Let's Take a Deep Breath

[sjmst]

I think we are feeding into each other’s frustration.  Almost certainly THIS MONTH we will all get our Primas.
We most likely will love and enjoy them.

But, yes there were some foul-ups by Fiat, no doubt.
So, to recap and vent, they are:

1) Prima didn’t really mean Prima. Regular 500’s are out there before 99% of us got ours.
2) First 500 in North America went to Canada, which is fine, but zero fanfare or information.
3) Info Line is light on Info.
4) The secret Bezel..we all know about that
5) The stripe. Same thing
6) Telling us we could change our configuration, when that in essence was not true
7) Dealers not given information

Ok, but in the scheme of things, how much of this is really a big deal?
Not being able to change the configuration may be the only one, I think.

Many of us have come to like the stripe, and the bezel. Both can be changed on our own.

Most of Fiat’s time targets have been met or exceeded.

When it comes time to sell our Prima’s the fact that it was not the very first car out there will not diminish the value.
So, while I enjoy throwing a little gas on the fire with sarcasm, etc, it is just a way of venting. In reality, we will soon have our cars and will forget all the drama!

[Giallo Edizione]

sjmst wrote

I think we are feeding into each other’s frustration.  Almost certainly THIS MONTH we will all get our Primas.
We most likely will love and enjoy them.

But, yes there were some foul-ups by Fiat, no doubt.
So, to recap and vent, they are:

1) Prima didn’t really mean Prima. Regular 500’s are out there before 99% of us got ours.
2) First 500 in North America went to Canada, which is fine, but zero fanfare or information.
3) Info Line is light on Info.
4) The secret Bezel..we all know about that
5) The stripe. Same thing
6) Telling us we could change our configuration, when that in essence was not true
7) Dealers not given information

Ok, but in the scheme of things, how much of this is really a big deal?
Not being able to change the configuration may be the only one, I think.

Many of us have come to like the stripe, and the bezel. Both can be changed on our own.

Most of Fiat’s time targets have been met or exceeded.

When it comes time to sell our Prima’s the fact that it was not the very first car out there will not diminish the value.
So, while I enjoy throwing a little gas on the fire with sarcasm, etc, it is just a way of venting. In reality, we will soon have our cars and will forget all the drama!

The problem is a blown marketing introduction may greatly affect market interest and uptake. 50,000 units produced and no customers means potentially deep discounts, serious resale depreciation and could lead to withdrawal fo the product from the market. This isn't about PE's, its about the marque in general.

[sjmst]

I agree, but out of about 950 Prima buyers, how many are on this site? I think MAYBE half, and only a few post complaints. What I am saying is that we real eager beavers want more info., of course The general public will only know what Fiat tells them when Fiat is ready. To the public, it will be "just right."

Granted, THAT could still be screwed up...we have to wait and see.

[Minuszka]

" of course The general public will only know what Fiat tells them when Fiat is ready. " - everything is searchable in google. Anybody can find this forum and the discussion anytime.
Fiat's call line is their connection and their face and it is a disaster!

It's interesting to see the two of you, one a huge optimist, the other raising the all the red flags. We need both these voices.

[Mike S]

I'm disappointed. Our reward for being faithful to the brand was to be the first to have this new model. The dealer experience has been awful and we have no way to talk to Fiat at all.

A non Prima being delivered first really burst the balloon. Had at least one Prima been delivered first I think I would have felt a little better.

 

[sjmst]

Minuszka wrote

" of course The general public will only know what Fiat tells them when Fiat is ready. " - everything is searchable in google. Anybody can find this forum and the discussion anytime.
Fiat's call line is their connection and their face and it is a disaster!

It's interesting to see the two of you, one a huge optimist, the other raising the all the red flags. We need both these voices.

I don't have my head in the sand. The gripes are legit, I know that.
I guess you are right...I am an optimist!

[sam500]

sjmst wrote

I don't have my head in the sand. The gripes are legit, I know that.
I guess you are right...I am an optimist!

And thank goodness for that!

Although I understand, and to some degree share everyone's frustration, all the negativity here has really started wear me down. Truth is, I'm not really angry or unhappy, just eager to get my car soon. As much as I hate to say it, I think might be time for me to retire from the good old forum, and just enjoy the rest of the process.

I might check back to see what everyone's up to, but for now I think I'd rather live in blissful ignorance. Congratulations to all of you getting the Prima Edizione, and best of luck to those getting something else. Whatever you choose to do, I hope it makes you happy.

Cheers.

[MrJones]

Very zen. (No seriously--eliminate negativity)


but.....you'll be back!

[ciddyguy]

I can definitely see the frustration on both sides of the issue and can understand some of it and even though I didn't jump on the prima bandwagon, couldn't even if I wanted to but in the end, I'd rather have the regular sport anyway.

That said, one thing to take from all this is that this whole endeavor began in what, 2009, to begin taking on some Chrysler stock, then prepare for making a grand entrance back into the US, developing a dealer network, establishing a supply pipeline, reworking an existing factory to build the cars, federalizing, all of that takes time and money - and add to all that, the prima etc, it is amazing the whole thing went as smoothly as it did and that the word has gone out that many ARE hearing about the car, even if they simply have no other information about it other than Fiat is coming back.

Yes, it's true people CAN Google and find out, but most don't take the time to even bother.

But what I also see were a lot of dealers falling down on the job and individuals who have seemed to have gummed up the works with the rollout - and when you have this kind of event where hundreds, if not thousands of people are involved, things are bound to happen.

Overall, I'm impressed with what HAS been accomplished. Once I can see a way to afford payments, I'll be buying one fer sure.

[unclelaverne]

I'm done with the whole thing.  To have Motor Village now post that they have cars on the lot to buy and STILL won't deliver mine?!

It's turning into a bit of a joke now.  I don't want the car.  My husband does.  And he can stick it up his....

[Giallo Edizione]

I just got back from my dealer. Test drove a sport ( with roof). Its exactly as, and as good as everybody says. I sat in a showroom non-roof model, much much better headroom. No way I am going to take PE 311 with roof. They say they will try to look at their 17 incoming PE''s for a possible swap-of course at the moment they have no idea who owns the 17 incomings or when they will arrive. They were hoping last night, but nooooooooo.

There were 3 cars in the showroom for sale, two of which were already sold. The salesman told me the dealership is not allowed to deliver those cars, however, until all the PE's are delivered! What a sham. So now FIAT is going to pretend we got our PE's first, even though other cars were actually sold first. AND the buyers of those other cars are going to be all pissed off because their car is just sitting in the showroom waiting for the PE's to show up whenever.  Salesman told me there was originally supposed to be some sort of celebratory affair on the day all the PE's were made available for delivery, but now they want to just get them in and out of their so they can get on with business. He said if I wanted the unsold Espresso sport on the floor, he could deliver within 5 minutes of the PE's.

I feel so special.


This is ridiculous.




Call me negative. Why not, my wife does.

[CIAO RR]

Ok Sports Fans,

Let's take a breather.  I too am just as frustrated (#239) as the next person.  But I can surely understand all the hangups.  Early adopters in ANY arena have to deal with these types of frustrations.  Does the first iPhone or iPad ring a bell???  Or even earlier with all the new Microsoft products?  Yea, you know what I'm talking about....don't you?

Yes, I want to feel real special and get the Red carpet treatment, but it's not reality. (Well it was for one person) New "studios" need to be built, sales/service people trained..sorry (consultants/specialists) and this takes time.  Alot of time. I've seen all the spy shots of PE in Philly and other areas and wonder the same...where is mine?

So, if you're willing to wait, you should be willing to be flexible.  No, it's not right for the dealership to "not know" the status of your car or when/if it will be delivered soon.  I'm sure the folks at FIAT have heard our calls (screams) and are trying to figure it all out.  Send me an email or something.  

So it's simple, wait a bit more or just walk away from something very special.  Your call.  For me, I'll wait because I know that I have one of only 500 that are special.  And quite frankly, that's almost as good as the Red Carpet treatment.  Ciao! RR

[Gavin]

Sacred Bezel wrote

He said if I wanted the unsold Espresso sport on the floor, he could deliver within 5 minutes of the PE's.

mmmm, I love the Espresso sport (actually like the Espresso Lounge best...just wish it was stick)...

which dealership? how much?

Gavin

[Giallo Edizione]

Gavin wrote

Sacred Bezel wrote

He said if I wanted the unsold Espresso sport on the floor, he could deliver within 5 minutes of the PE's.

mmmm, I love the Espresso sport (actually like the Espresso Lounge best...just wish it was stick)...

which dealership? how much?

Gavin

Boston.....but you could ride your bike here and drive it back faster than they will get your Grigio to you.

$18,600 including convenience pkg and sound/safety pkg and delivery/transport fee. (not to be confused with $300 dealer prep fee). Grey and brown interior. Its nice, actually.

[Gavin]

i actually had a first day iPhone and first day iPad (maybe a first day iPad 2...will know in a couple of hours)...walked right in for the iPhone about an hour after they started (6 ish...rode by after work at 5 and saw a line so went home, ate and rode back...)...took me 5 minutes. iPad I did have to stand in a line for an hour, but I preordered so once the line started moving I was out in less than 20 minutes.

I don't want red carpet treatment...I don't want fancy delivery...I actually just wanted to pick up my car at the local Chrysler dealership...that wasn't to be...so then Fiat told me I would get mine from El Paso (spent 10 days emailing and phone calls to the dealership...everything perfect, all good, dealership was great at communication and really really wanted to deliver my car...BOOM...nope, Fiat suddenly decided that now I can't get my Prima from El Paso...moved to Memphis--over 1000 miles from my house--then moved to Austin--700 miles from my house...And right now my car is stilling in a lot in the middle of New Mexico)...

Again, start up is hard. Sure. Of course...lots of slack given. But why are there non Primas on the road and in the dealerships and for sale while my Prima sits in a train depot lot for over a week?

That is just beyond me. I don't need nor want the Studio treatment...I want a car.


Sure, set up studios...work hard at that...but for these first cars, hell sell them anywhere you can (the future Fiat of Albuquerque, 2.5 miles from my house, wanted very very much to sell me my Prima...but Fiat, who knows why, said NO. Then Fiat themselves told me El Paso..but then 10 days later, Fiat said NO....And neither time did it make sense...but I patiently waited...but it is getting old.

I am keeping a smiling face as best I can...but it still BAFFLES me.

Do I care if I get my car "first"...heck no. Do I care that somebody can walk off the street and buy one when I've been waiting for months and Fiat has had my deposit money and I was supposedly buying a Prima...a bit...Does it bug me that after months and months I still don't know 1) when I will get my car, 2) who will be delivering it*, 3) how it will be delivered and 4) how much it will even be...let alone that it sits in the high desert sun for over a week and counting? Yep, just a bit.

Sigh...

Gavin

*I'm told Austin will deliver my Prima...but Fiat has changed that twice before...and the Prima is not in Austin, so I really don't know who will be my dealer.

[MrJones]

CIAO RR wrote

Ok Sports Fans,

Let's take a breather.  I too am just as frustrated (#239) as the next person.  But I can surely understand all the hangups.  Early adopters in ANY arena have to deal with these types of frustrations.  Does the first iPhone or iPad ring a bell???  Or even earlier with all the new Microsoft products?  Yea, you know what I'm talking about....don't you?

Yes, I want to feel real special and get the Red carpet treatment, but it's not reality. (Well it was for one person) New "studios" need to be built, sales/service people trained..sorry (consultants/specialists) and this takes time.  Alot of time. I've seen all the spy shots of PE in Philly and other areas and wonder the same...where is mine?

So, if you're willing to wait, you should be willing to be flexible.  No, it's not right for the dealership to "not know" the status of your car or when/if it will be delivered soon.  I'm sure the folks at FIAT have heard our calls (screams) and are trying to figure it all out.  Send me an email or something.  

So it's simple, wait a bit more or just walk away from something very special.  Your call.  For me, I'll wait because I know that I have one of only 500 that are special.  And quite frankly, that's almost as good as the Red Carpet treatment.  Ciao! RR

Sorry, I have to chime in here (I know, "again?")-- we're not talking about a whole new technology (and, BTW, the iPad/iPhone went reasonably well, I think), this is an old technology (a car) and a system that has been in place for decades (a dealership). Do you think for one second that Apple would release a new iPad if it didn't have the product ready to deliver, or the store in which to sell it? Fiat underestimated the amount of time needed to get the dealerships--I mean "studios"--up and running.
A couple of emails would have eased some concerns. It's just that simple. No basic communication from Fiat to their core fan base.
The car is wonderful, etc., etc.... but the launch was botched. Everybody who buys one will be super-happy. But in the end, if they can't make the enthusiasts happy, what luck will they have with the "regular" buyers?
"Come on down and test drive a Fiat today! But I can't sell you one. And I don't know when I can sell you one."
Yes, I am a ranter. And yes, there are far more important things to worry about. Truth is, I'm not worried or bothered by this at all. I'm just tired of people making excuses for Fiat. They're looking for the raisin in the turd.

[MrJones]

@Gavin-- you beat me to it. I was typing too slowly. I agree with you. If anything, I sympathize with you the most. You've been the least agitated and yet seem to have the short end of this stick.

[Giallo Edizione]

But it does start to sound like the makin's of a country hit ( sung by Willie Nelson):

*I'm told Austin will deliver my Prima
...but Fiat has changed that twice before.
..and the Prima is not in Austin,
so I really don't know who will be my dealer.

[John Reid]

My issues aren't as bad as some but they say that my car has been in a rail yard 5 miles from my house for the last week. They say the hold up is car presentation covers or a sticker or something silly like that. I predict the big issue of not being able to change our orders as promised will rear its ugly head when we all get to see the color choices in person side by side. There is bound to be many people who would have changed colors if given the opportunity.  

[Fiat500USA]

sjmst wrote

I think we are feeding into each other’s frustration.  Almost certainly THIS MONTH we will all get our Primas.
We most likely will love and enjoy them.

But, yes there were some foul-ups by Fiat, no doubt.
So, to recap and vent, they are:

1) Prima didn’t really mean Prima. Regular 500’s are out there before 99% of us got ours.
2) First 500 in North America went to Canada, which is fine, but zero fanfare or information.
3) Info Line is light on Info.
4) The secret Bezel..we all know about that
5) The stripe. Same thing
6) Telling us we could change our configuration, when that in essence was not true
7) Dealers not given information

Ok, but in the scheme of things, how much of this is really a big deal?
Not being able to change the configuration may be the only one, I think.

Many of us have come to like the stripe, and the bezel. Both can be changed on our own.

Most of Fiat’s time targets have been met or exceeded.

When it comes time to sell our Prima’s the fact that it was not the very first car out there will not diminish the value.
So, while I enjoy throwing a little gas on the fire with sarcasm, etc, it is just a way of venting. In reality, we will soon have our cars and will forget all the drama!

I've had a similar thought.

The rebirth of the Fiat brand is literally like a birth - excruciatingly painful at times- but in the end, I trust, a happy experience, and the pain will become a distant memory....