Lets hear from the Reservee's at the Riverside Calif dealership area

[diegosilang]

I want to hear from my fellow reservees at the Riverside dealership area. Im an 1199 reservee , configured 11/07, and like everyone else is anxiously waiting to hear on updates/news regarding my smart car. I spoke to smartusa and got the usual line of " we're developing a tool that would enable us to track all reservations and this would be available by the end of March" and also heard from John Gaddis (manager of Riverside smart) who states he is supposed to receive 30 cars a month (by this rate is about 360/yr). I know that cars were already delivered to the 1173 group and even saw a blue passion located in Palm Springs being sold at ebay now for $20,500.00 (buy it now price). I was wondering who else aside from the 1173 group had receive their car from the Riverside dealership and how many more are waiting. I read from last years paper of the Press enterprise that said this area has about 500 reservations as of press time. So I am asking my fellow reservee's at the Riverside area, lets hear it from you all and tell your stories as well (wether you got your car already, still waiting to configure, still contemplating to reserve one, etc).

[El Kabong]

Reserved August 10th with a 1317. Nothing yet, but I'm not expecting confirmation for a while.....................

[diegosilang]

Originally Posted by El Kabong

Reserved August 10th with a 1317. Nothing yet, but I'm not expecting confirmation for a while.....................

Hang in there El Kabong, I'm sure at the end it would all be worth the wait for all of us . You could also explore the possibility of joining the orphan list at all the 7 smart centers here in Southern California. I know at Riverside smart center, they now have about 50+ names waiting for an orphan and the list keeps growing. It was just pathetic and sad to see that there were no cars there but the testdrive cars today. The salesrep there told me that eversince they opened, they only got 25 cars which includes the 6 dealer stock that they currently have on display or for test drive (They are apparently waiting for the next shipment of about 30).

[shack01]

I'm a guest SoCal-ian. Riverside is the dealer for those of us in Las Vegas, also. Spoke with Crystal last week who indicated that she expected some deliveries this week, possibly tomorrow. Other than that, not much help even tho as an 1176, I've already gotten the 30-day e-mail on 1 Feb. They were supposed to know my VIN, car's location, etc but directed me to smart USA for that info who in turn directed me to the Riverside dealer.

One thing for sure, when I get the car, those on the forum will know about it.

tm

[diegosilang]

shack01, I see that you finally brought home Maxwell from smart center Riverside. Congrats to you!

Anyway how was your buying experience at that center? Did you go with dealer financing? Purchased the extended warrany? How was the drive back to Vegas? Please give us some details if you can.

[smartSparky]

Got a call from Crystal on 2/20 and sure enough my Cabrio arrived 3/20. Worked with Crystal and Hans and had one of my better buying experiences. Took delivery yesterday, 3/21, at 5:30 pm. Get used to the fact that you will be barraged with questions every time you park or stop at a light. Because of other commitments, can't really take "Charlie" out of my garage until Monday. It's going to me sleepless weekend!

[kitttie]

With the thought of possibly going orphan hunting, I made calls to the 5 closest Smart Centers, including Riverside. I spoke with John for quite a while, a very pleasant conversation. On his enthusiasm alone I almost wish Riverside was my "home" dealer...

On a side note, he did say their orphan list currently has over 100 people on it. I am going to post in another thread my entire orphan hunting experience, but John was encouraging in that I may not have as long to wait as I think.

[diegosilang]

Originally Posted by smartSparky

Got a call from Crystal on 2/20 and sure enough my Cabrio arrived 3/20. Worked with Crystal and Hans and had one of my better buying experiences. Took delivery yesterday, 3/21, at 5:30 pm. Get used to the fact that you will be barraged with questions every time you park or stop at a light. Because of other commitments, can't really take "Charlie" out of my garage until Monday. It's going to me sleepless weekend!

SmartSparky, whereabout in Corona are u at? I live there too and would definitely keep an eye out for your Cabrio. By the way did they get any new smart car shipment yet? I'm an 1190 grp waiting for delivery. What is reservation no. also? Would be nice to know where I'm at with the scheme of things.

[SeaDoc]

good idea diego for starting this - helps with the frustration level - my car has been sitting in long beach port for two weeks, arrived two fridays ago... crystal was helpful in that she shared with me what ship she was on, but beyond that, no one can tell me why it would take so long for delivery to the dealers - i always order cars, usually from germany, and it's never been more than a couple of days from the time it gets to port to find its way to the dealer... if i were a dealer i sure would make it my business to at least find out why the delay so you can tell your prospective purchases some real factual information, rather than 'anyday now' - it ain't cutting it... ordered my car back in 4April07 - guess we're almost at a year anniversary... who would have thought...

[diegosilang]

You know what seaDoc I was at the Riverside dealer last wednesday and told Hans that I have a friend who lives at Palm Desert and has a car waiting at the docks for 2 weeks and he said he knows nothing of this. All he said was that he is waiting for 60 cars. I know its so frustrating that they could not even bother asking what the holdup is a the docks and share it with their customers.