bypass SMART SF

[SOMAsmart]

for those of you w/o "smarts"-I would highly recommend checking in with smart center San Jose. I wouldn't even waste your time with smart SF. I reserved my car in December and was placed on SF's adoption list. I worked with a salesperson there and was informed I shouldn't have a hard time getting a car in 6 months. I did set a price cap at 15k but was told that shouldn't be a problem as well.
However as June came and their sales climbed SF changed their tune. "Base" passion coupes were being loaded up with dealer-installed options raising the base price up 4k. When I asked if they could hold up installing these options I was told that was impossible. What???? DEALER-INSTALLED!
that was followed with if you don't want it someone else will.
That sealed it. I immediately called San Jose and explained my situation. Annie immediately took care of the situation. Within hours I was in her office signing the papers and driving away in a fully loaded passion coupe for 15.8.
I wrote Bill Scott with SF an email explaining how outraged I was with my dealings at SF. The response? A car from an SF salesperson telling me they have a car available (exactly the same as the one I just purchased from SJ) for 18.8! Even when they are trying to "do the right thing" they are screwing you.
Moral of the story?........don't waste your time at Smart Center SF-make the 40 mile trip to SJ......it will be a lot less agrevation.

[LittoDeviL]

SOMAsmart sorry to hear about ur fustration, I just dropped by Jamba juice here in millbrae and saw a smart passion with yellow / silver cell with a red hood =P and the owner told me he only waited 1 week for his from San Jose so.. hehe..

My personal experience with Smart SF was just a pleasant one, but that was probably because I went in a few months ago inquiring about the car, put myself on the adoption list and got to test drive the car. I don't know what the situation with it is now but if it is what you say, then.. seems like it's more about selling cars and less on customer service

Larry

[starlord]

Yep, smart USA did raise the MSRP of the smart from between the original reservation price and today's cost, however, Penske and ALL the smart centers will honor your original reservation quote for the car you ordered -- this does NOT have anything to do with orphans or dealer show cars, which is what I think they may have been quoting you well before your actual car arrived?

>I reserved my car in December and was placed on SF's adoption list.
>I worked with a salesperson there and was informed I shouldn't have a
>hard time getting a car in 6 months. I did set a price cap at 15k but was
>told that shouldn't be a problem as well.

Ah, ok, right, we aren't talking about your reservation car, this is just a random 'orphan' that came up. One that they already took to trick out with some options. Clearly, this car was out of your budget and that was extremely frustrating.

It sounds like you couldn't wait for the next orphan (hopefully at a better price point) to come along, so you tried San Jose.

I wouldn't go as far to say SF was trying to screw you over, really? But then I've been in there a whole bunch of times and all my dealings have been very friendly, I just have a different experience -- here's hoping the next one is better, though I'd understand if you never want to set foot in there again.

For what it's worth, I have seen bottom of the line base models at SF, as well fully loaded with after-market paint and accessories, and yes there are 30+ people in line waiting for anything at all the dealerships, that may not be a happy thought for people waiting, but it's true..

So, San Jose was lucky they had something that worked out for you, sure 15.8 is more than your original 15k, so you did pay an extra $2210 but not an extra $4000.. the main this is, you got your smart! congrats!

[tsutaoka]

SOMAsmart, I had luck in San Jose too. Just picked up this black/black/black orphan today.

[jvastola]

Another vote for SJ Smart here. I picked up a Black on Blue smart last Thursday. No hassles, no extra overpriced crap, fast and courteous service.

Hey, tsutaoka I think I was offered your smart as an option. I was looking for the Blue so it was a prefect match for me. I was on the list for about three weeks.

Anybody want to buy a Ford Escape???

Jim

[tsutaoka]

Jim, Thanks for passing up the blk/blk/blk...although I like the blk/blue also.

In addition, I had the same experience as you. No mark-up, no extras...just fast courteous service.

[jwight]

FWIW, smart has not raised the MSRP for the 2008 models; the Passion coupe is still shown starting at $13,590. Prices may go up for the 2009 models, but that's not shown on the smart USA site as of today.

[SOMAsmart]

I'm sorry to hear others had terrible experiences with smart SF as well.
just to "clear" things up, smart SF does bring in base cars, but they load them up with dealer installed options because they know there are smarties out there that will but the cars no matter the price. it is really sad.
Around the time i purchased mine, they would call me and tell me a base passion coupe was en route to SF.......then a few days later i would receive a call stating that the base car arrived, but the SF dealership loaded it up......and althought i was told it would be mine for 14 and change, it was now 18 and change.
I email Bill Scott to alert him of the dealership's bad business practices---in turn i received a call from a salesperson saying they had the same exact car i purchased with every opetion exactly, for one thousand more.

it is not worth the hassle........if you are reading this and want a smart car and live in SF------just call smart SJ, you'll thank me later.

I live a few blocks from smart SF, and still drive down to SJ for various items like floor mats.

[starlord]

SOMAsmart, we appreciate your challenges, however this isn't the appropriate forum for such discussion.

Instead, I'd like to recommend that you contact smart customer service in the future, as they may be able to address your frustrations.

Hey, wish you the best of luck!

[Alchemy R]

I picked up an Orphan from Smart San Jose this morning! I was very impressed with the customer service and surprised by how quickly I was able to get one... I thought I was going to have to wait awhile.

I only called them because of this thread.

Now, who wants to trade panels??