Deceptive Advertising or Just Plain Lying?
Deceptive Advertising or Just Plain Lying?
By now I'm sure plenty of you have received the following offer from MINI either through email or snail mail:
$229/MO
Lease a new 2013 MINI Cooper Hardtop with 3-year/36,000-mile Boot to Bonnet No Cost Maintenance for $229/month for 36 months. $0 due at signing. Included in payment: $1,000 Lease Credit, $500 Loyalty Credit and $515 Dealer Contribution. And your first month payment is on us.
http://www.miniusa.com/content/miniu...fers/18344////
I called three different MINI dealerships within 75 miles of me and NONE have a car that would fit into that "deal". When I asked about perhaps a slightly more expensive model with slightly higher monthly payments they either told me they couldn't come close to that price or that I needed to stop in and "talk" first. The advertisement's small print mentions that the vehicle in question lists at $20,995 and my local dealerships list inventory very close to that same price but they still can't do a lease in that same ballpark? Ridiculous. I'd be willing to do the maximum in security deposits and pay all other fees in advance.
It reminds me of my local Hyundai dealership claiming they could lease us a car for $29.00 per month. But when we went there they also stated that they didn't have such a car on the lot. They told me that for that price the car would have roll down windows, no a/c and no radio. How do consumer groups let these guys get away with these outright lies in advertising. I suppose the TV consumer rights reporters are told not to go after the stealerships because most of their advertising revenue comes from car ads.
$229/MO
Lease a new 2013 MINI Cooper Hardtop with 3-year/36,000-mile Boot to Bonnet No Cost Maintenance for $229/month for 36 months. $0 due at signing. Included in payment: $1,000 Lease Credit, $500 Loyalty Credit and $515 Dealer Contribution. And your first month payment is on us.
http://www.miniusa.com/content/miniu...fers/18344////
I called three different MINI dealerships within 75 miles of me and NONE have a car that would fit into that "deal". When I asked about perhaps a slightly more expensive model with slightly higher monthly payments they either told me they couldn't come close to that price or that I needed to stop in and "talk" first. The advertisement's small print mentions that the vehicle in question lists at $20,995 and my local dealerships list inventory very close to that same price but they still can't do a lease in that same ballpark? Ridiculous. I'd be willing to do the maximum in security deposits and pay all other fees in advance.
It reminds me of my local Hyundai dealership claiming they could lease us a car for $29.00 per month. But when we went there they also stated that they didn't have such a car on the lot. They told me that for that price the car would have roll down windows, no a/c and no radio. How do consumer groups let these guys get away with these outright lies in advertising. I suppose the TV consumer rights reporters are told not to go after the stealerships because most of their advertising revenue comes from car ads.
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 161
Likes: 2
From: MD
couple things come to my mind...
Saleman may not be aware of the latest offer out of MINI. These deals are "subsidized" if you will so it takes all incentives to be in place including those you mention but also any subsidy in the lease rate which is coming from MINI or an "artificial bump" in the residual (also coming from MINI).
My advice is go to or call the dealer but go straight to the finance folks. They may very well want you to do the whole song and dance with the salesman- fine but the F&I folks will know the lease offer.
If they have a car that matches the MSRP in the ad then they most certainly can do the deal and your thinking of them getting close, on a car that has an MSRP that is close, is right on as well.
Good luck.
Saleman may not be aware of the latest offer out of MINI. These deals are "subsidized" if you will so it takes all incentives to be in place including those you mention but also any subsidy in the lease rate which is coming from MINI or an "artificial bump" in the residual (also coming from MINI).
My advice is go to or call the dealer but go straight to the finance folks. They may very well want you to do the whole song and dance with the salesman- fine but the F&I folks will know the lease offer.
If they have a car that matches the MSRP in the ad then they most certainly can do the deal and your thinking of them getting close, on a car that has an MSRP that is close, is right on as well.
Good luck.
They are called "Leader" cars. Ask the manager what the next advertised "Leader" car is going to be and when is it coming out in the ads. Tell them you want it and will be back in as soon as they open the day the ad is to come out, provided you want that car.
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