Dealer Experience

[cWade]

Anyone either purchased a MINi or had it serviced at Ferman MINI of Tampa Bay?
I recently had a quite an experience with them and would like to hear from others who have dealt with them.
Thanks

[tampaguy001]

Quote: Originally Posted by cWade

Anyone either purchased a MINi or had it serviced at Ferman MINI of Tampa Bay?
I recently had a quite an experience with them and would like to hear from others who have dealt with them.
Thanks

Well, I ordered my MINI from those guys and received a call today that it "should" be at the dealership next week. I have a tenative appointment on the 25th to pick it up. I know I had to haggle with my MA a bit considering I'm going through my Credit Union's NO HAGGLE system.

What's going on with you?

[cWade]

I had to haggle to the point I was outside and thinking of going home when they offered a compromise, finally. Purchased an 05 MCS, started a horrible screeching sound before I even got home. Much telephoning to get it back in immediately for attention. Claimed to be a fan belt, took nearly 3 days to effect repair. Noise returned before I left the parking lot! Drove it back and after a lot of discussion they finally agreed to take it back. More haggling and lots of pressure to do business today. I finally acquired an '03 MCS with the JCW engine kit. The staff just does not seem to really care about the customer after the papers are signed. Very difficult to deal with, manager seemed clueless as to why I would be concerned, even commented that "all cars make noise."

[tampaguy001]

Quote: Originally Posted by cWade

I had to haggle to the point I was outside and thinking of going home when they offered a compromise, finally. Purchased an 05 MCS, started a horrible screeching sound before I even got home. Much telephoning to get it back in immediately for attention. Claimed to be a fan belt, took nearly 3 days to effect repair. Noise returned before I left the parking lot! Drove it back and after a lot of discussion they finally agreed to take it back. More haggling and lots of pressure to do business today. I finally acquired an '03 MCS with the JCW engine kit. The staff just does not seem to really care about the customer after the papers are signed. Very difficult to deal with, manager seemed clueless as to why I would be concerned, even commented that "all cars make noise."

Wow! I'm sorry for the bad experience and for the late post. I hope MINIUSA contacts you as they did me. I took a survey about Ferman MINI and my Sales Rep. Didn't give them very high marks though I did rate their service department well. I had to take The Pooper in for AUX plus replacement. Had an awesome experience with them in that respect.

I can't belive they would tell you that ALL CARS MAKE NOSE. Shame on them... Well, good luck?

[Meghpanek]

I purchased and service my mini at Ferman. They are really terrible. I think they are trained to tell you that all your problems are inherent in the vehicle and "all cars do that" they used to tell me that all the time. If you are still having problems go to John Elmendorf. He is the manager. If you are still having problems ask for the phone number to a guy named Deeds in Texas. He flies out once every few months to make sure things are going well at the dealership. I had about 10 things wrong with my car for over 2 years. I complained all the way up to Deeds and he flew out for a meeting with me, he had them fix my car and reimbursement for everything I had fixed myself.

Also giving them bad surveys gives them a pay cut and they know who does which survey. They will actually service you better if you do bad surveys until they fix it.

Megh