I posted the following at http://www.mini2.com, but felt that what I had to say is important enough to cross post between enthusiast sites. This post was in response to someone frustrated with outrageous and unethical dealer mark-ups and fees. If you do not have enough time to read this, just scroll to the bold challenge I have made to MINI-USA and BMW.

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Not sure how outrageous the markups were in your area, but I am getting a really good and fair deal with Roadshow MINI in Memphis. I bought the MINI of my dreams while it was on the boat and is now on its way to the dealer 2 weeks after I "placed my order".

My penalty for cutting to the front of the line and not having to wait 10 months is that I have to pay Roadshow MINI $398 (instead of several thousand dollars) for them NOT to do any sort of dealer-installed package. The ones that make it to the dealership without having a confirmed owner I believe end up with a dealer package of CD changer, floor mats, shiny valve stems, etc for a little bit more, but still not anything extreme and probably a better value than my personal situation because you would be getting something that you might have installed anyway.

Dorian there is great, and has made a long distance out of state sale a real breeze, and it is worth calling her up just to hear a pretty Southern voice

I'll have my Brit Green MCS as soon as I can get to Memphis to pick it up. By the time I get the new car home late that first night, the engine will be 2/3 broken in with smooth highway miles to prevent the urge to go beyond reccomended rpms for the first 1000 miles or so.

I encourage everyone on long wait lists to shop around. Travelling a little ways to pick up your new car and enjoying it this summer might be worth a couple hundred bucks to a lot of people, and the trip to visit a part of the country you might not have seen will make that first experience all the more fun.

BMW is going to service and do warranty work on your MINI for free at your local dealership regardless of where you actually buy it, so why show loyalty to a local dealership who is taking unfair advantage of their favorable supply/demand situation? A lot of VW dealerships played the same mean games in 1998 when the New Beetle was launched, and that, along with the way VW treats its most adoring enthusiasts these days, are the reasons that I simply will not own another VW/Audi product EVER again.

It's only costing me about a dollar a day over MSRP and I will not have 10 months of sleepless nights longing for the car of my dreams. Seems like a fair deal to me considering that the dealer markup above invoice is really tiny to begin with, making it probably a frustrating situation for salespeople who simply cannot provide enough cars for the demand while not making very much profit off of the pre-ordered vehicles.

A good dealership like Roadshow seems to be smart enough to realize that they can be real leaders in the MINI marketplace while also being fair businesswomen and long-term planners by putting their customers ahead of the easy short-term buck by giving a guy like me a fair deal in my particular car-buying experience.

If more people can find ways to arrange a fair deal for their MINI like I have, it will make it just a little bit harder on those dealerships that are harming the MINI image by taking extreme unfair advantage of their customers.

I will always turn to the people who treated me fairly from the beginning for my future MINI and BMW needs, and will remember for a long time how I was treated by other dealerships when I went shopping around.

I know that this changes little about the serious demand problem right now, and I cannot make BMW produce more cars for Dorian at Roadshow to sell to everyone reading this post, but there are cars without confirmed buyers being delivered to showrooms across the country, and I just feel that those poor orphaned MINI's should not be used to take unfair advantage of the people who desire so much to adopt them and bring them into their families.

The following is a challenge to BMW, MINI-USA and every dealership, salesmanager, and salesperson in America. Please take it to heart:

I am challenging all of the dealerships in the US to think about the bigger picture and the reputation you want to be known for in the next few years, instead of worrying about how big you can make your Christmas bonus this very first year in the MINI marketplace. You have a LOT of time to sell these cars, and a couple thousand dollars here and there right now just is not worth the damage you are doing to your long-term success.

If I was BMW or MINI-USA, I would take serious action and cut back the supply of cars to unscrupulous dealerships that are harming my well-thought-out plans for business success. Launching into this world something as revolutionary and special as the MINI should not leave a bad taste in ANYBODY's mouth except for those dealerships and salespeople who care more about the fast and easy buck than their long-term reputation and image as well as that of BMW and MINI-USA.

If you are a salesperson or salesmanager, here is one nice tid-bit to consider and haunt your dreams tonight:

The next potential customer you offer an unfair deal to might very well be a "secret shopper" for BMW who wields a LOT more power than a small fish like you should ever want to feel directed at a bottom feeder like yourself. Think about that, and take great care with your penmanship as you sign your name at the bottom of your next unfair sales contract, because it might very well be your last if what I have written here today finds its way onto the desks of and is taken seriously by the BIG FISHES at BMW and MINI-USA.

I can promise you that with the economy and car marketplace as it is right now, you do not want to find yourself trying to feed your family by selling the New Beetles that nobody wants anymore at or below invoice. The MINI is truly a goose that lays golden eggs, so do the right thing and don't roast it for your Christmas feast.

Even if BMW and MINI-USA follow none of my suggestions, you still make a choice every day about the reputation and image you want to be known for in the MINI marketplace, and you can make a positive impact right now by choosing to be fair to the next and every other customer that walks into your showroom. You have absolutely nothing to lose by matching your business practices to the reputation and image that we all want for the MINI


_________________
~Yucca Patrol~

2003 MCS, BRG/W on the truck to my dealer!

"Good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement."

 

HERE HERE!!!

I couldn't agree with you more, Yucca. I was left with a VERY sour taste in my mouth after calling all the CA/OR/WA MINI dealers. I was either treated rudely since I was calling from out of state, was given a general line of "2 year wait, go away" or "sure, come get it...and bring $5k extra for the markup". How disgusting. I was totally fed up. I had just totaled my 2001 Miata and needed to get into another car asap. The MINI was my first choice. The VW GTI was my second, fall back, "please don't make me have to buy that" car. I was about to go down to my local Mazda/VW dealer that I had bought the Miata from when my extremely tenacious SO told me about Roadshow. He had called ALL over the US (literally every dealer) and found that Roadshow was the nicest and no dealer slime to be found. Bought my MCS out of state (I'm in OR, Roadshow in TN) and had it shipped. I'm now enjoying this great car and going to the local dealer for service. They could care less that I didn't buy it from them as they get to dip into MINI USA's wallet for warranty bills.

Go Roadshow!!

R

 

Thanks for this post!

I would like to once again stress the potential the the DEALER RATING SYSTEM has. It is still under used - The Indiana Dealer STILL only has seven posts - they have sold over 300 MINIS! Everyone PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, take a few moments and rate your dealership in the Dealer Rating System under FEATURES on the left side of your screen. I know that many dealers use MCO - and I'm sure that many of them would respond in POSITIVE ways to our "Reviews". Thank You and HAPPY MOTORING!

Cheers,

GROSS67

 

PS

On that note, Dreyer Reinbold of Indianapolis has MANY MINIS (Coopers and S's) for MSRP. They have some with Dealer add-ons as well, but you can find MINIS on there lot from the low $18k's to $23k. I ordered mine because I wanted a very specific set-up. I am getting a GREAT VR MINI with a handfull of nice options and I kept the price under $19k. I ordered a month ago, was on the Aida, and should my MINI soon. I'll post a full "review" once I have the car and see how their service is.

Ciao,
G67

 

>I would like to once again stress the potential the the DEALER RATING SYSTEM has. It is still under used - The Indiana >Dealer STILL only has seven posts - they have sold over 300 MINIS! Everyone PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, take >a few moments and rate your dealership in the Dealer Rating System under FEATURES on the left side of your screen. I >know that many dealers use MCO - and I'm sure that many of them would respond in POSITIVE ways to our "Reviews".

I second this. I know for a fact that MINI USA and many of the MINI dealerships watch their ratings. Please get everyone you know with a MINI (or shopping for one) to contribute their experiences. This is the best place to provide feedback which other customers can use to make an educated buying decision as well as give good (and bad) feedback to the dealerships.

Mark

 

I agree completely. I used the dealer rating system initially when I had great success with my MINI purchase, and the value of these ratings increases when there is a significant number of reviews to give accurate statistical information.

Read this post and then go tell the world what kind of treatment you have received when purchasing your MINI.

 

I live in Texas, and I ordered my MCS from Roadshow MINI solely on the basis of the reviews in the Dealer Rating System. When I ordered, Momemtum MINI in Houston had not yet opened. Now that they have, I found out my wifes co-worker purchased a MCS and paid $3000 over sticker. I was too late to help her and since she thinks she got a good deal, I don't see that point in telling her that she didn't. If she finds out the truth on her own, then fine.

Anyway, the Dealer Rating System works! When my car arrives in February I will definitely will rate them. So far, I am extremely happy with my choice and I got a good deal.

 

Yucca Patrol,

All I can say is "right on, baby!" Beautiful post...so articulately stating what is also my philosophy of how to build the new MINI marque.

MINIUSA needs to reward the dealers that treat their customers well, and punish the guilty gougers!

 

Interesting. A salesman from Dreyer & Reinbold sent me a form letter style greeting in reply to an dealer inquiry to them I made via the Miniusa.com site, he gave me his email address and I sent him another email explaining my situation needing to trade or sell my Corvette to afford the Cooper S.

Five days and counting and no reply.

Maybe they shoved me to the back of the reply line because I mentioned I first wanted to drive up there and test drive one and that I needed to sell my 'Vette to get the cash up? Or maybe they're that behind on answering inquiries? Maybe I need to call on the phone to be taken seriously?

Dealership in Nashville TN is same distance from me. Need to contact them...

<mental note to self: check distance to Roadshow MINI of Memphis TN...>

>>PS
>>
>>On that note, Dreyer Reinbold of Indianapolis has MANY MINIS (Coopers and S's) for MSRP. They have some with Dealer add-ons as well, but you can find MINIS on there lot from the low $18k's to $23k. I ordered mine because I wanted a very specific set-up. I am getting a GREAT VR MINI with a handfull of nice options and I kept the price under $19k. I ordered a month ago, was on the Aida, and should my MINI soon. I'll post a full "review" once I have the car and see how their service is.
>>
>>Ciao,
>>G67

 

Another vote for using the rating system (and a req: maybe we could have a seperate dealer and service ratings?). I felt much better prepared (but also a little worried) when walking in for my test drive, and Josh at Manhattan MINI (who has received uniformly good marks, and was positively great with me) told me when I mentioned the ratings that they were concerned and trying to address the poor marks (even casually mentioning the specifics of one of the negative reviews), and since that day, all the reviews here are positive. Well informed consumers unite!

Oh, and though I think the post is well intentioned and a persuasive argument, note also that someone is buying all those >MSRP cars. Resist the temptation, and the market will respond. I can sit smug and comfortable with my S and be preachy here, but I also waited a patient eight months (and I had my money in before the NY Auto Show, before a commerical was aired, before anyone I know even heard about the MINI). So you wait a year; you will have your MINI another ten. Good things come to those who wait, all that.

Plus, really, if everyone who wanted one simply ordered and refused to buy off the lot if they are >MSRP, don't you think in 4-6 months dealers will be dying to dump '02 stock (with pricey add on's) at a discount?

 

:quote:
>>Plus, really, if everyone who wanted one simply ordered and refused to buy off the lot if they are >MSRP, don't you think in 4-6 months dealers will be dying to dump '02 stock (with pricey add on's) at a discount?


The first time I went to Dreyer Reinbold, most all their stock had dealer additions and were well over $19k (But they all looked very sweet!). In some cases, the additions totaled over $4,000! They seem to have backed off and offer many, if not most at MSRP and are taking MANY orders. I've only heard of one "out of state" purchase and that went well. They seemed to be slowing down on "Off the lot" sales and I bet that come summertime we will begin to see some "Sales". I imagine that they have their hands full and "out of towners" unfortunately don't make the priority list. My salesman is Jim Barth. I bet if you called he would fill you in on what they could do. All 4 times I have been to the dealer they have all been very busy with customers.

CHEERS,
G67

 

>>:quote:
>> I imagine that they have their hands full and "out of towners" unfortunately >>don't make the priority list. My salesman is Jim Barth. I bet if you called he >>would fill you in on what they could do. All 4 times I have been to the dealer >>they have all been very busy with customers.
>>
>>CHEERS,
>>G67

That's the fellow that hasn't replied yet. Maybe he's just really busy...(?)

 

The more I hear about these bad cars, the happier I am about buying from Classic. They didn't hassle me at all, it was the other way around, lol.

 

But you also fell for their $398 gouge!! I paid MSRP from Cinn Mini with no add on ect. Also your dealer "allowed' you to go in front of the "line" because he was able to "extract" an extra $398 from you.! and said the H*** with the folks who waited their turn!! If NO ONE would pay a penny over "list" then many dealers would have many Mini's to "eat"..