Hey guys my Mini arrived on 1/20 on the FREEDOM. According the ww tracking site, it was unloaded at 8am on 1/21. Any ideas as to how long it hangs out at the VDC?

Called my MA today, but he said the vehicle doesn't even have a stock number which means that more than likely it has not cleared VDC yet.

 

Like every thing Mini, it varies. They can smoke through in as little as one or two days. The variables are how many vehicles there are ahead of yours, minor damage that needs to be fixed, and the availability of the transportation to your area. But the information you receive always seems to lag the progress of your Mini. Hang in there!

 

Mine was off loaded on a Thrusday morning and arrived at the dealer on the following Monday. Because I was juggling insurance/finance issues, I finally took delivery that Thrusday, exactly one week after my car was off loaded from the ship.

I'm assuming that since you posted on a NJ forum you purchased your car at a NJ dealer. So if that's the case then you should see your car in no time since the port is also in NJ.

 

Yes purchased at Princeton Mini in Princeton, NJ. The car was on the FREEDOM which hit the port on Sunday (1/20) and the car was unloaded from vessel on Monday at 8am (1/21). called my MA yesterday and he said that he doesn't even show it having a stock number yet. I'm hoping to take delivery this Saturday.

 

The car clears customs electronically before it leaves the ship. The VPC is "international territory". Until the car clears the VPC, for all intents and purposes, it is considered still in Germany. Here is where it goes through final quality control. The window sticker goes on here and it car is gone over with a fine tooth comb. Any problems are corrected. If the car is missing a key, the car will stay at the VPC until the replacement arrives from the "mother land" (Germany, not the UK). Once everything on the car has the stamp of approval, it is assigned to transport. Then transport loads the car on a truck bound for the dealership. Once the car arrives at the dealership and they get the keys and VIN number on the car, they stock it in. From that point on, the car can be scheduled for delivery. Depending on what time of the day the car arrives at the dealer will depend on how soon delivery can be scheduled. Delivery includes cleaning up all the protective stuff on the car that was on it to protect it while on the ship and truck.

If nothing is wrong with the vehicle, average turnaround time is 2 to 3 days at the VPC and 24 to 48 hours at the dealer. If there is a problem, it can be longer. You dealer can tell you what is going on. Have patience, it will pay off.

Debbie Franks
former MA at Princeton MINI

 

Thanks Debbie for the detailed explanation. Let's hope my vehicle has nothing damaged or missing or that will suck big time. How common is it for a vehicle to have damage or items missing?

 

In all the years I worked at Princeton, I only had three cars severely damaged. One had really bad paint damage so they made another car, one was missing all the keys and that held it up for two weeks, and one had a bad transmission and again they made a whole new car. Another MA I worked with actually had a tree fall on one of his customer's cars when a strong storm blew through the port. Of course, everyone always blamed the dealer when there was nothing we could do about it. It was totally out of our hands. But, when you consider the car they are really giving the customer, it's really great the way you and your car are taken care of.
Deb

 

By the way, I was there almost 5 years.
Deb

 

Deb, my MA at Princeton is Dan. All he told me was that the vehicle was not showing up with a stock number yet and until that happened there was nothing he could do.

 

I don't know Dan. He came after I left so I don't know how long he has been there - he may be kind of new. But, tell him to look in the "dealer speed" system. It should give him the status you are looking for. If he is really new and needs a hand, the MINI sales manager, Jeremy Golis, can help you. Jeremy is a great guy (I trained him for sales).
Deb

 

Do you know your VIN? - Deb

 

Deb, I do know my VIN. What will the "dealer speed" system tell them? That it is at the VDC? I really just want to know what the chances of me picking up the vehicle this Saturday are.

 

The "dealer speed" system tells him pretty much everything about your car. Most sales people only know how to read the final screen but I was there from launch in 2002 when it was absolutely insane so I learned to read most of the tracking info. But, if he pull up your car by your vin, he can see if it has been released to transport yet. If he doesn't know how to do it (entirely possible), tell him to ask Jeremy and call you back. Now, be realistic. If your car has been released to transport, the earliest you'll be able to get your car, having it done up right, is 3 to 4 days. Picking up your car on Saturdays is a circus because "EVERYONE" wants their cars on Saturday so it's always a rush to get all the BMWs and MINIs ready for a Saturday delivery. And they can only do deliveries before 11AM so that is basically only 3 deliveries per salesperson and, if anyone comes into buy a car, there are no sales people available because they are doing deliveries. Rushing also is when all the mistakes happen even if they are accidents, which they always are. Avoid the rush. If you can do a weekday or weekday evening, you'll be better off. Trust me on that one. - Deb

 

Did you order the aero kit or any other JCW stuff? Those items are usually installed at the port so timewise, it could take a little longer.

 

Deb, thanks again. I don't think they are as busy as they were when you were there. I've gone in on weekdays as well as on a Saturday and they didn't seem to be that busy. I will call Dan tomorrow and if no stock number is assigned I'll have him check the speed system. The reason I don't want to pick it u during the week is because unless i take some time off from work, I need to go in the evening. it's dark then and I cannot properly examine the vehicle for flaws unless i have them park it in the showroom. also, when going to pick it up, I need to rely on someone else to drop me off there as I can't drive two cars home.

 

No problem. Just make it a fun process by not bugging your MA to death. They try hard and it's so much more fun when the customer is cool. I met a lot of awesome people that I'm still friends with. Email me directly at Miniac1@aol.com if you need any additional help.
Deb

 

Hi Deb, I'll be picking up my car this Saturday morning. It apparently cleared the VDC on Wednesday and got transported yesterday to the dealer. Now it is getting the few dealer accessories I ordered, installed. Any pickup tips?

Also, they've already starting suggesting protection packages and other dealer add-ons. Any advice on this?

 

Sorry for the late post. I've been out running errands all day. Most likely, everything will be fine. Just take a few minutes to look over the car for any scratches. Your MA should already be aware of any and be able to tell you but, if it's a busy morning, it can easly be overlooked. Don 't be **** about it. Any minor stuff can be buffed out but be sure to point it out so you don't have to pay for it. And make sure all the add-ons were installed. Since they are done at the warehouse building, your MA won't see the car until shortly before you get there. In the insanity, it is easy for a forgotten item to fall between the cracks so be sure all your installs are either there or listed on the "We Owe" document. The "We Owe" if for items that the dealer still owes you. Be sure they are documented at delivery. And... I didn't tell you anything ;-)
Most of all....bring your camera and have fun! It's a great car and you'll have a blast with it.
Deb

 

Hey Deb, what is your opinion on all those protection packages and tire/wheel warranties and so forth that the dealership is trying to sell me at the last minute?

 

Just wanted to report that I picked up my happy and healthy MY/B MINI from Princeton last Wednesday. He had to spend 3 days in service before I picked him up due to a bad button on the left stalk, but all's well now.