My dealer is trying to tell me that the current incentives (free option credit) do not apply to new Minis that are custom ordered. I think he is full of *&%$ and can't see anywhere in the fine print where this is supported and I'm definitely going to challenge him on this. Anyone else ever been fed this line of BS, or is it possible that's he's right?

 

your dealership is correct. The finance rates can be locked in for an order, but the option credit incentives can not be locked in they must be delivered before the program end dates and that reads in the fine print of the programs that we recieve internally. if you read the fine print under the program details it does say you must take delivery by May 31st 2011.

 

Simmer on down and call another stealership or MINI USA to confirm.

When we ordered a year ago interest was 2.9% and free auto in a conv. When ours arrived interest was better at 1.9% and free premium package, so we scored. It's a gamble. 0.9% pretty sweet right now at any rate....

 

There are many people that got the incentives on custom orders on this forum. But as amanda@alexandermini said, you need to take delivery of the car when the program is valid. So if you order the car now, but by the time you get the car in June/July, you're only able to use the incentive at that time.

However, you should get your dealer to put it in writing that you'll be able to take advantage of the incentive program when you take delivery of the vehicle. There are many folks on this forum that got screwed because the dealer won't let them use the incentive Mini offers on their custom orders.

 

Right, I should have specified: the car has already been ordered and will definitely be here before the end of May.

So they really have a case for not giving me the free option incentive, even if I take delivery of the car by the end of May, just because it's custom ordered?!?! Seriously, that is not in the fine print anywhere and seems really sneaky and, well, pretty standard car dealer stuff (sorry Amanda, you seem to be the exception!).

 

just for reference the incentive goes to the dealership and they can either choose to pass it on to the customer or keep it as profit that is up to the dealership. Now on an order it does qualify for whatever programs are avialable when the MINI arrives and you take delivery. So that there is no confusion with this or what i am saying any car that has not been reported as sold (reported to MINI with an in service date) does qualify for the option credit unless you are leasing placing an order or taking from dealer stock does not effect if the MINI qualifies for the program. I am also going to send you a PM now.

 

I sympathize w/ your situation. It's never fun to be in those type of situations. I would offer some advice but it comes with alot of caveats, as there are sooo many variables, many of which I'm not sure apply to you. (PS - putting a litte info in your profile and sig is very helpful to give everyone specifics).

ASSUMING they are trying to lie to you:

1) Don't let 'em see you sweat. Don't get all worked up with them. Just ask to see the written exclusion of custom orders from May incentives. Tell them no sense in talking till we are all on the same page. Give them a time frame to produce (say 24 hrs).

2) They know you want the car. Really want the car. That means they have the leverage. Sit back think about this and I'm sure you will be creative enough to find ways that work for your outcome, where you regain the leverage.

3) If you put a deposit, best to look into your state laws regarding non-refundable deposits (some states won't allow car dealers to keep your deposit if you decide to back out).

* you can't win a game if you don't play games (and sounds like they may be playing games).

 

Great advice, Sumint. I'm hoping I don't get jerked around when I take delivery in the next 10 or so days.

 

Seriously dudes? You didn't know the rules of the game before signing up for a $30,000 purchase? What do you ask when you are car shopping, what color can I get?



Every car maker is different, some will let you lock-in incentives, some won't.

Ask questions.... research... Before buying!

 

Both of the dealerships I went to offered me the incentive on the car that I was ordering. I think they're just giving you the run around.

 

Whether or not the dealer can choose to give you the deal, its kinda shady imho to not give it to the customer if he takes delivery while the promo is going on.
it basically tells you that they would rather screw a customer over a little money than make their customer happy, and potentially a loyal MINI customer. A person not happy with their individual dealer usually is turned off to the entire brand, so not sure why MINI would allow it to happen.

 

Some of it also has to do with what kind of competition there is in the area. When I ordered mine, I went to two different dealerships. One said they could lock in the incentive price, and the other said they couldn't. When I told the latter what the former had said, they said they would do it, but they basically told me they were the ones rolling the dice on the incentives, rather than I. As it turns out, the May incentives are essentially the same as April's, so we're both happy in the end. It's all about finding someone who's willing to work with you and you having some form of leverage when negotiating.

 

My dealer is saying they have to honor ALL of the May incentives and that means that the locked in 0.9% I received in April cannot be honored. I must pay 2.9% now.

 

This is correct you can not peice together two programs. If you want to take the .9% you can because that was locked in if you want the option credit you have to take the full program

 

I just negotiated 1650 off msrp OR free option credit , whichever is greater...plus 0.9 lock in when the car arrives. So either way, promo or no promo, I still get the 1650 and 0.9

 

The incentive program changed from the original 2x before I got my Clubman. Ordered Dec '09 - arrived Feb '10. Turned out the incentive was better in Feb than it was the previous 2 months. I was told up front that I could only get the program in force at the time of delivery - Applied to both interest rates and discounts. In my case I got 3.9% and free AT.

I was lucky that I had ordered one of the free options otherwise I would have had to take the 1.9% with no option which in my case would have cost more over the life of the loan.

 

tt

 

When I negotiated my order in late January, I asked $1,000 off MSRP and had the manager put in writing that I would be able to take advantage of any MINI incentives at the time of delivery. When I received my car in mid March, I was able to get a free package ($1,250), 0.9% financing for 60 months, and $1,000 off MSRP

 

As a point of reference:

I took delivery today of my JCW, ordered to my spec back in February. The dealer honored the promise of 0.9% (for 60 months) financing. In addition, the Premium package incentive was honored. Moreover, a $1000 credit was applied for my participation last week in the "Mini Rocks the Rivals" promotional event.

No arm-twisting on my part was required, and everyone involved behaved in a friendly and professional manner.

Very refreshing, compared to some unpleasant purchase experiences I have had in the past at other brands' dealerships.

 

All of this is very good to hear! Especially the MINI Rocks the Rivals coupon!

 

I think it seams like the dealer honored your program because the 0.9% + package is the same plan that is offered NOW, until May31. If the plan changed then you would have been subject to a different plan. If a dealer does honor a plan not in force then the dealer would have to 'eat' the difference.

 

The 0.9% financing is only good if you finance 24 months or less or if you buy a Clubman. If you're getting a hardtop, the new offer has a tiered finance system depending on the length of the loan.

Sounds like Lotus_S2 financed for 24 or less or has a nice dealer.

 

I believe Derk reads the current May MINI financing offers the same way I do: 0.9% for up to 24 months; 1.9% for up to 48 months; 2.9% for up to 60 months. This "tiered" scheme differs from prior months' terms.

In my case, the difference between 0.9%/60 and 2.9%/60 was about $1800 over the life of the loan. I appreciate the dealer honoring his committment to me.