Ohio smarties

[UR2SLOW1]

Robotbil thanks for the info because I didn't think the config had Lojack on them and they definately told me that "the customers ordered the cars with lojack and that's why they have it" . To answer your question: Yes only the two Orphans (both sold now) had lojack on them........ things that make you go hmmmm.

[redbluff]

Originally Posted by robotbill

No one orders these cars with Lojack, needless to say it is not in the configurator.

Your right that Molly may be doing what she is told but it is dishonest to tell me Lojack, two sets of car mats, CD holder, cargo net, are all required for them to sell the car. When I led her online to the Lojack website that shows only a few counties in Ohio have the ability to track Lojack and mine was not one of them she just said too bad.

I did call Smart customer service and talked with a supervisor and explained what was going on. She advised this is not the image Smart wants and would have someone contact them. Also my complaint was not the first one about Bedford. When I told her they had a Passion configured to $19K with dealer forced options she used the word appalled at the action. While I want them to make money I don't expect to be lied to or taken advantage of. Also for all the people who are on their orphan list it simpler means nothing. I called two days ago and the orphan was available today yet they first told me 50 people were on the list. I see one other person in this forum did the same thing last week.

[jwight]

Well, it could be worse: http://smartcarofamerica.com/forums/...ead.php?t=4535

San Diego dealer loading them up with $5K worth of options; people will pay it. Even worse, if Bedford is a Penske dealer then Roger is part of the problem; he is pushing the smart buying experience as a new way to purchase an automobile, yet his own dealerships pull this stuff as well as maxing out the document fees. If he doesn't expect his dealers to shape up, then how can we expect the non-Penske dealers to? Off my soapbox now.

[xcrew229x]

Roger Penske is an astute business man, and darn sure knows that ticking off customers by front loading the car price will only drive off those same customers from the service department, where the real money is made. I'd bet the farm this isn't a Penske practice. Sorry for borrowing your soapbox JWight.

[Cory1000]

lojack is one of those things that all dealers try to sell you, free money for them...I have heard the sales pitch for it a dozen times....

[robotbill]

It's fine if they try to sell it to me. But all I want is my orginally configured smart with no ups or extras forced on me. I see this as the only way they can make money on these. The minute I'm told my car is in I will get there quickly so that there is no "misunderstanding" about what was ordered.

[JPaul]

From the "Your smart fortwo Configuration Details" e-mail from <support@mysmartfortwo.com>:
«Please be sure to keep a copy of your reservation acknowledgment details for reference».

[robotbill]

You bet, "don't leave home without it"

[robotbill]

Interesting how quickly the dealers realized picked up on the fact that you increase your profits by selling orphans with all the goodies. There is no way an orphan is going to be untouched it is too irrrestible not to add on and sell to the unwitting,impluse buyer. You may have your car earlier but there is a price to pay. Can't have it both ways.

[74AMX304V8]

I picked up my ordered/reserved smart from Bedford recently. I've had the best new car buying experience to date. Everyone was courteous and helpfull. Got what I ordered, no pressure or intimidation to add anything else. Orphans are a different ballgame. People, no one is holding a gun to your head to buy a smart. If you don't like a dealer's policy go someplace else ,or order a car and wait like others and myself have done. People make it seem like loading is a new practice. I bought a Bronco II in 1985 that had a dealer installed add on security device (circuit board key) they charged $495 for. I later saw the same thing from JC Whitney for $29.95. I loved that truck,went 10 yrs 125,000 trouble free miles. Looked as good the day I traded it in, as the day I picked it up.