F55/F56 How to Buy a New Mini -- The Art of the Deal
#601
Good evening everyone.
Thanks for this thorough thread. I am not a mini owner but hope to be soon. I wasn’t shopping for a brand new vehicle after hitting a deer with my last car, but this Oxford Edition promotional deal seems legit. So, I hope to order an Oxford Edition in the coming week (thanks mid-career doctoral program) and this thread is quite helpful as I navigate the first, second and third ‘dates’ with my MA.
The dealer is so far sticking to the published msrp for this build which seems fair but if you think I can negotiate lower than that, your $.02 is appreciated.
Peace.
Chris
Thanks for this thorough thread. I am not a mini owner but hope to be soon. I wasn’t shopping for a brand new vehicle after hitting a deer with my last car, but this Oxford Edition promotional deal seems legit. So, I hope to order an Oxford Edition in the coming week (thanks mid-career doctoral program) and this thread is quite helpful as I navigate the first, second and third ‘dates’ with my MA.
The dealer is so far sticking to the published msrp for this build which seems fair but if you think I can negotiate lower than that, your $.02 is appreciated.
Peace.
Chris
#602
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: California Native still livin' in LaLa Land
Posts: 2,162
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Good evening everyone.
Thanks for this thorough thread. I am not a mini owner but hope to be soon. I wasn’t shopping for a brand new vehicle after hitting a deer with my last car, but this Oxford Edition promotional deal seems legit. So, I hope to order an Oxford Edition in the coming week (thanks mid-career doctoral program) and this thread is quite helpful as I navigate the first, second and third ‘dates’ with my MA.
The dealer is so far sticking to the published msrp for this build which seems fair but if you think I can negotiate lower than that, your $.02 is appreciated.
Peace.
Chris
Thanks for this thorough thread. I am not a mini owner but hope to be soon. I wasn’t shopping for a brand new vehicle after hitting a deer with my last car, but this Oxford Edition promotional deal seems legit. So, I hope to order an Oxford Edition in the coming week (thanks mid-career doctoral program) and this thread is quite helpful as I navigate the first, second and third ‘dates’ with my MA.
The dealer is so far sticking to the published msrp for this build which seems fair but if you think I can negotiate lower than that, your $.02 is appreciated.
Peace.
Chris
#603
Update on my Mini Finance pay off
Picked up my Mini on Saturday 11/17/18 /////
There was a $1500 rebate promo IF you used Mini Finance - ask what the Min was to get the deal / $7500. I took the deal.. Well, today in Wednesday 11/21/18. Got an email from Mini Finance with my account number - called to get Payoff amount. Was told $7505.26 and it was good until December 1... Will write the check on Friday... Got a $1500 rebate for $5.26 Happy Thanks Giving.
Picked up my Mini on Saturday 11/17/18 /////
There was a $1500 rebate promo IF you used Mini Finance - ask what the Min was to get the deal / $7500. I took the deal.. Well, today in Wednesday 11/21/18. Got an email from Mini Finance with my account number - called to get Payoff amount. Was told $7505.26 and it was good until December 1... Will write the check on Friday... Got a $1500 rebate for $5.26 Happy Thanks Giving.
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2017All4 (11-21-2018)
#604
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: California Native still livin' in LaLa Land
Posts: 2,162
Received 507 Likes
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Update on my Mini Finance pay off
Picked up my Mini on Saturday 11/17/18 /////
There was a $1500 rebate promo IF you used Mini Finance - ask what the Min was to get the deal / $7500. I took the deal.. Well, today in Wednesday 11/21/18. Got an email from Mini Finance with my account number - called to get Payoff amount. Was told $7505.26 and it was good until December 1... Will write the check on Friday... Got a $1500 rebate for $5.26 Happy Thanks Giving.
Picked up my Mini on Saturday 11/17/18 /////
There was a $1500 rebate promo IF you used Mini Finance - ask what the Min was to get the deal / $7500. I took the deal.. Well, today in Wednesday 11/21/18. Got an email from Mini Finance with my account number - called to get Payoff amount. Was told $7505.26 and it was good until December 1... Will write the check on Friday... Got a $1500 rebate for $5.26 Happy Thanks Giving.
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drhow (12-28-2018)
#608
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November 2018 MINI Sales Data
For November, MINI USA reported 3,528 vehicles sold, a decrease of 12.6 percent from the 4,038 sold in the same month a year ago.
MINI Certified Pre-Owned sold 971 vehicles in November, an increase of 30.5 percent from November 2017.Total MINI Pre-Owned sold 2,198 vehicles in November, an increase of 2.4 percent from November 2017.
#609
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MINI USA has a $1,000 off offer running now, which would be on top of any discount you negotiate with your dealer. Cars from a dealer's current inventory might yield more aggressive deals than ordered cars as we come to calendar year end. I would be very aggressive in constructing an offer this month.
#610
#611
#612
listened,,, Press 4 for loan payoff..... enter loan number,,,,, got the pay off amount and address
done deal,, all with out ever talking to a Human
#613
#614
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The Hunt for Deals
I was at my local dealer today to get my side mirror motors replaced under warranty (noise when folding and unfolding -- known issue). As an aside, they had me in an out in ONE HOUR, with both side mirror mechanisms replaced and my MINI hand washed. As I was enjoying my free latte from the waiting room espresso machine, I noticed a $44,000 2018 Clubman JCW on the lot with the following tag on it:
So, yes, it's last year's lot queen. But, for those willing to dig, thar be deals out there, especially as the year comes to a close. Ain't nothing like a new MINI with a big red bow on the bonnet under the tree...
Happy Hunting and Happy Holidays.
So, yes, it's last year's lot queen. But, for those willing to dig, thar be deals out there, especially as the year comes to a close. Ain't nothing like a new MINI with a big red bow on the bonnet under the tree...
Happy Hunting and Happy Holidays.
#615
Who cares about gross
I am new to the car business, so I still have the customer mentality. If you are dealing with a dealer that is stuck on holding gross come to me. I want my customers happy, and I just want my units moved. I am not greedy, or trying to be rich. I want to pay my bills, and live a good life. I don't need to sell 6-8% over to have a good life. I'll beat or match any dealer out there. Only thing I can say is they won't budge on JCW. Only discount out there I've seen is for military. In the market for a new Mini, shop around and then contact me. If I match it, it means they are giving you the best deal possible. I'll go above and beyond to try and beat the price........ Be up front with me, we all know when a customer is lying or telling the truth.
I've been selling Mini's for 2 months, and 2 1/2 months at a Kia store that was complete crap.(not the cars, the dealership) I want you guys to get the best deals and obviously to keep coming back. Free shipping to all FL. Hit me up on here, I'll show you our inventory, if we don't have something you like we will get it from some where else. Just know I will do my best. If you get a great deal you're happy, and I move a car so I am happy. Cycle continues! Hope to hear from anyone.
I've been selling Mini's for 2 months, and 2 1/2 months at a Kia store that was complete crap.(not the cars, the dealership) I want you guys to get the best deals and obviously to keep coming back. Free shipping to all FL. Hit me up on here, I'll show you our inventory, if we don't have something you like we will get it from some where else. Just know I will do my best. If you get a great deal you're happy, and I move a car so I am happy. Cycle continues! Hope to hear from anyone.
Last edited by David Borjas; 01-08-2019 at 07:53 AM.
#617
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: California Native still livin' in LaLa Land
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I am new to the car business, so I still have the customer mentality. If you are dealing with a dealer that is stuck on holding gross come to me. I want my customers happy, and I just want my units moved. I am not greedy, or trying to be rich. I want to pay my bills, and live a good life. I don't need to sell 6-8% over to have a good life. I'll beat or match any dealer out there. Only thing I can say is they won't budge on JCW. Only discount out there I've seen is for military. In the market for a new Mini, shop around and then contact me. If I match it, it means they are giving you the best deal possible. I'll go above and beyond to try and beat the price........ Be up front with me, we all know when a customer is lying or telling the truth.
I've been selling Mini's for 2 months, and 2 1/2 months at a Kia store that was complete crap.(not the cars, the dealership) I want you guys to get the best deals and obviously to keep coming back. Free shipping to all FL. Hit me up on here, I'll show you our inventory, if we don't have something you like we will get it from some where else. Just know I will do my best. If you get a great deal you're happy, and I move a car so I am happy. Cycle continues! Hope to hear from anyone.
I've been selling Mini's for 2 months, and 2 1/2 months at a Kia store that was complete crap.(not the cars, the dealership) I want you guys to get the best deals and obviously to keep coming back. Free shipping to all FL. Hit me up on here, I'll show you our inventory, if we don't have something you like we will get it from some where else. Just know I will do my best. If you get a great deal you're happy, and I move a car so I am happy. Cycle continues! Hope to hear from anyone.
Please feel free to offer us insights and tips as to how to negotiate the best deal on a MINI, but please remember, if you want to advertise your services you need to be registered as a Vendor on North American Motoring. Vendors help sponsor NAM.
#618
Welcome!
#621
There is no secret to negotiations. Best advice is, if you do not like the deal... Get up and walk out. If they don't contact you in a couple of days or end of the month you got their best deal possible.. But the "this car salesman is only out to get me" stigma is a rough one to get over.. I'm still learning a lot, I don't even know how to get the best deal for myself at other dealerships... Even in this, guy said I contradicted myself.. It is just because its a 2018 model and we really need it gone.. on a 2019 you're not getting any deal on a JCW unless you're military. Sorry I didn't clarify that. I just want to move units, I honestly do my best, and if its not good enough, I wish everyone the best of luck.
How do I become a vendor?
How do I become a vendor?
#622
To get vendor info https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ndmessage.php? , probably going to be expensive, but I am just guessing, otherwise we would have a lot more vendors on here.
FYI, a dealer about 3 hours from me told me that they would knock $2000 off any ordered car. This was a year + ago so not sure if it still holds. Dealer near me told me to take a hike, probably $500 was the best they would do.
FYI, a dealer about 3 hours from me told me that they would knock $2000 off any ordered car. This was a year + ago so not sure if it still holds. Dealer near me told me to take a hike, probably $500 was the best they would do.
#623
Was it a JCW?? Or just any ordered car?
Normally they don't want to take any discounts off ordered cars... but I'll try.. I usually try not to do ordered cars because they take 2 months. You know car dealerships are all about the now.
But I'll ask every time... I've seen proud salesman not get the deal because they refuse to ask.. Luckily for me I'm to new to be proud lol...
Mini dealerships in the US are not doing to good. I don't know if people know but Mini doesn't give us anything as far as rebates or incentives. So when you get a discount it comes straight from the car.
Normally they don't want to take any discounts off ordered cars... but I'll try.. I usually try not to do ordered cars because they take 2 months. You know car dealerships are all about the now.
But I'll ask every time... I've seen proud salesman not get the deal because they refuse to ask.. Luckily for me I'm to new to be proud lol...
Mini dealerships in the US are not doing to good. I don't know if people know but Mini doesn't give us anything as far as rebates or incentives. So when you get a discount it comes straight from the car.
#625
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: California Native still livin' in LaLa Land
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Just to clarify a few things about negotiating a satisfactory car deal. As David Borjas confirms (and he sells MINIs every day), if they let you walk, you're at rock bottom … from that particular dealer on that particular day.
But tomorrow may be different. The middle of the month in July may be different from December 31 when there's 2 feet of snow on the ground and no customers in sight and a lot full of unsold cars.
And what one sales rep will do for you may differ from what another is willing to try.
Over decades of doing car deals, I will say that I have yet to meet a car sales person who didn't really, really, want to find a way to close a car deal with me.
I always try to remain sensitive to what it's like to be on the salesperson's side of the desk, but, overall, I've found that the only thing I can control is my side of the negotiation.
So I try to behave like the sort of person I would like to deal with. I'm cordial all the time. And I come prepared. I am always interested to learn anything new a car salesperson might have to tell me -- I try to be a lifetime learner. But I feel it is MY responsibility to school myself as much as possible and I am willing to put in the time to do whatever research I can so that I am an informed buyer. At least informed enough to ask about what I may not know, such as, "Are there any current incentives for which I might qualify?" And after I get the salesperson's first answer, as politely as possible, I try to remember to ask, "Is there anything else?" Usually is something, even if it's free car washes or a sunshade or whatever.
I never, ever, ever, argue with a salesperson. They tell me their position, I try my best to clarify, and continually restate, my position. Car dealers don't lose any sleep about charging 40 grand for a new car that's gonna maybe, at most, be worth 30 grand a year later. So, I work as hard as I can to get the dealer to eat as much of that front end depreciation as possible. I mean, if I need to have the new car smell and I need the car ordered just as I want it, then there will be a premium to pay. If I really don't want to pay all that extra, then I search for a near-new car that, in exchange for a better price, may not have everything exactly as I would order it.
The MOST IMPORTANT thought I try to hold on to is to remember the value of my time. If I can shave a couple grand off a car price, and manage to hold on to those hard fought savings as the process unfolds through the add-on sales pitch and the finance chutes and ladders game, and if it takes me a couple of hours of hanging in through the process, and a few hours of research time on the internet, well, let's just say 10 hours spent to save 2 grand works out to TWO HUNDRED bucks an hour for my time. It's for me to decide if I like that payday or if I need a higher hourly rate.
It's all in how you think about it when your doing a deal. The most important thing is, as is the case with many aspects of life, a little self-reflection, and remembering to think all the time, pays dividends. Maybe even $200/hour!!
But tomorrow may be different. The middle of the month in July may be different from December 31 when there's 2 feet of snow on the ground and no customers in sight and a lot full of unsold cars.
And what one sales rep will do for you may differ from what another is willing to try.
Over decades of doing car deals, I will say that I have yet to meet a car sales person who didn't really, really, want to find a way to close a car deal with me.
I always try to remain sensitive to what it's like to be on the salesperson's side of the desk, but, overall, I've found that the only thing I can control is my side of the negotiation.
So I try to behave like the sort of person I would like to deal with. I'm cordial all the time. And I come prepared. I am always interested to learn anything new a car salesperson might have to tell me -- I try to be a lifetime learner. But I feel it is MY responsibility to school myself as much as possible and I am willing to put in the time to do whatever research I can so that I am an informed buyer. At least informed enough to ask about what I may not know, such as, "Are there any current incentives for which I might qualify?" And after I get the salesperson's first answer, as politely as possible, I try to remember to ask, "Is there anything else?" Usually is something, even if it's free car washes or a sunshade or whatever.
I never, ever, ever, argue with a salesperson. They tell me their position, I try my best to clarify, and continually restate, my position. Car dealers don't lose any sleep about charging 40 grand for a new car that's gonna maybe, at most, be worth 30 grand a year later. So, I work as hard as I can to get the dealer to eat as much of that front end depreciation as possible. I mean, if I need to have the new car smell and I need the car ordered just as I want it, then there will be a premium to pay. If I really don't want to pay all that extra, then I search for a near-new car that, in exchange for a better price, may not have everything exactly as I would order it.
The MOST IMPORTANT thought I try to hold on to is to remember the value of my time. If I can shave a couple grand off a car price, and manage to hold on to those hard fought savings as the process unfolds through the add-on sales pitch and the finance chutes and ladders game, and if it takes me a couple of hours of hanging in through the process, and a few hours of research time on the internet, well, let's just say 10 hours spent to save 2 grand works out to TWO HUNDRED bucks an hour for my time. It's for me to decide if I like that payday or if I need a higher hourly rate.
It's all in how you think about it when your doing a deal. The most important thing is, as is the case with many aspects of life, a little self-reflection, and remembering to think all the time, pays dividends. Maybe even $200/hour!!
Last edited by 2017All4; 01-14-2019 at 10:29 AM.