[nelsdvn]

My International experience dates back to the beginning of August 2001. When I found out that we would have a dealer in Wisconsin I called to get on the list for a Cooper S. I was told that I was about 30th on the list and somewhere in the teens for an S. Over the next seven months would call occasionally to ensure my place on the list, as no deposit was required. In March, as deliveries began, I called to get an idea of when I could expect to order, I was told May for a July delivery. In May I was called to place an order, we did and put a $1000 deposit on the car. Our color choice was a delayed intro item therefore our order would actually be put against a 2003 allocation. This was to happen in late July. Late July rolls around and we are called with our production number!!! The ball is finally rolling. The order spec is confirmed with the dealer and I also confirm it with Mini USA, you cannot be too careful, after all it is your car. Every detail is correct down to the white wheels and the magnesium door caps.
Now for the stressful waiting…….. Not to make a short story too long, but I think MiniUSA got very tired of the calls. Most calls where during the production week. I have to say hats off to the Wallenius Wilhelmsen site for tracking the shipment overseas. Once at the VPC I started bugging the dealer, specifically MINIjewel, hats off to her for dealing with my inquiries in a cheerful manner. The car was delivered to spec, at MSRP, and without one ounce of pressure or hassle. I have one of the first Indi Blue Cooper S cars in the country. I have to say that my expectations have been exceeded in every way.
Now for my rant, I am a patient realist. This was just a car purchase, my 30th. I expect professionalism from the dealer. I got exactly that. I expect to be treated with respect, I got exactly that. I expect to get what I ordered, I got exactly that. I am familiar with the car sales game, it is just a game, and I was an educated consumer with realistic expectations. Expectations that were exceeded.
The internet is a funny place, having been a netizen for over ten years now I have seen lots of dynamics come and go. The one that seems to persist are people who love to gripe. Everything is against them and they should be treated differently. These are also the most vocal folks in cyberspace. Too bad their perception of reality taints the real world.
I highly recommend International MINI of Milwaukee.

[msenkbeil]

I agree 100% Too many people assume that their expectations will be met when buying a car. It's up to the buyer to make sure that your expectations are clear. Then it's up to the dealer to exceed them. It's also up to the buyer to make sure that the order is placed exactly right. I've seen a lot of gripes with no mention of having done two or three verifications of the order. It only takes a few minutes to do, and saves a big part of the chance for problems when the car arrives.

True, mistakes happen. If they do, and you've done your job as a consumer to make sure you communicated all your expectations, then the dealer again needs to come through, and exceed your expectations in fixing the problem.

Nice post Nelsdvn!

[gmb59mga]

Nice post nelsdvn. I agree with both nelsdvn and msenkbeil. I first talked to International the day they were announced as a dealer on MINIUSA. Needless to say, they weren't ready to sell cars. After about 4 weeks they called and said they were taking orders for the MINI if I was still interested. I went down and put a deposit on a new MINI in July of 2001. When the first cars came in, they called and said that I could come down and pick one out. By then, I had decided to change the order to a MCS. They were very gracious about the change. In May they called and said I could submit my specs for a June build. Unfortunately, I wanted BRG so I had to wait until the September/2003 builds. Bottom line, I got what I wanted, at MSRP with no presure to do anything else.

I picked up the car last night and Kyle was very professional and pleasant. He was very helpful in going over the car.

I can't say enought about the information that MINIjewel, Aimee, has posted in the past months. The information has been accurate and very helpful during the wait. It is very easy to become paranoid during the long wait.

I love the car and would recommend International MINI as a dealer.

BRG/W/W/03MCS Finally home.