I now live in Phoenix (despite my screen name). My wife just ordered a 2014 hardtop from the dealer in Tucson at straight MSRP. The local (Scottsdale) dealer had a package (LoJack, etching, etc..) for $1,297 that was a mandatory add-on. [The irony was this was after a $250 Costco discount.]

If this were the 1970s it would be undercoating and pinstripes - some things never change. Grrrr.

 

Its only mandatory if you agree to pay it; refuse and be prepared to take your business elsewhere.

 

Agree. It seems to me they are milking the fact it is a new model and are trying to force customers into spending more.

 

Yep I looked at a JCW Coupe in Scottsdale that had window tint ($300 maybe worth it), LoJack ($500) and (get this) a stubby antenna (300!!!!). I emailed the MA and he said we could work something out lol.

 

Report it to Mini/BMW customer service and take ure business somewhere else. Find a Penske or Autonation dealer network and they will have to sell u car with '0' mark up.

 

Mandatory, my ***!!! I've bought many a car and have never paid for that crap. Don't do it... actually be loud and proud and stand in the middle of the dealership when it is full of prospective buyers and tell them what you think of their wicked ways.

 

My dealer added a "mandatory" security etching service for $300.00. I didn't gripe and accepted it. In hindsight, I now wish I had refused. Not a biggie, though. But forcing people to buy LoJack, window tint and stubby antennas is crazy.

 

Scottsdale Mini and Tempe Mini are both Penske owned.

 

The only thing you should ever accept as mandatory on a car is the engine and the steering wheel.
But seriously, walk........WAIT....Run away and find another dealer!
Don't make noise, don't dicker or haggle, they have already screwed you either with the add ons or with the MSRP they stuck on the window.....more than BOTH.

You options to purchase at another dealer far, far away will NOT keep you from using this dealer for ALL warranty work, they have to.
Plus they get to choke on the fact you went else where to spend your hard earned cash!

 

Well, since I'm going to be talking to my dealer this morning about not storing my MINI outside until April 15th, I'm going to see if I can cancel the security etching. They can subtract the $200.00 from the invoice.

 

very interesting... a quick google search turned up this one link...

http://classactionblog.mpnsb.com/200...-etching-scam/

they make a good point. if someone is going to steal your car, some etching on the windows is not going to do squat in terms of theft deterrent

 

Denver mini dealer offers first $400 in dealer options free. Ask if they have a similar program

 

I once made a Geo dealer remove the pin stripes from a Storm. Don't put up with that crap. There are other dealers that will be happy to sell you a car. You shouldn't be paying MSRP for a Mini either...

 

I'm the original poster. Just to be clear, I bypassed the "add-on" dealers (Penske in Scottsdale/Tempe), and ordered from Tucson. Two hours away, but there is a principle involved. Warranty work will be done at Penske.

 

Not sure about AZ, but in these parts we never received discounts on our yearly auto insurance for pin stripes and undercoating...

In Mass usually about $100 a year for Lojack and $50-$75 for engraved glass I believe.

 

Keep in mind Robert, MINI's are not made or "assembled" in PA, and they are not marked up with inflated sticker prices just to be marked down in order to make one feel like they "got a deal".

MINI is probably one of the very few brands left where their entire product line is assembled over seas / imported, and thus have little mark up to work with due to overhead/expenses/tariffs ect. Anyone being offered more than $500 off sticker should consider themselves lucky. My 2 cents.

 

Gray
Are you in Mini Sales?

 

No, but not for the lack of being asked to....hahahah. I just have some very good friends in the biz

 

Someone who gets it!

 

its funny you guys started this post. my MA told me that they have a "customer courtesy addition" for $1995. it was upgraded floor mats, a wash bucket sponge and soap, and paint sealant (wax).

I told him I don't want it, he said oh it's mandatory. then came back said his boss would wave all but $500 worth.

I replied with, "well here's the deal, your 3 hours from me, theres another mini dealer in cincinatti 3 hours from me....I'll just give them a call see if they want my business"

he IMMEDIATLY said "oh no wait, I'll take this hit, I'll waive the entire cost"

yeah I bet you will. pretty sad there are multiple dealers out there playing that game.

 

And maybe not even that. Isn't the JCW's steering wheel just a normal one with red stitching? :-)

 

I'm not so sure. Go look at miniusa.com's current finance specials. There is over $2000 in discounts off MSRP rolled into some of those — and MINI/BMW Financial aren't making much money on 0% interest, so that isn't where the discounts are coming from. And I'm not talking about the specials on model year leftovers, either. 2014’s.

We bought my wife a 2014 Countryman S in December for about $2000 under MSRP, paying cash. Wasn't even tarted up with options, nothing but the winter package.

There's plenty of room to knock down MINI prices.

 

I remember the mandatory items which came with the first Toyota I purchased in the late 70's on a $3,999.00 Corolla.

Tape pin striping - $60.00
Chrome wheel trim rings $79.00
Mud flaps at $26.00
F Rubber mats - $30.00
Rusty Jones - $175.00
Paint sealant - $75.00
Destination charge.

And by my second car in 1982 they were adding for acid glass etching.

eh, have things really changed all that much folks.........

 

When MINI offers those incentives they are reducing their profits to the dealer.

 

Yeah, red stitching, but it's included in the JCW Pkg!
But what I was more or less saying is:
You need the engine, and you need to steer, kinda basic......but I wasn't either funny this time nor fully explained either.........I failed.