Factory Paint Problems? - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

Bamawama · 10-11-2009, 12:52 AM

I have a 2009 Smart that I took delivery of in Dec. 2008. At the time of delivery we noticed some tiny (pinhead size)specks, almost like bubbles in the black tridion above and around the doors, both sides of the car. We pointed them out to the dealership and also had them note it on the sale papers. We were told to bring the car back in (Service was closed at the time) and have it looked at, which we did within the first two weeks.

The Service Manager agreed with us that it appeared to be a factory defect and they wanted the factory rep to see it. As the rep was only in the area periodically, and we live 40 miles away from the dealership, it was difficult to coordinate a date & time to get the car in while the rep was available. In the meantime, the Service Mgr took photos of the affected areas to show the rep.

Three weeks ago I took the car in for another issue and coincidentally the factory rep was also there. He took a look at the car and after being rude,
obnoxious (those "little things"?), patronizing, condescending, and generally offensive, he informed me that there were other cars with more spots than mine and bottom line...Smart would not do anything about it. I was shocked and royally p&**@d off. After telling him that he needed to go take Customer Service 101 again because he'd obviously flunked it the first time around, I stormed out of there.

I have no problem with the dealership itself or the Service Mgr. He has been very helpful, courteous, and professional every time I've dealt with him.

I called Smart to file a report on that rep and I talked with a very nice customer service person who took down all the details of what had happened and read it back to me, so I know he was listening!

If you've made it through this post to this point, my question is whether anyone else has seen those same spots in their car? If so, were they addressed or were you also given a runaround?

I'm a very good natured and agreeable person but I was made to feel as if I was making something out of nothing, even though the Sales and Service people at the dealership all agreed these spots were visible and should be taken care of. I feel that Smart should make this right.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

silverbrabus · 10-11-2009, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bamawama

Thoughts?

It's on the tridon, powdercoat, not paint. Only fix at this point is to spray it, you probably won't be happy with the repair either.

I know how you feel, you've just spent a lot of money and expect everything to be perfect, but are you SURE you can't live with it? Which would be worse, the way it looks now or a botched attempt at repair?

Wdhitch · 10-11-2009, 08:33 AM

You need to give smartUSA a chance... If you haven't heard back in a week or two (Things are alittle crazy up there right now) you need to call or email Dave Schembri directly. I don't have his contact info on me but if you search the forums it's around here in quite a few threads.

Don't try to fix it yourself or have anyone else do it... You're under warranty with a issue that was present and noted at delivery. You've got one of the best cases I've seen... it'll be taken care of.

Neonspinnazz · 10-11-2009, 03:43 PM

Yes, it's a defect and yes, smart needs to fix it. That rep is in the wrong with the "it's a little thing that smart won't fix

" excuse.

Someone needs firing.

fpage77 · 10-11-2009, 06:05 PM

Took a little digging but I found the big mans contact information buried on the forum. Call Dave if you want he's a nice guy and boss of all of smart!

Dave Schembri
smart USA
1765 Telegraph Rd.
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
His direct phone line is: 248-648-2450
and his e-mail is:dschembri@smartusa.com

Okiesmrt · 10-11-2009, 06:10 PM

Is this really worth your time?

h20m0f0 · 10-11-2009, 07:24 PM

It would be worth my time. The dealer wouldn't be Towbin in Las Vegas would it? I could start a whole nother thread about that place. The sales department seems fine the service department blows chunks

Wdhitch · 10-11-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Okiesmrt

Is this really worth your time?

Who's time are you referring to? The owner who was sold an inferior product with the understanding that it would be taken care of? I think he or she would disagree.

Call Dave.