I'm sorry but if I were you I would ask for all my money back ASAP and if they don't like that idea let them know you will be happy to have a lowyer contact them as well as the LV business bureau and such.

This sounds pretty ridiculous. I wonder if they even have the car any more and are just stalling you.

Get your money back immediately and call classic MINI or another dealership and have them ship you what you want..... Don't deal with them anymore!

 

WOW! I can't believe this has gone on so long! As someone who has delt with that same dealer... I would probably get my money back (if I were you)... buy it somewhere else.

That same dealer did not properly install my alarm, and later I found out they didn't properly install my iPod Adapter. It took them a month to send me the right alarm parts, so I could go to a local dealer and get eveyrthing fixed.

Good luck on your ordeal... keep us posted here!

 

maybe this is a dumb question but is there anyway I can contact MINI directly?? IS there a number for actual service and verification?? thanks

 

I only know of the 1-800-ASK-MINI number. I would certainly talk to customer service about your problem. Also at Desert Mini - talk to Curtis Cherry, he's the service manager... he might be able to give you better answers to your questions. He was very helpful to me.

 

As someone who has to deal with Desert MINI as my local dealer, I just have to say that that all sounds like the kind of crap they pull on MINI owners.
"We don't feel like it, so we'll tell you any ******** to get you out of the building. Oh yeah, please give us all 5s on the evaluation."
I bought my car from them and have always said that if I need to buy another MINI, it won't be from Desert.
Upsilon, you have been WAY more patient than I would have been with them. By now, I would have gotten my money back and ordered from Murray (Utah) or Scottsdale.
Oh yeah, if you actually want to get anything done at Desert, talk to John Chaisson. He's the real boss of the whole Desert BMW/MINI operation.

 

I did talk to John Chaisson and the BMW manager as well, I think his name is Chris something?? I wish I could actually talk to someone at MINI to verify all this iffy stuff. Does the UTah branch have a mark up on an order? That's one of the reasons that I actually used desert MINI is because they didn't have a waiting list and no mark ups at the time I ordered which is further and further away.

 

From what I've heard, neither Utah nor Scottsdale have markups on ordered cars, though they used to have waits. One option you have, since your car is actually at Desert, is to tell them you want a different MA. Donovan (president of the Sin City MINI Club) is now an MA there, and unlike any of the other MAs there, is actually a MINI enthusiast. I don't know if your experience would be different dealing with him, but he is a real nice guy.
If you go with the Utah dealer, I've heard nothing but good things about them. The Utah club's president (Karen) is an MA at Murray, and is also very nice.
My thinking would be based on just how pissed off are you? Are you mad enough at Desert that you actively don't want to give them your business, or are you just frustrated and want your MINI ASAP? If the latter, your best bet is just to ride Desert as hard as you can. The Sin City club members' experience is that if you make a huge pain in the **** of yourself, you get treated much better.
Good luck either way.

 

I don't understand why you paid them in full before picking up the car? If they were harassing you for payment b/c it was sitting on their lot, that was their problem, not yours, since it was not drivable. But, I agree with everyone else here. Find another MINI dealer and another MINI

 

I am also confused how/why it is you paid in advance of delivery? I too agree that you should have them wire your refund in full immediately and get the car elsewhere (either search every MSRP location for a similar configuration or re-order to spec)

Sorry to hear about your issues with it

 

Wow! Why did you pay them? Get your money back! Do not take a chance with wiring issues. Just get one that is right.

Someone said that one of the MA's are a member here. Is there more to this story? Can someone summon him to this thread? If this is really the strait scoop this guy needs an advocate at the dealer to make sure the right thing is done.

 

I know it can be frustrating waiting for the car. Like others have said I am not sure why you would have paid in full already for a car that as far as you know doesn't even exist (I'm sure it does, but just making a point). But if I were you, I would wait the two weeks, unless you just don't believe them about the car. If you don't believe them, you may just want to unexpectedly show up at the dealership to check on the car and if worse come to worse, demand your money back. I know it's a long way for you to drive, but believe me, so do they. The element of suprise would definitely work in your favor. Make them show you how the car malfunctions if you don't believe them.

 

Regarding the original post, I would consider this a non-problem. I'd just have the dealer take care of it during an oil change, or when they acquire the part in question. It wouldn't diminish the smile on my face during time of delivery whatsoever - although, I agree it should ultimately be addressed.

My last vehicle had a fuse slot that disabled the clutch safety interlock switch.

 

vmote - you are missing all the facts. You've not been following along. They won't release the car to him without the clutch fix.

You CAN get your MONEY BACK! If you have not taken delivery, they HAVE to REFUND ALL YOUR MONEY! That's the law.

If your still going for the car, I would make them give you a firm date. Then again, it starts to get hard to believe anything they say... when you've been through such an ordeal.

 

ok an explaination is required, so here it is. they told me 2 fridays ago that it would ship on tuesday(last week) so I sent a priorty mail cashier's check on monday and figured the car would ship on wednesday or thursday at the latest. then they told me on wednesday that they are waiting for the wiring to arrive(this is the manager John) and that it would be there anyday now. On friday John left a message that they need to build a new one w/ my vehical id number on it and that it would take 2 weeks plus shipping plus installation, then he told me on monday that none of this is his fault and he would give me nothing for free...... I asked for driving lights and the mp3 insert to make it worth my time, he told me today that the MINI representitive would be here tomorrow and he will talk to me about compensation. If he doesn't offer something good, I will be asking for my money back.

 

Oh please don't let this bad experience drive you away from getting a MINI.

Is there one on a lot anywhere around that has the same stuff as yours? At Classic MINI or one of the others that I've heard keep some cars on the lot? If so, tell your dealer to stick it!

 

Ok, So I understand why you paid, but I would get my money back at this point.

 

I strongly agree with everyone else who's telling you to get all of your money back immediately from this dealer. Nothing, even a MINI, is worth that kind of insulting BS.

 

Hello all... I am Donovan.... Sin City MINI Club member and Motoring Advisor at Desert MINI of Las Vegas.

I am aware of the issue with this car, but not familiar with the details. At least, not familiar with what is actually happening with the car at the dealership. I am sympathetic, and the sooner we can get this person motoring, the better.

Donovan

 

donovan, is there a number I can reach you at? can I just call desert mini and ask for "donovan" ?

 

gone

 

Donovan?

Is this a part that can be swapped from another car in inventory? I also work at a dealership so I understand what can come up in the 11th hour before delivery. But all of this bad press floating here isn't helping anyone, you, Mini or the custoemr.

 

I am the customer, and I don't see how this bad press would hurt me as a person or potential customer?!? I've paid in full and waiting to receive my car, they won't give me a straight answer and they've shown no sense of urgency to get this resolved, I' d love to know how you think I'm in the wrong...from a dealer point of view.

 

The customer IS alway right! End of story!

I dealt with Desert Mini - and although my issues were minor... I wouldn't stand for this CRAP!

I agree with you about "sense of urgency". The ONLY thing the dealer cares about IS there bottom line! How many damn cars they sold this month. So the good news is... the month is almost over. BUT they have your money (I understand why you sent it) - BUT if they didn't have your money... there MIGHT be more of a sense of urgency from them - to get you your car! End of month... another sale~!

How can the other guy on here from Desert Mini act like he can help... and then he DOESN'T help! No wonder the public HATES car dealers!

Don't get the Mini! I urge you! Then MAYBE the dealers and MINI USA will WAKE-UP and take care of there customers!

 

I am sorry for misunderstanding, but I don't think you are in the wrong at all, I do think you have been wronged though.

It hurts you in that you do not have you car yet you have paid for it. It hurts the dealership in that their reputation is being tarnished, not that it was the shiniest before. And it hurts Mini in that they have worked tremendously hard to create a great buying experience and you haven't gotten you moneys worth and their efforts have gone to naught.

And no, the customer is NOT always right.

 

Can we go back to that part? How exactly is that the case? If MINI cared in the slightest about the quality of our buying experience, there wouldn't be so many dealers out there screwing people with impunity.