Total Confusion - Car Is In- Need Advice

[Markie]

I ordered the car in July and configured on Jan 2nd or 3rd. I think my last 4 order digits are 1228 but I'm not certain. Called Smart Car yesterday as the delivery date estimator was changing every day. They had no information and suggested that I call the dealer. The dealer had no information. I assumed the car delivery would be sometime in May or June. Today the dealer calls and advised that the car has arrived - Total confusion!

A couple of questions to anyone who can be helpful:

1. I see there is a destination charge of $645 on the invoice. Is this typical?
2. What other charges should I expect or be asked to pay? Are these negotiable? The car is being delivered in Roslyn, Long Island New York.
3. Are there any other issues that I should know but have not asked about?

Hope the delivery information is helpful to everyone as I had no idea the car was here and did not receive any email notification.

[MinnySmart]

1. I see there is a destination charge of $645 on the invoice. Is this typical?

Yes. This is typical no matter what car you buy. No worries there.

2. What other charges should I expect or be asked to pay? Are these negotiable? The car is being delivered in Roslyn, Long Island New York.

I would expect to pay a "Doc Fee" of anywhere from $50-$499. Hopefully it'll be toward the lower end. You can question it, but having sold cars myself, there's really no way around it on a car that's selling for MSRP with no discounts.

3. Are there any other issues that I should know but have not asked about?

They'll ask you about which extended warranties you might be interested in. I passed on all of them. Ask them if you have 30 days to decide, I did, and I do. I still have about 3 weeks to make my final decision, but I doubt that I'll spend the money on the extended warranties...

But If you've been "in love" with this car ever since you learned about it, I think you'll be quite happy with it... I look forward to ANY reason to drive it. I almost chose not to get the car, but I did, and I'm glad.

[JPaul]

Originally Posted by MinnySmart

2. What other charges should I expect or be asked to pay? Are these negotiable? The car is being delivered in Roslyn, Long Island New York.

I would expect to pay a "Doc Fee" of anywhere from $50-$499. Hopefully it'll be toward the lower end. You can question it, but having sold cars myself, there's really no way around it on a car that's selling for MSRP with no discounts.

Roslyn NY 65.00 doc fee (list posted by Meaux61)

[Smartdavis]

Originally Posted by Markie

A couple of questions to anyone who can be helpful:

1. I see there is a destination charge of $645 on the invoice. Is this typical?
2. What other charges should I expect or be asked to pay? Are these negotiable? The car is being delivered in Roslyn, Long Island New York.
3. Are there any other issues that I should know but have not asked about?

Hope the delivery information is helpful to everyone as I had no idea the car was here and did not receive any email notification.

1. Everyone gets the same destination (dealer profit) charge. It is typical.
2. The only other charges should be tax, license, and document fees typical for where you live. Be aware all dealers will try to sell you paint protection, extended warranties, tire warranties, and anything else they can think of to make more money. Some of these things can be useful, but you don't have to buy any of them unless you want to.
3. Don't get talked into things you don't need or want. Do your homework on interest rates. You will probably do better if you line up your car loan at your own bank first. Make sure you break-in the engine gently at first. Enjoy!

[Dave Van]

July and you have it??? I paid in June and and my date keeps move back?!?!? I don't think there is any logic in Smart USA way of doing biz....Congrats...and count yourself lucky or blessed!!!

[JPaul]

Originally Posted by Smartdavis

1. Everyone gets the same destination (dealer profit) charge. It is typical.

And here I naively thought destination charges were for the ship and the truck, sort of an average for all destinations, from Hambach to wherever in the US!

[partsrme928]

Markie, Did I understand you to say you never even got a 30 day notice? Makes me wonder if they had an orphane with your options and just let you have it

[Markie]

thanks for all the reply's. I think that I understand the issues.

I ordered the car with an unusual color combination - yellow with red inside and specific options so it is unlikely that this is someone else's car. When I was called yesterday I was asked a couple of times "are you sure you want the car". When I inquired about this, I was told that this dealer had a number of people on a waiting list and that about 30% of the orders were not being accepted for a number of reasons. I suspect that the dealer sells these cars at a premium, but I do not know this as fact. I am surprised that with all the electonic technology available this new business is not better organized. But as they say "it is what it is".

Can someone give me a bit more guidence on whether it makes sense to buy an extended warranty from the dealer or from an independent company. And if I am better off purchasing this from an independant company - which company? What should the cost be, and please comment on any other issues concerning a warranty.

Thanks again to everyone. I will post a note after I pick up the car - probably sometime next week as I want to sell the car I am replacing.

[jonnysan]

Originally Posted by Markie

thanks for all the reply's. I think that I understand the issues.

I ordered the car with an unusual color combination - yellow with red inside and specific options so it is unlikely that this is someone else's car. When I was called yesterday I was asked a couple of times "are you sure you want the car". When I inquired about this, I was told that this dealer had a number of people on a waiting list and that about 30% of the orders were not being accepted for a number of reasons. I suspect that the dealer sells these cars at a premium, but I do not know this as fact. I am surprised that with all the electonic technology available this new business is not better organized. But as they say "it is what it is".

Can someone give me a bit more guidence on whether it makes sense to buy an extended warranty from the dealer or from an independent company. And if I am better off purchasing this from an independant company - which company? What should the cost be, and please comment on any other issues concerning a warranty.

Thanks again to everyone. I will post a note after I pick up the car - probably sometime next week as I want to sell the car I am replacing.

Warranty that the dealer should offer. Mine did. I thought that the NY doc fees were $45. That is what is was in Albany anyway.
FWIW, I opted for the additional year extension for $299 i think it was..i forget. All the other things they offer are for people who can't handle any risk......;) and are willing to pay for having that character trait in spades....

[MENSA42]

Originally Posted by jonnysan

I thought that the NY doc fees were $45. That is what is was in Albany anyway.
FWIW, I opted for the additional year extension for $299 i think it was..i forget. All the other things they offer are for people who can't handle any risk......;) and are willing to pay for having that character trait in spades....

first...."Doc Fees" are up to the individual dealer, no matter the manufacturer, UNLESS your State has a 'maximum' that can be charged.

second.....in many cases, your 'Extended Warranty' is negotiable even though they may not like to admit to it. like anything else, the dealer makes a profit on them so if they would rather make 'something rather than nothing', then you may be able to deal.

but if smart offers an extended 12/12 warranty for only $299, i would jump all over that. 'if' it is a smart usa extention of the original 24/24 and not an 'aftermarket' (non-OEM) company.

good luck and enjoy your NEW RIDE!!!