First of all I am based out of the greater Los Angles area, and emailed all of the local dealers, I found Amanda at Southbay Mini on this site and emailed her. She responded promptly, answered my questions and setup a test drive for Saturday

On Saturday when we showed up Amanda had the Mini Cooper Clubman S Manual ready to test drive. She took her time with us, was able to answer all of my questions. She brought out the Ipod Y cable for us to test out the iPhone with (Bob Smith Mini did not allow that). We placed an order for a Peper White Clubman S. Fast and easy to order, great customer service experience. I also liked the fact she has a MCS JCW GP 2006.

I felt she was helpful but not pushy, gave her insight into pros and cons of options. It was worth the hour drive plus I paid MSRP, it will be worth waiting until Jan/Feb for the Clubman.

Southbay Mini also had alot more cars than Bob Smith and Universal City Mini

 

Hey Rasputin...

Placed my order on 8/12/08... so I guess your MCCS was on the same list as yours...
Did you already take delivery of your car? or are you also eagerly waiting for the Pacific Breeze to make it all the way to Port Hueneme???

 

... your MCCS on the same list as mine... or ... my MCCS on the same list as yours...
Surely makes more sense like that LOL

 

[FONT=Arial]With all the positive posts, I had expected a better ordering experience at South Bay. Unfortunately Amanda has little time for her customers once an order is placed and deposit taken. Maybe the service has dropped recently – not sure. But I’d reconsider my original decision given the chance; MSRP is only worth so much attitude.[/FONT]

 

So did you pay MSRP? Seems like people are getting in stock cars for under that.

 

We ended up canceling our order from South Bay Mini, and ended up ordering from LV Mini. Our Sales experience with Amanda was good, we have yet to receive our deposit back, that reminds me I need to follow up and get our money back. So the receiving money back from Amanda has not been a good experience.

 

Rasputin.... When did you originally order from South Bay? and when was your delivery scheduled?
/me is just curious

Chris.

 

I ordered last August for Delivery in Feb/March, I then ordered from LV Mini end of August for Oct 14th delivery, when I went to call to cancel I was magically moved up to early Nov delivery. If you want a dealer to really stay away from for me it would be Bob Smith, little to no selection and they are pretty high priced and do not seem to care about getting your business.

 

Dang... I should have known.... ordered in August also... scheduled delivery mid-january... picked up the car last Saturday...
Why do I always get that kind of info when it's not useful to me any more ! LOL

As for your deposit back... when I asked the same question, I was told 3-4 days to revert the CC charge... [but you didn't hear it from me ]

Chris.

 

I phoned Amanda and introduced myself and informed her of my option specifics. She said she'd search inventory and call me back. She never did, even after I called and left her 2 voicemails.

So I contacted Josh Ross at Nick Alexander Mini and never looked back.

Thanks, Josh.

 

awh, too bad that it didn't work out for you at SBMINI - I suppose things happen. But at least you were able to get what you wanted at NA - I guess they finally saw the light and quit adding a "market adjustment" markup to everything. Cheers, T