[Wynn]

I just shared an interesting conversation with Greg Chapman, who called me from Momentum MINI this afternoon after reviewing our threads on MINI2.

He was very concerned that the young assistants who greeted me weeks ago at the dealership had promised me a car at MSRP without add-ons or markups. Apparently, the youth have no authority to make such claims, and were unaware of Momentum's policy.

Currently, that policy is that all cars require the expensive options (which, it seems to me, are therefore not OPTIONS, by definition), though Greg was quick to assert the value of those add-ons and the associated degree of additional service and support... like loaner cars during maintenance visits.

I was disappointed at the confirmation that these additions are required at Momentum, but was pleased first that Greg was very frank with me and had called now instead of surprising me with unexpected charges later; and second that he also said he would try to work something out for me because people in his employ had made a promise without his awareness. Further, he said that they would review their policy regarding such add-ons, and compare practices with other dealerships, in response to the concerns expressed in the MINI2 forum community.

Since MINI Center in San Antonio is still standing by its word as originally offered (thought they're not actually OPEN yet), to sell only what we ask for and to offer it at MSRP, and because I'm on a student budget, I explained that for me, personally, it will only be possible to write a check for the car itself, which might mean buying from San Antonio as I'd originally planned.

Greg promised to continue discussing and evaluating the matter, and will stay in touch, and I appreciate that. When the time actually comes to order my car, I'll give Greg and Momentum a fair opportunity to compete with the other dealerships within a reasonable drive from Houston, and see who offers both the best price and best value. Greg's assertion is that their packages increase the value of the purchase, and of course I'm naturally a little skeptical of such claims... but even if that's the case, price is more critical to my budget than value is. So, we'll see how it looks in a few weeks, when they've reviewed policy and settled on how they'd like to do business.

I was grateful for his honesty, and for his call.

-wynn