Hey Gang,
Well it's been a good smart day to say the least. Now, yesterday could have been a whole lot better. Come to find out, my loan docs were screwed up so no smartie until February 4. But I have made peace with this delay and I hope my SCOA buddies will embrace this concept as well.
Current mood is good because I'm still over the moon over this car!
Here's why...
I advised Danny Wong (my tried and true smart customer care coordinator) about the delay and he couldn't have been more sweeter and understanding. In fact, he was very disappointed for me despite all my nagging on the delivery date. Anyway, he told me to come on down anyway and see my little baby. I thought this was a sweet gesture so I decided to take the opportunity to meet up with the Parts and Service Managers too (more on that later).
When I arrived at SC Edison, I saw the new sign up on the outside wall and it was very impression in white lettering against the black back drop. Anyway, I parked the TL, popped out my Robin Thicke CD and headed inside. I was greeted by Danny and lots of smarts. There must have been eight on the showroom floor (which is on two levels) and there were a couple outside. First up, I saw the tomatoe red and said an inner prayer of thanks that I didn't select this color but that's not to say that others can't like it. Well, as I'm gawking at the cars...Danny said, "Regina, there's yours up there." And at first it didn't register but when I repeated his words inside my head, I immediately felt like a proud parent upon seeing their lovely adoptive child. On the second level at center stage was my SMARTIE!!!!
She's blue with black tridion and nice & shiney! As we walked up to her on a crystal white cloud (also known as the floor), Danny veers off to his desk and I begin the slow amazing saunter around the car. I notice a huge sign on it which says, "PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH!" Then Danny says, "Here's the key, Regina. I made sure it was locked up tight just for you!" He said it like it was nothing but it meant the world to me. It was the key to my dreams come true. MY GOD THAT FEELING WAS FABULOUS!!! I click on the key fob and all the doors opened. I opened the driver's door and got in.
The interior black and off-grey was really nice but I can see myself swapping the grey rings offer the tach/clock and the main arch over the steering wheel to a solid black. The leather seats were comfortable, the dash was sleek and not cheap looking and the ragtop looked awesome. I asked Danny if I could start the car and he said yes. So of course, it started up like a sleeping kitchen and the first thing I did was pop in Robin Thicke to set the mood up right. After gawking at all the knobs and such, I put down the top and looked out the rearview mirror. I realized then, it was going to take some getting use to the more condensed view. Anyway, I jumped out the car and Danny started giving me instructions on how to operate the fundamentals. I learned how to take the rails off, how to load and unload them in the boot, how to remove the hood and to locate the washer fluid. He also taught me how to open the boot and to make sure the tray door for holding the rails is closed properly as well as the gate. Anyway, he let me fool around with the car at my leisure and once I was done, I asked if I could take a test drive and he said, "Of course!"
As I was walking away from my smartie, Danny had to remind me to lock it. To my surprise, it made the cutiest little sound and the lights flashed for a bit and then went off. I responded by asking Danny, "I thought there was no audible sound when locking the car...at least that is what one of my online club buddies stated." Danny explained that with the comfort package, they include the sound bite which is a wonderful feature to have so you know your car has been locked.
Now we head outside and I drive his demo which he uses on a 30 mile commute every day. He's so funny. He said, "I forget that I'm driving a smart until someone pulls up along side of me to gawk, point or wildly gesture." Anyway, we get in, I adjust the mirror and seat and Danny sets up his MP3 Disc to a Robin Thicke song and off we go!
While in automatic mode, we get on the expressway and I immediately feel the lag after he explains there is a distinctive one between gears. However I asked him, if I learn how to accelerate correctly by applying the right amount of pressure to the gas pedal can I diminish that feeling and he said yes. Which made me smile. I'm used to a 6 cylinder luxury car and flooring it for a quick and steady acceleration but I can adjust to a slower, yet steady increase in speed.
Anyway, we drove the same Road Show route and the day was a nice overcast kind of day and not too cold at all. Danny even let me put the roof down (at his suggestion and he was wearing a polo shirt). I protested but he said go ahead and he turned the heat up and off we went. What a blast (a little chilly I think ** but my smiles kept me warm). I put the top down well before we got back to the dealership. One thing I noticed was how quiet the car was but I also realized I need those back speakers for a more rounded sound.
When we got back, I thanked him and he told me where to drive to meet up with Parts & Service. Of course, I told him that I'll probably be in on the 4th (Monday) instead of the 9th (Saturday) because I don't think I can't wait that long. He just laughed and said, "I'll see ya soon."
As I headed back to the TL, I started looking for my keys but I couldn't find them. As I approached the car, I saw them in the ignition. Then I realized the car was still ON!!! Can you believe that? I was so excited to see the cars and I prided myself on how calm I was going to conduct myself and low and behold, I left my car running. I felt stupid but shrugged it off to the experience.
So now I drive over to this MASSIVE Parts & Service Center down the road. SC Edison sits on probably 7-8 acres. When I walked inside...at front and center stage was a blue/silver cabrio. You had to walk around it just to get to their front desk which is manned by at least 4 well dressed people. I then look around and see a state of the art Internet Cafe, Several Pool Tables, Flat Screen TVs and more. Come to find out they have food set up all day, a quiet room, a kids room and other things to keep you busy as you wait for your high end car (MB, Lexus, Jags, Infinity, Ferrari, Maserati, etc). I felt like I was visiting Life Styles of the Rich and Famous!!
Anyway, I met up with Tommy (Parts Mgr) and we spent some valuable time together. He had my list of parts that I wanted all ready. He also made me feel like family and he was so accommodating that he printed the entire Parts list with prices. He also said he would contact me as soon as the Brabus parts are in because I want upgraded rims and I'm doing comparisom pricing. They are also in the process of contacting UK Parts folks to get different panel colors to offer as additional options. When we spoke of panels, he remembered that I wanted an unpainted set and he said they all come painted so we agreed he would get me a black set. One thing I must say, Tommy is a honest Joe. When he printed the price list, I pointed out that they were slightly higher than the Parts brochure pages that he also printed for me. He said, "What, those are incorrect and I told them to list them at the MSRP figures and not with our usual mark up. No matter, I'll make sure you get the MSRP and nothing else." I told him I was impressed by his honesty and willingness to correct the situation.
When I met up with Glen (Service Mgr) he was just as friendly. We talked about all the items I have coming in from Europe to enhance the look of the car. (More on that later). Most importantly, I asked him with all the changes I have in mind (which are cosmetic right now), I want to make sure these changes won't void my warranty. He told me they wouldn't which made me happy. As we were going over all the work I wanted done, he offered FOR FREE to swap my panels when it comes time to get the new painted panels installed and he's going to bubble wrap my blue ones for storage. This of course floored me. He said I could be his geniea pig to figure out how long it will actually take to do the swap. He also offered to do my paint job and to put the 3M Invisible wrap on the entire front end, front quarter panel and side mirrors. He will also do a hard wire install for my GPS on top of the dash as well as the extra set of speakers I want in the back. He told me not to worry about the cost because we would work something out since I was his first smart customer. Wow! A one stop shop is my dream. He also said, all the work will be certified. Needless to say, I was very impressed. He plans to make some calls for me on Monday so we can get the ball rolling.
So, that was my day. Filled with wonderful meet and greets, being treated like a very special someone, seeing candy colored smarts, and best of all, seeing my smart all ready just for me. Nothing can top this day until I get my smartie home.
Haven't gotten mine. Last I heard, it was at the Baltimore dock as of 12/27/07. I haven't spoken with smart center Edison since Saturday to see if they received another shipment. I'm just trying to be patient. Who are you suppose to take delivery from (which NJ dealer). I know Jonthedull received his car last week. Thanks, Regina
How did you find out that your car was at the Baltimore Dock?
Hi Regina,
Enjoyed reading your writings (both here and at CSC). Very informative and descriptive. Enjoy your new baby! I am so envious! Hope to hear from my dealer soon.
Take care,
-Tom L.
That was a great narrative. I'm getting the same car except for the ragtop so I enjoyed the detailed description. I can imagine myself floating on those clouds too.
When you get a chance it will be nice to hear all the things you are getting added to your car. I really haven't thought I would add much of anything but I do appreciate what others are doing with theirs.
Hey Gang,
Well it's been a good smart day to say the least. Now, yesterday could have been a whole lot better. Come to find out, my loan docs were screwed up so no smartie until February 4. But I have made peace with this delay and I hope my SCOA buddies will embrace this concept as well.
Current mood is good because I'm still over the moon over this car!
Here's why...
I advised Danny Wong (my tried and true smart customer care coordinator) about the delay and he couldn't have been more sweeter and understanding. In fact, he was very disappointed for me despite all my nagging on the delivery date. Anyway, he told me to come on down anyway and see my little baby. I thought this was a sweet gesture so I decided to take the opportunity to meet up with the Parts and Service Managers too (more on that later).
When I arrived at SC Edison, I saw the new sign up on the outside wall and it was very impression in white lettering against the black back drop. Anyway, I parked the TL, popped out my Robin Thicke CD and headed inside. I was greeted by Danny and lots of smarts. There must have been eight on the showroom floor (which is on two levels) and there were a couple outside. First up, I saw the tomatoe red and said an inner prayer of thanks that I didn't select this color but that's not to say that others can't like it. Well, as I'm gawking at the cars...Danny said, "Regina, there's yours up there." And at first it didn't register but when I repeated his words inside my head, I immediately felt like a proud parent upon seeing their lovely adoptive child. On the second level at center stage was my SMARTIE!!!!
She's blue with black tridion and nice & shiney! As we walked up to her on a crystal white cloud (also known as the floor), Danny veers off to his desk and I begin the slow amazing saunter around the car. I notice a huge sign on it which says, "PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH!" Then Danny says, "Here's the key, Regina. I made sure it was locked up tight just for you!" He said it like it was nothing but it meant the world to me. It was the key to my dreams come true. MY GOD THAT FEELING WAS FABULOUS!!! I click on the key fob and all the doors opened. I opened the driver's door and got in.
The interior black and off-grey was really nice but I can see myself swapping the grey rings offer the tach/clock and the main arch over the steering wheel to a solid black. The leather seats were comfortable, the dash was sleek and not cheap looking and the ragtop looked awesome. I asked Danny if I could start the car and he said yes. So of course, it started up like a sleeping kitchen and the first thing I did was pop in Robin Thicke to set the mood up right. After gawking at all the knobs and such, I put down the top and looked out the rearview mirror. I realized then, it was going to take some getting use to the more condensed view. Anyway, I jumped out the car and Danny started giving me instructions on how to operate the fundamentals. I learned how to take the rails off, how to load and unload them in the boot, how to remove the hood and to locate the washer fluid. He also taught me how to open the boot and to make sure the tray door for holding the rails is closed properly as well as the gate. Anyway, he let me fool around with the car at my leisure and once I was done, I asked if I could take a test drive and he said, "Of course!"
As I was walking away from my smartie, Danny had to remind me to lock it. To my surprise, it made the cutiest little sound and the lights flashed for a bit and then went off. I responded by asking Danny, "I thought there was no audible sound when locking the car...at least that is what one of my online club buddies stated." Danny explained that with the comfort package, they include the sound bite which is a wonderful feature to have so you know your car has been locked.
Now we head outside and I drive his demo which he uses on a 30 mile commute every day. He's so funny. He said, "I forget that I'm driving a smart until someone pulls up along side of me to gawk, point or wildly gesture." Anyway, we get in, I adjust the mirror and seat and Danny sets up his MP3 Disc to a Robin Thicke song and off we go!
While in automatic mode, we get on the expressway and I immediately feel the lag after he explains there is a distinctive one between gears. However I asked him, if I learn how to accelerate correctly by applying the right amount of pressure to the gas pedal can I diminish that feeling and he said yes. Which made me smile. I'm used to a 6 cylinder luxury car and flooring it for a quick and steady acceleration but I can adjust to a slower, yet steady increase in speed.
Anyway, we drove the same Road Show route and the day was a nice overcast kind of day and not too cold at all. Danny even let me put the roof down (at his suggestion and he was wearing a polo shirt). I protested but he said go ahead and he turned the heat up and off we went. What a blast (a little chilly I think ** but my smiles kept me warm). I put the top down well before we got back to the dealership. One thing I noticed was how quiet the car was but I also realized I need those back speakers for a more rounded sound.
When we got back, I thanked him and he told me where to drive to meet up with Parts & Service. Of course, I told him that I'll probably be in on the 4th (Monday) instead of the 9th (Saturday) because I don't think I can't wait that long. He just laughed and said, "I'll see ya soon."
As I headed back to the TL, I started looking for my keys but I couldn't find them. As I approached the car, I saw them in the ignition. Then I realized the car was still ON!!! Can you believe that? I was so excited to see the cars and I prided myself on how calm I was going to conduct myself and low and behold, I left my car running. I felt stupid but shrugged it off to the experience.
So now I drive over to this MASSIVE Parts & Service Center down the road. SC Edison sits on probably 7-8 acres. When I walked inside...at front and center stage was a blue/silver cabrio. You had to walk around it just to get to their front desk which is manned by at least 4 well dressed people. I then look around and see a state of the art Internet Cafe, Several Pool Tables, Flat Screen TVs and more. Come to find out they have food set up all day, a quiet room, a kids room and other things to keep you busy as you wait for your high end car (MB, Lexus, Jags, Infinity, Ferrari, Maserati, etc). I felt like I was visiting Life Styles of the Rich and Famous!!
Anyway, I met up with Tommy (Parts Mgr) and we spent some valuable time together. He had my list of parts that I wanted all ready. He also made me feel like family and he was so accommodating that he printed the entire Parts list with prices. He also said he would contact me as soon as the Brabus parts are in because I want upgraded rims and I'm doing comparisom pricing. They are also in the process of contacting UK Parts folks to get different panel colors to offer as additional options. When we spoke of panels, he remembered that I wanted an unpainted set and he said they all come painted so we agreed he would get me a black set. One thing I must say, Tommy is a honest Joe. When he printed the price list, I pointed out that they were slightly higher than the Parts brochure pages that he also printed for me. He said, "What, those are incorrect and I told them to list them at the MSRP figures and not with our usual mark up. No matter, I'll make sure you get the MSRP and nothing else." I told him I was impressed by his honesty and willingness to correct the situation.
When I met up with Glen (Service Mgr) he was just as friendly. We talked about all the items I have coming in from Europe to enhance the look of the car. (More on that later). Most importantly, I asked him with all the changes I have in mind (which are cosmetic right now), I want to make sure these changes won't void my warranty. He told me they wouldn't which made me happy. As we were going over all the work I wanted done, he offered FOR FREE to swap my panels when it comes time to get the new painted panels installed and he's going to bubble wrap my blue ones for storage. This of course floored me. He said I could be his geniea pig to figure out how long it will actually take to do the swap. He also offered to do my paint job and to put the 3M Invisible wrap on the entire front end, front quarter panel and side mirrors. He will also do a hard wire install for my GPS on top of the dash as well as the extra set of speakers I want in the back. He told me not to worry about the cost because we would work something out since I was his first smart customer. Wow! A one stop shop is my dream. He also said, all the work will be certified. Needless to say, I was very impressed. He plans to make some calls for me on Monday so we can get the ball rolling.
So, that was my day. Filled with wonderful meet and greets, being treated like a very special someone, seeing candy colored smarts, and best of all, seeing my smart all ready just for me. Nothing can top this day until I get my smartie home.
Regina
Don't you dare call me before the 4th and tell me you can't make it or I am going to drag your butt to the showroom myself... ;)
I'll see you soon Regina!
Danny M. Wong
smart center Edison, NJ
Sales & Leasing Consultant dannymwong@raycatenaedison.com
Tel: 732-549-6601
Fax: 732-549-6983
Do you see why I love Danny Wong. He's a great guy and he makes me feel very special!! BTW, my loan funding is suppose to occur on 2/4 but they have to overnight it to me. Don't be mad if I walk in on the night of 2/5. One extra day is ok with me. See ya soon! Regina
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