There is always more than one side to a story and to help determine this, it is a great idea to find out what others think.
However, with undersupplied information from day one and the critical lack in basic communication skills from the entire smart organization, I question "their" forum and have misgivings about possible intentions.
I believe forums that are administered and managed by the corporation or organization that sells the product or service is simply a method to accomplish some censorship on whatever subjects they determine as negative for them.
Of course forums ran by their own organizations that offer technical and unbiased information (technical forums) about their products are a big help. But the Smart car is a different animal.
I will need to ask myself.
Will those who attempt to present viewpoints contrary to smart USA get flamed? Will they provide a balanced forum?
Who will edit or remove material against "their" rules for their smart community? Can we be certain our points of views are protected and no action will be taken against us for our opinions?
I'm told it's possible they can use content-control software or censorware for controlling (automatically) what posts are permitted and what the forum members can read?
As far as I'm concerned this constitutes censorship and I can't see them informing members that one of their dealers is perpetrating unethical practices or that their promises are not being honored.
In 2006 Google decided to censor its search results in response to the Chinese government's demands. China is the next market for the Smart. I wonder what censorship's smart GmbH promised to allow their cars to be imported?
I'm a believer that knowledge is King but not when supplied by the Queen, and for me this type of forum, is similar to letting the fox guard the hen house.
When will the rest of us inside/outsiders get invited to view the new marvelous website? Do we have to make a new reservation or some type of confirmation? What line do I have to stand in this time? Is it a long line? Is it based on the region of the country that I live in? If I spend time at my local dealer talking to them, will I be invited to view their new website? Will I be able to see it before I see my car? Does it have any new information on it? Will it in fact replace the highly informative newsletter?
Spdy,
So far you haven't missed a thing. About 60 members-more than a day usually goes by without a post or a reply. Most posts get no replies. Very little traffic, no real information. So far it's a bust. It needs to be opened up to even have a chance and I have my doubts even then.
Spy,
So far you haven't missed a thing. About 60 members-more than a day usually goes by without a post or a reply. Most posts get no replies. Very little traffic, no real information. So far it's a bust. It needs to be opened up to even have a chance and I have my doubts even then.
I find it gratifying when I witness the "Bite in the a$$" that Companies, forums, etc receive when they treat their potential customers, members, etc with complete disregard and then will solicit them again when they need them. The sad part is, it doesn't happen often enough.
Oh I forgot to include politicians in the preceding paragraph.
Thanks! That's what I wanted to know. Maybe we will get Newsletter 14 this month then. I say that because some people said that the website would replace the Newsletter. The last Newsletter I received was on March 21, 2008 and it was Newsletter 13. Any news might be better then no news.
Maybe we can come up with a series of questions ready for opening day. Maybe some questions about the smart 450 after all they aren't going to ignore the smart 450's will they?
The site is STILL in beta, so not as diverse in comments as it is here. The big deal is that smart USA can sent out invitations to the tens of thousands of email registrations in their data base. When that email blast goes out, the memberships there should skyrocket.
Maybe we can come up with a series of questions ready for opening day. Maybe some questions about the smart 450 after all they aren't going to ignore the smart 450's will they?
Why would they attempt to address 450 questions? smart USA doesn't sell 450's and there are plenty of Internet sites that do address 450 issues. If you can accept that the site is meant for smart USA customers and some of their needs then there will be plenty of topics they will not address.
The site is STILL in beta, so not as diverse in comments as it is here. The big deal is that smart USA can sent out invitations to the tens of thousands of email registrations in their data base. When that email blast goes out, the memberships there should skyrocket.
SP is correct that membership will likely explode when the site is opened to all. The questions I have are:
1. There is very little current activity so why not open it now? It's hardly being tested with the current lack of activity.
2. There have been no "Official Posts" that I have seen from smart USA so I don't know that there will be anything available on the site not already available here.(Other than monthly announcements of total units sold)
3. What will the hook be? What will be offerred that isn't offerred here?
4. OK maybe social networking, but I'm not sure what the demand for that is from the smart community. I guess time will tell!
Ok, this thread seems to have gone from one person's announcement regarding another forum coming online, to SMART bashing.
I, for one, am impressed with how SMART USA has conducted business, both in general, and in regard to my purchase of my vehicle. I am not going to take the time to respond to the 'trash talk', however I will say that in terms of service and customer support after the sale, Smart Center Bloomfield has gone way above and beyond what any other auto manufacturer, US or otherwise, has.
After my purchase, I had not one or two, but many emails from Samantha at SMB making sure things were going well. When's the last time someone at Ford, GM, Toyota, .....has done that? Also, Rick, the manager at SMB has opened up his dealership up not once or twice, but at least 3 times that I know of for Smart owners to get together and learn about their cars, providing detailed instruction and cars in a variety of disassemble for us to inspect and learn from. SMART USA has been very open to any and all suggestions from their customers, with the latest being the rolling out of the social networking site.
If your experience with your purchase has not been good, it's more than likely a dealer issue and should be dealt with as such. I'm sure the people at SMART USA headquarters would love to hear constructive comments, as it appears that customer satisfaction is high on their priority list. That's what is going to keep this little gem selling here.
Most of us were not around for the rolling out of this site, and I am relatively sure it was not without it's glitches. The fact that there was not an open invitation to everyone has ruffled feathers, that's too bad, but from my perspective, they are doing things the way they feel is correct for the benefit of their customers. If people choose not to use that site, it's their right. Trashing it for others is not appropriate.
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