My pickup of my '04 MC from Mini of Towson is tomorrow, and I would like a little preview. My MA has been very helpful along the way (e.g., she blocked the wash-wax).

Will I get a mini mini (very small toy mini) or some other gift? Some of you have received a gift on day of pickup. Do I give her a TIP, or is that too mushy?

I know some of you have had negat feelings toward your dealer. How about some opinions and advice from you lucky ones who had a good MA (and also from those like me who are still waiting for the great day).

John :smile:

 

:smile: :smile: I haven't heard of people tipping - maybe a little something for her a few days after delivery?? :smile:

Congrats on your new baby....pictures of course........please.......

Chow!

Donna
donna@dcmetrominis.org

 

Cosquilla,

I too have had a great experience from MINI of Towson. I have dealt with Barry the entire time and he has been more than I could ask for. He is always very straightforward and honest, not to mention, he is from the "Motherland".

I believe Barry and I discussed having lunch right after I take delivery. It should be a nice way to say" Thank You". (His idea of course).

I give MINI of Towson two thumbs up!!

 

Maybe its just me, but tipping or taking a salesperson out to lunch seems kind of odd. They sure as hell better be nice to me if I'm spending $20000 at their store.

Okay, the curmudgeon is going back to the closet...

 

I told my MA--in advance--that I wanted floor mats thrown in. I was travelling 100 miles to pick up the car. The reaction--hemming and hawing; no commitment.

It is really piggy for a car dealer (it really is the dealer, not the MA) to even consider charging MSRP and not even throw in floor mats.

When I got there I discovered that floor mats were provided. I reciprocated with a gift card good for several cds at a music store (is there any finer gift than music?).

I don't think a tip is at all necessary. These cars sell themselves. Compared to other salespeople I've dealt with over the past 30 years, MINI MA's do relatively little.

On the other hand, being nice to others never hurts; it only increases karma...

 

If I could have one freebie, it would be one of the showroom banners that hang from the ceiling, that would look so cool in my garage...hehehe

As far as tipping your MA, they're already making some money off your purchase, I might send a thank-you card after delivery and leave it at that.

 

I have heard of people giving thank-you gifts to their MA's along the lines of a nice bottle of wine, gift certificate, or something of personal interest to them (if you've gotten to know them that well). I think lunch is a fine suggestion if you really like the person. Otherwise, a thank you note with perhaps a gift certificate (to a restaurant, tickets to the movies, a bookstore, etc) will suffice.

I agree that we are spending a lot of money at these places and should expect to receive GOOD customer service. Some of us don't even receive that, and others are beyond pleased with the efforts and friendliness of the salespeople. I say, recognize those who leave you super-satisfied, with a warm-fuzzing feeling in your tummy. Those are the people who go the extra mile and deserve recognition- whether its your car salesman, your plumber, the clerk at the grocery store, whatever! Everyone loves a pat on the back, especially after putting forth extra effort for you!

You should be very happy that you were able to work with such an excellent MA! Tell her thanks, in whatever way suits you best. :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:

 

spoonleg, if everyone deserves a pat on the back then why didnt I ever get any when I worked at Burger King, I went the extra mile, until I was treated like crap everyday by all the customers and I got a good raise, after $6.30 an hour I gave up on people. NM, sorry to jack, just venting.

Oh, and my MA hasnt really done much for me, nothing really, he just ordered the car and copied our licenses for our two test drives, we'll see what he does this saturday.

_________________
ANDRE: 2004 EB/EB MCS PICKUP 10/11 FSU MINI SIGHTINGS

 

Hey, even Buger King employees deserve a pat on the back. Before I graduated from college, I worked as a waitress for 6 years! The sad fact is, when you work in an industry that deals with "people" day in day out, you're gonna get a lot of the rude, hateful, bitter people. And unless you get the occassional customer who thinks that you did a GREAT job, and unless that customer shows their appreciation for you, you will also become one of those bitter and hateful people! It rubs off!

I will never, ever, ever go back into the restaurant business- even if I'm homeless on the streets. It really is one of the toughest jobs out there. But it is extra-rewarding when someone pats you on the back and says, "you did a great job". Sometimes, that's even more rewarding than the tip!!

I appreciate all of the people in this country who work in the service industry. It's a tough, tough job pleasing everyone all the time!!

 

I consider myself a considerate guy, but tipping the car dealer is a new one on me. I have been well taken care of at D&R in Indy, but received no freebees at delivery. Since then, the mug and a pen came in the mail. From previous threads, there's been higher expectations in the freebee department than occurances.

(Aside to restaurant people: I'll start a "in the biz" thread. Lots 'o stories, I'm sure.)

God speed.

 

Just butting in here. The little woman (OOOOOOh- she is gonna smack me SO hard fer that one!!! ) is planning on baking some of her delicious chocolate chip cookies to take with us when we pick up our car. That way, everyone at the dealership can have one. Nothing like chowing down on a warm gooey choc cookie to brighten up yer day.

 

Last week when we went to pick up my new MCS, our MA gave us:

a 1/18 scale diecast model of a Dark Silver/Black top MCS complete with full carpeted interior, real leather seats, working sunroof and opening doors, boot and bonnet. Beautiful model valued at $65.

My wife got a pair of cool looking MINI driving sunglasses also valued at $66

So we came away with $131 worth of MINI merchandise freebbies!


An observation...tipping a Motoring Advisor is in poor taste. Remember that they are already getting paid a commision for the selling the car to you. When you go to buy shoes, do you give a tip to the shoe store salesman??

If you want to bring in a batch of home made cookies or a little something that is a different story, but tipping is reserved for waiters, drivers, tour guides, etc, etc. Not your MA.
_________________
'02 Cooper CVT (Absolute Keeper!)
'04 Cooper S Delivered: 10/3/2003 It's finally home!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks for the comments, Donna. Can't make it this Sunday, but will try to make the local events now that I have the great little car.

John

 

Thanks for the comments, Donna. Can't make it this Sunday, but will try to make the local events now that I have the great little car.

John

gborooks3 - I have talked with Barry at Mini of Towson. Nice guy and I agree, nice dealer. Great motoring miles to you and everybody.

 

How is it poor taste? If you feel you got great service and want to show your appreciation, you have every right to tip if you should so desire.

Now my wife is a phenomenal baker and she was going to bake for our MA & dealer but my MINI left the vehilce checkpoint place slightly earlier than expected and we picked him up 2hrs after he arrived at the dealer. My MA put up with my several times weekly phone calls and visits for over 4 months. He also stayed late so I could pick up my MINI the day it arrived. I gave him $50 in a card. My experience with him, the dealership and my MINI was priceless. Like was said, it spreads good karma and makes the world a better place. Instead of going around saying "well I'm doing this or spending that so they'd better do this", show your appreciation one way or another (it doesn't have to be monetarily but it could be if it floats your boat) - it'll make a difference!

 

I think some kind of non-cash gratuity is a good idea... someday your beloved infernal combustion machine is going to need some work. Your MA can help break the logjam of service appointments and get you in sooner, not later.

Down the road, the best thing you can bring your MA is a new customer!

Its called relationship building... its kind of rare in the car business, because you are not "likely" to be a repeat MINI buyer, but who knows. While you're there, get the MA to introduce you to the BMW GM at the dealership... he's going to want your new car business next.

We've bought an MCS, an M Roadster and X5 from one dealership, and my E46 M3 convert and new 745i from another. Needless to say, they compete very hard for our business and they take VERY good care of our cars.

You can cultivate the same kind of relationship (for far less $$$) just by being a potential repeat customer and by making referrals... and a little gratuity as suggested in the above posts cant hurt!

 

I have bought 2 MINIs from the same MA in less than a year. I have received nothing less than excellent service from her and the dealer each and everytime. Like I said, I have no problem showing a token of appreciation with baked goods, a gift certificate, etc, but cold hard cash tipping doesn't seem very appropiate.

Again this is my opinion.

 

I had a cake made in the style of my new MINI, and took it to the dealership when the new car arrived ...
Because I already had a MINI, I knew all the people at the dealership - not just the salesman who filled in my paperwork but also the receptionist, service techs, Manager, etc.
So the cake was a way to thank everyone.




_________________
Ian C. Gloucester, MA
<A href="http://www.gbmini.net">"GBMINI"</a>...uot;</a>

CWFFC member. Indi Blue / Lapis Blue MCS ... body color exterior trim, chrome grille, painted roof Union Jack, Euro shelf and working rear fogs

 

Beautiful!

 

That cake is really cool! I was just thinking of asking my MA out. She is extremely cute and single. What better tip then ME? Just joking, but she is beautiful.

 

>>That cake is really cool! I was just thinking of asking my MA out. She is extremely cute and single. What better tip then ME? Just joking, but she is beautiful.
>>


Go for it!

 

<<That cake is really cool! I was just thinking of asking my MA out. She is extremely cute and single. What better tip then ME? Just joking, but she is beautiful. >>


HAHAHAHAHA! That's great!

I bet she gets asked out all the time by her clients. She'll be like, "<sigh>, Not another single MINI customer! Why can't I get the ones over at the Jag dealership?!?!"

 

iancull - where did you get that cake made...and how?????

I love it!