Rant: Smart Cars creating greed...

m3456y · 06-17-2008, 07:28 AM

So, about a month ago I respond to an ad posted on the forum. I tried to post the thread but could not - it was for a Smart ForTwo, and the buyer wanted $17,000 for it "I don't really want to make any money - just get what I have into it back"

The car is very close to me and I tell the seller I want it - how much does he want down to secure it. He replies...the price is now $17,500 and he is waiting for the financing, title, blah, blah, blah. I again say fine I'll take it, let me know when you have title in hand and I'll be over to get it. A couple weeks go by, and I'm emailing and keeping in touch - while he "waits" for the title. I email last week thinking surely by now he has the title - no response. I email again asking if he got my email - no response.

Today, I see the car on Autotrader.com for $19,500!! Rather than waste my time - I could have bought one from a nearby non-Smart dealer for $18,500 - I waited for this guy. Interesting what greed does to common ethics.

So, I'm still looking for a Passion FourTwo in Florida. I have cash in hand.

Amethyste · 06-17-2008, 07:36 AM

The guy is a total moron. Words don't mean a thing anymore?
Send him an email saying that he's a you know what and get another smart through the dealer. At least it wont leave you with a bad aftertase in your mouth when you drive it.

m3456y · 06-17-2008, 07:49 AM

I'll probably just send him a link to the Autotader ad so he knows I know.

I've always done business on a handshake - I should have known better when he originally refused my offer for money down to hold the car.

From what I've seen of Smart dealerships, and how they are "loading up" the orphans...I'm not feeling great about them either.

MichaelJ · 06-17-2008, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3456y

From what I've seen of Smart dealerships, and how they are "loading up" the orphans...I'm not feeling great about them either.

They make bupkus on an ordered car. Probably just trying to stay in business.

MB DNA · 06-17-2008, 08:46 AM

SHORT supply and HIGH demand creates GREED - Oil, gas, food, water and smart cars too!

Soon the weak U.S. dollar will likely put upward pressure on the smart factory sticker price (Chrysler just announced a 2% increase blaming rising costs of steel and other raw materials).

Those of us who paid sticker price for our smart have waited a year or more (and it was worth the wait!). A smart ordered today may require a two year wait - short supply!

When one owns a (smart) commodity that someone else wants charity seldom enters into the equation - greed is good especially when there will be fewer than 10,000 smart cars in the U.S. this year!

Because of the short supply, you and others are creating a demand that has placed upward pressure on the resale asking price but no one is forcing you to pay or rant.

Bottom line here is the opportunist you are chasing has now raised his ASKING price several times and is still sitting on an unsold car.

Some choices you may want to explore; walk away from this deal and "stick him" with the smart you want, put your name on an orphan list and/or order one of your own to be delivered in 2010.

curtis · 06-17-2008, 09:37 AM

I see no problem with making money on a Smart or any other car but if you are quoted a price and then he jacks it up on you is not right, however, if you didn't pull the trigger when he gave you the price and then went back a few days later I see no problem with him raising the price, he probably checked to see the market value. His ad on Auto-Trader is most likely inflated since he knows he will have to deal with people trying to chew him down. I have learned if the price is good pull the trigger. Good luick getting your car, I waited 704 days for mine and if I was to sell it at delivery date I would want at least 5 grand over what I paid.

letsgoskatepool · 06-17-2008, 10:00 AM

get one the old fashioned way (wait in line) or pay the extra price to jump it. If it was so easy to get a smart at list price at the drop of a hat, no one would get a reservation. I don't understand why people complain so much about the value of their investment going UP! Everything has a cost. Waiting is a cost, so is paying more for the same thing to get it faster. It is kind of like saying, hm I should pay the ground shipping price and still get next day shipping because the end product is the same.

m3456y · 06-17-2008, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curtis

I see no problem with making money on a Smart or any other car but if you are quoted a price and then he jacks it up on you is not right, however, if you didn't pull the trigger when he gave you the price and then went back a few days later I see no problem with him raising the price, he probably checked to see the market value. His ad on Auto-Trader is most likely inflated since he knows he will have to deal with people trying to chew him down. I have learned if the price is good pull the trigger. Good luick getting your car, I waited 704 days for mine and if I was to sell it at delivery date I would want at least 5 grand over what I paid.

That's my point - I agreed on the original price he quoted me. And, by the way, his post was here - so he should have known the market. I offered to send him money to hold it. It's all documented in emails. I have nothing against people making money off their Smarts. If you quote a price in writing and the buyer (me) agrees and offers money up front, then you should stick to your offer. Where does an agreement end? Believe me this is not a sour grapes post...I'll find another car.

stevenvillatoro · 06-17-2008, 10:23 AM

Every seller has a right to charge what the market will bear. If this seller has gone from naive to well-informed, and then raised his asking price to meet market conditions, what's the beef? Other than changing his original asking price, it doesn't appear that he cheated anyone or reneged on any deal. Even if there had been an offer and acceptance, there is no binding contract without consideration (money exchange, at minimum a deposit). It appears the seller didn't even reply to the poster's email. How many of us would sell anything of value for less than its potential worth? I think it's okay to be disappointed that he didn't sell the car for $17,500, as first advertised... but NOT okay to make him wrong for being sensible, and capitalizing on his good investment. Profit does not equal greed! And everyone is free not to buy.

angel · 06-17-2008, 12:27 PM

Sure sounds like he's being unethical. If he made an agreement and now he's back out to sell on autotrader. Karma will come around though. One day it'll bite him in the arse and he'll be scratching his head wondering, "What did I do to deserve this?"