So, after waiting another 24+ hours I sent another E-mail to the Sales Manager and my Motoring Advisor...
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Greetings again MOTORING ADVISOR,

I have not heard anything back from you or SALES MANAGER. My employer is giving me the holiday off until Wednesday, and then I will not be able to have any time off until Thanksgiving. If you guys want to get this Mini sold, time is running out for my availability to get down to Columbus, please respond and let me know soon.

MY NAME
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And I finally got a response back from the sales manager:

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MY NAME,

The car is not here. I have petitioned MINI USA to help getting it here faster, but it has not helped the cause. Last update on arrival is July 8th. Your counter offer on the vehicle is absurdly low. We absolutely cannot and will not sell the car at either option proposed. I will not run your credit card deposit. If the next time you can make it is Thanksgiving we can entertain another order in September to assure a November delivery. Sorry it did not work out. Too many things have happened outside of MAG's control.

Thanks,
SALES MANAGER
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So I carefully weighed how to respond to the SALES MANAGER's e-mail and wrote them back on Friday afternoon:

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SALES MANAGER (and MOTORING ADVISOR),

I must confess that when I saw I had recieved an e-mail from you I genuinely expected to be receiving better news. The delays with the vehicle delivery are very frustrating but I do understand that they are outside of your control. My purchase offers were made in good faith and it is regrettable that you do not seem willing to accept them. In my best attempt at being fair and reasonable on my end, I am willling to cut my concession request in half; I will go down to requesting only $2000 off of the original MSRP on my Mini with the inclusion of an extended warrenty and requested accessories and $2500 for my trade-in and $9000 down.

I believe that $2000 off MSRP on this vehicle is very reasonable when all issues are taken into consideration and most certainly doable. I want to purchase this car and I know that you and MOTORING ADVISOR want to sell this car as quickly as possible so it is not taking up space on your lot. I have been in new vehicle sales for Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, and Kia so I do understand how this process works from the sales end. I'm not out to be an unreasonable customer or an annoyance to your staff. After nearly 3 months of waiting and waiting I just simply want to buy this car and move on with life instead of thinking about this car every day.

I hope you will agree that this is a fair offer. If you can get this vehicle on your lot in the next week or so, I could make it down to Columbus around 5:15 on a Saturday afternoon if the sales and delivery process can be conducted in an expedited manner (I know everyone undoubtably wants to get out at 6 on a Saturday).

I look forward to hearing back from you once again.

-MY NAME

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So that's where I am at now... I received no reply back on Saturday (today). I get the feeling that they just don't even want to sell me a car. However, I have High Functioning Autism and so I almost always misconstrue things when i attempt to 'read between the lines' or when I am trying to interpret non-verbal cues, so perhaps I am wrong? Any input, advise, or suggestions any of you have at this point would be much appreciated. Thank you!

 

I don't know how much you're actually asking them for in all of that, there's a lot of numbers mixed in without baselines.

From my understanding, there is very little hold back for Mini dealers except a couple in the country with unusually high volumes. Mini isn't going to give the dealer any discount for the port issues. So the dealer would be eating these costs - same with the warranty, it would be all on them. Given that they quoted the warranty to us at $3500 and you're asking for $2000 below MSRP, my guess is you're asking them to take at least a $4500 loss on the vehicle. They're not going to do that.

If distance/time is really your issue, I'd give them whatever your acceptable/agreed upon original pricing was, and ask them to just deliver the vehicle directly to you instead of you coming to them.

If you were just hoping to talk them into giving up $5k on the dealer side, don't think it'll ever work - I don't think they have even half of that available to give.

Edit: Just looked, and it looks like Mini dealers actually get 0 holdback, so yeah, I'm guessing our MA wasn't lying when she said her gross profit on a car ordered like ours is less than $300.

 

Rude response from sales manager.
It's obvious that you want the car, so either walk away or take the tactic of asking what they are prepared to do to make you happy. However you don't know what actually happened to the car, you need a full report of damage and fixes.


If it was me I would just go buy something else. Wasn't meant to be this time. Sounds like if you have any trouble with the car you can't count on them to stand behind it.

 

@bgdrewsif. Personally I would walk and order another one (from a different dealer). Thats just me. If they were open and communicating with you and trying to work through the issue and telling me exactly what was going on, then maybe I would stay in the purchase. I guess I am a skeptic and with the lack of info then I instantly think there is more to the story and potentially more problems. Personally I would be out. Good luck with whatever you chosse to do.

 

Sorry to hear about that! So annoying. I'll be really mad if I end up in that position because I just sold my R50 on Thursday and I'll be carless till my F55 arrives.

My car is stateside now a - the Eurasian Highway landed in Galveston last night. Now the final wait period begins.

 

This is my concern also and it is why I want to have an extended warranty included. All things considered I think that is fair. I have looked at every other manufacturer out there and every other car on the USA market and cannot find any other car i like. My 2007 Yaris gets 35.5 mpg on every tank. I do the math every time I fill up and it very consistently averages 35-36 mpg tank after tank so I won't accept a car that gets lesser fuel economy than my current vehicle since I drive a minimum of 60 miles a day usually 7-days-a-week, week after week with very few days off work.

I am single with no children so I have zero use for a large vehicle and no desire to drive one.

There are several plug-in hybrid or electric vehicles I like but I live in an apartment so there is no way for me to plug in a vehicle.

I like the MPG of the Toyota Prius (I used to own a 2006 Prius before I had my current Yaris) but the new Prius is absolutely hideous on the interior... I have sat in it several times and absolutely hate it... I hate the interior of the previous 3rd generation Prius also... so that would take me back to a 2006-2008 2nd generation Prius which I loved... but why the hell would I go buy a car just as old as my current one?

I have looked at Ford, GM, Chrysler, FIAT, Kia, hyundai, honda, nissan, toyota, SMART, and Mini... the Cooper is the only vehicle which has made sense to me, other than to just keep driving my 2007 Yaris for ever and ever... I'm just feeling very confused, frustrated, and emotionally drained at this point. As I mentioned earlier, I have Asperger's/ High Functioning Autism (Think Sheldon Cooper on the Big Bang Theory). I'm an only child of two only children with only 2 cats no human-to-human social life, so for me, I have no friends, no family, no spouse or partner, no children, no siblings, no aunts, uncles, cousins and no parents or grandparents... I just work and come home, I was really looking forward to this vehicle for something new and enjoyable in my life and this entire endeavor has devolved into some sort of disaster. For other people this is just a car and they could just walk away and go on with their lives, but this was going to be my life... I am just heartbroken

 

Oh I would still get the Mini, I would just ordered another one from a different dealer.

 

Just remember that the porting, VDC, and everything is handled by Mini - your dealer hasn't got any control there until the car is handed to them. There's a decent chance they just legitimately have no more information to give you.

You could call Mini's customer service directly and inquire with them - if you want any sort of incentive for the incident, it would also be better to talk directly to Mini USA rather than the dealer.

I wouldn't think it reasonable to expect a free extended warranty over broken glass, especially when it's a brand new car and still under the 4 year / 50k warranty in the first place.

 

I'm really sorry to hear all that. I feel really bad for you. If it was me I'd continue it wait as it would be a lot quicker to wait than to start over at a new dealer and the window is really no big eat. The VDC should fix the car up as if it's a brand new car from the factory before they let it go. I wonder what the delay is though.

You still have a car to drive right? I don't have one right now so I'm in an even worse situation but if you are really desperate for a car, is there one on the lot you could buy instead?

 

Yes, I have my Toyota Yaris to drive, perfectly functional but a boring vehicle to drive and want something with some features beyond an am/fm radio.

 

I hear ya about the Yaris being boring my old mini also didn't have any features besides an am fm radio and CD player (at least it was a blast to drive though). Just hang in there. Some people say that the longer it takes to get something you really want, the more you enjoy it. I know that doesn't help that much (it doesn't help me stop checking my status every day) but I hope it helps a bit. When you get it you'll be twice as thrilled.

 

I get the feeling I may not get my Mini at all at this point. It sounds to me like this dealership does not want to deal with me anymore

From Sales Manager: "We absolutely cannot and will not sell the car at either option proposed. I will not run your credit card deposit... Sorry it did not work out. Too many things have happened outside of MAG's control."

 

Oh I see. I guess you could still get it for the price agreed upon when you ordered, no? I get it if you think you need to go to a different dealer but not really sure what's best now. :(

 

While what you were asking for from the dealer was not realistic, their response was weak at best. It certainly doesn't sound like they are apologetic, while the issues are out of their control, good customer service says to OVER communicate and be empathetic in these situations which doesn't appear to have happened on their end at all.

One thought, I know dealerships will send cars to other dealerships if they get a specific request from a customer. Before I ordered mine my dealer was scavenging Texas to find a red manual f56 and said if another dealer had one they could easily get it trucked here. If you have another dealership in a nearby town, wait until your car is delivered, then go to the other dealership explaining what you want and I bet they could easily "buy it" from your original dealership. Might be able to get a better deal since it's a car already on a lot. And even if it's the same price you still have the satisfaction of buying somewhere else. I'm buying my Mini from Austin(I live in San Antonio) because I liked their sales guy better and they were more flexible on price after I said I didn't have a good experience in SA. Even if it's only 100-200$ off they will usually try to beat the original guys just to get the sale.

So just a thought to inquire about atleast.

 

Go to another dealership. No question. I'm a long term customer and my dealer went to bat for me with MINI. I have a problematic 2014 MCS. Mini ended up giving me a huge discount off a new car and the dealership the in some extras (driving lights etc).
I am treated well and with respect.
You are not being treated like that. Make some calls and buy from someone who wants your business. A new life is only 11 weeks away! You can still get your car serviced at your local guy just don't give them any money!

 

Take your business elsewhere. Order the same car from a different place. You have a car to drive. So it takes another few months. You will feel better spending your money with a dealer who cares. It is $30k and spending any kind of money deserves good customer service.

 

Any updates bgdrewsif? I understand both possibilities, whether you want to take your business elsewhere or hold out for this one I hope you get your car soon!

I just heard that my car entered the processing facility at the port of Galveston, so it couldn't be very long now...

 

4 Days with no response.. I sent the following e-mail several hours ago:

Greetings yet again SALES MANAGER and MOTORING ADVISOR,

I am still awaiting a response regarding my vehicle. I have noticed on the MAG Mini website that there are several new 2016 mini vehicles priced similarly to mine which are discounted at $1000-$1500 off of MSRP. One MINI is even being priced at $1750 off of MSRP and I am assuming these vehicles arrived without any issues. If you can get my Mini vehicle in over the weekend and we can make a deal on sale price I would like to come in on Saturday after I get out of work. I am eagerly looking forward to hearing back from you soon.

-MY NAME

 

...and shockingly 3 1/2 hours later no reply :-/

 

Car will be a 2017 Cooper S, Melting Silver with 18" Mini Yours Vanity Spoke Wheels. Looking forward to my first Mini....

 

Congrats! Join me here! https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-2017-f56.html

--Matt

 

Mine cleared the VDC (VPC?) yesterday and I found my VIN at https://new.unitedroadlogistics.com . It says it is now awaiting a truck to be shipped to the dealer. That trip to the dealer will only take an hour or so. It's getting close! Sadly I don't think I'll get to see it this weekend. My order is a drop ship from a different dealer and that dealer needs to wait until it is in stock to send me the paperwork to sign and send back to them before I can pick it up. Maybe Monday or Tuesday?

 

After a lot of back and fourth haggling with the sales manager we agreed to include a 6 year 100,000 mile extended warranty, all weather mats and matching jaw sun shades. The accessories are goodbye the warranty is the important part. Will be finally getting Nigel on Saturday am.

 

Excellent and great deal getting the warranty! I'm happy for you! There's a minuscule chance I might see my car on Saturday as it just got assigned to a truck, meaning it'll be at the dealer later today. Still, getting the paperwork done by Saturday is the hard part.

 

Good. I probably would have not dealt with you anymore. The bad part of extended warranties is they aren't with the Mini dealership. I had one on a Jeep and it was worthless when I needed something fixed.