So, I give ASK MINI a call yesterday to check on the status of my HB/B, and she says no updates, blah blah blah, can I do anything else for you, etc... I say no, and am about to hang up when she says, "Congratulations on your MINI." And I'm slightly peeved, as it's not like I won the car in some contest. I'm paying for the vehicle - if I had won it, I'd expect a "congratulations" but it just seemed silly for a vehicle I'm shelling 22k out for. I would expect a "thanks for buying a MINI" or "it's only a month." Don't get me wrong, I suppose she was just trying to be nice.

Any of you hear anything like that as well? Something you'd normally NOT hear in regular conversation, but because it's a MINI, the whole experience is flipped upside down?

Also, anyone know their hours? I called around 3:51 AM eastern time, and the line was out of service.

John

 

I honestly don't understand your rant. The customer service rep was just trying to be nice. Let loose a bit, man. You sound like one of those tight "Business types" people. The MINI is a fun car and not a "business" attitude Mercedes Benz.

 

C4 he's from up north, not that makes a diff but you know down south we do take everything a lil bit less intense.

 

Sorry, I just sort of think that "congratulations" is more of a salutation used when one wins something. I mean, getting a MINI is good fortune, but the lack of what I would call money is not necessarily a good thing . This is my first new car, and I'm just a bit, um, edgy about my money.

ie:

http://dictionary.reference.com/sear...ongratulations

con·grat·u·la·tion P Pronunciation Key (kn-grch-lshn, -grj-, kng-)
n.
The act of expressing joy or acknowledgment, as for the achievement or good fortune of another.
An expression of such joy or acknowledgment. Often used in the plural: sent him my congratulations on winning the award.

interj. congratulations
Used to express such joy or acknowledgment: I heard you got a promotion. Congratulations!

 

One thing I need to mention is that, my brother keeps butting in with all this junk about the way the vehicle is marketed, etc... so it makes me nervous that I'm being manipulated.

He'll say stuff like: "Well, it's what the Californians do. You'll see - that's why you buy the car."

I call BS, but he likes to spout it out. He makes a *bit* more sense than what I wrote (though I talked to him for quite a while when he tried to make it sound like MINI was using California as an influence for people in the nation to buy MINI's. He admitted that was far fetched.). But he is difficult to deal with sometimes. That's what older brothers are there for :smile:.

 

that technical reference is understandable. But when referencing a MINI, it is congratulatory just because you are getting one. It is still good fortune to get a MINI. It is a good fortune for you and your whole persona. Your life will change, so with payment or not, you are now a better person. :smile:

 

I think that every car dealer that I have EVER bought from has told me Congratulations when we spoke with them. It's just something that car dealers do to make you feel like you're getting something special :/

 

People say "congratulations" when you tell them you're expecting a baby, or getting married. It's kind of a similar thing.

 

They will also say congratulations for your first stress fractured windshield!

 

Should I delete the thread and hang my head in shame?

 

Well, believe it or not, not many people can afford to buy a new MINI right off the bat, so it is cause for someone to tell you "Congratulations" on your new purchase. But I get your point, given the seemingly different cultural approach to the word

 

I am going to risk myself in guessing that your favorite book is "1984"

Its ok, no need to go and hang yourself, but keep in mind that be able to get a brand new MINI with your hard earned money is a blessing, good fortune, whatever you wanna call it.

Buying a MINI is a vastly different experience from buying a Toyota or Chevy, trust me.

PS: Don't be suspicious if the dealer offers you frebbies the day you pick up your car. Accept them as a token of appreciation, not as an act of charity or to get somnething out from you, etc.

 

how about buying us all a Guinness..

 

I hear ya. However, the edgy and rude attitude of the inhabitans of Miami appears to be more akin to the people of NYC than the layback folks of the Dixie belt.

 

And some Cuban stoogies

 

Well... I am borrowing a bit from my parents, but yeah, been saving for a few years. Not specifically for a MINI, but realized 1.5 +/- .1 years ago I could get a MINI if I worked overtime, etc...
Well, that genre. No joke! 1984, P.K.D (off topic now...), Sci-Fi, etc...

Cyper Guinnesses for all then:

U U U U
_______|

Sorry for the poor ASCII drawing.

 

I would not be peeved by a congratulations. I have purchased many items that on the first page of the owners manual or instructions it says congratulations on your purchase. I also believe you need to think about what was intent of the comment. In this case I'm sure the intent was to compliment your wise choice.

 

I was told congratulations too by ASKMINI when I got mine. It's just marketing for them. They are attaching emotion to a car like it was a baby or something.

 

Let me ask you this... When someone says "Hey I'm getting married" or "My wife and I are so excited because we are having a baby!!" Isnt the typical response "CONGRATULATIONS!!"

Now tell me what have they won??

 

No, just read some of the threads where people have posted "I just got my MINI" or words to that effect and you will see how many people say "CONGRATULATIONS"!

I paid for my MCS and was told congrats and it is fits as this is the most fun car I have ever owned.

You will love your MINI and I'll bet you a six pack of beer of your choice that someday, somewhere, someone will say to you, "I just got/order my MINI" and you will say, "Congratulations!!" (and when you do, come back, open this thread and admit it for all to see

By the way Congrats on ordering your MINI.

Earl

 

ururk, whenever someone posts about ordering or taking delivery of their MINI, I post a congrats message to them! That is a MINI thing, so don't be put off by it. Of course, I also AM a Californian.....muwahahahahahaha!


Clover

 

Nah, since you're checking status, it sounds like you're impatiently waiting for your MINI and being congratulated for a car that hasn't arrived yet. Is that right? If so, I understand how the congratulations might set you off.

As for being manipulated, its not as bad as the time my wife and I bought a Saturn several years ago. The entire sales force came out and *sang* to us, and took a picture of us in front of the car!!! They're trying to make your purchase seem "special," and sometimes they go over the top.

The good news is that, when you get your MINI, you'll discover it really is pretty special.

 

Congratulations on your upcoming MINI! (As in Congratulations on your upcoming PROMOTION from whatevertheF you are driving now.

Congratulations that you are moving up.

Now, if the operator shot you a tube that said, "double-plus good on your MINI..." now, THAT I would be suspicious of...

 

FWIW all my friends said congrats when I told them I ordered a MINI. BTW, my operater was super nice I feel kinda bad for her b/c she probably gets the same call all day long: "what's the status of my MINI???" Mad props to her for keeping a chipper attitude.