TSR Enterprises - SmartCar-Zenn Electric Cars Warning
While we are extremely pleased with the overall performance of our Da Vinci, SmartCar we do have issues with the independent dealer who sold it to us: The draining dying battery issue; the lack of a second key, and TSR Enterprises not processing the paperwork for registration and plates.
We have filed complaints with Consumer Affairs, the Better Business Bureau, the AZ Attorney General, and anyone else who will listen to my rant. The official complaint is as follows:
1) We purchased a 2005 Da Vinci SmartCar form TSR Enterprises on May 31, 2007. Were provided a \"Plate Affidavit\" (Dealer Plate) with a Temporary Plate No. 090606S this Smart Car(VIN No. WME4503321J244186). This Temporary Plate expired July 15th, 2007.
While the Temporary Plate expired we still have not received the new registration, license plate or tabs. We no longer can legally drive our SmartCar.
A query to ADOT/DMV result in TSR being contacted and quired as to the status of the paperwork. As of July 27th, 2007 they had not started processing the paperwork. We will be without this car for close to three weeks.
2) When we purchased this vehicle it came with only one key. There are no key locks on the car as the doors are opened remotely/electronically by the key-remote. Should this key be lost, we will not be able to unlock the door, what-more even start the car. We requested a spare key on June 05, 2007 and as of July 27th, 2007 we have received no spare key.
3) We requested a five year extended warranty that we were willing to pay for rolled up in the price of the car. When we began to have trouble with the Dealer, we read the real, real fine print and found that it stated that unless there was an attached warranty that a 15-day implied USed Car warranty was in effect.
Just wanted Arizonies to be aware what awaits them should they attempt to do business with TSR Enterprises. Let the buyer beware!
Last edited by alejake; 07-27-2007 at 03:30 PM.
Reason: Added issues with missing warranty
Not sure that even G&K can help you. The key will be a problem. I've emailed alejake about some alternatives on the spare key, but none of them are very easy to do. A Mexican Mercedes dealer may be the closest answer in your case, if G&K cannot assist... closer than Canada, anyway. Most all problems with the smart can be solved easily, but the spare key for those owners with only one key, is a problem that has been persistent. I'll call G&K and ask if they have a way to obtain spare keys yet. I don't think they do, but I'll check and post the answer later today. I would suggest that all owners, with only one key, get another key CUT so that they have a way to get into the car. It won't help you start the car if you don't have the electronics, but it will allow you to get INTO the car if you lose your key when the car is locked. You can open the rear hatch with the key and crawl to the front to open either door from the inside. At least you wouldn't have to break into your car to retrieve anything if you had that spare physical key. Just a thought.
For the first time in many months, G&K was closed today. Regarding their input on the key duplication issue, I've left messages with three of them for a Monday response. I'll post when I receive any answers.
To be fair, I have to admit that when I made my original post in this thread that I was plenty PO'd, and normally I will not commit, write, take action or post until I am less angry and more rationale.
Maybe it was a good thing though because I lit a fire under TSR Enterprises, especially after the AZ-DMV got a hold of him. Anyway, he faxed me a copy extending our temporary dealer plates up to September 11th, and he "says" that he will get our permanent license plate to us by Monday.
He also says that a Five-Year Warranty was a part of the purchase price, and that we was going to e-mail a copy to us (he told us this Friday, Friday July 27th), but we have yet to see anything yet.
I say . . . he "says" because he has never followed through with anything he has promised before. So I am in a wait-and-see mode. Now if he really can deliver on the license plate and registration, provide the warranty and get me that spare key . . . . I will gladly apologize and endorse his dealership, I may even drop some of my complaints.
Regarding the spare key, I spoke to Edward at G&K this morning. He said there are several solutions right now. Some of the ZAP dealers do have the capacity to make an extra key if you have one key. In fact, the real nightmare occurs if you lose both keys. If you have, one, make some plans on getting that other one while you can. Okay, first try Tim Day at the ZAP dealer in Arizona. That may be the one that you are working through. Tim is on vacation right now and that may be why you haven't received a straight response... but he calls in regularly, so leave a specific request for him. Tim Day HAS successfully made duplicate keys in the past. That is your first choice. If that doesn't go well, contact Edward at G&K: 714-545-9503. Talk to him about your options. The cheapest is to drive your car to Santa Ana, but there are other options that get more complicated and expensive. These may be two better options than the trip to Canada or Mexico to a Mercedes dealer. Duplicate smart keys under normal circumstances around the world are upwards of $200 each. Hope this information is helpful.
Regarding the spare key, I spoke to Edward at G&K this morning. He said there are several solutions right now. Some of the ZAP dealers do have the capacity to make an extra key if you have one key. In fact, the real nightmare occurs if you lose both keys. If you have, one, make some plans on getting that other one while you can. Okay, first try Tim Day at the ZAP dealer in Arizona. That may be the one that you are working through. Tim is on vacation right now and that may be why you haven't received a straight response... but he calls in regularly, so leave a specific request for him. Tim Day HAS successfully made duplicate keys in the past. That is your first choice. If that doesn't go well, contact Edward at G&K: 714-545-9503. Talk to him about your options. The cheapest is to drive your car to Santa Ana, but there are other options that get more complicated and expensive. These may be two better options than the trip to Canada or Mexico to a Mercedes dealer. Duplicate smart keys under normal circumstances around the world are upwards of $200 each. Hope this information is helpful.
Ron Gaus, aSmartCar.com
I Googled the heck out of "Arizona ZAP Dealer" "Arizona-ZAP-Dealer" "Time-Day Arizona-ZAP-Dealer" and twenty other different methods for trying to find a phone number and/or e-mail address for Tim Day without any success.
Can anyone out there provide me with Mr. Day's phone number and/or e-mail address?
I can help you out with that information. Tim Day Office 480-212-0002 Cell 602-318-4211 or Toll Free 1-800-B-Zapped 3010 E Main St Mesa, AZ 85213.
Thanks for the effort and the reply. Unfortunately Tim Day works for the same TSR Enterprises that Mr. Haskins works for.
Kind of strange . . . All of The Paperwork references "TSR Enterprises - Smart Car-Zenn Electric Cars". Todd's business cards say "Smart Car Auto Sales" with no reference to "TSR Enterprises - Smart Car-Zenn Electric Cars" or "ZAP SmartCar".
Really difficult to connect a paper-trail . . . Makes me wonder why.
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