Smart refuses to sell to Alaska?!

[ak_jorge]

Hi there -

We live in Juneau, Alaska. A few months back, my girlfriend plunked down $99 to reserve a Smart Car. Not having heard a thing since June, she called today for an update and got quite a shock:

The Smart representative she spoke with told her that Smart does not sell vehicles to Alaskan residents! The reason given was that since there are no dealerships here, Smart has no guarantee that maintenance and repairs will be done by authorized technicians.

First, this policy just sounds loony. There are three Smart Cars in Juneau, and more in Anchorage, Homer and Ketchikan. How did these folks get their cars?

Second, if this is company policy, why isn't it stated anywhere on the website?

Third, why did Smart accept our $99 (and keep it for the last six months) when they had no intention of selling a vehicle to anyone with our ZIP code?

Does anyone in the Seattle area know if this is accurate, or how we can circumvent this policy?

Thanks in advance.....

George

[John Mc]

WOW. thats is a bummer, and it would have been nice if there was something on the site that checks Zip code and availability. I would say that the ones you see are either Canadian or brought up from Seattle.
I would say the best way for you to get your smart is contact the Seattle Dealer and get on the orphan list, they have some cars there now waiting on owners and some of them might be up for orphan soon. If it is an issue to come down and pick it up, some of us current owners may be *twist arm here* willing to drive it up to you....I see a road trip here

Good Luck,

John <----loves his "CUTE" car

[smart portland]

AK-George:

Call me for info. I know how those cars got to Alaska.

503.200.5210.

[FLR920]

Am new to this forum -- but I bought my Smart on eBay ~Jun 2008 from a guy in the Bay area, flew down last Aug and drove it back to Anchorage, AK.

I had also plunked down the $99 ages ago (thanks for the reminder that I have much better uses for the $) but have never gotten word one.

The car did a terrific job on the whole way up (including some of the nasty sections of the AlCan through YT). I did garage it for the heavy winter, but it has been a great vehicle. Am now though on a maintenance milestone (time, not mileage) and am looking for someone (station/shop) to help with recommended checklist. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Karyn FLR920

[Suze]

You should have let this forum know when you were passing through. I for one would have given you a partial escort.

I'm sorry to hear summer is over for you.

Here's to an early spring!