Hey, all. Micia is on her way to the dealership! I can barely stand the anticipation! Next week, I will be driving away in my new MINI Cooper S Convertible!

Before I ask my questions... A little background information: I finally changed MAs as mine never returned a phone call. Chevis was super nice and I am greatful for all his help and information, but really... When I purchased my last vehicle, I spent only $16000; however, my salesperson called me frequently even after I purchased it to make sure I didn't have questions or knew that -- while there was a recall on such and such part -- my vehicle wasn't affected, etc. That is service! (Little Plug: If you are in need of a Ford and live in the Houston area, go see Johnny Walker at McCree Ford. No games! If you want to pay invoice, you pay invoice!) Now I am spending more than twice that and I couldn't even get a single call returned?



Okay, now I have this incredible salesperson (Lee Carter); he has responded to my questions faster than I can ask them. He faxed me my invoice and there were two surprising charges. I haven't asked him yet because I wanted to check with y'all first. Perhaps it is a nominal fee, but... I have a $497.00 charge for Dealer Services and an $86.58 charge for Dealer's Inventory Tax. Did anyone else have to pay those?

Happy Motoring,

Kristin

 

When we purchased our MCS in 04 the configurator price was the price we paid plus reg fees and taxes. I don't know what those other fees are. Markup?

 

The "Dealer Services" of $497 is the most suspect charge, not even the most egregious, gouging dealers in California charged that. You do not say where you are from, so there MAY be an inventory tax charged by your state or city. Have these charges explained by your MA.

 

I just got off the phone with my MA... Lee Carter said that their autogroup charges the fee on all new cars in exchange for free rentals/loaners for the life of the MINI and a few other items like given her a bubble bath whenever she comes in for service. Considering how religious I am about keeping my vehicles maintained, I think it might be money well spent. I took my truck in every 3000 miles... Without the free loaner (except when she needed to have other things looked at as well).

Happy Motoring,

Kristin

 

As long as you utilize the services then it's worth it.

 

Long Beach MINI does not charge the $497. They will give you a free wash as long as you have the Long Beach MINI plate holder on your car - you didn't even need to purchase the car there. Also, if you did buy the MINI from them, you will get a free loaner (24 hours). MINI of North Scottsdale (AZ) provided a free loaner and wash even though we did not buy from them.

 

I wouldn't pay for it, but that is just me. I hate when a company charges all of these extra fees. They are selling the cars for MSRP. They should be thankful at that since no one sells cars for MSRP anymore. You pay $497 but you may never use the service, and worse yet you may end up having to move and then it was a real waste. I would ask to see the fine print for that fee, and written agreements to what you are purchasing.

 

While shopping for my MC I called many dealerships,15 or so.

Any that had a dealer mark-up(market adjustment) I pretty much ended the phone call, as to not waste there time and mine. There was one dealership that had a fee like the one you are talking about, he called it a dealer service fee.
The dealer service fee included a PDI, washing detailing the car and set of mats. I thought that the Pre delivery inspection was just that Pre delivery why should I pay for something that is done regardless of my purchasing the car. Second I have NEVER bought a car NEW or USED that the dealership did not have all cleaned up and ready for delivery. So my thought was that they are charging $500 for a set of floormats. Well needless to say that is not where I'm buying my MINI. I'm paying MSRP plus The registration for the car nothing more.
I think what bothered me most was how the MA was seemed to be boasting of what a deal I would be getting for the Dealer service fee.
So yes you should ask exactly what the fee entails and if you can not pay for it.
I know that dealerships are there to make money, I find nothing wrong with that, it is when they have hidden and un needed fees that I find wrong.
It's your money so you can be as carefull or frivolous as you see fit.
Good luck on your MINI purchase.

 

East Bay Mini has you sign a form stating that you understand there will be no loaners. I don't know if they wash cars or not. They didn't wash ours but then again that's a good thing.

 

I purchased my car through Momentum MINI of Houston. The dealer inventory fee bothers me a little since that should be covered under the cost of doing business, but... The county tax assessor-collectors office does impose the tax on them, but it is the dealer's choice whether to pass on the cost to the customer.

I think the Dealer Services Charge will pay for itself. I would prefer not to pay for something that I have received at other dealers for free, but... I really, really want my MINI!



Happy Motoring,

Kristin

 

Yeah, but that is still lame that they pass it on. Why don't they pass on the property tax of the dealership, business license fees, advertising fees, utility costs.... they don't because that is covered in the markup of the car (i.e. the difference of what you paid MSRP for and what BMW charges them).

 

The dealers have the edge because they have what you want. Because you're comfortable with it all I have to add is...

 

Momentum's dealer service fee is a total rip-off. It's supposed to cover VIN etching into the glass, washing the car, and other things that should be free or almost free.

My current MINI came from them and I paid the fee, although I think it was only $299 two years ago. I didn't find out about the charge until I was signing the papers and I didn't want to walk away from the car.

It's one of the reasons I'll won't buy another car from them.

 

Well, that's why they keep charging it. People keep paying it. As long as the suckers outnumber the sticklers, the market sucks for everybody. How many loaners are you anticipating needing, that $500 seems to make sense? That's ten days on a mid-size car, and 15-20 days on a compact.

BS.

 

I am not sure if Momentum is privately held or owned by a publically traded company however if its the later then they have shareholders to report too and its the bottom line the counts. $$$ makes the world go around.

 

Are you calling me a sucker? I resemble that comment...

Seriously, I have taken stands on many issues, but I am not about to risk losing my car over $500.00. After waiting for 2 months, not too mention selling my truck, I don't think it is worth it; however, after being misquoted several installation prices, they are installing my alarm at cost and giving me the rubbers mats as well. I wish I had the moxy to bring them down more, but I will have to wait to see what other surprises are in store for me.

Happy Motoring,

Kristin

 

The flipside is that they aren't about to loose you as a customer for $500 either. If they don't sell the car to you, they are out more than $500. As long as they can make you feel that you have to buy the car, they can get you with a small fee. What is $200 to $300 here or there on a $20,000+ car, they say.

With that said, I got a real kick out of one time when I was looking at an SRT-4 at a Dodge dealership. The salesman was putting pressure on me to purchase the car, and he told me, a lot of people are really looking at this car it may be gone this afternoon. I laughed at him and said, I am sure I can find another silver SRT-4 at the 15 dealerships in Atlanta. The only way to truly negotiate is to be in a real mindset that you are willing to walk away from the deal. Once the dealership has you in the mindset of "you have to have this car, right now", they have won and you have lost. Then they just rope you into further costs like insurance on the loan, extended warranties, paint protection, laser etching......

 

Even private companies have shareholders. Almost every business is driven by profit; there are a few exceptions, but I'm pretty sure none of the car dealerships are among them.

 

The Momentum dealerships in Houston are owned by the Sonic Automotive group, which is one of the publicly traded mega-dealers.

That's another reason I won't buy another car there. (Google 'Sonic Automotive Attorney General' and you'll see what I mean.)

 

Hey Kristin,


Funny about the timing of your post. I'm supposed to pick my car this evening and I have the same $497 charge + they want $185 for the floormats (they're rubber for God's sake!). I'm already buying a loaded MCS Convertible, you'd think they could be a little less conspicuous about screwing us when we're already paying MSRP. We're getting this car as a 3rd vehicle, basically for a toy, and we can easily walk away from the deal. You would also think they may have some interest in repeat customers, as I will not recommend them to anyone else in the future. I took my old Volvo in there for them to fix a door hinge one time and felt the same way then. I know this much, after I get the car, I'll be taking it to the Woodlands for any work it may ever need.

 

Rubber mats being sold right nere on NAM for $44.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=42602
Even if you order them brand new from Classic MINI in Ohio, you'll pay far less than $185.

 

Hey, Jen: Great to hear from you! I know what you mean! I changed MAs from Chevis to Lee midstream, because Chevis never returned my calls, misquoted me on the price of the alarm install, never told me about the dealer inventory or services charge, etc; though, in his favor, he was very attentive while I was there and even showed me another employee's car to see some of the options in action!

I am still going to negotiate both fees or, at least, have them work some things in my favor. Lee said that he is going to take care of me and I have heard nothing but good things about him. My big brother, Bill, bought his M3 from him; Carolyn (my sister-in-law) and Bill are hard to please -- in the best of ways. Very, very pro-active consumers.

I am so happy for you and can't wait to see pics! My MINI should be delivered tonight, but won't be ready for pick-up until early next week due to the alarm install, etc. Lee is going to call me when the truck comes in, so I can see Micia and take pictures. I have already told my boss that I expect to have a cold on Monday or Tuesday (or Wednesday). Luckily, he is as excited for me as my family... Of course, not enough to give me a raise, but...



Anyhooo... I am so excited for you and hope you enjoy your beautiful new MINI! Can't wait to meet up sometime to compare odometers.

 

We did pick up the car yesterday afternoon. It was perfect and Chevis did a fantastic job. I forgave him for not calling back early on after I realized he didn't have much info. But still a return call is always nice. I took some pics at the dealer, but haven't downloaded them yet. Good luck negotiating those fees. I actually had a "little" luck. Momentum actually did an excellent job detailing the car, and Chevis was very attentive and thorough in going over the car. My son and I drove off into the sunset w/the top down while my husband took off for the Rocket's game!!
Now if I could just figure out how to update my profile on this website, I can add some pics soon.

 

Holy smokes, Batman! There are some serious issues with Sonic Automotive group! I check the local BBB before I went and had the recommendation of my brother, but I would never have thought to check out Sonic. Didn't even realize they were a part of a huge conglomerate...



My IT manager at work purchased a Jaguar from Momentum and had nothing but problems; although, he didn't tell me that until after I ordered my car!



It was written mostly with tongue-in-check humor, but a part of the story below is what he experienced. He told me that he actually had to put one of the loaner cars together... Remove the plastic, put on the antenna...




He never fails to make me laugh... Enjoy!


Week 1 at Momentum Jaguar
Thursday - Dealer notifies me the car will be here tomorrow. Yipee!!! I tell all my friends about it. They are envious.

Friday - Car does not arrive at dealer, dealer is researching the problem

Week 2

Wednesday - Car makes it to dealer, it had been stuck in PeoriaIllinois due to a mechanical failure of the truck

Saturday afternoon - Dealer says my car is ready, but they are closing for the day, come back Monday

Week 3

Monday - Go to pick up my car, notice that it has the wrong wheels and stereo, has a scratch on the fender, and has one of those annoying Dealer stickers on the bumper. Insist they remove the sticker, put the correct wheels and stereo in, and remove the scratch, so I leave the car with the dealer

Wednesday - Car is ready again, I look at it and everything looks good. Take delivery of car

Saturday - While cruising Galveston for women with poor judgment or low standards, the check engine light appears and car begins to run rough. Oil Pressure and Water Temp look good, so I keep driving and manage to get back to my house.

Week 4

Monday - Call dealer to schedule appointment. I start driving one of my older cars while my new car sits in the garage

Wednesday - Drop car off at dealer, they give me a loaner car. On the way home from the dealer, the loaner car starts to overheat

Thursday - Loaner car continues to run hot, I'm unable to get the hood open to check things out. Dealer is of no help

Friday - Finally get hood of loaner car open, find that it is 2 gallons low on antifreeze, and a quart low on oil. I correct both.

Saturday - Make first car payment, on this wonderful new car that is in the shop.

Weeks 5 through 7

For the next 3 weeks I drive the Loaner car. Dealer won't return my calls

Week 8

Tuesday - Dealer calls, car is ready, come get it

Wednesday - Take loaner car back, pick up my car. Car has grease on driver's seat, door panel, carpet, and shifter. Trunk lid has scratches suggesting the trunk was used as a storage shelf. Both front fenders are scratched indicating the dealer didn't use fender covers to work on car.

Friday - Return car to have scratches repaired. I get another loaner car.

Week 9

Monday - Dealer calls, says car is ready. I pick up car and get it home.

Tuesday - Notice they have buffed out all the scratches but also buffed off the pin-striping in some spots, and tore gaskets around door handles. Make appointment to return car the next day.

Wednesday - Return car, get loaner car.

Weeks 10 through 12

For the next 3 weeks the dealer figures out how to cover the costs of the damages they have done to my car, finally convincing their management to absorb the costs. Authorize approximately $2000 for new door handle assemblies (because of the gaskets) and new pin striping. Send new door handles to paint shop to be painted. Car is re-pinstriped, new door handle assemblies are installed. All because they buffed the car too aggressively in Week 9, which they had to do because they scratched the car in the first place in Week 8.

Etc.

 

I am so thrilled for you! And your son... And your husband... How did the Rockets do, by the way?

I can't wait to see pics! I will make sure to look for your car while I am motoring around town... Again, congrats!!!!