Here's the scenario: My girlfriend decided she wanted to get a MINI and I was pretty sure I wanted to get one too at some point. So, she calls the nearest dealer (which is 4 hours away), talks with the MA that answers the phone and schedules an appointment to go to the dealership, test drive cars, etc. We both go and we both test drive cars and we both ask questions and my girlfriend orders her MINI. I decided to wait and think about it. Well, I've decided I do want to order one but, the thing is, I didn't really like the MA we dealt with. He seemed kind of negative and critical about preferences I expressed and, at one point, I thought he was going to blow us off for another customer, but he turned that around. The extent of my dealings with him were test driving the cars (my girlfriend and I took turns--i.e. she drove halfway and I drove halfway with 2 different models), I asked him questions, and he got a quote on my potential trade-in. My question is, when I go to order my own MINI, should I feel obligated to deal with him since he already spent time with me or should I feel free to deal with a different MA there? I don't want to step on anyone's toes, but I didn't really care for him.

Sorry for the long post!

 

Go for another MA...and make sure if they ask why, be upfront about it. It drives me nuts when no one says anything to the jerks. They could do this to a newbie car buyer, and the poor newbie would be scarred for life!!

 

whats a MA ?

sorry.. new around here.

 

MA= Motoring advisor= salesman

 

Definitely look for another MA. The dealings you have now with this Dealership will be in your mind for a very long time...or at least as long as you keep your MINI. Also check out the Service Area...see how people are treated there as well, you will be visiting this place at some point as well so the feel for the entire Dealership is what I would base my instincts on.

If this is the closest and ONLY Dealership then you have to decide if and ONLY if you can handle the experience, or do you want to try and find another Dealership.

But by all means make the decision you are happy with NOT what makes your GF happy or the MA happy.

Good Luck and here's to yours and your GF's New MINIs!!

 

I'm not trying to be mean but take charge of your life and don't let people push you around.
Who cares if you hurt his feelings? Did he care about yours? Doesn't sound like he did..

Was there anyone else there that seemed more professional?
I don't know where you live ROMO but I would find another dealership if this one is already starting out on the wrong foot.
Remember that they are trying to sell you something and not the other way around.
Don't cut them any slack... be polite and ask for what you want and if they don't give it to you then DEMAND it.
Its your money not theirs, so don't be timid about getting things your way.

The best salesman is the one that listens to your needs and makes it happen.
This is true for everything in life not just buying a car but anything you seek in life must be what you want and need not what someone else thinks you should have.

KATN

 

I think it is quite okay switch MAs...do it!! Hopefully you can readily find one that you feel more comfortable with.

 

Romo - which dealership are you ordering from?

 

yeah call in advance and ask who will be in that day. schedule to meet with someone other than that guy, acting as if you've never been in before. if you see the guy there, just nod your head and go on with your business.

 

I have a family friend who has a firm stand when it comes to buying cars. He would only buy a car from a MA who he feels deserves his business. Since your making such a big transaction here, why should you (as the customer) have to put up with their crap? If anything, they should be wiping the asses of their potential customers.

 

If he was a TOTAL jerk, this would be simple, but he wasn't all bad--in fact, he was quite helpful in some ways. I think I would just prefer dealing with someone with a different personality.

 

Well, unfortunately, many of the MAs tend to be on the verge of jerk-dom simply because their cars pretty much sell themselves, and there's not much more care taken. (They usually have to focus most of their efforts on calming down the obsessive post-order customers who can't wait to get their car already. ) This being said - this does NOT apply to ALL MAs. Some are great people really motivated to make your MINI experience all it can be.

But if he rubs you the wrong way - if his personality gives you pause - simply ask for somebody else. If he asks, then tell him the truth, though. He may not know he's being slightly abrasive or off-putting to some people. You sound like a reasonable character (although I've been lied to before...)

 

i really don't think it's something to get worked up about. especially in the car business, those guys get rejected all the time. he probably wouldn't even say anything to you. for example, when i was going to buy the car before the mini, i saw an ad in the newspaper that said such and such discounted off. so i called before-hand and asked if it was true, no gimmicks etc. so i drove an hour to the dealership and then the guy sits down with me and says something about a military discount and some other one that i obviously don't qualify for. so i flipped out since i drove all that way and i had specifically called and asked. so the top guy comes in and gives me an even better deal. but i just told him that i couldn't see supporting someone who would try to rip people off like that, purposely lie to their faces to make money. now some people would be like omg take the deal! but then it just shows that guy that what he did was ok and he could do it again and get away with it. so i guess i care more about ethics than spending a few more thousand. haha. totally long story and not super related. but my point is, never just go with something because you are afraid of hurting someone's feelings or don't want to cause conflict. this is your purchase, not his.

 

Definately ONLY do business with someone that you are comfortable with and will help you enjoy the experience. The MA that I worked with when I bought my car made the experience of parting with money very pleasant. He also made good suggestions on options that I hadn't considered and answered all questions. The fun of a MINI can make up for a less than happy beginning, but why not have all of the experience be great? There are a lot of good MA's out there and you are entitled to one that will make this a lot of fun.

 

I believe you can switch MA's at your discretion..from what I think I understand, they don't get their bonus pay check till the car is delivered, etc..now, I think that they (MA's) might be 'sharing' some of their stuff....kinda like some waiters do, etc. @ MINi of San Antonio for example, I've dealt w/ a couple of various MA's, not just my 'dedicated' MA, he's had other MA's answer my question,etc. so overall the whole team has been responsive to any questions that I have had.. now, my dedicated MA hasn't exactly been going out of his way to keep me informed........
basically, switch MA.... I seriously doubt it's a big deal....but it's not like you have 10-15 different MA's to chose from anyways, at most/best you might have less than 1/2 dozen MA's considering most MINI dealerships aren't that big to begin with.....

 

If you're driving 4 hours to get to a dealer anyway, look into ordering from somewhere else and having it delivered. There are several dealers that are NAM sponsors (and MAs who frequent the board) who are more than willing to work with you. You just may end up with a better deal even after you pay for shipping and not have to leave the comfort of your driveway.

 

romo where are U located???

 

I'm in northern New York state. Nearest dealers are Keeler Mini in Albany/Latham and Towne Mini in Buffalo. There's also one in Ottawa that's really close, but it's Canadian, obviously.

 

It's quite a haul for you, Romo but so far I've had a great experience with Morristown Mini in NJ. Ask for Joe.

 

Hey Romo- I dealt with the same MA at Keeler and had a horrible experience. I took my business to Westchester Mini and they showed me the love. I was tired of the demeaning attitude of this Keeler MA, especially when he laughed me out of the showroom when I showed him my build. (It was like he was offended because I wanted a JCW) When I asked him about NAM, he blasted the site saying that the people posting had way too much time to waste. Please choose another MA or dealership so you won't have a bad Mini experience!

 

As an MA - I'm always respectful of someone's configuration - realizing that it's a combination of price and wanted features. For an MA to laugh at a person's spec if just plain wrong and should've been reported to the General Manager or the Owner of the Dealership/

 

You sound nice--where do you work?

 

Oh, also, this MA said he's one of the top 10 salespeople in the country.

 

Thanks for the kind comments Romo - I work at MINI of Sterling (in Sterling VA) as an MA. While I've only been a MA for a few weeks I've been around MINIs since before the beginning - so I'm trying to put this font of knowledge that I've acquired to good use.

 

Ahh, a arrogant jerk...