Hi all,

Finally decided which MINI I wanted to purchase and it didn't go well at the dealership. They put all the specs on the car that I wanted into the system and had me review the order form to ensure that it had all the options on it and then had me sign to confirm. I then asked about the price and they said basically what you see is what you get. I asked about the current MINI special, but rules seemed to have changed and we didn't qualify as it was not for ordered vehicles.
My question is the legalities. I was given my deposit back and asked them to cancel the order the next day. Things just didn't sit well with me and I kept replaying what the sales manager had said to me "We're not a shady dealership you know". That just sent alarm bells off.
So, I got my deposit back, I never saw and finance person and only signed the order form. Am I going to be on the hook for this vehicle if it did get ordered?
The fine print at the bottom states: Blank reserves the right to cancel any order at their discretion. By accepting an order for a vehicle, Blank is in no way guarenteeing its eventual delivery. Order units that are not contracted and paid for within 5 days of their arrival at the dealership will be made available for sale to the public and the deposit will not be refunded."

I did receive my deposit back and they had not ordered the vehicle. This is not a contract to purchase, but rather an order form with the price and my name.
I've never ordered a car before and this is my first time buying and not sure if I've done something wrong. Your expertise would be greatly appreciated!

 

In the some 30 years of purchasing automobiles, I have never heard of any dealer incentives applying to specially ordered cars. So I don't see how the "rules changed ? " Is that what they advertised ?

 

I can't imagine that the dealership considers you to be bound to a purchase agreement if they have returned your deposit to you, but I guess anything is possible. For peace of mind, ask them to return the purchase order to you, marked 'cancelled.'

 

Dont sweat it, you should be fine.

 

if you put in a spacial order they feel as you are good to go and will never negotiate with you...Just my 2 cents

 

Yes it was advertised and the motoring advisor even said that since I was ordering one package, it would offset the cost of another. It was mentioned several times and that it was for all 2010 models. When we sat down, it wasn't until I asked that I was told that a recent bulletin appeared from MINI stating only for vehicles in the dealership property. They stated it was a grey area and it was MINI not them. I contacted both MINI and BMW and talked to 4 different people who all had problems clarifying the incentive. The manufacturer said it was up to the dealer, dealer said it was up to the manufacturer. I know that incentives are offered so that they can clear off vehicles from the lot, however, this is not what was originally stated several times by the dealer.

 

I guess I lucked out, then. I don't have a MINI dealership in my city, so I spoke with the closest three and told them what I would like to see done in order to get my special order. Since I wouldn't get the 1750 off special they were running, I wanted 500 off, waive all dealer charges (admin fee, etc) and I wanted a chrome scoop added on at no charge.

One said flat out that they gave nothing off special orders. I was told in a rather snotty way that that kind of stuff was NEVER done on a special order. Adios, buddy.

The second would give 500 off and the scoop, but still wanted their 479 admin fee.

I then went to the third place and got everything I wanted. 500 off price, chrome scoop gratis, 529 admin fee waived as well as the "99.00 tire nitrogen charge " . Most importantly, I think I have ended up with the best MA of the group as well.

 

You're fine, especially since your deposit was refunded. Have ordered all my vehicles in the past 22 years and have had no problems.

 

So HZB, you cancelled the order over the cost of one package?

Some dealers do discount ordered cars, maybe if you took the list of equipment and the price you wanted to another dealer you could make a deal?

Or maybe if you approached this dealer again with a reasonable offer, they would do a deal with you?

I wouldn't get hung up over how you get to the deal, just find a way to get there - as long as it's reasonable. Asking for 0% financing and $2k off on an ordered car isn't going to fly at any MINI dealer, but I'll bet if you went in and sat down with them, specc'd out your car and made them a reasonable offer, you'd get a deal.

Don't give up!

There's no magic in buying a new car, and it doesn't have to be fraught with peril, just spec it out (online ahead of time if you want - MINI provides all the prices online so you know exactly what you're up against) and have reasonable expectations. In 6 weeks or so you'll be driving your car with a smile on your face you won't be able to wipe off for days!

 

Thanks everyone.
I'm definitely not giving up! I want my MINI, have been building and dreaming of one for 3 years and circumstances have allowed me to finally have one of my very own.
My problem was that I was told that I would be receiving approx $1500 off. I knew full well going in that MINI's are going for full MSRP, so I was pretty happy that the incentive was available. My concern was the process behind it all, and I guess, the way it was explained when it came time to order.
I don't blame them directly, just wished they would have had the correct information prior to telling me several times that it was available to me. It sets up your expectations, that's all. I was worried that because I signed the order that somehow I would be held accountable for buying that one even though I received my deposit back.
I will be getting one, I have lots of time to see what will transpire and will then be ready for the most positive MINI buying experience available. And then yes, I will be grinning ear to ear in my new baby.

 

it all depends when you pick up your car. it does not matter what incentives are currently offered when you order your car but what if any incentives are there when you pick up your car. when i ordered my car there was a 3.9 apr offer and my ma told me that there was only three weeks left for this incentive, but after speaking to the finance manager he was 95% sure that there would be a similar incentive after this one was over so i ordered the car anyways and got a 2.9 apr when i picked up the car. so speak to the finance manager and see what he thinks. he wont be able to give you an exact answer because he doesnt know yet but if hes experenced he will have an idea of whats comming

 

I would like to confirm wkim711's email. I just picked up my custom ordered mini this past saturday and I grow to love it more with every passing day. I made several trips to the dealer when I first shopped around for one and finally the dealer agreed to my offer of $500 above dealer price (this is not above invoice price!). As for incentives, that depends when the car actually arrives at the dealership as per Wkim711. overall, I was able to get $700 off invoice and lock in 1.9% financing! Also another tip would be to time your delivery if you are ordering to arrive close to the end of the month. Dealers might be more willing to deal towards end of the month as they want to reach monthly sales quotas/targets. When I first negotiated, the dealer also wanted to tack on $300 dealer fee but they completely did not bring that up when I went to pick up my car. I think they just wanted to get the deal done at the point since it was last biz day of the month. Also helps to call your nearest dealers and try to play them off each other as those would be concrete prices that they can work with and see who can give you the best deal. Good luck and hope you join the mini family soon!!

 

you mean $700 off msrp? I have a hard time beleiving any dealer would knock $700 off invoice, on an ordered car no less

 

Sorry, I meant off MSRP. You are correct sequence.

 

I've posted on here before that I got $1350 off my ordered, pretty plain '09 Clubman S - however, they had about 150 cars on the ground at the time (still couldn't find exactly what I wanted!) and business was in the crapper, plus I was a repeat buyer so they cut me a good deal.

It can be done, but a lot depends on business conditions and the local market. I didn't have to go thru any hysterics like walking out or anything, I told them what I wanted to pay, they countered, and we met in the middle - done deal. No mystery, no rocket science, no "secrets of the car bidness" books - just common sense and courtesy. Works every time......

 

hzbmini,

I can tell you FIRST hand as I have a 2010 Clubman that I recieved the PROMOTION that was offered at the time i signed my paperwork. YES, this was a special order car that I ordered.

When I ordered the car it was 1.9% financing. this ended and my car came in 1 week later.

There was a new offer...1750 off for the premium package and 4.9% financing. I got both of these.

Didn't get much off of the MSRP, but got ALL acessories at a VERY discounted price...I loaded up on them!

When you order, you may not get the current offer that MINI is extending if it runs out before your car arrives. although, you can get a NEW offer that is available when you are ready to sign the papers.

Hope this helps!