I have contacted two Mini dealerships, Mini of Concord and Eastbay Mini in the SF Bay Area. Anyway, my lease is ending in 3 months, so I wanted to order another Mini. I configured a 2011 Mini S and asked if they could convert it to a 2012 model and let me know the approximate cost, etc. I went down to Mini of Concord, met the MA and he responded via email with the figures but East Bay Mini ignored my email. So now I'm ready to make an appointment and get the ball rolling, but whenever I email or call and leave a message for the Mini Advisor in Concord, aka sales person, I never hear back. Don't they want to sell a car? Are they so busy that they can't respond, or do they only want to sell the 2011 models?

 

Sounds like reasonable questions to submit to the Sales Manager if you're still interested.

 

Thanks, I'll do that if I don't hear back in a reasonable amount of time.

 

Sounds like they might be doing their job and haven't gotten back to you. How long are you waiting?

 

So the first thing that comes to my mind is, Why do you persist with these dealerships?

OK, I don't know how many MINI dealers are in your area or how far potential dealerships are from your home base but I'd start looking elsewhere.

They're not doing you a favor by selling you a MINI, you are doing them one by purchasing from their dealership Sandylp! No one who runs a business and wishes to keep customers should turn a deaf ear towards a potential client.

The customer should not have to hound the sales person by leaving messages, emails, etc.

It is an age old excuse to state that the salesperson is soooo busy that he overlooked your message. Perhaps... But so busy to have overlooked multiple messages and emails?! Unlikely... Highly unlikely!

It is the dealers place to be attentive to the needs of the customer not the other way around.

Perhaps you would be best served by looking for a dealership that cares about its customers.

 

If you still want to pursue the non-responsive dealer option, you might try to contact their sales manager directly to goose them into action. The dealer's website usually has info under the 'About Us' section.

 

Sabre is right. If they are not attentive to you now, how attentive to you are they gonna be when you have mechanical problems???

 

That is exactly what I was wondering! And its disconcerting, as these are the two dealerships closest to me! But I think, having bought my Cooper S used (with an extended warranty) I can take it back to the VW dealer where I purchased it?

 

Unfortunately, not everyone is suited to being a car salesman. It takes good personal organization and a lot of hours to be successful. Selling the MINI product can be particularly difficult. It is not a high volume product in comparison and the gross margin can be very low.

Salesmen are generally paid on a basis of gross profit generated and volume of product delivered. In a MINI store, you often see one or two salespeople succeeding and the others coming and going when they find they are not making any money. As a result, the customer is often talking with a poorly trained salesman or one that is just not real good at what they do.

It is really not surprising to see these kinds of results. My salesman was a nice guy but the world's worst at follow-up and detail. Had it not been for the fact of already going through the process of ordering and waiting, I would have walked out at delivery. My suggestion would be to ask to speak with the sales manager and hope he is a little more responsive.

 

Their "job" is to respond to potential customers ASAP....same day should be a reasonable expectation.

I have run into the same problem in NC. I am ready to order a new MINI Clubman, I have visited all 3 dealerships in the state in person. The dealership 35 miles from my home, the MA never responded to any of my follow up questions via email. He then emails me 2 weeks later to see if I have decided yet??

The dealership 120 miles away, the MA responds to my emails within the hour....

Guess where I'll be going to place an order....

 

I've walked out of restaurants never to return after waiting 10 minutes to be seated when it's not busy, or 15 minutes to get a glass of water. You can bet I would never beg someone to take $25k+ from me for a car

 

Thanks for all the responses. You all are right! This salesman is acting like he's doing me a favor. I don't know if they just want to get rid of the 2011s before ordering a 2012 or what! The configuration that I've selected is around $35,000. It's just that this dealership is very close to where I live and work and I bought my last Mini there. I think I will visit other dealerships.

 

I would say go to another dealer that does their job...then when you take delivery take a ride over to the dealer that was ignoring you and let them know they lost your sale.

 

I can't understand if you've purchased other vehicles from this dealership how can they turn you away??!! I think it would blistfully sweet for you to "rub their nose in it" for sure!!



Ditto what Gentlefury said...make them watch you drive out of their driveway NEVER to return!!

Couple weeks ago it was Sonic, they quit making Hubby's favorite, Cream Pie Shake(s), and neither of us thought he should have to just settle...small change I know, but still!!

 

At least stay friendly with your near by Mini dealers service department for service and warranty issues. A long drive to have maintenance done can be a headache.

 

Follow-up: Since the salesman that I was dealing with had fantastic reviews on the internet, I emailed him one last time and asked him to call if he was still interested in ordering my Mini. He called right away and I met with him the next and finally ordered my 2012 Mini, due to be delivered in November! He spent over an hour explaining all of my options, and I am very pleased!

 

If I were you, I would call/go to the dealership and ask for another sales person, see if they are better. A bad salesperson doesn't deserve commission.

 

So basically you did all the work and he'll get a nice commission for what? replying to an email!

 

I was prepared to visit other dealerships but this one is much closer and he did spend quite a long time with me explaining all the features. I still have to wait for delivery and all the dealer accessories, etc.,