No more reservations?

[pajoe]

The salesperson from Devon Smart Center told me Smart will be stopping the reservation program and if I want a Smart I should take an orphan. Later he told me that if I don't want an '09 orphan he would cancel my reservation and Smart USA would send my $99.00 back and if they do take reservations for 2010 models I would have to start over. I told him we originally signed up for an '08 and they just kept our reservation and later I configured for an '09 and I did not understand why now I had to start over. He said he would get back to me about the reservation program.

Any one know if they are stopping the reservation program?
If so, how would a person order a new car? Every dealer I know allows people to order a new car to their desires.

We waited this long and willing to wait for "our" car to be made, and if they are making 2010 models now we prefer a 2010 model rather than a leftover. On the other hand if the reservation program is done, we need to look elsewhere.



The Smart USA website lists the following:


Estimated ETA Date:

8/6/2009 to 11/4/2009


We configured in January.


thanks in advance


joe

[JPaul]

Originally Posted by pajoe

... The Smart USA website lists the following:


Estimated ETA Date:

8/6/2009 to 11/4/2009
...

Not sure about the reservation program, but your ETA seems to indicated imminent delivery: it usually happens about a month after the start of the dates indicated. Next week?...

[ckgonska]

You should see it in September. I reserved mine on 1/22/09 and it has been delivered!

[DoraAnderson]

How exciting for you!!!!!!!!!
I personally would just wait it out, or, if there were an orphan that I loved, take that. But I'd not want to start over!
The dealerships have lots on hand these days. And now BP found gas, sadly there will be more orphans soon .

[Big Panda]

It's no wonder that they may be canceling the reservation system, since most if not all smart centers have an abundance of smarts on their lot.

SCI, as of last evening, had 18 which is down from the 30+ they had a couple months ago.

[jmatero]

So, if you're looking to take delivery in, say, May 2010 - do you make a reservation now? Not? Any advice?

[smark]

Originally Posted by pajoe

The salesperson from Devon Smart Center told me Smart will be stopping the reservation program and if I want a Smart I should take an orphan. Later he told me that if I don't want an '09 orphan he would cancel my reservation and Smart USA would send my $99.00 back and if they do take reservations for 2010 models I would have to start over. I told him we originally signed up for an '08 and they just kept our reservation and later I configured for an '09 and I did not understand why now I had to start over. He said he would get back to me about the reservation program.

Any one know if they are stopping the reservation program?
If so, how would a person order a new car? Every dealer I know allows people to order a new car to their desires.

We waited this long and willing to wait for "our" car to be made, and if they are making 2010 models now we prefer a 2010 model rather than a leftover. On the other hand if the reservation program is done, we need to look elsewhere.



The Smart USA website lists the following:


Estimated ETA Date:

8/6/2009 to 11/4/2009


We configured in January.


thanks in advance


joe

Friend of mine at work canceled his Smart last year. Got his $99.00 dollars back. Not a big deal. They sent him a check in the mail.

[John_H]

Talk to the folks at the 1-800 number for SmartUSA.

I have heard nothing about the reservation system going away and some sales person may need a SERIOUS talking-to.

I thought only used car dealerships employed lying ex-cons.

[pajoe]

Originally Posted by JPaul

Not sure about the reservation program, but your ETA seems to indicated imminent delivery: it usually happens about a month after the start of the dates indicated. Next week?...

The ETA has changed many times over the last year or so, usually when the time runs out it disappears for a month or so then comes back with another time period. I don't put too much faith in the ETA being accurate. I am concerned if they plan on stopping the reservation program at model year '09, and they expect us to accept an orphan or start over again as it has been over a year and if you must start over every year, there is no way you can order, you must accept something on the lot.

I sent an email to SmartUSA to find out what is the status of the reservation program.

on edit:

John_H

I suspect you are right as he kept changing the story. He also told me that because of all the trouble and long wait time he is going to give us $100.00 off the cost of a leftover - but, if I wait a month or two I can get a new 2010 ? I question anyone that would pay the same price for a leftover when the latest model year is available, and considering the price of the car, $100.00 is so little it isn't worth getting excited about.

[Pops900]

Originally Posted by pajoe

The ETA has changed many times over the last year or so, usually when the time runs out it disappears for a month or so then comes back with another time period. I don't put too much faith in the ETA being accurate. I am concerned if they plan on stopping the reservation program at model year '09, and they expect us to accept an orphan or start over again as it has been over a year and if you must start over every year, there is no way you can order, you must accept something on the lot.

I sent an email to SmartUSA to find out what is the status of the reservation program.

on edit:

John_H

I suspect you are right as he kept changing the story. He also told me that because of all the trouble and long wait time he is going to give us $100.00 off the cost of a leftover - but, if I wait a month or two I can get a new 2010 ? I question anyone that would pay the same price for a leftover when the latest model year is available, and considering the price of the car, $100.00 is so little it isn't worth getting excited about.

I think John H is correct also. The dealer is trying to pull the wool over your eyes and get you to buy one off the lot instead of waiting for your original order. They fare out better by getting rid of one more from their inventory verses just passing on your order from the factory to you.
The main website still shows the 'reservation' button at the bottom. So apparently it is not canceled (yet).
Can't say how long it will go on. Once enough dealers have orphans on their lots, I imagine they will step up pressure to buy immediately just like every other manufacturer does now.
I would call 1 800 762-7887 and tell them what is going on.

Let's be careful out there,
Pops and Carlito