MINI2 - MINI Forum - View Single Post - Price-Gouging at Assael

thedudeabides · Aug 26th, 2003, 01:28 AM

This is my first post, and I want to share my Mini shopping experience. I will apologize in advance for the length of the post, however I have to vent about my less than stellar experience with Assael.

I live in Monrovia, and have been to Assael Mini three times. The first time was last year when the Mini’s hit our shores. I was one of two customers in the showroom and I left after 20 minutes, as not one salesperson so much as greeted me. I also noticed Assael listed a dealer premium of $8,000 for the S and $4,000 for the base model, which translates into a 30% premium!!!!

I went in a second time a few months later and met with the same warm and friendly welcome even though I was the only person in the showroom. I should mention that I shower on a daily basis, dress nice in a casual way, and am in my mid-30’s. So, what’s the problem?

The third time, I thought, would be a charm. I stopped by last Friday, and after 5 minutes of milling about, I was approached rather half-heartedly by a salesman who looked like he took a shot to the head with a frying pan earlier that morning. He had quite a lump going on the side of his forehead and was rather aloof – no handshake or anything. This being the first time I was ever approached by a salesman at said dealership I took the opportunity to ask a few questions. I asked if I could see the engine, and he told me “the hood release is on the right”, and after I finally found it I was left to open the hood on my own. Now there's a helpful salesman!

After a few minutes of looking under the hood of the fully-loaded S, he mumbled something about some model and a premium. I asked him which model carried a premium, and he said “all models”, the S has a $6,000 premium and the base Cooper has a $4,000 premium. I was going to ask him if the premium at least came with the common courtesy of a reach-around, but decided against it, as I was certain I had misunderstood him. I then asked “So, how much is this S selling for?” He said it carried a $6,000 premium. I said, “Yes, so how much?” (I just wanted to hear him say it). “$30,495”, he replied. I then told him he just made my decision for me, and I was going to go next door to the Nissan dealership and buy a 350Z. Man did he ever look like a deer caught in the headlights! He starting telling me that people from JPL come in all the time, how they are selling everything they can (they had 4 Mini's on the lot that day), and how many customers know the complete history of the Mini. Well, apparently that and an extra $6,000 will get you an S.

After this unpleasant experience I went to Performance Nissan where they had a 350Z roadster on the lot. A salesman greeted me right away, answered all of my questions, and offered to let me test drive the car (I didn’t because I was pressed for time). Now here’s the kicker… They are selling their inventory of Z’s at $100 under sticker.

I would still like to buy a Mini, however after my experience with those price-gouging idiots at Assael I may purchase a Nissan for pure spite.

Thank you for letting me vent.

Aug 26th, 2003, 01:28 AM	#1
thedudeabides MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Aug 2003 Local Time: 11:07 AM Posts: 2 Offline	Price-Gouging at Assael This is my first post, and I want to share my Mini shopping experience. I will apologize in advance for the length of the post, however I have to vent about my less than stellar experience with Assael. I live in Monrovia, and have been to Assael Mini three times. The first time was last year when the Mini’s hit our shores. I was one of two customers in the showroom and I left after 20 minutes, as not one salesperson so much as greeted me. I also noticed Assael listed a dealer premium of $8,000 for the S and $4,000 for the base model, which translates into a 30% premium!!!! I went in a second time a few months later and met with the same warm and friendly welcome even though I was the only person in the showroom. I should mention that I shower on a daily basis, dress nice in a casual way, and am in my mid-30’s. So, what’s the problem? The third time, I thought, would be a charm. I stopped by last Friday, and after 5 minutes of milling about, I was approached rather half-heartedly by a salesman who looked like he took a shot to the head with a frying pan earlier that morning. He had quite a lump going on the side of his forehead and was rather aloof – no handshake or anything. This being the first time I was ever approached by a salesman at said dealership I took the opportunity to ask a few questions. I asked if I could see the engine, and he told me “the hood release is on the right”, and after I finally found it I was left to open the hood on my own. Now there's a helpful salesman! After a few minutes of looking under the hood of the fully-loaded S, he mumbled something about some model and a premium. I asked him which model carried a premium, and he said “all models”, the S has a $6,000 premium and the base Cooper has a $4,000 premium. I was going to ask him if the premium at least came with the common courtesy of a reach-around, but decided against it, as I was certain I had misunderstood him. I then asked “So, how much is this S selling for?” He said it carried a $6,000 premium. I said, “Yes, so how much?” (I just wanted to hear him say it). “$30,495”, he replied. I then told him he just made my decision for me, and I was going to go next door to the Nissan dealership and buy a 350Z. Man did he ever look like a deer caught in the headlights! He starting telling me that people from JPL come in all the time, how they are selling everything they can (they had 4 Mini's on the lot that day), and how many customers know the complete history of the Mini. Well, apparently that and an extra $6,000 will get you an S. After this unpleasant experience I went to Performance Nissan where they had a 350Z roadster on the lot. A salesman greeted me right away, answered all of my questions, and offered to let me test drive the car (I didn’t because I was pressed for time). Now here’s the kicker… They are selling their inventory of Z’s at $100 under sticker. I would still like to buy a Mini, however after my experience with those price-gouging idiots at Assael I may purchase a Nissan for pure spite. Thank you for letting me vent.