We should all get sales commissions...lol.

[Iceberg]

I have sent three co-workers down to smart center Portland in the last two weeks to test drive cars. Two of them reserved cars and are on the local orphan list (the other just bought a new Honda Ridgeline & is suffering serious buyers remorce). Has anyone else had a simular experience?

[vanslam]

I should be paid a consultant fee for all of the information and good will I give to people who see and ask about the car.

[SmartAzz]

Originally Posted by vanslam

I should be paid a consultant fee for all of the information and good will I give to people who see and ask about the car.

Too true - as I've said before (and probably will say again :P), for the risk we took at such an early stage, the evangelism and ongoing promotion we do, Smart would actually be smart to reward us with some kind of swag or some stuff as Mini did (and still does).

[ex300SRT8]

Complete agreement here!

[bumblebee]

I have no problem advertising or selling the car for the dealership to build a strong customer/dealer relationship. Everytime I get stop and people ask me about the car I usually mention where I got it and have them check out the dealership if they have a chance. By building a good relationship with my smart center will only have benefits for both. I know some of you probably disagree but I used to work in luxury retail and creating this type of relationship with customers will only help in the long run if you ever needed something done to your smart in the long run.

[CruzinSusan]

smartly agree with you, Bumblebee. We all win when we build bridges, not walls.

I love being an Ambassador. Lots of inquiring folks from the Central Oregon Coast travel to Portland routinely, and smart center Ptl is right on the way in Beaverton. And, while the cars are slowly trickling in, eventually there will be a leveling out. PAG *is* doing it differently, and there are glitches in any new system. Penske didn't go out on the smart limb to saw it off.

You hit the nail on the business-building head. Word of mouth is a powerful tool, and good-will is priceless.

[sixcrows]

I've been followed into parking spaces MANY times by people wanting to know more about the car. I've even had people sit in the car, and had the cover off the engine compartment for one of them. I could have sold at least 5 of these things already.

I just sent an email to smartUSA suggesting that they use us officially as ambassadors. They can provide us with pamphlets or business cards with our names on the back. If somebody shows up at a dealership with our pamphlet or card, we get something . . . perhaps accessories, or free oil changes, whatever.

[CruzinSusan]

Cheers to a brilliant idea. Your fingertips to Marketing's ears, to paraphrase a phrase.

Meaningful 'Atta Boys and Atta Girls' are generally few and far between out here in the World. Building bridges of trust, respect, good will; good sound business advice.

Miles of smiles, share the wealth.

Like clownfish and llamas, smarties are communal.

................... .....................HELLO......... .....

[PassionforPassionCT]

I sold 5 people alone at the auto show, and older lady started asking me questions as i was explaining the car to a friend, soon a small group huddled around me. It was like a Q and A session.

[karltrev]

While I am happy for all those that have recieved their cars and are good ambassadors for them, I am a little surprised that you think you should receive a commission for a car that people are upset that it is taking up to a year to get. People who are paying extra to get an orphan car or paying thousands over MSRP at ebay doesn't exactly need advertising. I suppose the people on this site who bought a Yaris or Aveo feel they should get a commission from Toyota orChevrolet.

Wife just told me what lol means. Sorry Guess I'm getting old. Keep up the good work, this post is null and void.