I just got an email from American Express regarding their new "Auto Purchasing Program"

This will let you configure your MINI right on their site and gives Invoice pricing and will put a participating dealer in touch with you. I cannot wait to see which MINI dealers if any are participating.

I myself have not ordered my Clubman, but am getting much closer. Slow economy has slowed my buying decision.

Anyone else get this email? and What are your thoughts?

I can tell you, this is where I will start with my purchase to see what I can save.

THE NEW AMERICAN EXPRESS AUTO PURCHASING PROGRAM HELPS MAKE IT EASY TO BUY THE CAR YOU WANT AND SAVE MONEY. YOU CAN EVEN USE ANY AMERICAN EXPRESS® CARD TO HELP PAY FOR YOUR VEHICLE.

UPFRONT PRICING PUTS YOU IN CHARGE.

Visit the American Express Auto Purchasing Program website to research a new or used car and lock in your price. Then take a printable Price Protection Certificate to an authorized Program dealer near you. It's that simple.

Easy. Simple online system helps make it easy to research and select a vehicle, and see your savings.
Save money. Cardmembers can typically save over $950 compared to average new vehicle transaction prices, and thousands of dollars off MSRP.*
No haggling. Upfront Cardmember pricing with printable certificate means no price haggling and can mean less time at the dealer.
Put it on the Card! All Program dealers accept any American Express Card to help pay for a portion of your new vehicle.

HERE'S HOW:
Visit the website, amexnetwork.com/autos.
Search for a new or used car and see your low upfront price.
Register the upfront price with your local authorized Program dealer and receive a printable Price Protection Certificate for one or multiple vehicles.
Visit the Program dealer with the certificate.
Complete the purchase and use any American Express Card to help pay for the vehicle.

AMERICAN EXPRESS—AN EASY WAY TO PURCHASE A CAR.

 

Wow, that would have been nice to have! I bought my Clubman here in Utah at Mini of Murray about 7 months ago, and there were little to no discounts offered at that time. Of course, Clubmans were pulling 1k over dealer sticker in LA at that same time....it all a function of the economy.

I'll have to use the American Express program when I order my next MINI in a few years.

Thanks for the heads up on that...

 

I am in CA and the nearest dealer participating is in Las Vegas...

 

Sounds like a good road trip to me!

 

Good luck on the "upfront" pricing. In my neck of the woods, the sticker (or Mini website) price is the price - no discounts.

When I was taking delivery on my Mini, the dealer took a call from a someone using a "middleman" - one of those buying services (sounds just like what AMEX is doing). After the call I asked him about it. These middleman usually call him to geet a deal. He said he gives the same price to the middleman as to anyone else.

I think you may want to consider just dealing directly with a dealer. The more people involved, the greater chance of screwing up the order.

 

I would take any claims for a "special" discount with a grain of salt. Some buyer programs seem to offer real discounts, some are just marketing gimmicks to get you in the dealer's door. Did you follow-up and get a quote?
If so, is it under MSRP, and by how much?

 

I accessed the site selected MINI Clubman for NJ area this is the responce:

Please note: this vehicle does not have special discounted Cardmember pricing in your area. You may select from the vehicles below that do have discounted pricing in your area, or continue researching this vehicle.

 

That sounds about right. As I mentioned earlier, most "buyer's clubs" are just marketing gimmicks to generate dealer traffic.

 

I filled out the form, got referred to Las Vegas Mini (300 miles away). Traded email with them. Price is MSRP. Incidentally, I bought for under MSRP on my order in July 2008 (no trade involved), plus got free car mats and wheel locks.

Bottom line, not a deal.

 

Costco has a similar program, but MINI's were not included. Supply and Demand...supply and demand.

 

I just took a look for the fun of it and, as Mr.Ray put it, all three models "Do not have special discounted Cardmember pricing in your area". So, I guess any one outside of the west coast is just not worthy.
I am VERY happy to have been able to pay list. When I made my purchase, the west coast was paying dealer premiums. I would also be surprised to see any "buyer's club" (AMEX included) get a discounted price on a MINI. Chevy, Ford, Chrysler, etc - yes.

 

All these programs (Costco, credit union, etc.) are similar. They'll typically do better than MSRP, but not as good as you can do with your own negotiation. Adding middle-men to a transaction seldom lowers the final cost.

- Mark

 

I have been waiting to try and take advantage of some sort of lower pricing in my area, which is Chicago. I know that the demand for the MINI is still high, but the issue now is people being able to get financing. I have two friends in the car business, and they both tell me that less than half of those that want to buy qualify for financing. I am hoping this will slow things down and allow those of us who still have good credit to strike.