I too expect more from email requests from car dealers...especially Mini / BMW dealers...this past time I emailed two dealers - one responded asap, friendly exchange, good pricing, not much selection in inventory. The second had a slightly better inventory, did not email back, had to call, had a deal with MA, but Sales manager tried to play games...deal meltdown...and then I went into a local dealership only to see each MA backed up with at least 2 customers deep...checked their allocation and only super macked out Clubmans upcoming. All others were previously sold / ordered.

Made me appreciate how busy these dealers are with the popularity of the cars combined with the price of gas going up...these folks are nonstop busy from what I saw.

I went back to the second dealer and got the deal I wanted, the car I wanted, but not the experience...I hate that I rewarded that behavior, but I was jonesing for the car...next time I will order form the first dealer...

Just don't expect much and you won't be disappointed by the process.

 

EZ there big guy... there's a few Chevy's that are hard to come by...

this will be one of em

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...ook/index.html

Glad you didn't say dodge or I'd REALLY be upset

they can't GIVE those suv's away tho.... gas prices are really killin em

 

First one of the production line sold for $1,000,000.00 plus!

 

first of all, do not deal with the salesman. Only deal with the sales manager.

 

Ouch!!! Yeah, it does seem they should do something!!!

In any case, don't be put off...MINI dealerships are pretty cool places and the car is even better.

 

I also bought my Clubman at Mini of Nashville. I had a good experience too! and he gave me a great deal on the launch package Clubman. I recommend it as well!

 

You know, salespeople/Motoring Advisors are just like the rest of us - some are great, some good, not so good and others, sadly, are just terrible.

I've referred people to my MA who are not in state or in the country, and he has gotten back to them asap.

 

Otra, you're great.

 

otra: I'm in central NJ and have not gotten any response from my email to an MA in Morristown that was recommended. Who was it you dealt with and where?

BTW I'm originally from New Rochelle. Thanks.

 

ebh REad all the responses; realize that at this point and time MINI is hot; there is a limited supply in stock; vehicles are being built by the one factory at close to minimum capacity; that if you don't place an order, someone else will and like you I am an attorney but I put my pants on one leg at a tim. I ordered my Clubman last September and took delivery in April.

The car salesman mentality does not apply here. BMW/MINI have a different approach, they do not have sales people, but Motoring Associates. If you want in, yu will have to get used to the approach. That said, some MA's and dealers are "rude". Visit a couple of dealerships and talk with the MAs to see who is knowledgeable and who is just puttin in their time.

My MA (Michele @Otto's in PA) knows her stuff and has a personality--maybe that is why she is #6 in sales in the USA and just came back from a MINI awards trip to Costa Rica.

Put out to them and they will respond

 

Fabrizio Reda at MINI of Fairfield County in Stamford,CT. You can read about the dealership in the reviews section of the board. I'll send you a PM with some information. I guess Michelle from Otto's must have had at least a drink with Fabrizio and his wife, while they were all at the same place in Costa Rica.

I know your old stomping grounds well.

 

Try Patrick Mini in Schaumburg, Illinois. Phone may be listed under Patrick BMW or Patrick Dealer Group. Bought my 07 MCS there at MSRP. No hassles.

 

[QUOTE]


I contacted both houston area dealerships via e-mail when I was looking, one responded the same day with a cut sheet of the car he had that was closest to my request, I test drove and bought the next day. That was Keith Sutch at Mini of The Woodlands, great guy answered all of my questions. The entire staff was very helpful and not pushy at all, one of the bennies of buying a car that will sell to the next guy if you don't buy I guess. Three (3) weeks later, I got an e-mail from the online sales dept. from the "other" dealer saying that they wanted to get in touch, but didn't have a good phone number for me... duh, on-line sales dept. I sent an e-mail explaining the difference in responses and why I bought from the dealer that is actually farther away.

 

Try calling Alex at Irvine Mini, She got back to me right away.
Got my HC/HC Clubman off the showroom floor for msrp.

 

Ooo, your "roycroft" clubman certainly does go nicely with your roycroftish house! You should post more photos on the HC thread!

 

Personally I was in South Bay a few times over the last couple of weeks regarding a part. I only ever saw one Clubman on the lot at a time if at all. The best option is most likely to order it from the factory. In which case they will work with you. I found the best way to get a response was to build and save then send that built mini to the dealer. Of coarse this was for a regular Cooper and not a Clubman. At least South Bay is MSRP.

 

NICE! love the HC roof!

 

We ran into this problem a couple of years ago when we wanted a Cooper S--the dealer didn't even have a current model year car on the lot that we could test drive.

Given that it's Memorial Day weekend, I suggest you have a great summer. Wait until about Labor Day weekend. Make occasional calls to your local MINI dealer so you know when orders will be fulfilled with 2009 Clubmans rather than 2008s. Place your order then. You'll be driving it by Thanksgiving, it will be one model year later, and you can spec it the way you want rather than the way the dealer's buyer felt like ordering cars.

If you have never owned a car you ordered, car ownership will never be the same again. When you pick it up it will be, well, just what you ordered!

FWIW, I agree with other posters who said to configure the car online and then submit the order to a local dealer. If they won't do MSRP find one who will and buy from them.

Good luck. The wait will be worth it.

 

I live in LA and bought mine from Richey in Nashville back in February after a pre-order in November - we drove it back on Rt 66. They were 100% perfect to work with, and nothing went wrong at any step in the process. Sold it at MSRP.

Didn't buy in SoCal because everyone was, frankly, beastly to me (wouldn't take a phone call from me until I submitted a credit report) or just generally joyous about charging significant markups.

 

You could always come up north, Portland or Oregon, however the wait time is a little longer than others. My MA at Northwest Mini is great, always responds and always nice. I too thought about waiting for 09, but wanted the first year.

 

Call Jarid Perry at Rasmussen MINI IN Portland, Oregon. You'll not be dissapointed. Rasmussen MINI does not sell with a markup. Jarid may even have one in stock. I'm certian he could arrange to have it shipped.

His contact info:

Jarid Perry
MINI Sales Advisor
www.rasmussenmini.com
Toll free: 866-747-6464
Fax: 503-273-4278
Days off: Wednesday/Sunday

He posts as 'jaridp' on NAM.


Tell him I sent you ...and no I don't get anything for the 'plug'. He's just worth the phone call. Such a good motoring advisor he became a personal friend.

Good luck!

 

+1 on actually placing your physical self in front of a MINI salesperson.

It may seem like a terrible imposition on your time, but that's how you get their attention in the Real World...

 

Even doing that hasn't been very rewarding. I called and then went to one dealer, asked to see a Clubman. He showed it to me, but no offer to test drive, no real excitement or desire to help, just, hey if you want to order something tell me. I never expected a car dealership to be like Wal-Mart. I am seriously considering ordering from out of the area from one of the dealers mentioned by people who actually seem to have had good customer service experiences. Also, shipping to the West coast sounds like a beast! I am being quoted upwards of 4 months!

 

Thanks for the props JCW Driver! ebh check your voicemail!