Hi,
I was just reading the thread "Did you get anything from Mini after purchase?" https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=136698 Pretty interesting to see how things vary from dealer to dealer.

I was just wondering if you ordered from MAG.......How was your experience?...What did they throw in?......What did you get from MINI?....ect.

 

I took an r56 for a test drive at MAG, but in the end I didn't order from them... however, IF you decide to go with MAG, I recommend meeting with Johnny Wilson. He's an up-front, no BS type of salesman. He's not the fastest guy when comes to answering phone calls, but he seems to be the ONLY salesman on the MINI floor too. Oh yeah, he seems pretty knowledgeable about all the options and such so bombard him with questions. Have fun!

 

I bought my Cooper from MAG... only slightly used, and bought my MCS from them, too...new and off the floor. No special perks, but lots of satisfaction with BOTH cars!

Since then, I have met both Johnny and his new boss, Erik. I think the MINI family at MAG has NOTHING to worry about, since both of these men are dedicated to pleasing their customers.

 

I did, but from MAG **Audi** The MINI sales guy was a complete ***** when we went in to tsst drive the MCS Cabrio, and basically told Kara and I that "we both know you're not buying a MINI today..." and gave us the brush-off. And we were basically ready to sign papers! We ended up using a family friend that works over on the Audi side - what a jerkoff. I don't think he's there any more, but while he was I LOVED driving into the dealership for service - I used to work in a dealership and I KNOW the sales guys are all intensely aware of who gets what commission from what cars. <evil grin>

But we got NOTHING extra - just the stuff on the car. MINI sent us stuff afterwards, but the dealership? Well we DID get a t-shirt, but only because we specifically asked for it. That's why I generally send people down to Cinci if they care to make the drive - seems like they're more comitted to making the customer happy on the sales side from what I've heard.

MAG's SERVICE, however, is great in my experience.

 

Matt, I don't really understand your point here. The service at Mag is good but you send your friends to Cincinnati to buy their MINI's? Maybe I've been around the business too long, but the sales experience is a one time event that quite frankly can be accomplished on the internet if need be. No personalities there.

The service experience is one of long lasting value that does require personal interaction. I'd send my friends to the dealership that provides good service and not base a dealerships reputation on the revolving door environment of the auto sales field.

Just my $.02

 

After seeing a different thread about a different dealership only giving free loaners to people who purchased their car from the dealership, I would be curious to see what is more important to people (sales/financing experience or service experience). Here are three different scenarios that I see based on Matt and Mark's comments from above:

1) Have a less then pleasant sales/financing experience with dealership A, knowing that you will get a good service experience (when needed)

2) Have a good sales/financing experience with dealership B (which is farther away), but still use dealership A for service (potentially losing some benefits from not buying your car from them)

3) Have a good sales/financing experience with dealership B and use their service department

Thoughts?

 

I bought my mini 2 years ago from MAG and the salesman really didn't want to sell me a car off the lot. I finally told him I was buying one today .

 

We just ordered our Clubman S from MAG a few weeks ago. Erik was super easy to work with. He mentioned they've had a lot of turnover in the sales department there and he was brought in to get things up to snuff. I'd have no qualms about recommending him or MAG.

 

You know that I vote for scenario #1. I could give a rats **** whether I have a good sales experience as long as I get the car I want at the price I am willing to pay. Excellent service FTW

 

Did that come with the Used MINI Octane Affidavit? The one that the previous owner signs stating he/she used premium? Just wondering....

I bought my MINI used privately -- first used car I ever purchased. Great experience. I've bought other brands new. I'm a hard negotiator. If the salesperson doesn't take me seriously or work with me, I feel the dealership/owner doesn't deserve the business. The salesperson could be selling Chevys next week -- but they should have the owner's interest in selling and treating people well. I've never had to walk away to another dealership, but I would -- and I would send a letter to the owner stating why I did so. That being said, other than those few hours of dealing, the service dept is very important for the rest of the time the car is owned. I had MAG service two VWs over the years that I didn't purchase there. I don't remember anything negative that would keep me from their service dept. My dealings with them last summer on MINI service was fine... however expensive.

 

No, it didn't and it wouldn't have made ANY difference if it did. I bought the car because I adore the interior and exterior colors. Yeah, accoding to some on here, I do all the wrong things...get lost, drive too slowly, use the "wrong" gas grades...but that's me, and, after all, it's MY money I'm spending and no one elses. I've driven for over 45 years and have owned many cars [from economy thru "sport"] along the way...and have NEVER had one die from having used the "wrong" grade of gas. Heck, I have NEVER had one die on me...period. To me, that's pure BS...you wanna spend more money? GO for it...it's YOUR car, YOUR money, YOUR peace of mind...right?

Just MY 7c [inflation, ya know]!

I like the fact that MAG will provide a nice car for use while mine might be in the shop for awhile, too.

 

Jeff, that's $.07 and a good cigar...right?

 

Hell, Mark, in Honduras, a $.07 cigar is a premium stick!

BTW...LOVE those wheels! What a GRRRREAT color! You were right..they DO match my roof dragon juuust right! Thanks again!

 

+1 Eric was friendly and very knowledgable. It probably one of the best dealership experiences that we have had and we have had a lot!!

 

I have had excellent care with my mini- I have had my mini there twice and the MAG service department is great.

 

As I have written in past threads I won't buy a car from MAG for personal reasons concerning certain employee ethics. I bought from Cincy, even though it is much further away, and have been treated like a king. They will even pick up my car for service (leaving a loaner), take it for service and then return it. 180 miles each way!

 

MAG has done the same for me whenever I have had to leave my MINIs there. I've received loaners, driven them home and then someone from MAG delivers my repaired car to me at home and drives the rental back. Even when MAG has no loaners available, they DO work with Enterprise and have taken me there to get a loaner to drive...expenses on MAG, except for gas used, and the same deal goes with delivery and pickup. I just think that, from where I live, MAG is not just more convenient for me to drive to, but they really have cared for my satisfaction during my "MINI" ownerships.

 

Our experience with MAG BMW (MAG Mini) was big promises, no follow-through, blatant lies, and lots of finger pointing.

We live in San Francisco. My wife met the salesman, Mike O'Sullivan, on a trip to visit her family. She really liked him. And we have nothing bad to say about him. The problem is that he went on vacation just before our car was delivered.

Before delivery, we were assured that all would go smoothly. We had nothing to worry about. We just needed to pay for the car. We did that in cash, up front. This was a big mistake.

Once they had our money, everyone avoided our phone calls to arrange the delivery of our custom ordered Mini. Neither Bill Tippi (Finance Manager) nor Kris Murray (Mini Manager) would return our calls (for days) since they were busy selling cars to other customers. We had to make trips to the dealership to get anything from Kris Murray. He was unable to deliver our vehicle while it was on the lot for ten days. He promised to send us the tags but my mother-in-law had to go to the administration office herself because he wouldn't follow through.

They were unable to register our new car for us after repeated promises to do so. We had to go to the DMV ourselves. Kris promised to give us the MSO for this purpose on two occasions and then suddenly claimed it was against the law.

In the end, Richard Pryor (General Manager) apologized for the behavior of his employees. He also claimed to still be in the process of registering our car after we had already done so. To his credit, he did give us back the documentation fees since we had to register the car ourselves. However, he also tried to make more money off of us by offering a extended maintenance plan at "their cost." He later determined this to be $1350. This is the retail cost if you search the internet. In other words, they tried to make a profit on their apology. These guys ought to be selling used cars.

 

That sounds terrible! It sounds like that Kris (Mini Manager) is no longer with Mag with good reason!

 

You make your first post to blast a MINI dealer...welcome to NAM Hope you have good luck in San Francisco. Since I've known **** Pryor for almost 40 years, I'll call him tomorrow and get his take on this...the other side of the story may not be as blatant as you report...we'll see!

 

Give him a call. I'm sure he'll try to point the finger in another direction. I'll back up every detail of this story. I've got phone records, emails, and third-party witnesses. Motor On!!!

 

You can bet I will When someone placing their first post name calls a good friend of mine, I'll check it out. By the way, I don't care to MOTOR ON with you

 

Given the raw numbers and differences of personalities not everyone is going to have a great experience at MAG or anywhere else for that matter.

 

+1

 

Don't be so quick to condemn AJ -- based on my experience (and the experience of some relatives) with one of the people he named, I tend to believe him.