealer to place your order, you will have 30 days to complete the mutually agreed upon written purchase agreement with the dealer. "

How does giving me 5 days to act or forfeit my car coincide with the above statement? I would like to read your response.

The dealership should honor the reservation agreement of 30 days. I just received an email from Smart Center Seattle today stating that my smart will be here in 45-60 days, and I have 30 days from the date of the email to reply with my intent to purchase. If I do not reply within 30 days, they will then attempt 3 more times to contact me through my other contact info before canceling my reservation and putting my smart on the orphans list. I would then receive my $99 back within 30 days. However, I do plan to purchase my smart. Bottom line is your dealership should honor the agreement, and I would encourage you to call 1800SmartUSA or even email the dealership back and request that they honor your agreement.

[CruisingAZ]

I received the following e-mail, I guess the 30 day policy was just a bait & switch:

We are happy to tell you that your car has arrived stateside and is being processed at our port of entry in California. We expect your vehicle to be released to transportation carriers in the next 24-48 hours (maybe even sooner!). In preparation for your delivery we will need the following items with you – you can bring them with you at your delivery appointment or you are welcome to email or fax them to us ahead of time. Items we will need; a copy of your driver’s license and a current insurance card with your name on it. If you are planning to finance, we will need a credit application (attached) filled out and faxed to us. If you have a trade in, please give us a call with the details so we can begin the appraisal process. Once your vehicle has arrived here at the dealership we will contact you to schedule your delivery appointment, please remember that once the vehicle arrives here at the dealership you have 7 days to complete your purchase and take delivery.