When is someone going to take control of orphans

[cohtrumpet]

I would stay in close contact with your dealer, and give them a deposit for an orphan. I basicly buged the heck out of mine, and got a car the 1st weekend they had them even tho I was 30,000 back on the reservation list.

As they (whoever they are) say.....it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. Or the Smart Passion in this case.

[smartyPantz]

Yeah I am actually visiting the dealership on Saturday, and I shall ask if Russ is there so I can meet him, introduce myself... maybe put my pretty face in his brain so when an orphan cries out for its Mommy he will remember me.
I will even ask if I can offer a deposit outside of my $99 for one.

[JetJazz]

My local smart center states:

"If a customer cancels their order I first have to obtain clearance from smart corporate to sell the available vehicle. At that point it is available for sale. It does not go to the next person on the reservation list since these customers have custom built their smarts. "

[pauly]

A likely orphan - Passion with Blue/Silver; leather with heated seats; will be available in the Wash DC ; Virginia area soon. Contact me if interested.

[smarttony]

We have had three people chose not to take their cars and one just not respond to our or smart's attempts at contact. I was dissapointed at 2 of our reservation holders for going the full 30 days before telling us they were not going to take them. I begin to pay interest on the cars as soon as they hit our lot.
We have implemented a secondary waiting list where we have been placing orphan hunters since late December. When a car becomes available I start at the top of the list and call one at a time. Basically we asked people if they want a coupe or cabriolet or either and make the calls accordingly. Furthermore I am requiring they be a smartusa reservation holder prior to taking a secondary deposit from them. My district manager from smart has to OK the sale of the orphans, and is requesting that we sell them to current reservation holders. 1st come, 1st serve. If someone turns down an orphan I am not moving them to the bottom of the list, they keep their place in line. The only way it could be more fair is if I had all my reservation holders and I made my way down that list first. smartusa would have to give it to me first.

[NINELEGS]

Here is my story, I walked in to our local dealer last Monday and got on the reservation list for a black on Black Cabriolet. I also had my salesperson put me on their orphan list. I get a phone call on Wednesday telling me that the Red Cabriolet on the showroom became available if I was interested. Given that I was looking for a Black car, I said I might consider it and that I was on my way down. I walked in and headed straight to the car when I noticed piece of paper next to the the window sticker. A dealer added option consisting of Lojack, Window etching, Tire/Wheel replacement, Key Replacement for an additional $1,750. Grand total of $20,650!!!!! Definite deal breaker for me. As of today, the car is still looking for a new home....LOL

[paul c]

Originally Posted by NINELEGS

Here is my story, I walked in to our local dealer last Monday and got on the reservation list for a black on Black Cabriolet. I also had my salesperson put me on their orphan list. I get a phone call on Wednesday telling me that the Red Cabriolet on the showroom became available if I was interested. Given that I was looking for a Black car, I said I might consider it and that I was on my way down. I walked in and headed straight to the car when I noticed piece of paper next to the the window sticker. A dealer added option consisting of Lojack, Window etching, Tire/Wheel replacement, Key Replacement for an additional $1,750. Grand total of $20,650!!!!! Definite deal breaker for me. As of today, the car is still looking for a new home....LOL

This information is very helpful in determining how dealers are handling their unclaimed cars. But it would help even more if we knew which dealer is being discussed. NINELEGS - where are you?

[NINELEGS]

Originally Posted by paul c

This information is very helpful in determining how dealers are handling their unclaimed cars. But it would help even more if we knew which dealer is being discussed. NINELEGS - where are you?

White Plains, NY

BTW, my brother walked in the same dealership tonight for a test drive and was offered the same car. So much for an orphan list.

[CruisingAZ]

Originally Posted by smarttony

I begin to pay interest on the cars as soon as they hit our lot.

Just curious, what is the daily interest you are charged on a smart while you wait for us to come and pick it up?

I saw one future owner in here whos car has been at the dealer for 30 days and he cannot take delivery as the dealer paperwork is not completed.

[Carnut]

Actually, if they sell their allocated "demo/floor model" they will be breaking their dealership agreement with PAG. They can only sell those cars at the end of the model year. Perhaps this was a customer reservation that cancelled? Take the VIN number and send it to PAG with your story.