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Where do you live? I purchased mine from Flow and could not have been more pleased. Additionally, the service is great. If you decide Flow, let me know, we have a club member that sells there and he really knows his product. Plus join our club and get a 10% discount on accessories and parts.

PM me for more detail.

 

I haven't met the people from Hendrick, so I can't comment on them. I met a couple of people from Flow while driving the dragon last year. They seemed like good people and gave my wife and I some freebies after chatting with them for a while.

 

It's 15% discount at FLOW

 

When I decided to pull the trigger I ended up going to Flow, primarily because they were able to get the car I wanted w/o my waiting 8-12 weeks. That doesn't mean I wouldn't have bought from Charlotte.

So far I've been very pleased with the way the sale went down, and with Flow's service (my car is in now for trans issues).

Federal trade laws require all dealers to service a brand, whether you bought it from them or not. I will say that when I took my car to Flow last Saturday, they did ask me if I bought it there. Not sure why, but they did.

 

I bought from Flow and have been happy with how they've treated me so far. That said, where you buy from IS a consideration for service, because most MINI service facilities will provide a loaner (as available) if the car was purchased there, but may not if you bought the car elsewhere. They have to service it, but they DON'T have to give you a loaner... so I'd probably buy from wherever I expected to take it for service..

 

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Sorry if you felt pressured or otherwise rubbed wrong by them - I didn't hear anything in your post that seemed out of line - after all, it's their job to try to sell you things to make Flow more money... just like any other dealer.... and to get you to pick them over another dealer for sales and service. It's easy to say "no, thanks" to the things you don't want... even if they make you say it more than once.

They offer loaners as a "thank you" to customers who buy from them - seems like it's better for them to tell you that up front than surprise you after you bought somewhere else...

They've been a great sponsor of our club and are VERY accommodating regarding mods, etc. - which MANY dealers in the country are definitely not.

 

Most dealers have that same policy. I bought from FLOW and when I had to be in Charlotte for a few days I needed work done on mine. No loner for me because I didn't buy from them was the reason given to me from Hendrick.

You have to know that the extended warranty from any company is PURE PROFIT. Thats how they make money. About only 10% of extended warranties are ever needed/used.

 

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Ya know.. I hate to be the one to say so, but maybe a Mini isn't the car for you.

If you're planning to buy the car in Charlotte, and at the same time planning to use Flow as your servicing dealer, you're going to hate walking in the door when it comes time to take the car in for service or warranty work.

You will have already convinced yourself that you're going to get less than 100% customer satisfaction because they'll know you didn't buy the car from them.

Oh, and by the way.. My MA at Flow, Scott Mann, isn't a "stinkin car salesman". He's a young guy who likes what he does, and he's extremely knowledgeable about the product. He treated me casually, yet professionally, when we began discussing the sale. I'd recommend him to anyone considering a new Mini.

I'm thinking you might be one of those guys who car salesman hate to see walk thru the door.. some people are impossible to please.

Worth thinking about..

 

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I wont repeat what others have posted (choice of car, loaner issues) but when i was considering buying from Fife (60 miles away) vs Rasmussen (190 miles away), i didn't know about the loaner part. I put in my deposit at Fife
and then learned why people from Seattle / WA goto Rasmussen (650$ dealership markup at Fife and way longer wait period at Fife). When i cancelled my order at Fife, the MA replied saying i cannot get a loaner unless i buy from Fife - that almost made me think twice. I totally wouldn't have minded paying the markup at Fife for the loaner but there were still a couple other things

1. Rasmussen's shorter wait period and good things people had to say (i actually emailed my MA at Rasmussen after all the glowing feedback people had about him)

2. The MA at Fife was professional and casual but he rubbed me the wrong way when he was teaching me how to start a car. It was my first time in a MINI and i was feeling totally in awe and was looking around when he tells me to put the foot on the brake and start the car. I go..huh..okay. I understand it's in his interest to go through the motions fast and like i said, he was professional and likeable but that just stayed in the back of my mind.

If i were you and i decided to buy from dealer X and they tell me "hey btw you buy from us and we give you a loaner", i'll be looking at it as a positive thing Trying to sell you extended warranty right away = kinda weird

 

I live in Raleigh and purchased from Hendrick b/c they were the first to respond to my email request and I travel to Charlotte several times a year for work and had some free time last time I was there.

I'll just roll the dice and hope I won't need a loaner or will make arrangements otherwise if I head to Flow. Outside of the warranty, I'd probably try Grassroots since many people have recommended Dan's garage and I like independent mechanics vs. dealers.

Perhaps I'll buy the next one from Flow as everyone there seems friendly and alot in the group recommend them, but all in all, take your time, read and research the options and the locations, and buy where you feel most comfortable since the prices will be similar or the same. The end result is that you'll get a Mini and owning one is great unto itself!

 

I guess he decided to buy something else.. all of his posts have been deleted.

Oh well..

 

We bought our car in Germany, and moved to the SC area about 6 months after. We have found a family with M2C2, and Hendricks supports our club greatly.. I have never been met at hendricks, with anything less then a smile.. that come on in, make yourself comfortable attitude. Knowing our car was purchased overseas, somehow I dont think I would be disappointed if I had to have major service done at hendricks.. I have never been to Flow.. so I cannot say anything there.