Latest from smartcenter orlando

Red_fortwo · 01-28-2008, 09:59 PM

I stopped by the dealership this afternoon after work. The "smartcenter" is the front half of the showrooom at Central FL Chrysler Dodge (for those who didn't go to the roadshow). All the Ikea-esque furniture is in place, but no product ** not even shirts or models on the shelves. I talked with the receptionist and she said that Jedson (one of the two smart salespersons) told her that if anyone stopped by and asked, the first shipment of cars was scheduled to be in on Friday. I think they're talking about roughly 40 cars being delivered.

I wonder if I should take Friday off from work?

spdickey · 01-28-2008, 11:24 PM

Must be figuring out how to spend that $799 extra profit per car they charge as "dealer doc prep fee."

KP4-smart · 01-29-2008, 04:31 PM

The receptionist said that the demos will be available to test drive on Friday or Saturday.

She would not give out any info on customer's vehicles. She told me to speak with Judson or Julie, but they have yet to return my call or email.

KP4-smart · 01-30-2008, 11:54 AM

Judson informed me this morning that barring any status change, he had word that they will receive 14 units tomorrow,

He won't know what they are receiving until they unload (customer names are not known). Judson will contact me as he finds out.

Fourteen smarts are much less than their 37 unit allocation (plus demos) they have at the JAX port.

Badgey · 02-01-2008, 12:34 PM

From what i heard from Julie is they have around 700 reservation for people to receive a car but are only getting in around 400 cars for the year. So that makes 300 and plus what ever after that set out for next year or you can try your luck in getting a fallout sell (people that dropped out of getting one).

bobnyuma · 02-01-2008, 04:03 PM

Hello all, just got my e-mail saying my car will be delivered to Jax in the next 30 days. The dealer Brumos in Jax is supposed to call me in the next week. So If all works as planned my March I will have my Smart. A month soon for me but I will work it out. Thought you all might like to know.

Red_fortwo · 02-19-2008, 01:19 PM

Okay, so I get a call from the smart center Orlando yesterday that my long wait is over ** my car has arrived. When would I like to see it? Let's talk about scheduling delivery, etc.

Well, as I promised them I would, I stopped by last night to get visual confirmation that the thing actually existed. Didn't do much more than start it, look under the access panel up front, up under the bumper in the back. (Filler cap may be hard to get to, but the oil filter is right there dangling off the bottom of the motor.) Judson and Julie seems nice and sociable. However, I declined the window tint that Julie was insist on along with the warranty extension, since I've been working on cars for 25 years now.

Then I asked for a breakdown of what it would be costing me, itemized in writing. If I were trying to sell these cars, this is what I would have ready for someone to sign the moment they had their first chance to sit in the thing. They didn't have it. They took some interesting guesses at it (in the $18K+ range, for a $14,285 Passion with dash gauges and stereo upgrade). They promised to fax it to me early this morning. As of now, I still haven't seen it. All three attempts to call the dealership have landed in voicemail. I had no idea Tuesdays mornings and afternoons were so busy at a smart center....

rrrucke · 02-19-2008, 01:41 PM

I have no faith in Orlando and your experience sounds like some more BS to me! These guys never give up on the stealership mentality especially when they got caught with their pants down trying to hose it to smarties with that ridiculous $800 doc fee. You better hear from them today or call the GM and let them know that this forum, PAG and MB are watching. Maybe if you went down there with a camera crew ** someone would get the lead out of their ass and get you some solid numbers. Sorry about the rant but damn they are pissing me off!

Carnut · 02-19-2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrrucke

I have no faith in Orlando and your experience sounds like some more BS to me! These guys never give up on the stealership mentality especially when they got caught with their pants down trying to hose it to smarties with that ridiculous $800 doc fee. You better hear from them today or call the GM and let them know that this forum, PAG and MB are watching. Maybe if you went down there with a camera crew ** someone would get the lead out of their ass and get you some solid numbers. Sorry about the rant but damn they are pissing me off!

Regina, no need to rant, girl. They treated me very well. There are only two of them working the center and they just got in a load of cars to deliver. Judson (smart Specialist) is very professional and honest, and Julie, the GM is nice as well. They were following one of the owner/partners who is more familiar with their other brands regarding the $799 fee and packing the car with tint, etc. They realized this would not work with smart and have corrected the situation and even refunded monies already collected. My advice to anyone shopping there or elsewhere is remember they are working people trying their best, and you always catch more flies with honey.

kwagar · 02-19-2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red_fortwo

Okay, so I get a call from the smart center Orlando yesterday that my long wait is over ** my car has arrived. When would I like to see it? Let's talk about scheduling delivery, etc.

Well, as I promised them I would, I stopped by last night to get visual confirmation that the thing actually existed. Didn't do much more than start it, look under the access panel up front, up under the bumper in the back. (Filler cap may be hard to get to, but the oil filter is right there dangling off the bottom of the motor.) Judson and Julie seems nice and sociable. However, I declined the window tint that Julie was insist on along with the warranty extension, since I've been working on cars for 25 years now.

Then I asked for a breakdown of what it would be costing me, itemized in writing. If I were trying to sell these cars, this is what I would have ready for someone to sign the moment they had their first chance to sit in the thing. They didn't have it. They took some interesting guesses at it (in the $18K+ range, for a $14,285 Passion with dash gauges and stereo upgrade). They promised to fax it to me early this morning. As of now, I still haven't seen it. All three attempts to call the dealership have landed in voicemail. I had no idea Tuesdays mornings and afternoons were so busy at a smart center....

Red,
Hang in there and stay on them. I really think they are now trying to do the right thing. They are hard to reach since there are just two of them but I think they will treat you fairly if given a chance. Good Luck.