With the limited allocation for each of the 70 dealers in the U.S., and pressure from BMW NA not to gouge customers and thereby jeopardize their 2003 allotment, dealers are trying to recoup their required investment in the new MINI showrooms any way they can. On the other side, they are frustrated by early buyers at MSRP turning around and turning a hefty profit from impatient buyers on eBay Motors.
What's a dealer to do? Try to get buyers to add dealer extras, such as Lo-Jack, Permacoat, etc.
My suggestion to buyers: if the dealer treats you right, repay him/her by getting the add-ons you would have purchased anyway, but don't buy anything you don't want or need. Look, you got on their list, and you got a car. There are many thousands who would like to have been as lucky as you. Do your dealer a favor for not gouging you.
On the other hand, if you paid a hefty premium, then the choice was yours. |