Smart refuses to sell to Alaskans!

[wahi]

err... Aloha!! Any Hawaiian smarties here? Tell us your stories!

[smarticus]

No doubt the reason is warranty expense driven. However, if I take my smart on vacation and it breaks down in a state with no dealer service (such as Alaska, or in my case Arkansas ) the warranty is still in effect and as it is set up, a dealer must recover, repair and return the vehicle.

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by smarticus

No doubt the reason is warranty expense driven. However, if I take my smart on vacation and it breaks down in a state with no dealer service (such as Alaska, or in my case Arkansas ) the warranty is still in effect and as it is set up, a dealer must recover, repair and return the vehicle.

EXCELLENT POINT! and while a buyer may say 'i don't care about that, i just want the car', when it comes down to it, smartUSA is STILL RESPONSIBLE.

of course, what happens should a smart owner MOVE from, lets say, Indiana to Alaska.....WHAT THEN? will smartUSA say you voided your warranty by moving to an area they do not service? are they still bound to the warranty to pick up your car, take it to the nearest dealer (Seattle?) and return it to you, all at THEIR EXPENSE?

interesting scenario.............

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

You won't like my thoughts

why not? i completely agree with you, Fred. you hit the nail right on the head. but as i said in my previous post, what would smartUSA say if, after taking delivery of my smart from SCI, i were to MOVE to Alaska (don't worry, Gov Palin is there....not enough room for BOTH of us! )? will they be able to legally REFUSE my warranty?

maybe they didn't think this U.S. Market thing through as much as they thought....

[Smart Enuf]

Sell, baby, sell!

[Dunerunner]

ak jorge - Why not but one in Canada? You could probably even buy a 450 for much less than a 451 would cost and you would benefit from better fuel economy! Ah, Wait....I forgot about those having to be modified by G&K for US import. Well then aren't the Canadian 451's the same as those sold in the US? There is, of course; the issue that you live on an island, but if you are willing to take responsibillity for getting the car to the mainland, or even into Canada, perhaps they would work with you.

[forestacademy]

See
Smart Car of America - Smart Cars Come to "Last Frontier State"

[smark]

If you really have to have this car, buy one off Ebay, and ship it up there. Buy one in Canada, lots of dealers up there. Sold them there for years. Look for a used one. Buy lots of oil filters and parts here in the continental US. If I were a Smart dealer I wouldn't want to pay to have it towed from Juneau, Alaska, if its broke!!!! How many mile to the nearest dealer!!!!! They made a mistake taking you order without a dealer up there. NO warranty support. Take you $99.00 dollars, no big deal.

[jwight]

Here's the reply I got to an inquiry about buying smarts in Alaska and Hawaii:

Dear smart Enthusiast, Unfortunately, at the present time, we do not anticipate a dealer opening in Hawaii until later this year or early 2009, and smart USA does not knowingly distribute vehicles to unserviceable areas of the United States. smart USA is dedicated to ensuring the purchase of your smart fortwo will be your best car buying experience. Furthermore, our company policy is to service what we sell. Thus, our customers must have a dealer in reasonable proximity to handle any service needs before we commit to sales. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact us via email or by phone at 1.800.smartUSA. Thank you for your interest in smart USA. You will be hearing from us soon! Alex Pina Customer Service smart USA - open your mind to the car that challenges the status quo 1.800.smartUSA

They did not provide an answer to my question about service for smart owners who move their cars to either of those states.

[John_H]

If one cannot expect service in places like Alaska or Hawaii, why not just buy a very slightly used Smart from a private party?