Letter to PAG- please join in!

[gmkid]

Just chiming in. $487.00 "destination" charge from my 1 and only dealer. They seemed more excited at the notion of canceling my reservation rather then trying to retain it!

JF

[spdickey]

Originally Posted by gmkid

Just chiming in. $487.00 "destination" charge from my 1 and only dealer. They seemed more excited at the notion of canceling my reservation rather then trying to retain it!

JF

"Destination Charge" of $645 on the sticker is the same for all smarts, everywhere. Anything else like that on your paperwork is all dealer profit.

[Fredvon4]

Fortunately Texas regulates some of this but not all... I have yet to see an "Out the door bill" posted from my dealership--- and I am not going to call and pester..

Some things to consider:

#1 -- PAG is the only entity that can prevent, minimize, or do anything about this...

The dealers who are motivated to have fraudulent up charges are not concerned with your vote by walk away threats...

All of them are very aware that first TWO years are 100% sold

All of them have waiting lists already

Many/All of them have friends, family, self, and celebrity or "special" customers waiting for a Smart to orphan out

I personally know there are people who have offered their local dealer over $5000 cash under table if they get an early shot at an orphan (makes for motive to encourage someone to walk)

I know that (perhaps unfair across the board...) many dealers are unscrupulous by nature...

Most are no better then a Carnival Shill who is intent on relieving the "Mark" of all cash possible

Back to observation #1 above...

We insiders are the only group that can bring pressure to PAG to do the right thing and modify dealer agreement to reduce these market pressures and Brand Harming Frauds...

Paper written, postal delivered messages gain a tad bit more concern... Takes time to do this and Marketing folks know how to determine ratios of ticked off people by how many take the time to write angry letters...

Internet feedback from "Contact Us" sections of the SmartUSA web site... are all looked at by low tiered employees and then put into buckets... The data base spits out ratios and the Marketing folks never really read any of the messages...they may get general areas of concern ..... for us this is least effective method of communicating anger or dissatisfaction

Craft well written, non -emotional, non-threatening rational letter to PAG , and the local BBB, and your state consumer protection agency, and state Attorney General and the Dealer in question....

Simple three paragraph letter, with all the addressees at the top in order...PAG first-Dealer Last

BTW on other web sites I was prohibited from giving this advice... seems it comes under "No Legal Discussion" rules

Some of you seem to come from some wealth, or have access to a lawyer.. Consult a Lawyer and post here his/her recommendation as long as we don't yet have the restrictions of free speech and information "rules"

editied in:
I did not post a sample letter for this reason... form letters get less attention then personal thoughts... do not be long winded..state the facts and why you think it is a rip off... be short and to the point...include that you do not object to paying reasonable costs....

[Old smart]

I pretty much concur with Fred, especially the counsel to keep it short and to the point, and to keep it civil. I wouldn’t go into what you intend to do, only what you request that they do. Also, with the initial contact letter I wouldn’t indicate that you are turning-on the BBB, or state A.G., or Dewey-Cheatham & Howe; wait for their return response.

A line of reasoning in your word crafting could be to remind them of their stated intent to make smart buying a common, consistent experience (the identical smart centers, websites, showroom décor, etc.), and individual dealers monkeying around with the final price structure flies in the face of all that.

[Karl Roth]

Sounds like good advice to me. At my last visit to the dealer lots of people where walking around looking and no cars to sell yet. Canceling is no threat at this point.

[Fredvon4]

I agree with fishrdnc about addressing to PAG only for all of us who are generally concerned...

My advice above with the BBB, AG, consumer protection board etc should only come from insider reservation holders who know for a FACT that their assigned XXX Smart Center dealer is charging exceptionally high prep of docs fees... compared to other dealers in the state or region...remember regional sales are PAGs idea... and what fishrdnc said above about PAGs model... as insiders we have legitimate expectations

The real key is rational, fact based, to the point, adult communication... trust PAG to get concerned appropriately

Emotionally charged, over stated, and unreasonable expectations are generally pitched in the circle file...

Communicate politely that you are not objecting to legitimate dealer costs but strongly object to being gouged or out right defrauded

[rrrucke]

Edison is charging under $300 for doc fee. Not a great figure but it's better than $500 as previously posted. Check their thread "smartcenterEdison" under dealerships. Thanks, Regina

[Lewis]

I am 59 years old- have bought a couple of dozen cars in my lifetime and never even was asked for these silly fees. What the heck is the profit for but to pay dealer administrative costs? Why in heavens name did adminstrative costs get shifted to the buyers all of a sudden. Please spare me the dealer sob stories. The whole context of this discussion is bizarre! It's not like the 9% the dealer makes on the car is HIS money and we pay to run the dealership? Maybe we should send their kids through college while we're at it so they can take some more vacation?

[chubhunter]

Originally Posted by uncletony

Hi All
I went in person to Ray Catena dealership today and spoke to the salesmen and then the sales manager and tried to negotiate their onerous policy for backdoor surcharges,they would not budge.The cost would be the same for a $100,000 car or the $15000 smart. I told them that many of us felt betrayed and are angry, they took it with a grain of salt.I then contacted smart usa cust service and tried to change dealership, they can not do this at this time,however since I am a New York resident I can and did change my address closer to a dealer in Long Island who will only charge me $45.00 for DOC. fee and no other added on fees I know that this is is only a solution for me but anyone who is concerned can send a complaint to:
customer-service@ib-smart.net I am told that PAG is aware of the problem and that they may be trying to do something about it, remember its the squeeky wheel that gets the oil.

A++
Everyone needs to squeak and squeak loud. If we all send letters and complain we will be heard. Imagine a gouging dealer losing half of their smarts to another dealer because their customers changed where their's was being delivered!! Smart should compile a list from its dealers of how much each dealer is charging for doc and prep. Then send it to its reservation holders so that WE can decided where OUR car gets sent! I would gladly travel to another dealer that was not screwing its customers.