Congratulations heathere3 your car is here

[scdaf]

I don't quite grasp the privacy issues in the arrival of a car at a dealership. It's not like they posted the results of a biopsy or something.

[xviper]

Originally Posted by scdaf

I don't quite grasp the privacy issues in the arrival of a car at a dealership. It's not like they posted the results of a biopsy or something.

Maybe you don't think much of a Smart car, but to me, a new car of any kind is still a special thing and my buying one is a personal and private matter and I may not wish for the world to know about it, especially where it was bought and when it was on the lot. An unscrupulous individual could use such info for no good. If I bought an Audi R8 or a Corvette ZR-1 or a Ferrari, I would not like it for the dealer to post this over the world wide web. If you think a Smart car is nothing special, that's your view of it and you don't give a crap, but the purchase of what is generally a person's second most expensive item they ever buy (next to a house) is considered a private matter by many. It's a big legally binding contract involving considerable money. Things of a legal matter and of significant dollar value is still "priveleged" information by western culture. Some might even consider it as private as a "biopsy". Buying a Smart car is not like you going down to the corner store and buying a loaf of bread, either. I would think that most people on this forum would hold a Smart in higher esteem than a loaf of bread.

[scdaf]

Originally Posted by xviper

Maybe you don't think much of a Smart car, but to me, a new car of any kind is still a special thing and my buying one is a personal and private matter and I may not wish for the world to know about it, especially where it was bought and when it was on the lot. An unscrupulous individual could use such info for no good. If I bought an Audi R8 or a Corvette ZR-1 or a Ferrari, I would not like it for the dealer to post this over the world wide web. If you think a Smart car is nothing special, that's your view of it and you don't give a crap, but the purchase of what is generally a person's second most expensive item they ever buy (next to a house) is considered a private matter by many. It's a big legally binding contract involving considerable money. Things of a legal matter and of significant dollar value is still "priveleged" information by western culture. Some might even consider it as private as a "biopsy". Buying a Smart car is not like you going down to the corner store and buying a loaf of bread, either. I would think that most people on this forum would hold a Smart in higher esteem than a loaf of bread.

I like my smart a lot, but still don't see it as a privacy issue. Think people may catch on to your purchase when they see you in the car with temp tags?

I guess I have an underdeveloped sense of secrecy.

[PlainCityVWBug]

xviper- maybe Heather's car is not even in yet, not even built, or on the boat or anything like that. He could be a trouble maker trying to play on her emotions and give her false hope, so that when she does call the dealer to arrange delivery of her car, they tell her that her car hasn't arrived yet and may or not be ready for delivery for some time.

I don't think the poster who posted that her car is in and says "we" will try to get a hold of you is even legit. But that's just my opinion. I'd like to have her weigh in on this and give her thoughts and her view/perspective on things since this thread is obviously involving her.

Originally Posted by xviper

Could be a trouble maker, but how would non-dealer personnel know the car is in and why would he say "we" will try to get a hold of you .................. ?

[John_H]

Originally Posted by PlainCityVWBug

I'd like to have her weigh in on this and give her thoughts and her view/perspective on things since this thread is obviously involving her.

So would the dealer - isn't that the point of the thread? She may be gone for the couple days that it takes for the dealer to first try to contact her.

The original poster appears - from previous posts - to be associated with the dealership. While anonymity is easy on the web, the history tends to suggest a legitimate source.

Heathere3 has been very vocal here about here desire to get her car - it's not something she's kept private! It's not necessarily reason to yell to everyone that the car's here, though.

While I was a little surprised to see the posting here from the dealer, I can also understand a sincere desire to address the black-eye of a dealership selling a reserved car out from under Heathere3. It's a screw-up nobody wants and there's a desire from all parties to get things cleaned up!

Of all the times to pick to go to that cute little cabin without internet access!! Here's to hoping all parties get together soon.

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by peter grosfeld

Hi Heather. We would love to see you driving your new smart this week.Tried calling you. Please call us.

in case you hadn't checked, she hasn't been on here for about a week (9/29 last time she logged in). if you haven't already, you might try a PM.

i hope you both can get things worked out. there are two sides to every story and somewhere in between are the facts..........

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by John_H

The original poster appears - from previous posts - to be associated with the dealership.

he is. i believe he's the smart center Brand Manager. i've had correspondence with him in the past.

[heathere3]

Hi everyone,
As surmised, I was away when the dealership initially tried to contact me. I also haven't been particularly following the board for reasons that will become obvious. I was alerted to this thread by a PM. Peter is in fact an employee at the local dealership, I'm not sure of his exact title. To make things short and sweet, they took far, far, far too long to get me the replacement car, and my experience with the dealership itself was significantly unacceptable. I will not go into specifics here, but suffice it to say, while I would have loved being a smart owner I want nothing further to do with the local dealership. The complete and utter lack of accurate communication and broken promises makes me happy (in a sad way) that it did take so long and I had to go and buy a different car. I will never regret owning my orphan, I had a blast with it. I'll probably give them another look in a couple of years when the MHD models come here. But I won't be dealing with my local dealership in any capacity at any point in the future. I hope everyone out there continues to enjoy their smarts though, and I still smile when I see them!

[jwight]

Wow - sorry to hear that. Your post speaks volumes and is not the kind of thing any dealership wants to hear. Just a suggestion, but if you have a chance let Dave Schembri know about your experiences - it can't hurt.

[John_H]

At least you can catch the ferry to CT and visit Hartford when it comes time to get your future Smart! That is as long as the reservation system allows the alternate pickup. It's unreal that you were so wronged by the dealership throughout this ordeal and it's no surprise the level of opinion you have for them.

I hope that every time you see a Smart on the road it brings a smile to your face and memories of your cute little orphan. May your later return to Smart ownership be glorious!

- John_H