.. better deal with MINI dealer out of the DC/Baltimore area.

I ordered a GP indoor cover and a set of GP floor mats and none of the local dealerships could beat the price of Morristown MINI.

On Thursday 2/15/07 @ 3 pm I ordered the parts and yesterday morning the packages were on my doorsteps.

The transaction was handled on line - quickly , promptly and at a cheaper price than any special discount I could get from MoS, Tate, or MoT.

Called MoS twice as the first time the was not answer. The guy (very polite) quoted me a price for the wrong cover, had a bit of problems in finding the right number and finally told me that the discounted price posted on their website was the final price and no additional discount will apply.

Same deal with the other two dealers. MoT, however, had someone better informed as she knew exactly what I was looking for.
TATE guy was talking as he never heard of a GP.

MoS honors the discounted web price if you go in with a copy of their webpage price. MoT and TATE list their accessories at MSRP.

All three places had to order the items (3 - 5 days)

The best deal, however, was Morristown: the GP cover was listed on the web 20% below the MSRP and the GP mats were 35% below MSRP.

So for shopping on line and w/o going out of my house I saved > $50.00.

It pays to shop around !!!

 

And NOT support your local MINI dealers

hehe

 

[quote=chows4us;1383724] And NOT support your local MINI dealers



I prefer to support my wallet !! plus I have a better relationship with my $$ than with any of the local dealership associates who may or may not be around next week.

 

Similar but different... I went to best buy on Monday with a coupon for 12% off. I did some online shopping for anything I'd even consider before I left, and nothing at best buy was worth buying at MSRP or during their presidents day sale, versus just buying it from an equally reputable online vendor.

Some retailers grasp web commerce, some shun it. The consumer that shops around though, definitely gets the better deal.

 

2nd to that.
I've ordered quite a few things from Morristown, they installed the JCW exhaust for me. They are very professional, knowledgeable and at a very..very.. good price. Highly recommended, if you don't mind driving.

 

This concept has been around since the 1950s.

Some ppl would just go to their local TV store to buy a TV at an outrageous price simply because they refused to drive to the new Discount Stores and get a bargain

If you wanted photography equipment you could buy at full price at your local photo store or get a big discount from one of the NYC discount houses mail order before the Internet existed.
Now with the Internet you can google for the lowest price but many ppl are afraid to do that ...

I guess its human nature.

 

Well, I wouldn't go the a local camera store if they didn't know anything of what you were talking about.
At the same price or slightly higher, I rather go further for better service quality and more qualified staffs.
That's one thing I don't like about Wallmart.

 

But knowledge is just a google search away... How many brick'n'motar retailers are specialized enough to warrant you paying more for their 'knowledge'. Obviously places like LDG... But Best Buy? Your local Mini dealer? That specialty camera place? For these latter choices, you hop on a deals forum, NAM/Mini2, or an online camera forum (all 3 respectively), and you'll likely get just as much knowledge, FREE, or cheaper due to saving bucks in the end.

I've ordered pretty much every OEM part I got post-sale, from Classic. Fat wallets for the win.

 

Qualified Staffs? Where. Go to best buy some time and talk TVs, See if they have a clue as to what they are selling. As an example, if you really want to talk TVs, try a higher end place like Tweeters. But their prices may be way to high.

If you really want to pay the extra money, so be it. But I'll take the discount by ordering online anyday.

 

What I mean is, I would go to the place that I'm comfortable with. Not just the place that is cheaper, but for other reason as well.
Morristown is way cheaper (JCW parts) than any place around. Also, their parts persons and SAs know and understand what we are talking about and what we want. They know what are they doing, at least for the persons that I've dealt with. I ordered from Morristown through their online order, but I called them first.

For example: I went to local chain camera store to get a Wireless speedlight flash commander SU800 from Nikon. The item's been out in the market for quite sometimes. The sales persons at the store didn't know what I'm talking about. I tried to explain, they said Nikon didn't even made one. So I gave up and drove to my regular store in Sterling instead. I got my stuffs and happy ending.

I got my TV from Tweeters, by the way. On sale price though.

 

I think that was what I was trying to say. Many stores have clueless salesperson, especially department stores. More higher end stores "seem" to have more knowledgable salesperson but most are still pretty bad.

I would go "look" at the flash at some store, but I would buy it for the cheapest price online. Why take the effort to drive from Columbia to NOVA when in two clicks you can get it a Amazon delivered to your door ... with free delivery?
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-SU-800-S...&s=electronics
$235

 

Because it is the thing that I have to use it almost every day. If it's gone bad or defect, I can have it replaced right away. Online order does not have that kind of luxury.

It wouldn't hurt to have some kind of good relationship with that kind of specialty stores.

 

Interesting question. So you think it your flash is bad you can take it back say in 6 months and get a new one?

I really doubt that. The moment you walk out of the store its the NIkon warranty that matter. You send it to Nikon to be fixed. Unless, of course, you pay extra for that insurance stores sell you for so many years that cost more than the product itself. Best Buy is notorious for that.

It reality, its no different, the flash breaks, it goes back to Nikon. Sorry but all you got to do is read the photography forums and they always talk about sending bad lenses or whatever back to the manufacturer.

If you have to a new one one right away ... there is always overnight delivery!

 

No, it depends. Again, that come back to how good the store is in term of customer service, and good relationship plus customer loyalty will come into play.
If I bought my equipment from my vendors and it defected, I always get a new one. No, I'm not talking about Ritz or Penn camera. I avoid those stores as much as I can, unless I need something right away or they have anything I need that is on sale.
And to be honest, I do not buy any extended warranty for any of my equipments.

Also, I'm not talking about thing that break in 3 or 6 month. I'm saying if something that you need and order form online and it arrive defect or break or something. Is it going to be much easier just to be able to get it fix right away?