[rkmjr1]

How do you have the Atlanta fees? They do not open until tomorrow 2.26/08. As far as I know they have yet to deliver a car.

 

[meaux61]

Someone from the Atlanta dealership posted them on this thread...scroll a few pages back.
Meaux

 

[smartcenterSeattle]

hang on there. that "Cleaning, set-up, making sure the car is worthy of delivery" is all paid for by Smart USA to the dealer in the PDI. there is no justification for the "prep" fee other than extra profit. do a search, you will find all kinds of articles on the controversy.

Since this thread came up in a conversation with a visitor to our store today, I decided to chime in to explain how this effects smart center Seattle customers.

PDI paid to the dealer is meant to pay for the mechanical inspection (labor time) and road test spent in the shop only; 8/10 of an hour. We are not reimbursed for the detail or full tank of gas each vehicle gets (fortunately the average fill is less than $25). Even though occasionally we are able to complete the PDI in less than 8/10, there is certainly not enough time left over to consider the detail as part of PDI. Our detail is also a little more than just a wash and vacuum. The vehicles all go through an actual detail for prep. It's probably not needed since the panels are not painted, but we still apply a polymer based wax coat to prevent water spots. These additional costs are not applied to the price.

As stated earlier, the $80 charge for training and technology is charged on the dealer cost side of invoice not the MSRP side so does not affect final MSRP pricing.

 

[Old smart]

Ethan,

Tx for explaining what your fee includes - much better than most do. I agree, there are a few things beyond the normal PDI (the gas-up, state safety inspection, some actual paper-shuffling time). The 50-bucks is very reasonable for services on behalf of the customer, where the average of 54 smart centers so-far is $229 for "something." I wish I had a reasonable option of taking my smart at scSeattle, but I am on the far end of the country and the far end of the "delivery" spectrum at $399 (plus sales tax!). Good fortune to scS.

 

[gnikkib]

Someone from the Atlanta dealership posted them on this thread...scroll a few pages back.
Meaux

sorry i can't respond to everyone's post, but i thought i would let you know; smart center Buckhead's doc fee will be $399. thx for everyone's input. this has been quite an eye opening experience for me. once again, thanks!

 

[meaux61]

Thank you gnikkib, I will post it.

Meaux :/

 

[Fredvon4]

So what can a customer of Buckhead expect for the $399 that the Dallas Dealer does not provide in their $50 doc fee?

Or better stated/asked.... how many potential Buckhead customers are now logging on to SCOA and SmartUSA and researching how to move their delivery dealer to Dallas to avoid your $399 doc fee?

Of your 300 maybe 400 pre sold smart fortwos in 08, how many have to abandon doing business with Buckhead before the $399 doc fee business decision starts to become not too smart?

I bet the "eye opening experience" has a lot to do with customers now being empowered by information, to smart shop, smarter...

 

[meaux61]

Also, gnikkib never posted what the doc fee pays for as promised last night.
So much for transparency.

Meaux

 

[gnikkib]

Also, gnikkib never posted what the doc fee pays for as promised last night.
So much for transparency.

Meaux

sorry, we are preparing for our opening tomorrow. i didn't get a chance to get clarification. .

 

[meaux61]

Certainly

Nikki from Buckhead
Have you had a chance for clarification yet? Dont you have to explain it to your customers? Potential customers are here. Please explain what one gets for a 399.00 doc fee?

Meaux

 

[Fredvon4]

Meaux... Nikki would be wise to pass on that request...

Cost of docs processing is fairly consistent across the USA. There is nothing really special about conducting any kind of business and there are literally thousands of dealers all over her state and the USA that do not charge any extra for "closing" a contract.

PAG had between 1200~1400 applications from dealers and private individuals to be smart Center Point Of Sale for the fortwo cars.

Each final candidate was disclosed EXACTLY how many units they would expect to sell for the first 24 months.

Each final candidate was disclosed EXACTLY what standards, signage, advertising, tools, displays and all other mandatory associated costs would be... even the fact that they would have to pay IB $50 for each "Hot Lead"

Any business that now wants to claim the cost of doing business is too great and they must offset losses by inflated Docs fees... is a foolish venture and no one I would prefer to do any business with...no matter how pleasant or nice they seem to be...

As usuall...just my unapologetic opinion

 

[meaux61]

Fredvon,

I agree 100 percent.

M

 

[NM dude]

BMX43,
You may be correct about New Mexico, as I have posed a question to the owner of the dealer, and have not heard anything. I also have heard from one other person that they asked the dealer, and they refused to let him know the fee. I also sent an email over a month ago, and no answer.

Talked to the folks at smart center Albuquerque today, and there was no problem getting their doc fee, it is $239.50, the same as at their other dealerships.

 

[meaux61]

Thank you NMdude, I will add it to the list

Meaux

 

[agent_86]

does anyone know what the doc fees will be in the two massachusetts dealerships?

 

[bigal]

Our smart fourtwo from Alexandria, VA:

$349.00 (processing fee for consumer services)
$10.00 (on-line systems filing fee)
$32.67 (dealer's business license tax)
...and there was lots of pressure to pay about $1K for three more years on the warranty, about $320 for some type of tire warranty (you've got to be kidding), and they were pushing a paint coating process for just under $500 if I remember correctly. I didn't select any of these dealer packs - but we paid those first 3 fees.

Oh, we also financed the car through the dealer. Not a great deal: 7.75% for 60 months with total finance charges being $3628.74. We'll be paying this loan off as soon as possible!

 

[dcrooks]

Our smart fourtwo from Alexandria, VA:

$349.00 (processing fee for consumer services)
$10.00 (on-line systems filing fee)
$32.67 (dealer's business license tax)
...and there was lots of pressure to pay about $1K for three more years on the warranty, about $320 for some type of tire warranty (you've got to be kidding), and they were pushing a paint coating process for just under $500 if I remember correctly. I didn't select any of these dealer packs - but we paid those first 3 fees.

Oh, we also financed the car through the dealer. Not a great deal: 7.75% for 60 months with total finance charges being $3628.74. We'll be paying this loan off as soon as possible!

That is why I like Credit Unions... I got the car financed for 5.5% for 60 months. I also intend to pay it off asap...

 

[dcrooks]

The base price with metalic panels is $14,635
Dealer's Business License: $24.88 ** Is car dealership license that expensive?
Other Charges: $199.70 ** Huh?
New License: $12.00
Title Tax: $439.05
Dealer Online Systems Filing Fee: $10.00 (pre-printed)
Processing Fee: For Consumer Services: $385.00 (pre-printed)
+ 3% VA TAX ON PRO FEE: $11.55

For a total of $15,717.18 which included the $99 reservation fee knocked off.

I had to write out a check for like $9 additional for the title fee and then received a check in the mail for like $3 for as it seems it was overpaid for the title fee.

 

[bigal]

The base price with metalic panels is $14,635
Dealer's Business License: $24.88 ** Is car dealership license that expensive?
Other Charges: $199.70 ** Huh?
New License: $12.00
Title Tax: $439.05
Dealer Online Systems Filing Fee: $10.00 (pre-printed)
Processing Fee: For Consumer Services: $385.00 (pre-printed)
+ 3% VA TAX ON PRO FEE: $11.55

For a total of $15,717.18 which included the $99 reservation fee knocked off.

I had to write out a check for like $9 additional for the title fee and then received a check in the mail for like $3 for as it seems it was overpaid for the title fee.

You can't blame them for taxes and car license fees. Our car had a base price of $15,825.00 (passion with comfort package [$850], smart sound system [$350], anti-theft alarm system [$160], Cockpit clock & Rev counter [$120], Fog lamps [$110], and destination charge of $645 after the original $13,590.00 2008 Passion Coupe price), we added velour floor mats [$65], CD Box [$49], and Dash Rubber Kit [$49]. Then you have the dealer processing fee of $349, 3% VA sales tax of $490.11, on-line systems filing fee of $10, dealer's business license tax of $32.67, tags for $2.00, License Fee and Title fee at $258.88. We then take out our $99 reservation fee and the total was $17,031.66 and we financed this.

Hey, it's only money.

 

[SmartAzz]

...Then you have the dealer processing fee of $349....

That you certainly can blame them for.