[daisygirl]

I am just doing a quick unofficial survey on how many people have asked their dealer for the VIN number so that they can track delivery and have a bit of the fun in the process while waiting.

I rang our dealer in Brisbane on Saturday morning as I have heard that other people who ordered around the same time had received their VIN via an email from their dealer. Our dealer said she has NEVER had anyone ask for the VIN number and started giving me a bit of a third degree as to why I wanted it and what was I going to do with it.

I tried to explain that part of the fun was being able to track delivery plus I also had a car to sell. She had also heard nothing about the HK fire and said that there was always stock and nothing to worry about but I mentioned that USA owners had been told their delivery would be delayed.

She is away until Thursday but what do I do if she wont get the VIN number. Maybe I need to ring head office or stock control or something next week.

I am feeling very disappointed that my excitement is not being shared by our dealer and I am treated like a nuisance child.

[minigolf]

I asked for, and was given my VIN by the dealer allowing me to track the car from departure at Southampton to delivery in Canberra. If at first you don't succeed, try and try again!



Cheers Liam

[ScottyB]

I asked and received from Klosters MINI/BMW. Sent it to me promptly in an email.

[nike61]

Interesting. My original order was for ex stock MCS, but after signing paperwork they told me that it was the actual demo that was the ex stock and no longer available.
Anyway, my order was then actually one of the dealers replacement stock order which they confirmed was in actual production on 2nd April. It is now 9 May and I asked on Saturday as to when my VIN was to be available???
It is further interesting is that if you view the Tracking thread on April Production, which mine is also classed as. The USA can order and have arrived in country [not delivered] within a month.

When I mentioned this to Dealer [Auto Classic, Perth], they stated that production is 1 month, then 1 month in hold and 1 months shipping, thus my delivery in July. I personally think this is @#@##@$*#(@#

Further, to produce, they must assign a chassis number which then is the VIN. If the dealers comments are true, then bascially mine is already produced, thus meaning a VIN??

To be trueful, I thing Mini assign 100 minis to USa and UK then 1 to Australia, that is why we do not get them. Further, the VIN isn't given because I really do not think that the Mini is even in production, more just some excuse they give.

However, I could be totally wrong, but given all the comments in the USA Production Groups, they get their VIN immediately.

interested in what others think????

Nike61

[IML337]

From memory (and this was 3 years ago now!) the VIN is created and visible on the dealers computers when a build spot is confirmed, which is a few weeks before production actually commences. I can still picture the screen where you see the VIN on their computers in my head.

I'd say the salesperson who says they've never been asked before is a new person to selling MINIs and is arrogant and doesn't want to help the customer

[nike61]

Quote: Originally Posted by IML337

From memory (and this was 3 years ago now!) the VIN is created and visible on the dealers computers when a build spot is confirmed, which is a few weeks before production actually commences. I can still picture the screen where you see the VIN on their computers in my head.

I'd say the salesperson who says they've never been asked before is a new person to selling MINIs and is arrogant and doesn't want to help the customer

I agree, that if they can confirm the chassis is in production, then they can confirm the VIN, as the tracking methods outlined in other threads detail all the production activities.

To me, I think they had this information but just do not want to provide, as then we can track adn they cant hide any delays or other such issues.

More a control thing

[swamos]

Quote: Originally Posted by daisygirl

I am just doing a quick unofficial survey on how many people have asked their dealer for the VIN number so that they can track delivery and have a bit of the fun in the process while waiting.

I rang our dealer in Brisbane on Saturday morning as I have heard that other people who ordered around the same time had received their VIN via an email from their dealer. Our dealer said she has NEVER had anyone ask for the VIN number and started giving me a bit of a third degree as to why I wanted it and what was I going to do with it.

I tried to explain that part of the fun was being able to track delivery plus I also had a car to sell. She had also heard nothing about the HK fire and said that there was always stock and nothing to worry about but I mentioned that USA owners had been told their delivery would be delayed.

She is away until Thursday but what do I do if she wont get the VIN number. Maybe I need to ring head office or stock control or something next week.

I am feeling very disappointed that my excitement is not being shared by our dealer and I am treated like a nuisance child.

We ordered our car Dec2001, and I think we received our VIN about April. I would have asked sooner only we didn't know about it. The car was delivered in August.

[poki]

Quote: Originally Posted by nike61

To me, I think they had this information but just do not want to provide, as then we can track adn they cant hide any delays or other such issues.

More a control thing

I bet Rolfe are kicking themselves for giving Magictux his VIN for that very reason.

Got my VIN before it went into production too. Daisygirl, perhaps you should suggest to your clueless salesperson that they invest a day researching MINI2 instead of looking a tool every time they are asked a question by a prospective MINI purchaser.

[Sunnybanker]

Daisygirl...note my PM to you

We recived our VIN number as a matter of course from Motorline, Daisy Hill. Our Dealer, Darren Griffith, was as eager as us to share the news so as we could track ASAP.
Good luck
DArrell

[The Artist]

Daisygirl....ditto to exactly what Sunnybanker said above.

[AndrewH]

Agree with Tim. I got my VIN (they contacted me with it without any prompting) just before the car was made.

If they play hard ball with you, just tell them that you need it to arrange insurance once it is here.

[The Artist]

...or you could just tell them that everyone that has ordered from Motorline was given theirs, so they could have the enjoyment of tracking their new baby to OZ.

Then see how fast they get their A into G.

[21Blue]

Quote: Originally Posted by The Artist

...or you could just tell them that everyone that has ordered from Motorline was given theirs, so they could have the enjoyment of tracking their new baby to OZ.

Then see how fast they get their A into G.

Best Idea ever! Imagine what Lisa would be thinking...

[mamba]

I bugged my sales guy for two months and he still didn't give the VIN to me. Finally, he told me two weeks ago that the car has already arrived in Sydney (I was expecting a June delivery). Then he didn't contact me at all until today when I called to ask if it will be at the showroom this weekend, but unfortunatly it looks like it won't arrive till end of next week.... He said that according to their system it should have been at the showroom on the 3rd but it has been held up or the boat was late... lame excuses.... the last week has really dragged once I found out it was in Sydney, but now I have at least another 10 day wait.....

Good luck tracking your MINI, hope you have more success than me.

DanC

[moO moO nEL]

Maybe I should try emailing my dealerfor the VIN number too!

Where to check when I've got the VIN?

[DEMINI]

Hiya Daisygirl
We got a production number for DEMINI early in March (around the time he was actually built),and had a wonderful,though sometimes nerve-wracking time following his progress on the internet-we were even able to watch the ship he came in sail up Port Phillip bay!
But my dealer was a little surprised by my asking for the pro number ,which is the final five or so numbers of the eventual VIN number .By doing some detective work,with much help from the resources of MINI2 we figured out our eventual VIN which was all we needed to track DEMINI from Southampton. It was lots of fun,and helped us endure that interminable wait....
I am sure that my dealer is convinced that we are a slightly scary (though harmless) couple who have nothing else to do but bug her about our cars progress,and possible additions and accessories.And I'm okay with that,especially as I can wander just a few steps away from where I am seated and stare at the object of my obsession
So keep at it,Daisygirl,and don't let some Boombah dealer ruin one second of the whole experience!!!
But is'nt it cool that you can post here,and have people understand your p****edoffedness?

See Ya
P.S. Has anyone else bought the MINI cuckoo clock? It cracks me up everytime the hour strikes.

[21Blue]

Quote: Originally Posted by DEMINI

So keep at it,Daisygirl,and don't let some Boombah dealer ruin one second of the whole experience!!!

See Ya
P.S. Has anyone else bought the MINI cuckoo clock? It cracks me up everytime the hour strikes.

Yeah...don't let someone ruin the experience for you

I have a cuckoo clock. Its great, although I once had to open the door for the Mini to come out cos it didn't come out on its own for some odd reason...

[Magictux]

I got my VIN number early in March and tracked the car from Southampton from 11th March until 20th April when it docked in Sydney. I knew before the salesman when it would arrive. It really did help me get through the waiting process and it gave me something to cling to. How sad! As poki said, it led to me knowing (within a couple of days) when my car 'should' be delivered to the dealership.....which led to me finding out that it had been damaged in transit. This meant that the dealer couldn't get away with hiding the truth from me. If I had my choice I'd still want the VIN number for sure.. BTW, my VIN number is committed to my memory... Most of us who've waited would probably admit that.

BTW, my car arrives tomorrow at 8am ( 11th May).. whoo, hoo!

[DEMINI]

Quote: Originally Posted by Magictux

BTW, my car arrives tomorrow at 8am ( 11th May).. whoo, hoo!

OOH,that's cool,mate.I really hope that all your issues are worked out for the best-did they end up replacing,or repairing your scratched wheel? Will you be checking your new MINI over closely,or what? The only blemish we could find on DEMINI was a small bubble on the bonnet stripe (which I fixed),and believe me when I say that I am Mr.Fussy!!

[Magictux]

Quote: Originally Posted by DEMINI

OOH,that's cool,mate.I really hope that all your issues are worked out for the best-did they end up replacing,or repairing your scratched wheel? Will you be checking your new MINI over closely,or what? The only blemish we could find on DEMINI was a small bubble on the bonnet stripe (which I fixed),and believe me when I say that I am Mr.Fussy!!

They've promised four NEW wheels! (as they should!)


I usually expect things to go wrong and with regard to the VIN number it was always in the back of my mind that I might have been given an incorrect VIN number which could've meant I was tracking the wrong car all this time.. As it turns out it is correct after all of course!