Did I get overcharged? - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum
Home News Models Alternatives
 
Smart Car of America - America's Largest Smart Fortwo Enthusiast Community   Smart Fortwo, smart car, smartcar
HOME FORUMS GALLERY

Go Back   Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum > Community > smart General Discussion


Notices

SmartCarofAmerica.com is the premier Smart Car Forum on the internet. Registered Users do not see the above ads.
» Auto Insurance
» Supporting Partner
» Recent Threads
Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-08-2008, 01:38 AM   #1 (permalink)
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: USA
Drive: Passion
Posts: 13
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Did I get overcharged?

So I managed to purchase a display model car, essentially getting my smart within one month of deciding that I want one, which I consider pretty sweet.

However, looking over my invoice/receipt, I see a few things which seem a little fishy...

First off, I got the passion coupe, and although the "base price" on smartusa.com is $13,590, the "base price" on the vehicle I purchased is listed at $14,690...

Moving on to the extras, Lojack is listed at $900 which seems relatively normal, paint chip protection for the front and sides is $800, which I knew about, however, there is also an item just called "paint" which is listed at $500. I can't really figure out what this is. My car is black with silver trim I believe. I don't recall black being one of the colors you had to pay extra for.

in a nutshell, my car is around $20,000 when including taxes, lojack, paint protection, tire and wheel service, 6 year extended warranty, licensing fees, and the optional tachometer and clock. Although I have technically purchased the car, I have yet to actually pick up the car off the lot, so I figure there may be a slight shred of hope of negotiating something should they have overcharged me on anything. Think this is a reasonable price? Or did they just overcharge another sucker?

sillyrabbi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2008, 03:05 AM   #2 (permalink)
Banned
SCOA Club
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Hibernating
Drive: Passion
Posts: 5,088
Thanks: 0
Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts
ask THEM about the difference in "Base Price". did it include the 'Destination Charge' of $645.00, or is that separate?

what you're being charged for LoJack, paint chip protection (can't understand that on on a Black car, since the Tridion Cell is the only part that's PAINTED!) AND a separate $500.00 for "Paint" sounds like the dealer is making up their OWN Maroney Label. are you being 'ripped off'? NO. no one 'made' you purchase the car. you were presented the price and agreed to it. only after the fact did you really LOOK at the price and what you were charged. did you make a mistake....yes. NEVER sign a contract of any sort unless you fully understand it

so i guess my condolences and congratulations are both in order. looks to me like you purchased the car (signed contract) but in all the excitement didn't pay attention to small details like WHAT YOU WERE BEING CHARGED.

enjoy your $20K Passion. and as i've posted here before: "Impatience has its price". looks like you were willing to pay for it.

.
Big Panda is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2008, 04:04 AM   #3 (permalink)
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Shakopee, MN
Drive: Passion
Posts: 203
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Yup, you paid too much.
MrVvrroomm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2008, 04:07 AM   #4 (permalink)
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Nashville, TN
Drive: Passion
Posts: 126
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
That is the price you pay for buying on orphan ...enjoy your smart
wdw412 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2008, 04:07 AM   #5 (permalink)
 
RedDogInCan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: At Home
Drive: Pulse
Posts: 38
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
The metallic silver Tridon cell is an additional $175 over the standard black one. The metallic body colours are also an extra $225.

Go to the SmartUSA web site and use the online configurator. It will tell you what the base price is for the car with the various options should be.
RedDogInCan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2008, 04:21 AM   #6 (permalink)
Admin/Mod.
SCOA Club
 
JPaul's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Drive: Passion
Posts: 7,416
Thanks: 73
Thanked 274 Times in 184 Posts
Garage
And notice that the "new" configurator, installed few weeks ago, now includes the $645 destination charge.
JPaul is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2008, 05:28 AM   #7 (permalink)
 
ADilwicius's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Glendora, Califonia
Drive: Cabrio
Posts: 182
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I am a manager at a national chain car dealer. Our lojack is $649. The clear bra protector thing should cost 200 to 300 but you actually got a deal at 800 cause my smart dealer is charging 1400 for it on their orphans. Finally they are paint infused plastic panels so any kind of paint protections seems like a rip off. Sounds like you got a bum deal but you have your car which is more then I can say after 13 months.
ADilwicius is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2008, 05:58 AM   #8 (permalink)
SCOA Club
 
chieftmc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Padded cell #9
Drive: Passion
Posts: 6,419
Thanks: 158
Thanked 412 Times in 287 Posts
Garage
AND you always have 72 hours to cancel the deal entirely!


chieftmc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2008, 06:31 AM   #9 (permalink)
 
mendo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Meadow Vista, CA
Drive: Passion
Posts: 524
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I got the same kind of deal when I got mine.

Here is how I feel.

I got a car that I really enjoy and I have it now.

I like it and I feel good about it.

I am saving almost $500 a month in fuel because I doubled the MPG from my previous car.

If I was to wait until my DDE said, almost a year, I would have spent around $6000 in Gas.

I paid for the extra "goodies" that the dealer put on, in the end I am saving money and I have the car NOW!!

go have fun in it!!
mendo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2008, 08:00 AM   #10 (permalink)
 
Smart Enuf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sacramento, CA
Drive: Cabrio
Posts: 2,148
Thanks: 26
Thanked 102 Times in 66 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by chieftmc View Post
AND you always have 72 hours to cancel the deal entirely!


Don't know about the other states, but there is no 3-day grace period to back out of a car purchase in California.
Smart Enuf is offline   Reply With Quote
Today
 


This ad will not be shown if you are logged in.

Sponsored Links
Advertisement
 
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:22 AM.



Smart Cars of America, LLC is not affiliated with, authorized by, associated with or have any connection with G&K, Zap, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz AMG, Mercedes-Benz McLaren Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, smart Canada Division, DaimlerChrysler, Chrysler LLC, DaimlerChrysler AG, Maybach, smart gmbh, a division of Mercedes Benz LLC, the manufacturer of SMART automobiles, smart USA Distributor, LLC, a division of Penske Automotive Group, Inc, the exclusive authorized U.S. importer and distributor of the smart vehicle or any of their official dealerships


Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.3.2
Garage Plus vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.
Ad Management by RedTyger