Ok, I got a little steamed with my dealer. I was finalizing the price for my MINI that is on order for a December production date. My dealer informed me that I *had* to purchase a "motoring package" that consists of 4 different accessories from the MINI catalogue at a price of $1,800. Well, I only wanted rally lights and floor mats so I told them to just charge me for those two items. They said they couldn't and would have to charge me their full "motoring package" price even if I didn't want anything else. Well, I nearly blew a gasket. Now, I'm not too sure how to handle this properly. I'm not too sure if I should stand firm in my position and possibly forsake getting a MINI from my dealer or if I should just give in. I guess I could try and find another dealer in the Virginia, North Carolina, DC or Maryland area that would simply sell me a MINI at MSRP with no strings attached.

 

Damn, that sucks. Supposedly the dealer here in Denver is really good at selling strictly at MSRP. I hope that this is true when my number comes up.

Did they originally tell you it would be MSRP? If so try saying you definitely don't want the extras.

Kenny

 

Mini of Sterling VA will sell you one for MSRP + $189 processing fee. there is a 4 month wait for MC's and a 6 month wait for MCS's though.

Jay :smile:

 

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Mini of Sterling VA will sell you one for MSRP + $189 processing fee. there is a 4 month wait for MC's and a 6 month wait for MCS's though.
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Thanks, Jay. I might have to go there. I don't mind the 6 month wait for an S. My current dealer already informed me that my S wouldn't be ready until late January at best.

 

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Damn, that sucks. Supposedly the dealer here in Denver is really good at selling strictly at MSRP. I hope that this is true when my number comes up.

Did they originally tell you it would be MSRP? If so try saying you definitely don't want the extras.

Kenny
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I got the whole song and dance that they sell MINI's for MSRP with no mark ups. Then I get this "motoring package" thrown on me at the last moment. Not cool.

 

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>>Damn, that sucks. Supposedly the dealer here in Denver is really good at selling strictly at MSRP. I hope that this is true when my number comes up.
>>
>>Did they originally tell you it would be MSRP? If so try saying you definitely don't want the extras.
>>
>>Kenny
>>____________________________
>>
>>I got the whole song and dance that they sell MINI's for MSRP with no mark ups. Then I get this "motoring package" thrown on me at the last moment. Not cool.


Then stick to your guns and tell them that the "Motoring package" requirement was not disclosed to you at the time of placing the order. I think they have done a "Bait & Switch" manuver on you which I personally found lacking in professionalism and just plain distasteful.

Tell them that your continued business relationship depends on them removing the silly "Motoring Package" immediately or you will cancel the order and take your business elsewhere.

make sure to report their sales tactics to MINIUSA and the local BBB.

$1,800 worth of mandatory accessories is serious money and most of what is included with it is worthless junk that probably doesn't even amount to $100 total.

If your dealer suddenly felt that they are not making enough profit by selling these cars at MSRP, is their problem not the customer's. Unhappy MINi dealers should take this up directly with BMW and not abuse unsuspecting customers and perform illusion tricks right before the actual purchase.

Go elsewhere, those people just lost a good customer. :evil:

 

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>>
>>I got the whole song and dance that they sell MINI's for MSRP with no mark ups. Then I get this "motoring package" thrown on me at the last moment. Not cool.

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THat's BEYOND not cool. Call & write MINIUSA every day.

 

My dealer tried the same trick but I told him I just wanted the two options that "I" wanted and not the $1800 of options "they" wanted. In the end they agreed to my purchaseing just the options I wanted. Stick to your guns and if you have to walk out you let them know that you will inform the BBB and MiniUsa but also every Mini web page you can. I mentioned to my dealer this site and it's dealer ranking page that showed them at 2 stars at that time. They were taken back and immediatley went to check the site.

 

Rokk - I'm also in VA, MCS on order through Crown in Richmond - where did you get that quote? Please write 'em up in the Dealer Rating System here...

 

I had the same experience with Checkered Flag. I didn't want all the options from the Motoring Package. I offered to buy two of the options, the saleswoman said that she asked the manager and they wouldn't budge.

I have my MINI ordered at Flow in NC. MSRP + Standard Document Fee (under $300) and that's it. However, they have the longest of the waitlists.

 

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I had the same experience with Checkered Flag. I didn't want all the options from the Motoring Package. I offered to buy two of the options, the saleswoman said that she asked the manager and they wouldn't budge.

I have my MINI ordered at Flow in NC. MSRP + Standard Document Fee (under $300) and that's it. However, they have the longest of the waitlists.
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I might have to do what you did. Who was your saleswoman at Checkered Flag? Just curious to see if it is the same woman that I am dealing with.

 

Cooper4us and greatgro,

Thanks for the reminder of reporting my dealer to MINIUSA. I totally forgot about that. Actions like this from dealers is ridiculous and only serves to turn people off from buying a MINI. It won't stop me, though. I'll just go elsewhere if I have to. :evil:

 

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Rokk - I'm also in VA, MCS on order through Crown in Richmond - where did you get that quote? Please write 'em up in the Dealer Rating System here...
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I got it from Checkered Flag in Virginia Beach. I may have to go up to Richmond to order mine if this doesn't work out. Any problems with Crown MINI?

 

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My dealer tried the same trick but I told him I just wanted the two options that "I" wanted and not the $1800 of options "they" wanted. In the end they agreed to my purchaseing just the options I wanted. Stick to your guns and if you have to walk out you let them know that you will inform the BBB and MiniUsa but also every Mini web page you can. I mentioned to my dealer this site and it's dealer ranking page that showed them at 2 stars at that time. They were taken back and immediatley went to check the site.
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Good idea. I will definately tell my dealer about the online ratings. I have already placed a call with the Manager of the dealer. We shall see if that gets me anywhere.

 

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>>I might have to do what you did. Who was your saleswoman at Checkered Flag? Just curious to see if it is the same woman that I am dealing with.
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Rokk1, I was dealing with Colleen. I am from NC and was just calling around to see my options. CF was the shortest wait but with the highest cost.

As I stated, Flow in Winston Salem, NC has the best cost I saw, but the waitlist is about March for a MCS.

 

My dealer forces about the same amount in dealer add ons, but they did disclose it up front before accepting my deposit. I don't like it, but at least it was not a surprise.

 

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Rokk1, I was dealing with Colleen. I am from NC and was just calling around to see my options. CF was the shortest wait but with the highest cost.

As I stated, Flow in Winston Salem, NC has the best cost I saw, but the waitlist is about March for a MCS.
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Yup, that is the same lady that I am dealing with right now. Oh well. Waiting till March is not that much more than my late January due date that I have now.

 

>>_______________________________________ _
.... I mentioned to my dealer this site and it's dealer ranking page that showed them at 2 stars at that time. They were taken back and immediatley went to check the site.
>>_______________________________________ ___

Rokk,

I LOVE IT!

If all else fails, threaten 'em with "Well put you on the website! The world will know, so there!"

Actually, since there are limited dealerships, I hope that those that do sell the MINI don't become greedy and arrogant. It's not like say going to one Ford dealership and having all these others to choose from.

 

I know it's a long way to go, but, Roadshow in Memphis, is no frills, and at MSRP.
I don't know their waiting list but the great people at Roadshow will treat you right :smile: :smile: :smile:

 

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I know it's a long way to go, but, Roadshow in Memphis, is no frills, and at MSRP.
I don't know their waiting list but the great people at Roadshow will treat you right :smile: :smile: :smile:
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Thanks, majormini. I am still waiting to talk with the manager of my dealer. But, I have no problems doing business with a dealer in Memphis who is willing to sell at MSRP. I'd rather give them my money than a dealer who is being deceitful.

 

Just change dealerships, and set up a formal complaint against the dealership, along with one to the Miniusa website... That seemed to get the attention of Herb Chambers!

 

Sounds like they thought they "had" you, and could start turning up the heat! If I were you, I'd immediately go sign up at another dealer, THEN go back to the original dealer and go higher "up the food chain". If you handle them properly, you ought to be able to "get" your original deal, and not have to "fall back" to another dealer!

When I decided to purchase a MCS, I first called one or two dealers in the area (Los Angeles). The "stories" I was getting didn't seem to make sense... regarding the price of the car, options, and delivery dates. So, after much frustration, I built up a matrix (OK, I'm an engineer... I can't help myself) of all of the dealers in the LA area, with columns for the dealer address, phone, contact name, "are they taking orders?", "waiting time for orders", "deposit required?", and "other" issues.

To summarize, what I found was that one dealer (Long Beach Mini) would sell cars for MSRP; their waiting time TO ORDER was 5-6 months for a MCS (2-3 months less for MC). ALL of the OTHER dealers sold the car for more money; SOME simply (honestly) called it a "premium"... with no additional accessories included with the premium. Others insisted that they only sold the car with certain dealer-installed "options" (which, oddly enough, were NOT optional); these included items like: Lo Jack, paint protection, upholstery protection, etc. The cost for these "options" ranged from $3495 to $6000. One dealer had a $3000 "premium", and an additional mandatory $3000 CD Changer/ Lo Jack item.

I ultimately signed up with Long Beach MINI (and will be waiting for a while). However, I found that if I came right out and asked the other dealers point-blank "Do you have any additional premiums attached to the car over the MSRP?", they were very straight-forward in their replies. Whether that changes when they have you in the "smoke-filled room", I can't yet say!

The only dealer (other than Long Beach) I actually VISITED "on-site" originally asked for a $6000 premium over MSRP; no additional "hardware", just a $6K premium. After about 20 minutes of "discussion", he was willing to go down to $3K over MSRP. This would have been a "I pay $3K today, and my factory order goes in Monday" type of a deal. Definitely worth considering if I was in a big hurry. However, at this time I decided to WAIT for a 2003 model, so I could get some of the accessories that aren't available today (HK radio, auto dim mirror, etc), and have a newer model year. So, I'll be waiting 6 more months just to order, and then hopefully get a 2003 MCS with the features I really want.

Best of luck, Rokk1, in making your dealer "see the light"!

-DavidG

 

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Just change dealerships, and set up a formal complaint against the dealership, along with one to the Miniusa website... That seemed to get the attention of Herb Chambers!
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I checked out MINIUSA to just what you said. Is there a specific phone number or e-mail address to send such complaints? Or do you just send it to the general e-mail address on the website?

 

Thanks, DavidG. I already plan on seeing the manager of my dealer tomorrow. And, taking your advice, I will be contacting another dealer in Richmond and another in Northern Va. Hopefully, things will work out for the best.