Talked with my MA today, who told me my Clubman (completed 3/26) is being "loaded on a ship today", and that it's a K-Line ship... but he couldn't tell me the ship's name. The K-Line schedule I downloaded shows it's likely either the Carribean Highway or the Lapis Arrow. The former leaves Southampton tomorrow and lands at Baltimore April 15, the latter leaves Southampton tomorrow, takes a southern route, stopping first in Mexico and landing at Baltimore April 27. Guess which one I'm praying for?

I've been less than impressed so far with the whole tracking experience; despite having been given the impression up front that I would have access to good info, that has not been my experience. I know there's nothing I can do to speed up the process, but I would prefer not being kept in the dark. If any of you have been waiting for your VIN's to show up on the WW site, you may be on one of these ships, too. Any ideas about how to get bills of lading or other tracking info from K-Line?

At least I got an emailed version of the owner's manual from MINIUSA, so I can get some decent study time.

 

Alto Clef,

I am guessing you are a musician?

Anyway, I have not heard back from my MA. I will call him tomorrow, so I don't know any more than I did before.

You said you got an e-mailed version of the manual. Could I send you my e-mail privately so you can send it to me? I have looked around for one, but cannot find it. I think it would pacify me for the time being.

Thanks
Joe

 

Yeah, I looked online and could only find the 2007 manual, unfortunately. If you're willing to share the e-mail, I'd love a copy, too.

From what I've read, not all the freighting companies share their bills of lading from tracking purposes like WW does. If we're on one of those, we probably won't be able to track further until it hits the VDC, and even then we're left to the OL again (which we all know is not updated daily.)

 

Fig Faun and joejoe01,

It's 5MB for the Cooper Clubman non-nav version, 7MB for the version with nav... it's probably easiest if you go through the OL and use the "contact" link to make a request. They responded to me almost immediately. Let me know if that doesn't work for you, and I'll try to figure out how to upload it.

 

Oh, duh... I didn't even notice yours was a Clubman. I'm not paying attention to the details.

Thanks, though, David.

 

I really wish the Tristan would check in. On the AIS website it is still showing that it is anchored. Is there anyother websites I can check on?

 

I got shot down when I asked thru the website

"Unfortunately, the 2008 MINI Owner's Manuals are not yet available on-line. They should be available on the Owners' Lounge sometime soon. Regretfully, I don't have a copy to share via e-mail. I encourage you to explore the 2007 Owners' Manual as it is quite similar to the 2008 model. Additionally, should you need a hard copy, your MINI dealer can order you one. If you need it, you can find a list of our MINI dealers and their contact information on our website (blah blah blah)"

Helpful as always

 

I think I must be the last Week 13er still stuck at the dock. Still nothing in WW's website, and the OL still says "Awaiting Transport."

Maybe mine stuck around in England to see Stonehenge, eat a Chip Buddy, and work to make Cockney Rhyming Slang illegal.

*tear*

If my car is going to act like a tourist, it better reach Texas with a glove compartment full of Licorice Allsorts. *grumblegrumble*

 

I got the same sort of blather when I asked via the OL. Pretty inconsistent with the otherwise helpful treatment I've gotten at every turn from MINI so far.

Maybe they don't want us to read ahead...?

 

FF,

If you finished production, you could be on a boat. Mine finished on the 26th, and I could not find it on WW website either. I finally called my MA yesterday and found out I am on a K-Line boat, not a WW boat.

Find out from your MA what the status is. If you are on a K-Line, and know the boat name, you can find out the schedule here. http://www.kline.com/KAMCarCarrier/S...g_Schedule.pdf

If your port of entry is either Charleston or Baltimore, we could be on the same boat which left on the 1st of april and will land in Charleston on the 12th and Baltimore on the 14th.

Hope this helps

 

Sure does; thanks, Joe! I've been trying to leave my MA alone, because I was such a PIA when I reordered. I figured if it comes down to being patient or alienating my dealership, I'll just sit on my fingers.

 

Don't feel bad my MA I am sure just loves me. I emailed him yesterday asking why the Tristan was not moving and was anchored. I haven't heard from him but the Tristan is now moving and showing to arrive in NYC on 4/12 just a couple days late.

I almost apologized to my MA for being a PIA but I figured he was probably used to it. I am sure your mini has to be on a boat if not I would be p***ed.

 

Hey, who's spending the 20k+ on a car here? YOU are in control here, people!

 

I agree, Drew. And seeing as you rarely find people getting their car for less than MSRP, they are making pretty good commission on the sale. I wouldn't worry about bothering them one bit. That's their job.

 

FF, it's worth anything mine hasn't shipped out yet either. It's just sitting waiting on its ride to Charleston.

 

Well, at least mine has company, then. Someone to show pictures to and trade souveniers.

If the OL ever says "En Route" and it's still not showing up in WW, I'll e-mail my MA to see if he knows the name of the boat.

 

KTrout,

When did your car make it to the dock? Have you seen my last post in this thread? Do you know when you are shipping or who with?

 

I agree with you also Drew

 

JoeJoe, it went to awaiting transport to the port last Saturday, then to awaiting a ship sometime early in the week; Tuesday I believe.

I called my MA yesterday to ask if he knew anything more, but he just repeated that it was at the port, and sometimes they can take 5 days or so to ship out. I went ahead and asked what port it would come in through, and he said Charleston. Hopefully his information is just not up to date and it actually shipped out on the K-Line already, but I have a feeling it's probably correct.

FF, you're ahead of me! My online still says "awaiting transport." :-)

 

As of last night, The OL trackiing still had me awaiting transportation. Wait, I let me check...WOW!, this morning it says en route. The car, in reality has been traveling since Tuesday. That's really slow updating on the site.

On another note, I e-mailed my MA the schedule of the ship. You see, he told me it would take 16 days to cross the pond, but the schedule shows it will only take 11. He wrote back and said that even though it may only take 11 days to cross, the car would not likely get off the ship right away. Well if I have learned anything about the shipping industry watching the History Channel and Discovery Channel all these years, it's that the shipping company loses money the longer cargo sits aboard and they are not able to go to the next leg of the journey, in this case, Baltimore. Besides, the Emden carries 3,790 cars, about half of the capacity of the largest ships they send over. Just how long does it take to unload 3,790 cars (probably about half of that since the Emden is only stopping in Charleston and Baltimore this trip and is scheduled to be in Germany on the 25, 11 days after Baltimore). Maybe he is really used to delays that can take place in the shipping industry. I just hope they are careful driving my car off the ship!

 

Joejoe... I wouldn't be surprised if you and I were on the same boat. After reading your post, I went and checked the OL this morning, and voilá! Mine has changed to "En Route" as well.

I'm guessing mine's going to be dropped off in Charleston with yours (no sense in it going up to Baltimore, just to be driven back south to Texas).

So, I'm just going to guess that our cars are boat-buddies.
http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/shi...tml?call=3ERP5

 

You are probably on the same ship. Great news and good luck
Joe

 

That's great news, both of you . Just a couple of weeks left for all of us (I hope).

 

After two days, I haven't had a response from my MA explaining what boat my Clubman is on. I'm extra frustrated since I cc'd the Sales Mgr on that email, and still no reply. Yes, I can call repeatedly, but you'd think a skilled sales rep would know enough to be responsive to customers' communications. Is customer service dead in America? Next step will be to talk with a General Mgr, I think. International Autos in Milwaukee is the dealer... anyone with better experience?

If I read the K-Line schedules correctly, most likely my car is on the EMDEN with three or more of yours, which could put it in my hands a bit sooner than predicted when I made my order. The sooner the wait is over, the better, eh?

 

That's the ship I think mine and joejoe's is on based upon the K-Line schedule. Since you're a Yankee ( ), I'm guessing yours would get off the ship in Baltimore, a few days after ours debarks in Charleston.