I've insulted a lot of people that work at Desert MINI over the last 3 torturous weeks and here's my conclusion. I did fly off the handle and expressed angrily several times w/out complete justification. I'm offering a public apology to Desert MINI and all their employees.
I've spoken to as of today, Donovan (who's so nice and helpful it's crazy), Dale the BMW manager (who is more than helpful despite what I've typed against his place of work) and the service manager who completely put my worries at ease, explaining the situation completely and kindly. I also spoke to Ron, who I didn't want to speak to at one point but I realized that I may have read him wrong, he was extremely helpful and understanding. I hope to speak to John or Jim on monday, I do apologize for what I stated before, my frustration got the better of me and I hope you don't lose any business for this. This is strickly and completely a unique and awkward situation that will never be repeated,MINIs aren't lemons and everyone behaves a bit off when the pressure is really on. No biggie as long as we can work thru it as adults. All those guys there are pros and they have stated the truth all along, sometimes in a matter that wasn't fitting but still the truth.
I hope we can get this MINI done and fixed and when I receive it it'll be that much sweeter. I was irresponsible for adding so much opinion to the facts and I hope we can let this go, like water under the bridge.
In the end , if I get my MINI w/ all the extra stuff that was promised I'll be more than happy. I hope I realized this before it's too late.
thanks for everyone chiming in, I appreciate the support and advice, hopefully I'll be reporting back some good news in a couple of weeks. And yes Desert MINI is the only place I know of that you can order for msrp w/out a wait in the west coast, tons of friendly professionals.

 

In no way, were you "irresponsible for adding so much opinion to the facts"... that's because "opinion" is a major contributing factor of what NAM is all about. A public form of opinions. Anyone of us, would have acted the same way (or worse)... if it happened to us. I would like to think that NAM helped to get your situation resolved.

I agree with you... about "water under the bridge". The folks at Desert Mini are good people... some times s#%! just happens.

We all wish you the best! As we know the payoff of a Mini will be the best! Please post pictures when you get it!

 

Best of luck to you, but just for clarification there are plenty of 'west coast' places that sell at msrp w.o much of a wait - I know, I bought from one, South Bay Mini.

It seems that for whatever reason things have improved for you, and I am happy for you if you are, I just hope that in the future you do not pay for a car before taking delivery again...

 

When did this change? They've sold at 2-3k over sticker since they've been in business for as long as I can remember. This is the first I've heard they've taken dealer markup out of the equation. I'm not doubting you, I just want to know when they changed.

 

Apparently, it is no longer "dealership policy" to charge above MSRP. However, if the MA can get you to pay above MSRP, they keep 25% of the extra money. Last I heard, most of the MAs (excluding Donovan of course) were usually trying to get the $2500 markup.

 

Ahhh, that explains it.

 

When I checked with them in December they wanted $1500 over invoice for MCSs and $1000 over invoice for MCs. I was looking to buy three MCSs, for me and family members, for cash, and they would give me NO discount.

 

need context here upsilon23. what (in a nutshell) set U off?

and when I was at DM 13 months ago I saw the most expensive MCS I've ever seen: nearly $44K for a fairly loaded aerokitted Works: including the $4k markup Yikers! J

 

upsilon23, although I took your thread off-topic, I'm happy that your relationship with Desert MINI appears to be on the mend.

 

ok since most of that other stuff is gone, I'll just go thru what happened again.
5-11-05
my MCS that I ordered 7 weeks ago at msrp arrived
5-12-05
I arrive at the dealership to pick the car up only to find out that a wire was missing between the clutch and something else that basically allows the car to be started w/ or w/out the clutch engaged .
by the way I drove from Los Angeles to Vegas to find this out, the salesperson didn't have my cell phone number to reach me.
5-13-05
I have an awkward conversation w/ one of the salesman which ticked me off.
5-16-05
I speak to both managers and clear the air, the car is suppose to ship as soon as I paid in full... they are waiting for the part to arrive from Germany
5-18-5
the cashiers check arrives at the dealership
5-20-05
they realized that the part has to be made w/ VIN and that should take 2 weeks.
5-24-05
They decide to give me a free ipod and floor mats and install for the delay
6-3-05
they ordered the wrong part so another 2 weeks till the right part arrives

summary, a lot of bad luck some miscommunication and frustration resulted in a lot of anger and hurt feelings, but and this is a big but. They always told me the truth or at least as much of it as they knew and they've tried to make up for it by giving me free stuff, paying for my rental car and gas and delivering the car to my house...all at MSRP. Needless to say I'm still dying for the car but I have no worries that it'll be perfect upon arrival and we'll all be glad this is behind us, my case is a one in a million thing it's too bad it had to happen to me.

 

Just curious... why did you puss out and remove the orginal posts, from the orginal thread?

 

I've decided to just tell the facts and take opinion out of it, everything is documented on the top there so you can still see what's happened, just no need for a play by play of whatever I was feeling. I still believe Desert MINI will come thru.... and I'll have a MINI soon....

 

Well, do you have your Mini yet? It's almost been another 10 days since your last post... hopefully your out motoring!

 

no dice yet... The part was sent from Germany on monday, don't know if it got there yet... but i would imagine that there's no way I wouldn't have the car sometime next week. I'm going out of my mind but hopefully it's worth waiting for.

 

You should be making interest on the money you gave them for a car you do not have yet IMHO....

 

I agree. At this point, you've probably already made a car payment on a car you've never even driven