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General MINI TalkShared experiences, motoring minutes, and other general MINI-related discussion that applies to all MINIs, regardless of model, year or trim.
For all you Forum member's thinking of buying a new car, here's just a quick snippet from a WSJ article on new car dealer's sales tactics:
"As dealers’ profit margins on new-car sales shrink, they are relying more on selling extended warranties, paint-protection plans and other add-on services pushed by salespeople in the finance office."
this is "new" ???? I bought my first 'new car' in 1978 and see nothing today I didn't see then .... well a couple of new twists maybe like insurance for my keys!
In my talks with folks in the car sales business who are above the sales force ... the folks who own dealerships or work the finance sides {see the books}... they all say they make "no money selling cars". It IS the back end stuff and the SERVICE DEPARTMENT where the real money comes in. <obviously I'm taliking NEW car dealers and not 'mom and pop' used car lots>
Most dealers also realize that buyers are a lot smarter today ..... daughter (27) just bought a new Cooper F-57 ... after shopping for best price went to insurance company buying service who got another $1000 off the price. She bought from a dealer 200 miles away over the internet and they delivered the car to her front door for $200. Discussions about 'add on' was all over the phone so difficult to exert pressure and they quickly realized her answer was no thank you so the session was short!
happy new owner ... it had just rolled off the flat bed tow for a delivery to her front door (apt building)
Very cool Cap. That’s a nice looking F57. Looks like your daughter is very happy with it.
Yeah, the old paint/interior protection scam is nothing new. The first new car I bought was a ‘79 Mustang Cobra that I drove from VA to CA for a new assignment. I noticed the additional charges on the invoice when we were finishing up the paperwork. I questioned the charges (~$200 each IIRC) and told the sales guy that I never requested it. Four bills was a significant sum for a lowly E-6 back then. He said the work has already been done and his hands were tied. I told him to untie his hands long enough to tear up the paperwork because I was going down the street to the Chevy dealer. I drove off the lot 30 minutes later without paying the extra charges. I doubt anything other than a wash job was ever done to the car anyway.
Dealing with car and motorcycle dealers is one of the least enjoyable experiences in my opinion. I've never bought a car from a dealer, thankfully. I had to be involved with two purchases my wife made from dealers and both times I would have left long before a deal was struck. I wasn't unhappy with the end result in either case, but the process to getting there is something I'm unwilling to tolerate.
And their prices are almost always entirely too high.
Something too high on that shiny new '57 but I recon she'll get it down shortly. I'd advance 'Topless motoring is motoring at its best' but she may misinterpret.
Beautiful new ride and a great color.
