Hi From Swoosh

[swoosh]

Hi, my name is Rob.

I originally owned a smart while I lived in Paris.(about 3 months) When I returned to Vancouver, I was not allowed to bring the smart home.

A year later, I ordered a smart city cabriolet through a dealer in Germany while visiting there. The car was shipped to Canada, and sat at the Balantine Pier for almost six months, while customs and transport Canada sorted out the paperwork. (along with another smart). At the end, Transport Canada, said "no entry" and said the car had to be shipped back or crushed. Since I bought the car through a dealer, technically I had never taken delivery, so Mercedes Canada said they "would take care of it" and refunded my money. They said they would crush both cars, but I did see one (mine) on a Dark Angel set (at TV show starring Jessica Alba,filmed in Vancouver) an few months later.

When Mercedes said that they would officially release the smart in Canada, I ordered one while at the Vancouver Autoshow in February 2004. I was told at the time the car would be here in September 2004. I went to the dealer on Broadway in August and found that my order had not yet been submitted, and the car's new date would be February 2005. In February,I went to the dealer again to find something had gone wrong with my order (my PO# and another persons PO# was the same) . So they assured me that my order would be a 'priority' and the car would be built the first decade of March. The car was placed on

the Falstaff April 19,

In Halifax April 29,

On a train May 2,

In Anasis Island May 13,

at the dealer May 17,

and home May 20.

My wife and I are the proud owners of a Silver/Blue Passion Cabriolet

Soft touch,leather,heated seats,upgraded stereo,power steering, clock & rev counter, with a MrDotCom Bordcomputer

[Xandria]

hi, Rob:

That has got to be one of the most incredible stories ever. I'm so glad that you decided to share it with us here. I cannot believe the frustration and aggravation you experienced because of this. However, good things always happen to good people, and it appears that you got your smart in the end. But the process you had to go through!

I must confess, I flinched every time you mentioned that they would crush your smart car. The injustice! The travesty!

So glad that it all worked out in the end.

Thanks again for sharing such a great story.

Cheers

[MikeT]

Excellent to see you here, buddy, and BTW, congratulations on getting the car a few days back!

[shung]

Rob,

Congratulation, glad to see u here too

[swoosh]

Thanks everyone for your warm welcomes!

[Fred J]

Way to go Rob. Sounds like a good excuse to call for a Fun Run for us all to celebrate your good fortune at last. Does this mean that the Vespa has belched it's last blue smoke trail? Welcome on board my friend!

[fortwo]

swoosh,Congrats on the new smart. Sounds like a great bunch of options. Can't wait to see pictures.

[spinner]

Hi Rob. Congratulations on your eventual delivery. Now go grape crushing with your smart, or something.