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>>REPOOCINIM.com? ...or is that too smart ars!?
>>

I believe that site is already taken. It is for the North American Dyslexic MINI Community, a rather small but growing subset of MINI enthusiasts.

 

* Picture of MINI having its way with the consumer relations removed to meet site posting guidelines - but given the situation I almost left it in * - Mark


_________________
-goin440

 

I am very shocked to be reading this! MINI is one of the last companies I'd expect to be doing something as low as this! MCO is probably responsible for most of their sales, lets face it the MINI has had many problems when it first came out and most of those owners with problems kept their minis becuase there was an online community such as MCO to help out. This move will only hurt MINI USA.

Doing this to all these MINI enthusiast and FUTURE MINI enthusiast will only make them look bad. VW did something similar to the classic VW enthusiast becuase they wanted them to buy new VW's. Maybe we all can send a little $ via paypal to mark to help in his struggle. A petition or rally would help too.

MINI OWNERS UNITE!!!!

 

Illegal Protesting leads to arrests....
Get a parade permit, the police can't force you to disband with a permit.
Call the press and ask about the protest and why they aren't there.

 

Mark,

i'm down for anything the rest of the members decide.

LONG LIVE MCO! LONG LIVE MCO!

bbt4

 

Somebody call Dr. Evil quick. He needs a lawyer to represent his cloned evil Mini-me. I wonder if we should just call him "little person me".

 

This may have been covered in this fast growing thread, and if so I apologize for the duplication.
I read Dave’s post on MCO’s trademark litigation problems. It is a shame BMW is so small-minded. I agree the internet is a powerful tool, however, a sign in a car window traveling the byways is most likely the neutron bomb of disgruntled owners. The potential economic impact for MINI USA is huge, as it may adversely influence potential buyers. If the press picks up on the dispute the exposure is free also. If you were a dealer would you want one of your cars waiting for service, or driving the freeways, with an unflattering statement in the window. The key to one of these campaigns is individuality … it must grow from individuals and not be initiated by an organization open to litigation. The sign statements should be based on fact and be non-inflammatory. Even BMW can’t sue 10,000 individuals, particularly if the signage is not slanderous.

 

I am the kind of person who spends a lot of time and effort doing my research before buying a car. And I chose to buy a MINI. Why? Because of what I read on MCO and Mini2. It is because of all the enthusiastic stories people post. Without these enthusiastist's websites, I would have only noticed the poor JDPower quality survey results and the ranking in Consumer Report.

I DECIDED TO BUY A MINI BECAUSE OF THIS WEBSITE!

BMWNA, did you read that?

I, for one, will not be buying anything from MINI motions.
Not until BMWNA apologizes to Mark and continue to let this website sell cars for them.

 

Remember folks, this is not MINI that is making the issue, it's BMW, and how many Beamer driving, golf loving, yuppie jerks have you found that have any principles on any matters other than what can possibly put more money, power and control in their pockets? This complaint is probably stsrted by some rich executive that thinks of the mini only as a car their son or daughter can drive while they are sent to their Ivy League school. If this is not so then the person at the head of this complaint ought to beashamed of themselves. This may also be the product of an overzealous legal comittee convincing an executive to "get those people under controll" before they ruin the name of the car/company/whatever. Someone make a .psd file with the complete complaint. I'll print it, sign it, and send it in. I have 2 bloody minis in my name so that's a 55K+ customer you have here to complain to them.

 

>>* Picture of MINI having its way with the consumer relations removed to meet site posting guidelines - but given the situation I almost left it in * - Mark
>>
>>
>>_________________
>>-goin440


Yeah... I figured it wouldn't make it too long. (Just goes to show MINI has to break for re-application of lubricant)

_________________
-goin440

 

What is the non-domain url of this website?

 

It's very important to realize that BMW legal doesn't actually speak for MINIUSA in many ways. I would go so far as to say that the vast majority at MINIUSA don't know how strict legal is being with this case. Futher I would bet that quite a few at MINI probably aren't in favor of this legal action at all. It doesn't take a masters degree to guess what this will do to the health of the brand in regards to MINI's core audience of enthusiasts.

Many times in situations like this it's a case of overzealous lawyers trying to impress their bosses or make their weekly hours seem appropriate and not the actual company or it's employees. Complicating this issue is the fact that (to my knowledge) MINI uses BMW of North America's legal team and MINIUSA may or may not have final say as to what they go after.

 

Thank you for the more knowledgeable details for my feelings on the matter.

 

:smile:

We plan on purchasing our 2nd MINI in the near future - hum.....maybe we will just hold off a bit! I'm not sure I want any more of my hard earned money going to a place that doesn't appreciate what it's current customer do for POTENTINAL customers!! :evil:
donna@dcmetrominis.org

 

I just want to reiterate that I am disgusted at BMW NA's behavior.

Mark, you have my 100% backing. also, PM Meenee Coopah, as he has a contact at Associated Press (hint).

I want to be here next Wednesday, same name, same look!

 

My email to miniusa.com
As a owner of my third BMW Mini Cooper, one Cooper and two Ss, I am disheartened by the legal mumbo jumbo affecting minicooperonline.com AND THIS COMPANIES EFFORTS TO 'HASSLE' AN ENTHUSIASTS SITE. If we lose the site, that has close to 9000 members or the site is forced to give up its' name any further purchases of MINIs or BMWs will cease by me. I was getting ready to order a Pepper White '04 S when they became available but I no
longer see that happening. Why don't BMWNA and MINIUSA have their lawyers pick on someone their own size?
I was in the market for a new BMW but suddenly the name Honda is on my mind.
I am currently in the process of paying off my Mini over the next three days online in the owners lounge. A $5000 payment was made today(the maximum) and the balance will be paid off in the next two days. I can forward my account number if you'd like it. I have no interest in a company earning interest on my money if that company shows a toal disregard for the enthusiast.
A disgruntled former customer.
My name and email are available in this form.
BMWSUCKS.COM...they cover their bases pretty well.

 

This is bullying.

Sorry to hear about it, but I think MCO will be better for it in the end. I don't know how, but I think it'll happen. If this is how BMW?MINI wants to play, why would one want to assocaite theselves with them?

 

Mini Cooper Online - THE online community catering to barrel makers of a diminutive stature.

 

>>MINI2 is British based and it is my understanding the MCO is being threatened by BMWUSA/MINIUSA, not MINI International.
>>
>>Also, if people want to share their opinions, in addition to e-mailing the above, calling your local dealership and telling your sales person would be another way to start working this issue up to the top of MINI/BMW from within the organization.
>>
>>

Exactly my thoughts. It has more to do with MINI's legal team than it does BMW. We need to stand up to this and you have a great idea. If I can make it to our club meeting this weekend I will bring this up in the open forum.

We may even be able to get some backing from the dealerships. MCO is where most have found our "MetroplexMINI" club thus found the suggested dealership. If you can not be affiliated with any commercial aspects then we will just stop recommending the sale of BMW related and manufactured items.

 

The Bridger website uses a possible solution that I was thinking of. Get a name that people will know http://www.markferguson.com and add /mini after as the directory. Heck this thing may make your name well known enough for it, then tell them to "Get Stuffed". Yes I know this post risks deletion and a stern warning, but that is another story alltogether. Nab MCO.com/net/org fast tho, as they may grab it for you, lol.


Nevermind they are in use, lol

Well this post is really helping my rating
_________________
I do not do things in measures...

<img src="http://webs.hylanium.com/lance/minisig.gif" width="504" height="72" border="0">
For sale 1 351 Cleveland BOSS as well as a standard 351 Cleveland.

 

Just thought I'd add the letter I sent over to customer.relations@bmwna.com and miniownerslounge@askminiusa.com

Good afternoon,

I'm writing to express my disappointment with BMWNA/MINIUSA at their decision to pursue a course of action that will lead to the closing of the website minicooperonline.com.

For the past year I've seen some of the most creative advertising and care for customer concerns from BMWNA/MINIUSA that I've ever witnessed in the automobile industry. You've done a fantastic job reviving an old brand and bringing back the passion and enthusiasm of an entire community of MINI owners ranging from ages 16 to 60+. Knowing how much effort has been set forth to create the MINI image, it baffles me that you would choose to act against the very community supporting the MINI and working tirelessly at their own expense to promote it. Countless owners, and future owners including myself, rely on minicooperonline as a source of information and a place to share our passion about our cars. While I certainly understand the need to protect the MINI trademark, I feel these "bully" tactics will lead to nothing but negativity towards the newly revived brand in the US.

Those of us who visit the site tend to be more involved and care more for our cars than the average owner who walks in and decides to buy one, and will likely remain loyal to the brand for years to come. I am only 20 years old and this will be my first new car purchase. Over the next 45+ years of my life I will likely buy another 9+ cars assuming an average lifespan of 5 years per car. Is BMWNA/MINIUSA really looking to forgo the possibility of brand loyalty in younger customers over such an extended period of time? Without minicooperonline and other fan sites, I can say I would absolutely not be buying a MINI. There are countless other cars available in the US, particularly with the upsurge of the sub $30k compact car market, that carry large fan followings and for people like me with little experience working with cars, this is very important.

I sincerely hope MINIUSA reconsiders its stance regarding minicooperonline as I feel they have not considered the possible ramifications of this negativity towards your customers and enthusiasts for your brand.

I included some personal info which won't be posted here but that's the jist of it. As everyone has said, if there's anything I can do to help please PM me and I'm willing to do so. I can't speak for the entire community but I think if we could get each member to donate $10 or so it would certainly help defray the legal costs if such a course of action is necessary.

 

so, is BMW NA complaining about the use of "MINI", because they don't have a right to do anything about "Mini", right?

 

. Even BMW can’t sue 10,000 individuals, particularly if the signage is not slanderous.
>>

Tell that to the RIAA, they're suing 10,000 people for copyright violations.

 

Just placed a call to ASK MINI,
they acted like they didn'y know what I was talking about.
I told the girl that MINI USA has 9,000 mad folks at MINI.
she replied that she would foward my comments.

I think we need signatures, 9,000 is quit a bit, can we fax our names and signitures
for a pertition?

Also an MCO fund should be started, need to know where to send the help

C'mon y'all place the phone call! now!!!!

 

It appears that the dealers have nothing to do with this. They sell cars.

>>MINI2 is British based and it is my understanding the MCO is being threatened by BMWUSA/MINIUSA, not MINI International.
>>
>>Also, if people want to share their opinions, in addition to e-mailing the above, calling your local dealership and telling your sales person would be another way to start working this issue up to the top of MINI/BMW from within the organization.
>>
>>
>>
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