After throwing-in the towel in frustration over trying to buy a MINI to replace my much-loved '03 S and looking-at and buying an alternative ride, I have come back and ordered a 2010 Cooper S.

Based upon the lack of interest displayed by four different MINI dealers from Rhode Island to Maryland that I contacted, it seems that the economic downturn is not affecting MINI.

In general, dealers don't return calls, or follow-up on visits.

In another case, MINI of Towson in Maryland, I was unable to contact either of two salespeople to obtain information on an executive Clubman they had for sale, before planning a 300 mile trip to purchase the car.

(That was two months ago and oddly, they haven't sold the car I was going down there to buy.)

I finally went back to my original local dealer and by-passed Scott Comatose and dealt directly with the sales manager and ordered by new car.

I don't expect a dealer to harass me after visiting their store, but this experience leaves me to wonder whether this is an attitude that descends from MINI corporate. If not, then the salespeople I encountered are simply not that interested in making sales.

Strange.

 

I found my buying experience to be low-key, but not that low-key. I think the fact that so many of us build our own lends itself to a different mindset on everyone's part.

Scott Comatose - lol!

 

Scott Comatose must be related to one of our SA's, Dave Comatose

Mark

 

I had a very low key experience and they for sure didn't try to sell me a car in any way shape or form like other car dealers who "**** you off or sell you a car."

That said, I did find my SA willing to deal a little and take a chunk off MSRP with both cash off and free accessories. Even MINI is slow now. I was one of the only people there the four time I went in before buying. Still, I bought the car, they didn't try to sell it to me and that was weird coming from other car dealers who act like low end used car dealers even though they are selling new cars.

It sounds like you are just dealing with poor customer service. Hey, my guess is eventually even MINI SA's will have to start hustling for their jobs if this economy doesn't turn around soon. Like I said, the MINI dealer i went to was DEAD EMPTY!

 

Our local MINI club had its Christmas dinner last Friday in the cafe attached to the local dealer. We started arriving at 6ish and all of the sales staff was still there, they all seemed to be talking to someone, and there was a couple of parties waiting outside the finance guy's office. Frankly I was surprised as their lot is filled to capacity with new unsold cars. Maybe there's a pre-Christmas/New Year's rush.

 

FWIW, it's not just MINI sales people who seem unaware of the actual sales process and follow up - we visited a number of different dealerships when looking to buy a new car for my wife - none of them ever followed up with us even tho we did give name and number at most of them. I don't know if it's a lack of training, low inertia on the part of the salespeople or what....

BTW, our MINI sales person did follow up routinely, and has since we've bought our 2nd car from them too. You need to follow up on your own and not wait for them......going to the sales manager to order your car was the right move - I did the same.

 

I agree. In my experience, many salespeople showed a lack of interest, but MINI disappointed me the most because I was ready to buy on 3 separate occasions before I threw in the towel and went to another brand.

Dealer 1, was where I bought my car and had it regularly serviced. Spent more than an hour there and the salesman never even took my contact information.
Dealer 2, spent considerable time on the phone and at the dealer, even telling the salesman I would be in to finalize the order emailed to him, and he never followed-up.
Dealer 2, left two messages for the same salesman to make an appointment to come in. No return calls.
Dealer 3, was out-of-state. I was traveling 300 miles to purchase a demonstrator/executive Clubman S. I needed info on registration to get the car back to Connecticut. 4 calls to two different salespeople. No return calls, so I bagged it.

 

Hard to explain the lack of interest at some car dealerships. It isn't only MINI dealers, I have been left standing at a bunch of places over the last 10 years. I sold 4 different brands over a 10 year period in Houston and I can guarantee that no live body was ever left alone for even 3 minutes. "Friendly Agression" as one sales manager called it. And no customer phone call was ever ignored. Now? I don't understand it, but that's what's happening.

 

Weird. Our MA was great. Not at all pushy, but Johny-on-the-spot when it came to getting us information to make the deal. And that was during the Cash-for-Clunkers craze, when they had more business than they knew what to do with.

 

I think it may stem from their older brother's attitude....BMW corporate.

 

I was looking at both MINI and BMW for my recent purchase and though I wasn't harassed I was followed up with every time in an appropriate fashion. I guess I was lucky.

 

I have yet to take delivery of my Clubman, but the MINI experience was extremely easy up to this point. My MA has been helpful, NOT pushy and has gone above and beyond to get me the answers I have needed. I have to say, she has been there A LONG time so she is a seasoned pro.

Now, with that said, just remember that car dealerships have had an enormous amount of turnover. The veteran sales people have left due to lack of sales and have persued other jobs. The dealerships have been forced to hire salespeople that are taking survival jobs and this is where you get the lack of follow up and lack of interest in your business.

 

I thought the approach at Mini was nonchalant at best. I, too, was surprised at the very passive approach and antics throughout the process.

 

As a Motoring Advisor for one of the recently opened Free Standing MINI Dealerships (located in Ft Myers, FL), I can assure everyone that our Dealership does not apply pressure to our Guests. We do follow up and make sure all questions are answered and the opportunity to purchase is always offered. I came to MINI after 9 years at Lexus and our customers experience is a mirror of the Hospitality offered in the High Line stores.

 

What I failed to write above or wasn't very clear about was that my experience was very good at MINI of Manhattan thus far. My point was that it was just weird not to be treated like a walking wallet without a brain like my past experiences at other new car dealers. They actually let me walk around alone and look at all the cars and were always close buy if I needed them but not down my throat. But of course, these cars seem to sell themselves so...

Man, my time at a Mazda place 5 years ago was like doing battle, especially when I had to sit down with the crooked finance guy who tried to tack on another $1000 on the negotiated price at the last second. I have never been treated so rudely while spending thousands in my life before. I get worked up just thinking of that car buying experience. BLAAAHHHH!!!

 

My MA at Schomp Mini was not pushy at all but followed up 90% of the time (the other 10% was when he was getting married so I guess I can let that go). Both my MA and the sales manager followed up after the sale to see how things were going. All in all, a very good buying experience. Aaron and Natasha definitely get a big and would highly recommend Schomp Mini and my MA, Aaron Heggen.

Clint

 

Ok my 6 cents . Its a BMW and they are suit & Tie salesmen on the BMW side . Mini side of our local dealership seem to be down to earth salesmen with Mini t-shirts and polo's selling coopers and seem to having fun . On the BMW side seem to be dull and you can't afford to buy a BMW . Thats the way they roll in our local dealership & its the only one in a huge area . Yes the Mini salesmen e-mail me and call me back about my purchase = they wanted to make a sale & they did ! El Tiger

 

Weird - my Mini salesman also didn't follow up. Even told me specifically (in phone and email) that he would contact me within the next week when a MCS would be available to test drive (they only had a JCW), and never heard anything.

Nice guy otherwise, no complaints, honest to a fault (kept telling me I wouldn't really notice the extra power of the JCW, lol), but a little weird that they're so laid back.

 

I think it may just be the current car sales culture.

My other alternative was a Porsche Cayman and while the salesmen were courteous, they didn't seem motivated.

Salesman #1 didn't ask for any contact info, even though I spent a bit of time with him discussing models and off-lease vehicles due to arrive within the month to their store.

When I went back 2 weeks later to talk to him, he was out that day, and the salesman that was there seemed more interested in finishing his sandwich than offering any assistance.

In general, I don't think it is too much to expect that the salespeople should have an interest in us as potential customers.

And even more so as a repeat customer.

PS Someone wrote that they weren't pressured to buy the add-ons by a pushy finance guy. Well, I was. The $600 paint sealant, extended warranty, extended tire warranty, etc. I even imposed upon them to remove their charge for the "mandatory" VIN etching on the windows. Afterall, I WAS ordering a vehicle and not buying one off the lot which already had the etching done.

Bottom line, I am once again very excited about getting another MINI. I loved my '03 and expect to like my 2010 even more since it will be a tad more developed.