New Dealer Scam

**Dunerunner** · 09-10-2008, 08:50 AM

Ripped from the Insider

Tim, from smart Insider, ordered a smart over a year ago. He got a call from the dealership, a sales person, that a car just like his came in and he has a opportunity to buy it, with dealer add ons!!

Turns out the car was his reserved smart, the dealership was just trying to get an extra $5,000 out of poor Tim for his car!

During the conversation, Tim realized he was being offered his own car and the sales rep blamed it on management. Tim is still in limbo, Beware!!

theguywiththelongestname · 09-10-2008, 08:52 AM

Yikes!

yuckmoon · 09-10-2008, 09:27 AM

If were Tim I would have made the dealer sell me MY smart minus the $5000.

And then Thanked them for all the extra bonus parts.

sk8ndad · 09-10-2008, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yuckmoon

If were Tim I would have made the dealer sell me MY smart minus the $5000.

And then Thanked them for all the extra bonus parts.

If they put extras on his car he didn't authorize, the dealer can give them to him for free or remove them at their cost...any damage done Tim would have to be compensated for.

**Suze** · 09-10-2008, 09:48 AM

I read this too, but I don't understand how Tim knew it was his car. This story just didn't have enough facts to be ruled a known scam, just Tim's few lines about it. IMO, ya know.

**Dunerunner** · 09-10-2008, 09:51 AM

Suze, I didn't get that part either! He mentions that during the sales conversation, he discovers the scam. I don't know whether the sales rep mentioned the VIN or what. Worth asking TIM about though!!

Cannot find this blog on the Insider!! It was just posted today and now, it's gone. My guess is that it was BS and the mods over there took it down. After hearing what Heatere3 went thru, I wanted to send out an alert and it looks like I may have pulled the alarm too soon.

**jwight** · 09-10-2008, 09:54 AM

More than a scam, IMHO. If the car is the one he reserved and configured, by VIN, the dealer violated their agreement (contract?) with smart USA not to sell cars above MSRP (including taxes, fees, etc.)

**Suze** · 09-10-2008, 10:04 AM

Yes, more details from Tim are needed.

**Dunerunner** · 09-10-2008, 10:13 AM

Suze, It looks like Tim King is a new member at the Insider, having joined the 9th. His page is still active, but the blog he posted is gone. I've left him several pointed questions, we'll see if he bothers to answer.

**jwight** · 09-10-2008, 11:05 AM

Closed as requested by the OP.