Hi there,
I'm new to the Mini community, and after test driving a new MCSC a couple weeks ago, I think I want one! at least an MCS anyway. I'm still a couple months away from buying one, and now want to wait to see an 07 MCS in person before I decide.
My initial experience with the dealer was great, no pressure, answered my questions, etc. I was really impressed having not been into a dealer in awhile and dreading going into one. I followed up with my sales person week after the test drive with a few questions, and explained my gf and I were going to rent one in the near future for a weekend to test it out. My sales guy tells me, guess what we rent them here for only $45-55 per day, how would you like to try it out this weekend? I'm thinking great, half the cost most places wanted to rent a Mini, so why not?
We go to the dealer Saturday morning, there's an event with "show" Mini's going on, very fun, met lots of nice people, all is good. Go to the rental desk with the sales guy to pick up the car, and no car :(
Some screw up, they would try to get us one before we had to an appointment to get to later that afternoon. They finally called back, but too late for us to pick it up for it to be worth it. Again, not the end of the world.
So, in the middle of the week, on the way to work, I get a call from what I think was some overall dealer survey taker from BMW or Mini, I answer all the questions, explain that I am still shopping and give my sales person a good review. An hour later, I get another call, this time from someone at the dealer, wanting to know what time that day or the next I could come in to meet with the sales manager. I again explain I am still shopping but she continued to push push push, going on and on, and will probably call me back this weekend to push so more. I didn't want to be rude, so I just ended the call as quickly as I could.
Needless to say, after starting with such a good experience, it kind of ruined it for me. Since they basically sell every Mini made rather quickly or before they hit the lot, I just don't get it. I explained to 3 different people I was still shopping and not ready to buy, waiting for the 07, etc., and the only one that actually listened was my sales guy (who actually is a BMW sales guy) who couldn't have been nicer. After listening to the Mini sales manager give a big speech at the event about how this dealer was different, the relationship with the Mini community, etc., (and I was buying it hook line and sinker) I was rather put off. I'm sure the phone calls were part of some corporate dealer strategy and not reflective of the actually folks doing the work.
All this being said, it's the most convenient dealer to my home, I hope to own a Mini in the near future, and more than likely, I will purchase it there. I am not a big whiner, and can take alot of crap without getting upset, but for some reason it really got under my skin.

Anyway, great forum, tons of useful info!

-Dave
(no Mini yet)

 

Welcome to NAM. Excellent first post.

 

Thanks!

 

Interesting experience - where are you located?

 

I'm in Southern California and yes...I have been following the "SoCal Stinks" thread with great interest!

 

seems to be very "wide dispersion" in dealer / rep quality. some are very very good, some are relocated used car dealers. None is an ivy leaguer or blue chip senior management. It doesn't pay THAT much, eh? stated margin is 8% (fair).

rule seems to be "the better you manage them, the better your experience will be."

and that DEFINITELY goes for the Service Bay.

just like France - smile, be friendly and polite, be patient, you'll have a nice time.

And when you don't, call 1-866-ASK-MINI (national) and put the bust on 'em. I speculate that that affects other incentive programs they have.

 

Indeed interesting...not at all what I experienced by my local dealer...I kind of did what you did back in April. Then didn't contact them again until just recently to move forward with placing an order. During the months in between, they never called or emailed me. Maybe that's why they're a NAM supporter. They're in tune with us.

Hopefully things work out for you, if you're getting a new Mini you'll need a dealer to trust and depend on for service and support. Good luck!

 

Thanks guys, I agree with both of you.

The funny thing is, the pushy pushy woman just left me another message...geez :impatient

 

Wow, and not even at the end of the month.

We had a similar experience with a VW dealer after my wife test drove a Touareg. We got calls, letters, calls and many many more letters. Finally got the message that we weren't going to buy their car!

 

I can understand the VW dealer calling and being pushy, but at least in NJ, the MINI dealers seem to be able to sell their allotments without the push tactics.