I admit it. I’m jealous. I’m jealous that people with reservation numbers well behind me are configuring their smarts already.
I’m mad. I’m mad that so many configured and then just orphan their vehicles. Thus keeping their space in line which allows anyone and everyone to just step in and pick up a smart because they’re ready and able financially and in some instances can travel to pick it up.
I’m disappointed in smart for the way the order and delivery process is being handled. It’s frustrating as Hades.
It’s easy for me to armchair quarterback though. “They should have >fill in the blank.<” The reservation fee of $99 is okay as is. But then either make it non-refundable at the time of configuration or require an additional non-refundable fee at the time of purchase. Then to avoid them turning around and making a quick profit elsewhere such as eBay, Craigslist or other auto mags have it in the contract that they must maintain ownership of the vehicle for 60 or 90 days. That could have alleviated a lot of no shows and flippers.
I can understand that the company and the dealerships are in this to make money. In the process how many potential serious buyers are they turning off in the whole process? Not only potential customers that will not purchase now because of the process but the lack of communications on top of that. Promises of how the process will be done, changes to the process and then no communication. Is it fair that a 13XX will get to configure and receive their vehicle long before a 12XX? Not to the consumers with 12XX reservations. It is for the company, the dealerships, the 13XX’s and all the ones just chomping at the bit for an orphan.
It starts as a little seed of discontent. That seed takes root and grows. Some letting it grow longer than others. The longer it grows and flourishes the more damage it can potentially do in the long run to those who benefited at the beginning.
Me? I knew the local Mercedes dealership was supposed to be a smart dealership. We had no word that it was opened. We just happened to ride by one day. Saw the bright yellow color, a single smart out front, and pulled into the parking lot. We were asked to email back with our information. It took no less than 3 emails to finally get a response back. They’re busy. We also realize that not only is it taking longer for us because of the demand in our local area but because our dealership is handling several other areas {states} as well.
Another call to the dealership and smartusa offered no additional information. They have no lists of those who have reserved smarts. The only list they get is the list of vehicles coming in and who their perspective owners are to be at some point. They can not give any kind of guesstimation as to when we can expect a configuration email or when we can expect delivery based on their current orders and deliveries. I am only told "You should get your configuration soon." There are supposedly 3 sales people and they are all very busy keeping up with their day to day sales and walk-in’s.
Where does this leave me? It leaves me researching the internet for more information only to get more frustrated and irritated. I’m not in this boat alone. Just as I want answers and facts so do many others. At the same time it’s a learning process. There were early problems with the configuration process that have since been fixed. There was a potential early mechanical problem that they are aware of and hopefully will be a non issue by the time I get mine. Early on there were questions and slow downs in getting insurance. By the time I get mine that will probably be a non-issue.
Spring is supposed to be the best time to sell an automobile. My plan is to get my configuration in March. The weather should be nice enough by then I can spend a day or two detailing my car inside and out. I can take the time to give my car a good bath and new coat of wax. I can go by the dealership for an LOF, tire rotation and inspection. Make sure to have anything that doesn’t have to be in the car out just in case. Put a “for sale” sign on her and list her on craigslist.com. I should be able to get enough to pay off my car note and put a couple thousand in the bank. Then save up a couple of months of car payments to add to that. Meanwhile shop around some of the local banks and the local credit union to see what will be the best potential loan rate I can get for my new smart. Meanwhile I’ll ride the Harley since most of the freezing weather should be past us and hopefully not too much rain.
My target date for my black/black/black smart will be before July 4th. I have my reasons. By that time the weather is getting up to triple digits and it would be nice to have air condition and not just 70 mph on a 107 degree day. {Harleys don’t have a/c.} We have a pool party every year to celebrate the 4th of July. {I’m prior service Marine, significant other is prior service Air Force and we have many prior service friends.} I’d like to finally be able to show them my smart rather than just tell them about the smart I am going to get. I also do volunteer work at the Dallas VA. I’m ready to save some money on the travel back and forth to there several times a week. While I can afford a new smart I can’t really afford two car payments at once with what my current payment is now. The more I can save between now and then just gives me that much longer so my car payment will hopefully be that much less. That would free up more money for packages I send to troops {mostly Marines} overseas. Heck. If I had saved all the money I’ve spent on packages and postage the past 3 or 4 years I could probably pay for smart outright. But I have priorities. Some say they support our troops and some actually do something about it.
Me? I feel it leaves more anticipation, disappointment, and frustration. If it’s more than 2 or 3 months from configuration to delivery then I’m shooting craps trying to figure out the best time to sell my current car and what to do if the wait time is much longer than expected. I’m disappointed that I didn’t get my configuration with the last group. I’m frustrated to see folks with much higher numbers configuring already. I'm further frustrated that the dealership and smartusa can not provide any information. I’m curious to see how long it is taking now between configuration and delivery. I’m hopeful that the local dealerships will have more information in the future. More than ever I’m still anticipating my own lil smart that I get to configure and track from manufacture to my garage. Meanwhile I’ll have to console myself with the good, bad and indifferent stories of others. I’ll have to make due with going to an open house to see the lil smarts knowing that mine is somewhere in the future. And I’ll have to hope that the dealership experience is better than the reservation and waiting experience.
Meanwhile I'll just whine, bellyache and moan here.
Today
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