I have a VIN!!! - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

pwbapro · 07-11-2008, 08:09 AM

So yesterday I mustered up some time to email Judson @ Orlando Smart to ask what'sup...I have beginning to see more and more Smarts locally, and I would assume a good number of them are coming form this dealer. I also wanted to ask him about orphans, as I test drove with him in the Spring and asked then to be on the list, and had never heard from him. I don't expect instant results as my reservation # is 1286, config'd in Feb, but it would be nice to hear an update once in a while.

Anyway, this is part of the email I got from him:
"Your unit should be arriving here on or before the 18th of August!!!!!

Shipments are picking up - your unit is in schedule C and has been assigned a vin."

1. Ironic that just yesterday he had tried to email me at another address. I never got that email.
2. Should I ask for my VIN, or does it matter?
3. What is "schedule C"?

bsnyder100 · 07-11-2008, 08:42 AM

That's Awesome News!

wdw412 · 07-11-2008, 08:47 AM

Yes ask for your VIN, if there is one, he should be able to provide for you
Congrats!
Bill

**jwight** · 07-11-2008, 08:48 AM

Can't help with schedule C (although it may mean in production) but yes, ask for the VIN. Once you have it you can track your car's progress to the port.

PassionforPassionCT · 07-11-2008, 09:15 AM

"C" means production confirmed, per other threads in the delivery subforum. Its either planned or already produced. I recieved my "C" without a vin, while others have. Just keep bugging them.

pwbapro · 07-11-2008, 09:59 AM

Here's a strange twist to the story:
Email from my salesperson Judson, he includes my VIN. He also informs me he can see it is being built today. (So, I know it's official "birthday"!)

Today is July 11. My father's Birthday. Always thought 7-11 was a lucky day! He passed away in 1988 when I was 20, and for years now I have been interested in small cars and scooters because He owned a Vespa microcar in 1961-1962. I have currently a Vespa scooter as well as a Mini Cooper. We have had an Austin-Rover Mini classic as well. The Smartie will be a nice mix of new and old, safety and cuteness, and as always in the back of my head a tribute to my dad. How fitting my Smartie is born on this day....

SubSlr88 · 07-11-2008, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwbapro

Today is July 11. My father's Birthday. Always thought 7-11 was a lucky day! -- The Smartie will be a nice mix of new and old, safety and cuteness, and as always in the back of my head a tribute to my dad. How fitting my Smartie is born on this day....

This is know as SERENDIPITY or a fortuitious event! Sounds like a true good luck story to me! How neat . . . congratulations!

Big Panda · 07-11-2008, 10:34 AM

[quote=pwbapro;106380].... Should I ask for my VIN, or does it matter?
quote]

YES, YES, YES!!!! you can never have "TMI" regarding your smart......unless it's that a couple of the workers were making out in your car as it rolled off the assembly line. eeeeewwwwwww

now THAT would be TMI!!!

Big Panda · 07-11-2008, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwbapro

Here's a strange twist to the story:
Email from my salesperson Judson, he includes my VIN. He also informs me he can see it is being built today. (So, I know it's official "birthday"!)

Today is July 11. My father's Birthday. Always thought 7-11 was a lucky day! He passed away in 1988 when I was 20, and for years now I have been interested in small cars and scooters because He owned a Vespa microcar in 1961-1962. I have currently a Vespa scooter as well as a Mini Cooper. We have had an Austin-Rover Mini classic as well. The Smartie will be a nice mix of new and old, safety and cuteness, and as always in the back of my head a tribute to my dad. How fitting my Smartie is born on this day....

that's a great story "pwbapro"......i really hope you get your smart today. it would be soooo fitting. but in your case, i hope every day is your 'lucky day' !

CONGRATS and ENJOY TIME WITH YOUR NEW FAMILY MEMBER!

**JPaul** · 07-11-2008, 11:33 AM

A reminder from another way, way earlier post:

Quote:

Once smart 1 has released the information to us, we review each name (and VIN# if available) against the production schedule. Customers are then notified of the status of their car in the following sequence:
C = In production [if there is a VIN# the vehicle is 30-45 days out from port. If not, 45-60 days out]
D = Shipped [this indicates the release of the vehicle to the shipping company in France- 15-30 days out form port]
1= In Port [this indicates that the vehicle has arrived in the US but has not had the final inspection completed and has not yet been released to ground transportation for delivery to the dealer- 10-15 days out]
5 = In Route [vehicle is released to ground transportation- 7-10 days out]
In stock= It is here! [PDI is started- 3-5 days to deliver]

This system began in late February and is supposed to continue as vehicles are added to the production schedule. It is true that smart 1 has limited information, and because of initial information flow issues, smart USA has done the right thing and passed accountability and responsibility to the dealer to manage contacts. I am quite sure what you will find is a lot less aggravation with regards to available information now that the smart centers are involved. Hope this helps. Again, I apologize for the delay in responding.