If you're truly that upset about it, you could tell the dealer that you want them to now check to see if they only put in 1/2 to 3/4 of the oil, coolant, washer fluid, brake fluid, trans fluid, differential oil, etc... Make them take the time to check it all in front of you to prove that everything else was topped off correctly, since they obviously aren't willing to top off the gas tank properly.

Personally, I wouldn't let it bother me that much, but I might ask the MA to get me a free paint pen or key ring or something else to keep me satisfied.

 

WOW!!! I would have loved one of those

 

How many cars will Otto's dealership sell in a month? Just for fun, lets say 100. Let's say he's saving 4 gallons per vehicle. At 4.50 a gallon, that's 1800.00 a month.

If you owned a Mini dealership, would you ruin it's reputation for 1800 a month?

Give them a poor survey..

Better yet, write a letter to the office of the president of Mini.

To others in the area, let everyone with ears to hear know that Otto's isn't the Mini dealer to shop at..

That's the power we consumers have to use, and it works.

Bill in P.G.

 

it sounds like it's not just the mini side - it's bmw, too. i would absolutely flip if i dropped 50k plus and they tried to nickel and dime me.

the reason that it bothers me is not the $$ - it's the principle of the matter...

 

I never really thought about how much gas they give you with a new car. I wouldn't care if it was bought with only a gallon of gas.

 

I guess this is the way I look at it. I don't think Otto's is a bad dealership for not filling a tank. I think a lot worse could happen. They have been very nice to me and I have heard of worse about other dealers.

 

it's just like school on sunday - no class.

 

Beware the internet!!!!!!!


I'd still see if I could get the tank full.

 

it amazes me that the dealership is trying to nickel and dime like that.
And I would get upset because it is the principle. you just bought a brand new vehicle. Filling the tank with gas should be part of the dealer prep.
as an example, whenever I do bodywork on someones car, I detail the entire car, touch up all the rock chips so the car looks like new when they pick it up.
It says a lot about a company when you go the extra step. especially in todays cut throat economy.

And I would definatelly let the sales manager know that I was unhappy about them being "cheap" with the gas and am not going to give a good survey because of it. Those surveys are so important that they actually give free items to customers, (and get this) when they hand in a "BLANK" one! Yes the dealership likes to fill them out themselves. (Midway Nissan Does) in AZ. They are a Van Tyle organization. It's common practice for them.

 

I agree.... I guess some businesses feel like YOU have the privilege of dealing with them.... or some nonsense like that

 

Problem is, theres not a mini dealership on every corner, and they know we absolutelly LOVE this little car!

 

There is actually 2 dealerships out here within 1 hour of one another.

 

Where did you buy?

 

Just remember to give them an honest rating and feedback, when Mini calls or emails you for a survey on the purchase process.

 

Jeez, all this hysteria over some gas!!??

Unless full tank of gas is on the invoice, it's a freaking gift.

 

not really, its been a common practice for new automobiles for decades now.
Its like buying a new car and picking it up filthy, its not invoiced to be clean, but its by no means a "gift" its just a proper way of conducting business and showing your customers that you appreciate there business.

same as when you have furniture delivered to your home. they unwrap it, then wipe it all clean afterwards to make sure its nice.

 

Seriously? It's les than $20 worth of gas, you're going to freak out over that? You didn't pay for a full tank of gas, you paid for a car. I'm picking my Mini up next week, I expect a decent amount of gas to get me home, a half tank would be fine.

You need a relationship with the dealer for the next many years. Trashing them in the survey is not anonymous, not a good move IMO.

 

The people saying that it's not a big deal are missing the point. Obviously $20 isn't going to break anyone buying a brand new car.

This is the crux of my argument - the dealer is going to have a relationship, and hopefully a multi car customer with you, and they're going to nickle and dime you for $20???

Going over the car with you and showing you how to work stuff isn't on the invoice either, but it should be assumed.

 

Picked up my MCS from Otto's on July 1st, and they supplied me with 3/4 tank. Not having a full tank isn't going to make me think any differently one way or the other. I had enough gas to get me home and I had a BRAND NEW MINI.......Some people just need something to complain about.

 

No, it's not the worst thing in the world, and yes, some people do enjoy complaining.
But I think you should get a full tank of gas buying a new or previously enjoyed car.... no matter what brand or where you get it.
That's just my opinion.... I also have a bellybutton

 

Things change. Once upon a time the airlines used to provide food and other such niceities on every flight. They can't do it anymore.

It's not just one tank of gas that the dealer is giving away. It's 40-50 tanks a month if they're a busy dealer. About $2418 a month in free gas in CA.

 

It's not just one tank of gas that the dealer is giving away. It's 40-50 tanks a month if they're a busy dealer. About $2418 a month in free gas in CA.[/quote]


if they are filling up 40 - 50 tanks a month at an average profit of 2K a car (just a number thrown out there). that would be an 80-100K profit!
-2418. to satisfy customers= priceless

I don't know about most people, but if I were making 80-100K per month and I had an added expense of only 2418 added to my overall overhead, but it kept my clients happy and refering more clients to me, (one refferel per month = gas overhead). i would have no problem with that at all.

 

if they are filling up 40 - 50 tanks a month at an average profit of 2K a car (just a number thrown out there). that would be an 80-100K profit!
-2418. to satisfy customers= priceless

I don't know about most people, but if I were making 80-100K per month and I had an added expense of only 2418 added to my overall overhead, but it kept my clients happy and refering more clients to me, (one refferel per month = gas overhead). i would have no problem with that at all.[/quote]
That dealer doesn't know squat about marketing or customer relations. I'm sure they spend thousands per month on all sorts of marketing and customer satisfaction programs, and then they ruin it, $20-$30 bucks at a time, by giving a poor first impression at delivery.

 

Well, at least they gave you SOME gas...when I picked up my husband's brand new BMW and my brand new MINI (husband was deployed, and I had to pick them up at different times), from the dealer in Germany last June/July... I was LUCKY to get a few fumes to get us to the gas station in either car!!! I mean, I know Europe's gas prices were spiking hard last year, but MAN!

 

That dealer doesn't know squat about marketing or customer relations. I'm sure they spend thousands per month on all sorts of marketing and customer satisfaction programs, and then they ruin it, $20-$30 bucks at a time, by giving a poor first impression at delivery.[/quote]

I am agreeing with this statement thats my point, its a small price for them to pay to keep clients happy. and there screwing it up.
funny thing is there getting away with it because some people just dont seem to get the big picture.