May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves...May 2008 Repo Thread...Part 8

[granmaz]

I think we just said NOON at Lumieres **OR** do you guys think Parrot Cay would be better...that way we could table hop without confusing servers?

Whichever we decide, I will take care of alerting the head server for whatever team has that restaurant that day, so they can 'reserve' a section of the restaurant for us. Whichever....wear your lime green stuff!

I think that sounds great Jackie.

 

[granmaz]

On the picture thread they try to stick to 800x600, which explains the smaller size when you post it over here.

Pj

I have changed it to that now. Thanks.

 

[aphoenix]

So, here are my impressions:

The Dealership

It was an incredibly laid back experience, completely different than all of my other experiences buying cars.

Our salesman Josh was helpful. It was more like shopping in the Apple Store than a car dealer.

I suppose that given there is a 1 year wait for a car, they can afford to be laid back.

That laid back approach has been one of Roger's key focuses as we've launched. From our very first meeting two years ago, he has repeatedly said that he wanted this to be a completely different experience.

That's also why the cars won't be sold for over sticker price. Given the demand, they could easily add several thousand dollars onto the price. But, we got all of our dealers to agree to hold to the sticker price.

Cargo Space

This had been the chief area of concern and a real deal breaker. Just how much shopping could we fit in.

I had brought with me a reusable Jewel shopping bag to test out the Smart's cargo space.

I was quite surprised by it. It was much roomier than we had thought it would be. I figured (shopping bag in hand) that we could fit 8 bags of groceries in the cargo space (one row on top of the other).

In terms of gardening supplies, we figured we could fit 3 to 4 bags of mulch stacked. Meaning either having things delivered or making multiple trips.

But, for the shopping we do 99.9% of the time, the cargo space was fine.

The other trick for cargo space is that, if you are alone, put the passenger seat down flat. It creates a flat shelf and you can stack a lot more there.

Conflict

I reserved the Smart Passion. Sukie thinks I should get the Cabriolet, which is a convertible. The convertible is fully automatic.

Aside from the added money for the Cabriolet, I really question how much sense a convertible makes for Chicago, where we could only drive with the top down from June to about the end of September.

I also feel uneasy about how well the top will age, plus the potential for mechanical things to go wrong.

In addition, because of the top, you lose about half of the access to the cargo space.

The space remains the same, but now only the lower half of the back folds down. In the hard top the window flips up (like a hatch) and the bottom folds down, providing full access to the cargo space.

I would strongly recommend going with the Passion in Chicago. The cabrio will be louder, and more maintenance headaches. With the panoramic roof in the Passion (Don't know if they pointed it out at the dealership), you get the beautiful sky above you, and, then just roll the windows down for the fresh air.

More Conflict

I sent in my Smart reservation a few weeks ago. Josh told me that the wait is about 1 year.

The dealer does have a waiting list for "orphans," cars ordered where the buyer changed their mind.

The downside is that choice is limited. You take the color as it is and the configuration as it is.

If we get a Cabriolet (the convertible) the wait could be as short a a month or so, longer for a Passion.

So, not sure whether to do this or not.

It can't hurt to put yourself on the list. Also, do not count on the 1-year wait. To put it bluntly, the dealers have no clue how long someone will have to wait to get their car, as they don't know how long the reservation list is for their location.

KPros and SPros just picked theirs up today. Adrienne got to go up to Universal City today to be with then when they picked it up. (I am working at our store today, so couldn't join her).

 

[iankh]

That laid back approach has been one of Roger's key focuses as we've launched. From our very first meeting two years ago, he has repeatedly said that he wanted this to be a completely different experience.

That's also why the cars won't be sold for over sticker price. Given the demand, they could easily add several thousand dollars onto the price. But, we got all of our dealers to agree to hold to the sticker price.



The other trick for cargo space is that, if you are alone, put the passenger seat down flat. It creates a flat shelf and you can stack a lot more there.



I would strongly recommend going with the Passion in Chicago. The cabrio will be louder, and more maintenance headaches. With the panoramic roof in the Passion (Don't know if they pointed it out at the dealership), you get the beautiful sky above you, and, then just roll the windows down for the fresh air.



It can't hurt to put yourself on the list. Also, do not count on the 1-year wait. To put it bluntly, the dealers have no clue how long someone will have to wait to get their car, as they don't know how long the reservation list is for their location.

KPros and SPros just picked theirs up today. Adrienne got to go up to Universal City today to be with then when they picked it up. (I am working at our store today, so couldn't join her).

Tony,

Thank you so much for the feedback. Just the sort of information I was looking for.

Also good to know that the dealers don't really know how long the wait is going to be. I don't mind waiting. I would sort of like to get exactly the car I want.

I did call the dealer and left a message to find out the scoop with their orphan program. I know I would have to put down a $100 deposit, but I want to know what will happen if I don't want the orphan they have available. Can I still just wait for my reservation and get my custom configuration.

I'm very partial to the yellow. Not sure if I want the beige or red interior.


.

 

[Tink rules]

Have a look at this pic then. Not mine - by DCLLVR, from the DCL pic thread.

Looks just like it is taken from a lifeboat!!!

Should we be happy or scared that the lifeboat MAY have been their room???

 

[granmaz]

Should we be happy or scared that the lifeboat MAY have been their room???

Well there will be no rocking in MY lifeboat!!!

 

[CBEB]

So who wishes they were here right now?

Me! Me! Except, that family is wide awake. As soon as DH and I sit in those chairs we are down for the count (or at least until the pager goes off)!

 

[CBEB]

we've never been to the adult pool either!!

Neither have we. My DH is not a pool kinda guy. So I seem to be at the pool only when my DD11 wants to go. Oh well, that hasn't stopped me from visiting the bar and then taking it to the Goofy pool!

 

[CBEB]

Dennis is just doing his suit this trip. Guess he will be underdressed! Please don't point and laugh.

My DH will only have a suit is well (maybe we can eat together in the "slob" section!). He rented tuxes on our first two cruises and loved it, but I haven't been able to persuade him to do so since then....

 

[nanatink]

I've been out cutting blackberry vines. UGH!! I would be a happy woman if I never heard the word blackberry again! They are a weed here in the northwest and take over everything. I have been cutting and raking around the pump house yesterday afternoon and this morning. DrHug needs to paint and replace the roof on the pump house, but he has to be able to get to it to do that. We spray them each fall and spring, but don't want to spray close to the well so those have to be cut out, raked into a pile and burned. They have horrible thorns. OUCH! I covered up with jeans, double long sleeves and thick gloves this time so I only have gotten stabbed a few times.

I know what you are talking about. I hate cutting the grass on the riding lawnmower and you go by them and ouch, they hurt. My kids could not understand why in the blazing hot sun I would wear jeans and long sleeves.

We use to pick blackberries in the summer time. I would get ate up with the no see ums. My husband never had a problem. He saw how bad they attacked me and said he would pick them from now on. Now times have changed and a sub division has move there and those days are gone. They sure made good black berry cobblers.

 

[cquick]

all four of us ended up in the pool and hot tub last night. what fun!

Hey we did too! It was a beautiful night with a full moon and lots of stars! Then drippy rain all day today.

 

[gydell]

Did anyone read that the Magic has been having engine problems and is traveling slower than usual. Wonder what that means for us getting into our ports on time?

 

[iankh]

... getting into our ports on time?

Isn't that "Get me to the church on time?"




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[nanatink]

Bill is doing a suit too!

DH is too, with a mickey tie.

 

[cquick]

Connie

I'm becoming more and more convinced that your Chuck and my Patrick were separated at birth.

I TOLD you we should link our dining!

 

[HollyTyler]

Well there will be no rocking in MY lifeboat!!!

And if the lifeboat IS ROCKING, we won't come knocking!

 

[granmaz]

And if the lifeboat IS ROCKING, we won't come knocking!

 

[cquick]

Has anyone requested a bedrail on the Magic?

 

[HollyTyler]

Did anyone read that the Magic has been having engine problems and is traveling slower than usual. Wonder what that means for us getting into our ports on time?

It seems they'd fix it before then since the ship has to get through many, many cruises before ours.

 

[HollyTyler]

Checking quickly here while Tyler gets spiffed up for the Easter vigil. Our church is very casual, you can even wear jeans, but he wouldn't think of it. He gets irritated with me when I don't dress up when we go. Little Mr. necktie loves looking nice! He's excited to go and his dad told me he napped for THREE HOURS today, so he should stay awake through the service. I was worried if we'd manage it because it's from 7-8pm. I think he's just looking forward to the cake afterwards!