I couldn't have said it better. I have been SO ANGRY about the scabs and illogical dealer software. Although I am not in a hurry, common decency would prevent me from purchasing an orphan before those who had waited and played by the rules for up to a year. Thanks for saying it so well.
I can understand the frustration of reservation holders because I still have my reservation (and my orphan) and I am amazed that Smart hasn't sent any kind of update or explanation on what is going on. A simple e-mail about how orphans are being handled would have been nice since the forums are loaded with information and mis-information and clearly some of their customers are upset. However, in their defense, the car has only been here for 8 weeks and after talking to my dealer on Friday I get the feeling that things are getting more organized and handled more fairly every day as systems are developed. Try to remember that it is just a hunk of metal (and plastic) and there are lots of other cars out there to buy if someone needs immediate transportation. There is no real harm being done by selling orphans. No animals have been injured. It's just irritating.
Amethyste: I'm glad you had such a positive response. Your dealership is also my dealership, and when I called yesterday a person who will go unnamed said she "has yet to go to the Orphan list". She stated "when they come in, they are sold within an hour". This was in response to my question about whether or not they actually had my name on an Orphan list (the answer is yes). She also stated "I am not obligated to use the orphan list". She didn't say it in any nasty way, just as a matter of fact. This bothers me a lot, as I added my name to the Orphan list on January 26, in person. I hope my configured car will be in end of April, beginning of May. I may be off by a month, though.
My thoughts. What does everyone else thing of this?
Amethyste: I'm glad you had such a positive response. Your dealership is also my dealership, and when I called yesterday a person who will go unnamed said she "has yet to go to the Orphan list". She stated "when they come in, they are sold within an hour". This was in response to my question about whether or not they actually had my name on an Orphan list (the answer is yes). She also stated "I am not obligated to use the orphan list". She didn't say it in any nasty way, just as a matter of fact. This bothers me a lot, as I added my name to the Orphan list on January 26, in person. I hope my configured car will be in end of April, beginning of May. I may be off by a month, though.
My thoughts. What does everyone else thing of this?
If that is true it is just plain mean spirited. To tell people they were on a list and then take walk-ins would be really flakey (even for a car dealer). Why waste peoples time by telling them they are on a list? It almost sounds like this salesperson was hoping for a tip (or bribe) or something for getting you a car. I would go to the manager and if he says it's true I would take my business elsewhere since it seems there are lots of orphans out there.
Last edited by Smartdavis; 03-18-2008 at 01:30 PM.
Reason: add content
Although I am not in a hurry, common decency would prevent me from purchasing an orphan before those who had waited and played by the rules for up to a year.
Did I miss something or did smart announce rules for orphans in advance? Ah well, I guess I am just uncommonly indecent.
The biggest issue I see, if smart did have it set up to where dealers could see who was next with a car much like the orphan (which they don't of course), is the first few are likely to hold out for their own car, if not, they end up getting the orphan and then the dealership has to call someone else further down the list to get someone for their newly orphaned car. The process of having a list for those willing to take just about any orphan and the other list of ordered cars doesn't seem that outrageous. The only thing that would be nice is if smart discouraged dealers from add ons and supplied them a standard process for creating the list.
I know that it seems mean spirited, and I agree that it just isn't right, but she was correct in saying that she is NOT obligated to go to the Orphan list. I have been dealing with this same person (spoken to her several times) and I don't believe she's looking for a bribe, but I just believe there should be an edict sent down from PAG about how Orphans should be handled. I guess they just don't want to get in the way of the local dealers making some money. Problem with going elsewhere is that elsewhere is a VERY long drive, and I really don't want to do that. This dealer is only 40 minutes from my home. I guess I'll just have to wait for the car I ordered. Shouldn't be more than 30-60 more days anyway, since it has been nearly 60 days since I configured. Thanks for comisserating!
Amethyste: I'm glad you had such a positive response. Your dealership is also my dealership, and when I called yesterday a person who will go unnamed said she "has yet to go to the Orphan list". She stated "when they come in, they are sold within an hour". This was in response to my question about whether or not they actually had my name on an Orphan list (the answer is yes). She also stated "I am not obligated to use the orphan list". She didn't say it in any nasty way, just as a matter of fact. This bothers me a lot, as I added my name to the Orphan list on January 26, in person. I hope my configured car will be in end of April, beginning of May. I may be off by a month, though.
My thoughts. What does everyone else thing of this?
I have same dealer as Amethyste ( Lynnfield) and they put me on the list around the time you went on it and called me when an orphan came up. I got there too late ( they seem to call a lot of people at once and then its a race). Next time they called I hauled *** down there and snagged it. Seems Amethyst got a call on my car too but she was too late-now she's stuck with that horrible crystal white/red Cabrio. Awww. ;) There was a lojack already on the car but I was able to hold the add-on line there. I'm surprised you got the answer you did-it was Lynnfield?. I was also on the list at Somerville and have never ever heard a word from them.
I hurt some feelings last time I got involved in a discussion about this. Obviously as a reservation holder since May of last year AND having asked to be on the orphan list in January, I'm not happy with the way orphans are being handled. I have visited the dealership, I have called and emailed. Bottom line is they don't care about me. They'll sell the cars with the 2K mark up to someone that walks in the door. If I want my smart I don't have any other choice. All the other dealerships are too far away and I'd still have to deal with mine for servicing. I don't like how orphans are being dealt with but I have no choice and have to deal with it.
Don't take it personal. They don't care about me either.
PAG's argument against honoring reservation order is that cars are awarded on the basis of order AND location and they don't want to re-locate cars.
I think the expense of relocation will be dwarfed by the expense of legal representation alone.
I've hired trucks and I've hired lawyers. Trucks are cheeper.
If I could document that even one (let alone TWO) cars were sold to non-reservation holders from my dealership without my being contacted...
i believe if you read the terms & conditions of the reservation......the dealers really don't have to sell you anything. the $99 reservation is just that....$99. It's not a contract, no one signed a legal document stating that the car is yours/mine. The car IS the dealers up until the day that we come in, sign docs, take delivery, and drive it over the curb.
Now.....doing ANY of the above would be a clear violation of what smart's brand and message are all about, and I don't think ANY dealers have done this nor will they do this.
as for orphans....if the dealers want to "dress them up" and sell them for profits.....Fine. That's business and i'll wait for mine (exactly how I want it) to come in
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