Ok, ordered April 3rd, haven't been able to talk to my salesman since then. Its been 3 or 4 emails and two phone calls on my part.

I ordered the car and actually promptly got an email with my tracking number which was nice, but I wanted to talk about maybe changing some options before the car was built. I sent a few emails and after not getting a response for about two weeks (before i put the deposit down I was receiving replies withing hours) I made a phone call to ask about custom programming the lights etc... I was told, "don't worry about it, we do all the programming for you and your car is a few months away anyway" and was then told that they have been swamped and thats why I wasn't emailed back. I was then promised a reply to my email that day.

It has now been about a week and a half since that last phone call and I'm emailing again. I'm really thinking I oughta get ahold of the salesmanager, but I don't want to jeopardize getting the car I ordered at the price I was quoted. I've asked 3 times now for the salesman to give me the final pricing so I can take care of my financing.

Aaaahhhhh!!! :evil: I'm getting frustrated. Anyway, this is kind of a rant and a plea for help. Anyone have any advice on how to handle this situation properly.

 

Well, since you have the tracking number, your order has been entered. If you haven't done so yet, you should verify on the MINI website that the order was entered correctly.

As far as exact price, even your dealer won't know for sure until it's delivered. The price can change from what you're seeing now on the website configurator.

Dealing with BMW is loads of fun.

 

>>Well, since you have the tracking number, your order has been entered. If you haven't done so yet, you should verify on the MINI website that the order was entered correctly.
>>
>>As far as exact price, even your dealer won't know for sure until it's delivered. The price can change from what you're seeing now on the website configurator.
>>

I know that the order was placed correctly, thank heavens for that.

The salesman quoted me an exact price before I had figured out all the options beforehand. Now that i've changed the options and got a teeny tiny courtesy thrown in, I want the new pricing (also to be sure that I'm not being bamboozled)

I'm being given the cold shoulder and I don't like it. Maybe the manager/owner deserves a call.

anybody know if BMW/MINI has a little survey at the end of your transaction? I know whenever I had my dub serviced, I always received a follow up phone call to rate my levels of satisfaction.

 

1) I would call the dealer and ask to talk to your Motoring Advisor. Don't rely on e-mail to get this type of thing sorted when a simple phone call should do.

2) You should be able to get an exact price in terms of what MSRP is for the MINI you have on order. That should not vary unless you're getting an '05 in which case there may be a price change (likely 3% given the history to date). Be sure to ask if there is any additional mark-up on top of MSRP.

 

"You should be able to get an exact price in terms of what MSRP is for the MINI you have on order. That should not vary unless you're getting an '05 in which case there may be a price change (likely 3% given the history to date)."

I agree that the price should be specified in relation to MSRP and agreed upon in writing. (Like "MSRP + doc. fees not to exceed XXX, no charge for floormats".)

But MSRP can change on you. I think that's what happened to some people who ordered their 04 cars in 03 and took delivery in 04, for example.

 

I did call the guy, after repeated emails. Email is by far the easiest way for me to get in touch with the advisor. And as stated earlier, before i put down my deposit the advisor was able to get back to me within hours, not weeks.

I can't just stop in and see him, as the dealership is roughly 400 miles away.

MSRP is easy enough to get, but I've already been offered a slightly better deal and I wanna make sure that I'm not gonna be swindled on title fees, etc...


When I called last, the advisor was very curt to me. Wouldn't anwser my questions and promised me a response to my pricing question by the end of the day (which has now passed by a week)

i'm sooo angry!

 

How far is it to the next closest dealer. Maybe this is an overreaction because I'm a grouchy old man......but, I'd call off the deal and get my deposit back, (you can do this). Then I'd get my ducks in a row with the color, options etc. I wanted and deal with a different dealership. You didn't say who you're dealing with but a lot of people have very good things to say about Classic MINI and MINI of the Hamptons. Of course these dealers may be a long way from you. I would not accept the pricing uncertainty that exists now. It's to their advantage if you don't have everything as it now stands in writing, including the "slightly better" deal you're getting.

Don't accept shabby treatment even if it means a delay in getting your MINI.


R.E.

 

If it's the Mini dealer in Hartford, CT., just get your money back, and go ELSEWHERE! Anywhere! Those people are not qualified to sell produce.

I originally went there because it was the closest place to me. But they were reluctant to give me a test drive, which lasted like 3 minutes when I got one. The salesman (using the term litely), was completely uninterrested in any of my questions, and I left feeling frustrated to the point of anger.

After that, I called Keeler in Albany, and they had the car I woud have ordered coming in in 2 weeks! Got really lucky. Great people up there.

-joe

 

Its actually none of the above mentioned dealerships. The guys in question have a pretty good rating here on NAM, and my brother bought his MINI there too, from the same salesman no less. We are making a call to the manager today as a friend wants to buy a MINI now and asked my family for a dealer recommendation. This will all be explained to the manager and we'll see what happens.

I have no problem getting my deposit back, but the car got painted yesterday and I dont' think I can go through all the waiting again. :smile: Its just too darn nerveracking

 

That's a crying shame. My MA from ClassicMini returns my emails within an hour usually, and I pester that poor guy to death. Sorry, J.

And being busy is no excuse. I think they are one of the busiest dealerships there is...

 

You do have a right to getting your phone calls and e-mails returned. Whether you have place your order or not you are entitled to getting your questions answered...

Since this is obviously more than just a one time problem, call the sales manager and talk to them... The manager can't make an "attitude adjustment" if they're not aware of a problem to begin with...

 

Jefe - -
It would be nice if you would post the names of the dealership and salesman so that future buyers can vote with their feet!

 

I called the sales manager today, but she was on vacation and will be back tomorrow. Don't worry, their faults won't go unmentioned.

I'll post more details once everything is finished, judging by the service i've gotten thus far I wouldn't put it past them to attempt to screw me over out of revenge.

I'll be sure to let everyone know what happens, and I'll def post everything over in the dealer ratings as well.

 

.
>>
>>I'll be sure to let everyone know what happens, and I'll def post everything over in the dealer ratings as well.


Jefe......you're sure not acting like a boss.......the consumer is the boss, the customer is the boss.........get your money out of there and go someplace else. You are heading into a train wreck. I waited exactly 16 hours for my car and got exactly what i wanted, well, almost...I HAD to buy this shitty BRG color...but that is another story......there is a MINI on a lot someplace (I'm guessing Classic MINI, Ohio) with your name on it........

 

Pkt Rkt - -
If I’d had to settle for BRG I’d have gone across the street and bought a Geo Metro instead! Have you no pride?

 

>>.
>>>>
>>>>I'll be sure to let everyone know what happens, and I'll def post everything over in the dealer ratings as well.
>>
>>
>>Jefe......you're sure not acting like a boss.......the consumer is the boss, the customer is the boss.........get your money out of there and go someplace else. You are heading into a train wreck. I waited exactly 16 hours for my car and got exactly what i wanted, well, almost...I HAD to buy this shitty BRG color...but that is another story......there is a MINI on a lot someplace (I'm guessing Classic MINI, Ohio) with your name on it........


I already checked out Classic's inventory, not quite what I wanted. Close though. I'm gonna check out some other dealer's and see if I can find anything in stock that matches what I have being built. My car is currently either on the boat, or trying to get on a boat in England now, I really really really don't think I can wait to order another. I'm too damn impatient

 

>>.
>>>>
>>>>I'll be sure to let everyone know what happens, and I'll def post everything over in the dealer ratings as well.
>>
>>
>>Jefe......you're sure not acting like a boss.......the consumer is the boss, the customer is the boss.........get your money out of there and go someplace else. You are heading into a train wreck. I waited exactly 16 hours for my car and got exactly what i wanted, well, almost...I HAD to buy this shitty BRG color...but that is another story......there is a MINI on a lot someplace (I'm guessing Classic MINI, Ohio) with your name on it........


I already checked out Classic's inventory, not quite what I wanted. Close though. I'm gonna check out some other dealer's and see if I can find anything in stock that matches what I have being built. My car is currently either on the boat, or trying to get on a boat in England now, I really really really don't think I can wait to order another. I'm too damn impatient

ouch

 

This time two years ago when I was trying to buy my MINI, I had poor dealer service from my local dealer...non-returned phone calls, non-returned emails, bad test drive (10 min, with an overbearing MA in the car), excessive wait, etc. So, I ended up finding a good dealer out-of-state who took care of me just fine.

I have to say that while I love my MINI now, I would be just as happy driving something else IF I had no other choice than to deal with the first lousy dealer. No car ownership experience is worth the price of forking over tens of thousands of dollars to idiots or crooks. Period.

BTW, you should never put down a deposit without having a firm dollar price on the car you've ordered. That would seem to be just common sense. If, on the other hand, you've simply put a deposit on the "right" to buy a car (as opposed to an actual car), then how do you know that they'll actually sell you the car once it arrives?

 

>>>>Well, since you have the tracking number, your order has been entered. If you haven't done so yet, you should verify on the MINI website that the order was entered correctly.
>>>>
>>>>As far as exact price, even your dealer won't know for sure until it's delivered. The price can change from what you're seeing now on the website configurator.
>>>>
>>
>>I know that the order was placed correctly, thank heavens for that.
>>
>>The salesman quoted me an exact price before I had figured out all the options beforehand. Now that i've changed the options and got a teeny tiny courtesy thrown in, I want the new pricing (also to be sure that I'm not being bamboozled)
>>
>>I'm being given the cold shoulder and I don't like it. Maybe the manager/owner deserves a call.
>>
>>anybody know if BMW/MINI has a little survey at the end of your transaction? I know whenever I had my dub serviced, I always received a follow up phone call to rate my levels of satisfaction.
I am not positive but I think Mini does have questionaires for sales and service. BMW certainly does; therefore, I would think Mini would also. Who is "giving you the cold shoulder", sales person, service ...who? Whoever is making you feel this way should have it brought to their attention. There is a possibilty that what vibe you are getting is not intended or maybe the person was stressed out, having a bad day? Sometimes I will become involved in a conversation with a customer that is highly upset and verbally abusive because their Mini has been in the shop for a few weeks waiting for a certain part. The customer called our service department very angry and demands answers of why their car isn't done yet. The customer feels that we don't care about their car since it's warranty stuff anyway and if they had to pay for it we would have it fixed already for sure. Often times these types of customers feel if they become verbally aggressive, swear and threaten the employee that things will be handled like now! In these circumstances when a verbally aggressive, and rude customer calls our service dept. because of parts not being available, the service dept. usually will transfer the angry customer to us the parts dept., like it's our fault the parts aren't here. I have had customers call me everything but white and even threaten me with lawsuits. Dealing with these calls is very hard and when you get to hang up the phone you are full of emotion and adrenalin. The next customer can sometimes receive some of those emotions in a very negative form. It's nothing personal but it does happen. A quality advisor can deal with these problems and not let it hinder the customer contacts. You really should try talking to this person and explaining what you are feeling. If the problem persists go to the owner. You, the customer, is NUMBER ONE and should be treated as so!

 

you should be receiving a Customer Service Index (CSI) survey after delivery of your car. if your dealership is anything like ours in Hawaii, the salesperson will probably mention it to you and ask you (sometimes even beg) to give him/her all 5's or the highest rating. i think that the salesperson and/or dealership receives incentives based on this. you should be honest in your survey so they are aware of the good and the bad.

be forewarned, although they say the survey is anonymous, this isn't always the case. the numbers on the survey translate to the exact sale and word can get back to the salesperson....and he/she might get angry with you if you don't give them the highest marks.

good luck!

 

>>Pkt Rkt - -
>>If I’d had to settle for BRG I’d have gone across the street and bought a Geo Metro instead! Have you no pride?


I know, I know........I can't get over it......hopefully someday....I just live on to prevent others from making my mistakes........

 

well I hope its as classicmini suggested and I've just been unlucky enough to try to contact people at the wrong times.

Anyway, a few phone calls were made and now the emails flow like wine. Actually, I have all the info I wanted before and it seems like everything has turned around. I'm really excited now and I can't wait, just a few more weeks!!

Thanks so much for everyone's support. You'll all be treated to some nice pics when she gets here. hmm, maybe its gonna be a 'he'... :smile: