Ok, so i must reaaally love MINI's to deal with the crap I've dealt with so far with my dealer.

I went into the Towson, MD dealer a few weeks back to hopefully walk out with the MINI of my dreams....and my hopes were quickly squashed with their "...if you don't like it leave" attitude. But i stuck it out- because I figured I'll just deal with him to get to my car, and leave with my MINI and a smile on my face.


Not having the best time so far............

 

Just the opposite. I've bought two from Towson and both purchases went off without a hitch. The MA has always been very helpful. He gave me his cell number and said to call anytime if I had any questions. I was always told by my MA and other people at Towson that delivery would take 6 to 8 weeks. Don't understand the four week thing.

Well, at least you are still getting a MINI.

 

My experience pretty much echoes what TCMCSa told you.

I was told 6 weeks also and except for a delay at the port it was right on time.

Perhaps there is a SNAFU transitioning to the 08's.

 

Call MINI USA

 

Don't think I would pay $1200.00 more for an '07 when you could wait another 4 weeks and get an '08.... Four weeks depreciation on the car you have will hardly make up the difference in the value of a '08 over a '07 6 months from now. Just my 2 pennies.

 

Did you just talk to the MA or did you also talk to the Manager there? That kind of attitude from an MA would turn me right off - and I'd be at another dealership lickity split. I'm sorry your experience has not been good...

Donna

 

Bought my Mini at Towson... loved the experience... my MA has always been available for me and has answered my e-mails promptly. Did you speak with Brad (the manager there) ?

 

I've only ever heard of the 6-8 week estimate. 4 weeks sound like miracle.

 

The whole experience has just been sad....

and it doesnt help that i see MINI's everywhere...its like a little reminder that i dont have mine

 

i thought that too! but i had spoken to some people who work in my building who have them, and they got theres within 4-5 weeks. so i had hope

 

Go to MINI of Sterling.... they are a great bunch of MINI fanatic's... talk to Jeff he will go out of his way to get you your new MINI... (No I dont work for MOS, but have delt with them and they are a great bunch of guys... will not let you down

 

Just a thought.... I don't know if you've ever bought a new car before, or if you have, whether you've ever bought a custom ordered car before but it seems to me that a few things don't fit here.....
First, all MINI's custom ordered from the factory have a production slot assigned to them; that date is trackable from the moment you officially order the car. At MINI's web site, you'll find more info on tracking your new car's progress than you'll ever want. From manufacturing, through shipping, the VPC and transport to the dealer. I'd suggest you spend some time on their site researching.

Another thing about BMW/MINI that you should be aware of is the value placed on customer satisfaction. Whether it is the sales process or service after the sale, just wait till you give someone a less than five scoring on a follow up survey!

No dealer is perfect.... there are some collisions of personality and expectations that just happen, but MINI of Towson has one of the best reputations of MINI dealers discussed here on NAM and other boards and its very surprising to hear of your troubles.

I suggest that if indeed you feel that you've been wronged, call Brad or go in and speak to him and see if there can be some resolution to your issues. It's in both your's and the dealers best interests to not have this linger. You'll need a comfortable environment to bring you car into for service that it will require (translated means: don't want to make them hate you before you step in the door) and Brad wants to make sure his staff is providing a good customer experience and isn't making promises they can't keep.

But posting an accusatory topic like " Worst buying experience....EVER" on NAM (a very prominent and public place) before you even take delivery will certainly NOT make friends at any dealer.

...and Dave's absolutely right, if you don't have the car; and they can't meet the promises they made, then head down to another dealer where someone may be able to provide you with what you need.

Good Luck!

 

SRM08 once you will see your new MINI.. all will be forgotten !!

While the behavior of the sales person at MoT is unacceptable (must be a new kid on the block) MoT has a great reputation and the schedule of production is behind anyone's control.

For what I understand production is done in blocks of time, and each dealer has an ssigned # of cars that may order for each block of time.. (this to give each dealer the same opportunity) so, even one day difference in ordering, may change production time thus delivery day .

All MINIs are assembled in Oxford but parts are coming from France/Brazil (motors) Germany (body parts) .. Canada (Nav system) or something like that.. so if one part is missing there is a dealy in production. for example if the NAV system was not shipped on time, the MINI ordered later goes into production while the other one is put on hold.

It sounds as you ordered a MINI Convertible (welcome to a special group of MINI owners ) and there could be a back up with the top. When I had to replace the top of my first convertible (back in '05) it took 3 weeks to get here from Germany.
Also, it could be a shipment problem with delays at port of entry and/or arrival..


The delay on your MINI could be a cause of all of the above along with an empty promise from a sales person - this is why I think he must be new because and experienced MINI MA (Motoring Advisor) will not promise a firm delivery day.

Someone suggested to go to another dealership but unless you find your dream car in the lot you will be stuck again with the waiting period allover again.
Contacting MINI USA won't help much as they can't produce a car. Now, once your MINI starts production, you should receive an e-mail from MINI USA with a production #

My suggestion is to contact Mot's GM directly, tell him that based on the poor service received from the MA you want to deal only with him and get your production # so that you can trace your MINI. He cannot help you until the can car arrives; the only thing you can ask is that they PDI the car as soon as she gets in and try to get a freebie (an outdoor car cover will be nice )

Difference between a '07 and a '08 in the convertible is not much (new tire system - which could be a big pain ) but why buy and "old" car for more $$?
If you really MUST have a MINI soon you might check with other dealers (consider going outisde this area perhaps NJ, Philly) and see what they have in their lots. You can still take the MINI to any dealer for service even if you bought elsewhere. TATE gives you a loaner -while in for service- not matter where you bought your MINI and I think MoT does, too. I am not sure about MoS.

Good luck !

 

All dealers will have their days. When I went to Sterling I was ignored for a half hour. When the sales guy finally came over and I asked for a test drive, he told me it was 4:30 and they close at 5:00 so we couldn't test drive - lost sale.

I went to Tate and was treated perfectly, 10 minutes of browsing, sales approach, my car not on the lot (I wanted to order anyway) sit down, discuss order and price, leave happy. Go home, emailed MOT for a price, $1000 more and they tell me my price is wrong, I itemized it and sent it back. They come back $10 less than Tate. Back over to Tate, ask what they can do to secure my business....."Take $100 off your price" Deal !

I think some days are good and some days are bad everywhere.

BTW: Wensleydale arrived exactly 8 weeks after I ordered her, just as I was told. Maybe they meant it might take 4 weeks to get into the production run which is what happened with me.

MOT has the best rep for service based on club members and even though we got off to a not so perfect start when I got scratched, I will return there for service - nice people

Good luck - work it out ! Don't let that instant gratification thing get you down on the MINI, they're worth the wait !

Cheers,

Mike

 

I would agree - figure out what the problem is with another SA or the manager, and wait for the MINI that *you* built. Trust me, it is worth waiting for. Sure, you may get this other MINI they have in stock sooner, but it is a year older and I can bet it doesn't have some features you wanted.

And the other poster is right - once you finally get it, you'll have forgotten all about waiting, as hard as that is to believe now.

And keep in mind that some customers and some SAs just don't get along. I had a horrible experience with mine that erupted into a flame war on this very board - but other people have praised him endlessly. Work with the manager, or hop over to another MINI dealership... there are a lot of things a good SA can tell you, and it is worth finding one that meshes with you.

Try to be patient - you'll have your MINI for years. Four more weeks to get exactly what you want is going to be priceless a year from now.

Good luck!

 

Sad to hear this story, as I had a good buying experience with MoT in early 2003.
I'm hoping this is an isolated incident. If not, they best get their ***** together again.

 

Yes, i spent practically every single day on their website, bc i wanted to learn every possible thing i could about the car i was ordering. I also spoke to over 8 people that i had literally STOPPED on the streets that had one to talk to them about it (5 had customer ordered theirs- including my ex-fiances father) so i thought since they had all gotten theres in under 6 weeks with no issues- i'd be set

its not the time issue thats my problem. its just the way i feel like i was "dealt with". i like my sales guy- he's a very nice guy- and i completely understand that a guy sitting in an office in towson has zero control over a factory over the pond. in that respect. do not guarantee the customer an exact to-the-day production date that you cannot back-up. the job as a sales man is to keep the customer exited and interested in buying the product you're selling- while giving them realitic expectations- so that if something happens, they have nothing to come back at you with, bc you gave them a range of what "could" occur.

and i'm not making an accusatory topic--im stating my personal experience. this is the 4th car I've bought (thank you very much for THAT little jab ), and it is the only time i have ever dealt with this. i have NO problem with that dealership. its clean, its fun to go into and look around, the people are very nice. i just wanted to see if anyone had anything happen to them during their buying experience--so i could get some feedback on my options. i am perfectly fine in staying with towson---i just wish that me being a customer and putting down +28k would mean a little more attention--its not my job to kiss THEIR butts. its a 50/50 deal....you be nice to them and cooperate, and they should return the favor. this is not an "I AM BASHING TOWSON--NO ONE GO TO TOWSON" post. i LIKE towson. i just think the whole relationship started off on the wrong foot, and if i was given realistic facts from the get-go--- i would've never had any issues what so ever- bc other than that, i have no issues. i've enjoyed the rest of my experience there. its not a bad reflection on towson as a dealership-- its was merely a bad sales tactic.

But anyways---I am very excited to be getting my mini

Thanks everyone for the feedback

 

Well, in reading this it's not clear to me that you do understand the process.

Again the production date comes from MINI, your MA has no control over it and no influence over it. Your MA is providing you with the information they are getting direct from MINI.

Once the car arrives at Towson - at that point the dealership has full control of the delivery process and assuming they don't have accessories to install can turn the car around rather quickly. However, before the car is offloaded from the truck in MD the dealership can only go by what MINIUSA tells them.

It doesn't appear that you have posted your full story on the board, but as somebody who has purchased two MINIs, one from Sterling and the other from Towson - I know from experience delays occur. Read this board regularly and you'll discover delays due to problems at the VPC, missed ships, ship's sinking, weather, holidays etc... All of these issues are completely outside the control of the dealerships. The dealership has absolutely NO ability to influence the delivery of your vehicle.

Our car from Sterling was delayed almost 10 days - not by Sterling but at the VPC in Bayonne. Sterling - knowing we were looking for the car and needed it quickly had it ready for us 3 hours after it was off the truck.

Our car from Towson was delivered to the dealership three days earlier than expected - yet it still wasn't ready when promised - this time though it was the dealer's fault. They made good and flatbedded the car down to us in VA - at 9:30 at night!

It's frustrating, it's annoying, but it wouldn't surprise me if it's not Towson's fault.