Smart Dealers & Orphan Add-On Information

[Kermit]

When I got my orphan from Smart of Jacksonville there was no markup except for the $479 doc fees. Just don't go the bathroom until you get there - the bathroom on the Mercedes side of the house makes the doc fees markup worth it AND you have the option to leave them a present too. I'm serious, I've never been in a bathroom that nice - it's nicer than my house!

[churpee]

I Am Just Wondering About the "Orphans" That Are showing Up And Being SUDDENLYAvailable---It Is Allso Noted That Many Seem To Be Loaded (my Brother In Laws Car) When It Seems Many People Are Waiting For Their Cars That They Have Reserved Seem To Be On A Long Wait Time ???? DID Smart Over PRODUCE Cars They Thought Would Be Ordered?? Did Smart Build To Many Loaded Cars Thinking The US Would Order Fully Loaded Cars ? When They Started To Receive Configurations For SMARTS THAT WERE NOT LOADED AND HAD MADE LOADED SMARTS DID THEY DUMP THEM IN THE HOPES THAT PEOPLE WOULD BUY THEM ALLWAY???And Now They Have Loaded "orphans" To Sell To People Who Will Buy Rather Than Wait For The Car They Originaly Ordered. JUST WONDERING??

[2micro4u]

Originally Posted by AmbersGlow

My blue/silver/black orphaned passion from Riverside, CA had a dealer added Kenwood Stereo. I was told it has GPS, Bluetooth, satellite radio, DVD, blah blah... the price: $2,500 additional. Did I pay? Yes! After picking up my baby, I found out the Bluetooth and satellite are Bluetooth/satellite READY and require about $300 additional pieces of equipment. I also found out the exact stereo is $900 at Best Buy and the install would have been $100. I'm adding on the additional stuff, but I am feeling a little taken advantage of in the markup/install-by-the-dealer department. At least I wasn't on the list long... about 2 months.

Unfortunatly the dealers are out to make money...If people will pay it they will charge us the most they can if they know they can get it. Its buisness ......... I know it does not seem right. Just like the SMART wheels im sure there is atleas a $800 - $1200 Mark up on those. The dealers could charge just $200 above their price but they won't. Why because they in it to win and to make as much money as they can as fast as they can.

BEST SOLUTION IS TO GO INTO BUISNESS FOR YOURSELF AND CHARGE FEES AND HAVE HIGH MARK UP LIKE THE DEALERS..... IF YOU CAN't BEAT THEM JOIN THEM. ATLEAST YOU WILL GET RICH LIKE THEM....

[NY Smartie]

Originally Posted by JPaul

To ease your mind somewhat, if I remember correctly, there are two lo-jack services: one "cheaper" (in the $600 range) for the basic system that is limited to Law Enforcement equipped entities; and a "more expensive" one (in the $1,000 range) that also calls pre-programmable specific phone numbers, like the owner's?

that is exactly the case. it's called the "early detection system" or the like. detects when the car is started/moved without a special fob you have attached to the regular Smart key fob. the system calls/beeps/e-mails and otherwise warns a series of contacts you pre-designtate. excellent feature, as you might imagine.

I am surprised that crappy information in the post up thread lasted for as long as it did before someone (you, then me) clarified it and fixed it with THE FACTS.

everything you read here is not gospel people; especially when it's driven by the penny-wise-pound-foolish crowd.

[unicycle]

I hope some ppl appreciate this list you've created. It's really helpful to those still looking for a smartie.

I'll add that the dealer in NYC (41st and 11th Ave) had no requirements for my orphan other than the $99 registration (which I'm due to get back). And my car happened to have power steering, at $450, which is a fine option to have. Thankfully it also came with a radio and A/C. The total price was about $15k. The dealer told me that she doesn't add anything onto a car by way of packages -- the orphans are just cars that someone didn't pick up.

[dendrig59]

I reserved in mid-June through the San Antonio dealership. I made sure my salesman had me on the "orphan list," and I called him several times a week to check to see if any cars had come in. I wanted a Pure with A/C and sound system. About 2 weeks later he called me and offered me a Cabriolet with all the bells and whistles, including several dealer add-ons. I turned it down, but emphasized that I would like to know about any orphans he gets priced under $14,000. About a week later, he called with an offer on a Pure with A/C but no sound system. That was no problem because I knew I could easily add the sound sytem myself. Unfortunately, the car also had dealer installed Lo-Jak and glass etching, which raised the price another $800 or so. On the other hand, the dealer found financing for me with a much better interest rate than I had found. So
I bought the car.

The bottom line is, the dealers can charge anything the market will bear for their "orphans," and at least I got something for the additional mark-up.

After you buy a car, Smart will send you a survey about your dealer experience. The impression I gathered from my dealer is that favorable survey responses are very important to the dealership. Perhaps the surveys factor in to whether the dealer will retain its Smart franchise. Those who have had negative experiences with their dealer may want to reflect that in their survey responses, or write Smart a complaint letter.

[deltadart]

I remember when the PT Cruiser first came out and some dealers were getting $3K above the sticker price. Also there use to be a waiting list for them. Now they don't even make them. Another example was the Suzuki car dealership here in town. It was a new dealer and every new Suzuki had a $1999 "market adjusted price" added to the sticker price. Must not have worked so well cause they went out of business months ago. Local Honda dealer charges $75 for door edge gaurds. Same ones you can buy at Autozone for $7.

[Gar Blume]

Just got an Orphan from Atlanta, Ga dealer. Had $4,000 in add-ons. Lojack, painted rims, fog lights, some type of finish protection, and I'm not sure what else. This was mandatory. But I had a call for an Orphan 1 week after placing reservation and getting on the list. Since my gas-guzzling (11 mpg) SUV passed 201,000 on the 220 mile drive to the dealer, I figure I'll come out ahead in the long run.