Since my current car is in declining health and since the DDE doesn't even have an estimate for me, I decided to add my name to the Atlanta dealership's orphan list. They don't require a deposit to get on the list. The guy I talked to actually said that getting a car isn't really that hard; you just have to be available to answer your phone when they call.
I wondered if anyone has any experiences with the Buckhead Orphan list or Orphan lists in general that you'd be willing to share. How long were you on the list before you got a call? If you declined to buy the orphan they offered, did they ever call you again? I apologize if there is already a thread about this.
There are several threads about this but another doesn't hurt. I put myself on the MN list about 2 weeks ago. I was told that if I have no preference on colors I could get a car by July/August. That was the initial estimate. On Monday I was called about a Red/Black Passion w/o power steering. I declined because I need my Aztek for my move back to college, and I told them I can accept anything in May. (2 weeks is WAY faster than 3 months)
So by being open on colors you can advance your spot by over 30 people according to the lady I talked too. Also get your name across the dealership, and visit them once in awhile and you can get your car in no time.
So for me, I was told I would get a car now in May assuming the rate of orphanage stays the same. But Guarenteed this summer I'd have a car.
haven't gotten "The Call" as of yet, but i know now how the dealer in Indy is handling 'orphans' and i applaud them.
i believe i have this correct and i appologize if i don't, but here goes; first, they have dropped all the names of those who do NOT have a car on order. second, they have dropped all the names of those who HAVE cars on order, who live out of State but are NOT assigned to Indy for delivery.
the only names now on their 'orphan list' are those of us who have placed a 'reservation' and are assigned to the Indy location OR live in the State of Indiana.
it's obvious as to why they would want to do this. first, it allows any extra cars they come by to remain within the State (taking care of people in the area, as it should be) and second, by doing that, they in turn will create a service and parts customer base which dealerships desperately need to survive when car sales are down. it also weeds out those who are simply looking to purchase a smart to turn a quick buck or two.
i really hope that all dealers adopt this policy. in the long run, ii believe it will help everyone get the car they want as soon as possible.
I had a $99 deposit for a delivery in 6-12 months, so I put my name on the local orphan list with no color/option preference. I believe there were at least twenty names in front of mine. This dealer did require that I be in the smart reservation program to be eligible for the orphan list.
In two weeks I received a call that a Passion was available (I had ordered a Pure). Dealer told me that everyone ahead of me balked for one reason or another and the dealer wanted to move the car, as it was the end of the sales quarter. I paid list price without any dealer add-ons. In two hours, I was driving the little bugger out of the lot They told me that I would have to request my $99 refund directly to the factory, which I did.
I was put on the orphan list about a month ago here in MN, I told them I didn`t care about color or options. They have my cell # and I didn`t receive any calls on monday or any since!
I got on the orphan list in Jacksonville Florida and made it clear that would buy any color, any model they came across. In two and a half weeks I got a call offering a red/black Pure with no options but A/C. There were no dealer options installed so I purchased it at MSRP. All in all, a great experience with Smart Center Jacksonville!
Sacramento Dealership - I was on the orphan list 4 days when they called me with 4 cars, 4 colors available. Only requirement as far as I know was to be on the reservation list. I am soooo glad that we were able to adopt our orphan!
Sacramento Dealership - I was on the orphan list 4 days when they called me with 4 cars, 4 colors available. Only requirement as far as I know was to be on the reservation list. I am soooo glad that we were able to adopt our orphan!
Really?
I wonder if I should put my name on the Sac list and fly up there to pick it up. The Universal Smart here in SoCal has over 100 names on the list, even with a $2k deposit! I'm on the Beverly Hills Smart list, in the 80's and about four months to go....
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They told me that I would have to request my $99 refund directly to the factory, which I did.
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