That's a riot!

 

Hi Copywrites,
I'm always amazed at how I am perceived by others. My mood seems to come through the telephone somehow. Maybe I should teach classes on how to do it? LOL Even though I decided to buy the car, Mini of Peabody did not give an inch or throw in something to smooth things over. To their credit they did claim to talk to Miniusa about the issue(Miniusa intends to do nothing) and they did talk to a third party supplier. The supplier does not have things for the Clubbie yet but probably will have in the future.
I will be taking my camera with me and I'll look for you new addition! Have a safe trip (to exotic places?)
BTW, I'm amazed that they apparently do not read these NAM ramblings.

 

I'm glad you decided to buy it. It's nice to see that many of the posters to this thread are getting their cars now and are so happy. This helped me through the waiting time.

I looked around the NAM vinyl vendor's Web sites and I think that's about right. They don't have too much for the Clubman right now, but they will pretty soon.
The stripes and Invisishield I ordered for ours haven't arrived yet, but I've been driving the Mini very happily without them and you will, too, Munjoy. And it'll be cool all over again when you get the roof graphic you want.

 

It would be interesting to start a series of threads on specific Mini dealers, where everyone could post their experiences, notes, service department effectiveness, etc. With that type of transparancy into a dealership, it would reward the better ones, and maybe nudge the lower performing ones towards better service.

 

Copywrites, I think you are quite right in saying that maybe there should be specific threads for dealers. I've certainly read many comments on here about various dealers and I'm amazed at some of the really, really bad reputations some of them have. And there are others who seem to treat their customers really well. I still think it would be in their best interests to at least monitor the threads as they are. Peabody needs to know that someone there drove an ordered car and left evidence of getting a coffee and sesame seed bagel IN THE CAR. It's an opportunity to improve their customer service.
The weather forecast has changed drastically and we may go get the car this afternoon. And things are not quite right........ the saga continues.

 

Perhaps searching in the section of this site that is devoted to various areas of the country - for example NY/New England, etc.? https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...splay.php?f=98

I am a member of a regional group called NEMINI.org http://nemini.org/index.php?referredby=59 and we do have a section devoted to dealership feedback. The area this group covers is the north eastern portion of the US - which covers NJ/PA/NY(NYC, the burroughs, Westchester, upstate and CT, though we do have some members who hail from Massachusetts and elsewhere too, because we are one big happy MINI family.

 

Copywrites, I think you are still traveling so you may not know that it snowed all day here in Maine yesterday and I canceled picking up my Clubby. The sun is shining this morning so we're headed to Peabody for an 11 a.m. delivery. We got about four inches of snow and at 26 degrees it's not melting at all. What happened to spring?
Otra, I did look at the threads and was quite impressed that Peabody got pretty nice comments about their service department. Thanks for the information.
Tim, did you drive Lucky in the snow yesterday? Oh, the horror!

 

Yes, I certainly did. My truck is on jack stands in my garage, and the other MINI, which is for sale, was just washed and vacuumed. The auto-sensing wipers worked great!

Can't wait to see your pictures!

 

Hey MunjoyMini,

Yea, I'm still on the road. Actually today I'm in Columbus Oh. I live in both Boston and Columbus, flying back and forth each week. To make room for the Clubman, I drove my Honda Element to Columbus this week to replace a Ford Ranger I use in Columbus 3 days a week. Kind of an auto repositioning trip. Sold the Ranger this morning.

I was supposed to leave from CMH to fly to L.A. on Monday, but I just had to cancel the trip. So I may make it to Peabody on Thursday, a day earlier than I originally planned. With my Element in Ohio, I've no wheels in Boston, so I'm really looking forward to my Clubman delivery. Fingers crossed there are no problems.

No snow here in Columbus. In fact sunny and 50's today. Looking good for a bike ride. Everything go okay at the delivery?

 

Copywrite, Tim, HerLbC, and everyone, the Clubbie is safely home. Hrach was in rare form and told lot's of jokes and spent considerable time explaining things to me. I have to admit, the electronics are complicated and I need to sit in the car with the owner's manual and go over everything. I did manage to get the CD player going on the drive home.
Copywrite, I did look for your car but for some reason I thought it had a silver roof. Sad to say, I did not spot it. If I had your name they could have looked it up but all I know is Copywrite and that is clearly not enough. LOL
In 2001 I drove BMW 3-series diesels in Europe, twice. The Mini drives much the same, straight as an arrow on the highways. It's a real drivers car and just loves to get out and go. Now it has to sit in the garage as I only had a transport plate, not valid for driving around, and I'm not going to register it until April 1. I'll attach some photos, but I'm not sure how much they need to be squished.

 

Coongrats, Munjoy. I'm glad you had a good experience there and are clearly enjoying your car. And congrats to everyone else getting their car this week. Our's is going great.
It took me three days of commuting to experiment with and set all the different stuff. Plus, reading the manual, which is not good.

Peabody serviced our '03 MC the few times it's needed it and they've done a good job.

I see Hrach is really prospering as a Mini Salesman.

 

HerLBC,
Here's a picture of Hrach with his head through the headlight opening in the hood. Kind of goes with your toilet seat photo. LOL
He is moving a lot of cars!

 

MunjoyMini,

Hey, not a problem about spotting my car - I'll see it soon enough. BTW, my name is Frank, and looking at your photo of Hrach, you/I look to be about the same age. Looks like Tim is the pup of the group. We'll let him do the heavy lifting......

At first glance, Hrach seems to be the most improbable car salesman. I suspect, however, he has a knack for spotting and separating the real buyers from the tire kickers. I had walked around the property for about 30 minutes and no one came out to talk to me. It was cold and the Saturday of launch weekend. But when I walked into the showroom and stood looking at the Clubman that was on the showroom floor, he appeared. He didn't introduce himself, he had on nothing that would even indicate he worked there. He just started talking about some of the options and features on the car. I actually thought he was just another potential buyer looking at the same car I was staring at. Finally after maybe 3 or 4 minutes of conversation, he introduced himself and I realized he was a salesman. I remember thinking to myself "wow, they must be so busy this weekend they brought in some of the shop mechanics to help cover all the customers."

Of course, as we all learned, he is a bundle of Mini knowledge - past, present and future. And in many ways is a perfect salesman - knows the product, quickly determines my interest level/needs, and matched the two perfectly. Finally, as we all know, a test drive with him is a trip. I suspect he is doing quite well as a salesman.

Hey, I think you win for first ever photo of a Clubman in snow! At least I don't remember ever seeing one before. I really looks good - so much better than the configurator. I want your mirrors - I just haven't benn able to talk my wife into them yet. Some weekend when she is out of town..........

Since it appears this thread is limited to 3 or 4 of us, are any of you planning to go to the Boston area Mini event this summer? I think it is the last weekend in June. I suspect there will be a lot of Clubman representatives there. Plus it would be great to meet everyone that hangs around this site and put faces and voices to all these messages.

 

Hey Munjoy, the MINI looks great. And I don't think Hrach was in rare form... that's his most common form actually. Though I have to say I'm surprised his head fit through the headlight opening (sorry Hrach... hope he doesn't read this). And I see by the pictures that your house is definitely the one I can see from my office.

Copywrites, I guess I am the pup (30). I did have my Clubman out in the snow yesterday, but we didn't take any pics. We are planning on going to MTTS in Boston, MOT on Mt. Washington, and possibly the classic MINI event up in Bethel, ME, all in June/July.

 

Hey guys, I started this Otello because there wre many of us on boarad. Althugh I'm in PA I don't mind listening to you Down Easters. Hopefully we will get to Boston. There is a gathering in Virginia Beach a couple of weeks earlier.

Now if I could just sell one of my cars I would pick up my HC/S Clubman S from the dealer. I did go there yesterday to wax the R108 wheels. They have been kind enough to keep it in there indoor storage area. Now if I can only sell my car and get them to go back to their original position of allowing a customer trade so I can save about $1,000 on sales taxes I would be happy. I am mad at them in that while at the open house for the Clubman, my wife did a 180 turn and walked out with her own MCS the next day. They owe me.

Enough picture with snow this year ---give me sun and warmth.

Enjoy yu vehicles.

 

Good luck Jeff. Hope you get to take delivery on your Clubman soon. Sorry about us Peabody customers taking over...guess we've all gravitated toward each other.

 

Frank, well, I'm 65 years old, retired at 62 and loving it. I once drove a truck especially configured to haul/deliver potato chips from Portland, Maine to Columbus, Ohio. Another story for another time. The snow was of the spring variety. I did not snow blow it but it should be melted by tomorrow. If you want the mirrors, just call Hrach and have them installed. It's easier to ask for forgiveness than to change her mind. LOL. I'm still going to have a checkered roof, I just need to find a supplier. The Clubman is so new nothing is available right now. I figure I should have it in a couple of months.
I do plan to do the Boston deal, Minis on Top, and Mini Meet East. Hrach is one of the planners for MME. He had to go to a meeting today and thus has to work tomorrow, his normal day off.
Jeff S, isn't West Chester near Media, PA? Like right next door? At one time I lived in Media. Good luck on working a deal to get your car.
Speaking of which, my daughter bought a Mini off the lot after I ordered the Clubman. Yesterday I shook down Hrach and the sales manager for some swag, or bling, as my finders fee. I got a Mini hat and a Clubman t-shirt (the $100 jackets were not offered). If your wife bought a car there it sounds like they owe you. And thanks for starting Open Up Otello Jeff. It's been fun.

 

We are the same age--but we are substantially younger than all others our age. I plan on working for many more years (to pay for our toys --and food). I used to work in Media and lived in Upper Providence from 1972 until the late 1990's.

I didn't want bling I wanted MORE. I got a 4 number discount on my wife's car.

I went to the dealer yesterday and waxed wheels. Today I spent the afternoon washing three cars--the MINI was the easiest. I then got into the waxing thing. I had to be careful in that I didn't mess up the the invisible bra. Isn't that what most of the girls we knew in th e60's wore?

Hope to get to meet a number of Clubman owners at upcoming events.

 

We are the same age--but we are substantially younger than all others our age. I plan on working for many more years (to pay for our toys --and food). I used to work in Media and lived in Upper Providence from 1972 until the late 1990's.

I didn't want bling I wanted MORE. I got a 4 number discount on my wife's car.

I went to the dealer yesterday and waxed wheels. Today I spent the afternoon washing three cars--the MINI was the easiest. I then got into the waxing thing. I had to be careful in that I didn't mess up the the invisible bra. Isn't that what most of the girls we knew in th e60's wore?

Hope to get to meet a number of Clubman owners at upcoming events.

 

Hey everyone,

My turn to pickup my Clubman, later this morning. I'm flying into Portsmouth NH and then meeting my wife to go pickup the Mini. Because I had to unexpectedly change plans in the middle of my trip, the only last-minute one-way airline ticket I could buy that didn't cost more than the Mini was on Skybus. This will be my first-ever flight with them. I'm sitting here at their gate right now and it is quite a different experience from my usual Platinum-level perks I get with American Airlines. But, the flight was less than $100. Can't drive back for that price.

MunjoyMini, you have a couple of years on me, but not too many. 54 here. Looking forward to being in your retirement mode.

I'll post pictures this evening. I hope it looks as good as everyone elses.

 

Good luck! Hope you have a good delivery.

 

Okay, I now have living proof that Hrach used to be in the QC department of Triumph. My licence plates, as mounted by our friend Hrach....



As they say....rotoM s'teL !!!

 

 

ROFLMAO @ the Hrach comment by Copywrites. . .

I'll double-check my new plates when I pickup my Clubman

. . . sometime in June

 

My delivery went very smoothly. In fact, when Hrach present my Clubman to me, it had gained about $4K in options, changed colors, and was an S version. Mine was actually about 30 feet away...

It was a beautiful, sunny day and I was dreading the thought of having to let my wife drive it home. But Hrach did such a good job explaining every control and feature, my wife became totally intimidated and told me I had to drive it home. I guess I'll explain it all to her again in a month or two. Or three...

The one disappointment was the stripe. I chose to not have them install it, and as it turns out, the silver strip and the pure silver body color are perfect matches. There was zero contrast. So I will have to rethink my stripe color choice, likely a 3rd party stripe now.

Anyway, here are my Day 1 photos, sans a stripe for the time being.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24645490@N05/2386589272/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24645490@N05/2386594126/