[Wynn]

Well! Greg Chapman, manager of Momentum MINI in Houston, just phoned to tell me that he's forwarded my messages to an attorney, because my comments may constitute legal "slander."

BAH ha hahahahahhahahaha!!!

To reitterate, so that the attorneys and everyone else have a very complete list of my comments, here's the brief history of my experience with Momentum:

On my first visit, two employees greeted me, gave me their business cards, and agreed to sell me a MINI Cooper S at MSRP without markup and without any required add-ons or options I didn't want. I pressed this point specifically, as this question was the exclusive reason for my visit. Manager Greg Chapman himself took my deposit.

Afterwards, Mr. Chapman phoned to say that his employees have no authority to make the agreement they offered, and he refused to honor it.

Mr. Chapman told me that he would only make $500 per car, if not for the required $3,400 in dealer services they add on to every sale. For over three thousand dollars, you get wheel and tire warranty, a loaner car when you need service, car washes, and a "service maintenance agreement."

When I pointed out that other near-by dealerships sell cars without these mark-ups, Mr. Chapman told me frankly that the richer Houston market will bear thousands of dollars of mark-ups; there are simply plenty of people here who will pay thousands extra, he said.

Mr. Chapman offered to let me buy just $2,100 worth of this crap, rather than all $3,400 worth.

I told Mr. Chapman then that he needed to honor the agreement made by personnel in his employ, and I promised to share with the online community the result, and my opinion of the dealership regarding this experience, good or bad.

Mr. Chapman never again returned my message or contacted me, despite holding my deposit.

I asked Saturday that he return my deposit, and he has agreed to do so, and warned me that he's contacted their attorney because my comments "border on slander."

So to be VERY CLEAR THAT EVERYONE GETS IT, here's my conclusion and opinion spelled out for the world:

Greg Chapman runs a business that does not honor its agreements. Mr. Chapman is a manager who does not invest his employees with authority or respect, and does not abide by the agreements they negotiate.

My opinionated conclusion: Greg Chapman is an unethical man who runs a disreputable business with values rooted in profit rather than honorable or even merely professional behavior.

ATTORNEYS: BRING IT ON. Let's talk about whether Momentum is obligated legally to respect the agreements negotiated by personnel in its employ, while we're at it.

-Wynn Martin

[Wynn]

For the record, the two Momentum employees who greeted and assisted me on my initial visit are Issac Tapias, and Stephanie Ballard, who were both very warm, professional, and sincere. And hot.

I am sorry to say that my experience with their manager has been so unpleasant, because these two were a welcome introduction to the new dealership when I visited.

[Apex]

You atate that they took your deposit. Don't you have a sales order filled out at that time showing that they have your deposit and what the price of the car will be?

What is your paperwork trail?

Do you really want to sue?? Based on what I have read in these forums, there are other dealers willing to sell you a car quickly and with no or minimal markup.

Good luck.

[Wynn]

They took my deposit, but not an order, because the HK sound system was not yet available for order at the time. I jokingly asked Issac and Stephanie if they would give me their agreement in writing, but it wasn't a serious request- at least, I wasn't bold enough to push for it sincerely.

Gosh no, I have no interest whatsoever in suing anyone, and I'd not buy from Momentum if they agreed now to the original offer, of course; I do not trust their manager. Mr. Chapman is the only person who has involved an attorney. And they aren't going to sue anybody, either; there is no slander here.

From the dictionary, for fun:

slan·der

n.
Law. Oral communication of false statements injurious to a person's reputation.
A false and malicious statement or report about someone.


I expect my reports here to be injurious to Mr. Chapman's reputation, but they are neither false nor malicious. The truth is simply damning.

-wynn

[Apex]

I doubt that Momentum's policies will change anytime soon. They have the advantage of being new and in a very large market. I would take my business elsewhere. It's too bad since you have waited so long and would probably prefer to business locally.

[Wynn]

Quote:

Originally posted by Apex
I doubt that Momentum's policies will change anytime soon. They have the advantage of being new and in a very large market. I would take my business elsewhere. It's too bad since you have waited so long and would probably prefer to business locally.

Yeah, I agree with you completely. I really don't mind waiting, though; I was going to wait to order the HK system, anyway, and it sounds like some more changes and options may come in March, so I will just hold out until then and see if we really do get cool metal pedals and a zippy new steering wheel.

It certainly would have been nice to buy locally, of course, and I regret that I'll probably have to take my car there for service. Though, hopefully everyone else at Momentum is wonderful, and its only their boss who is unpleasant. And, perhaps he'll be replaced in a while; I've heard others say they found him so distasteful that they wouldn't buy there, either (one other).

Happily, the folk at BMW Center in San Antonio, who will become the staff of MINI Center in just a few weeks, have been SUPER for a year, and it will be a pleasure to buy from them and make the 3-hour drive home in a new MINI. One MINI Center employee used to even photocopy magazine articles about the MINI before it hit the US Market this year, and then paper-mail them to me; she even sent me a personal greeting card once, and they've just been fantastically warm and delightful, so I've looked forward to buying from them for a very long time. I agreed to give Momentum a chance to match the experience, but their lousy manager has wrecked that, and that's fine; I really want to repay MINI Center for their awesome support.

-wynn

[Mini1380]

Wynn. Have you voted for the Bad Dealer award yet?

[Wynn]

Quote:

Originally posted by Mini1380
Wynn. Have you voted for the Bad Dealer award yet?

*chuckle* I sure have. It's not really a vote, but a nomination process, which I think is a great idea. And, I regret that we have a candidate for Bad Dealer; I hope to nominate MINI Center in San Antonio for GOOD Dealer after their doors open. The staff at neighboring BMW Center has been truly exceptional, which I think reflects the positive spirit of MINI-- the company, and the car.

[mixdman]

Wynn,
I also was threatened with a possible lawsuit from a Motoring Advisor at Niello MINI in Sacramento, CA. I also did not want to pay the $2000 for floor mats, fabric and paint protection...what THEY called extra value dealer add-on. This person told me in her e-mail reply that she understood that I would not be getting $2000 worth of product , but that was management's policy.
I posted her reply and then she threatened me. Her name is Tracy Clark. Check out the posts under Dealer Feedback for Niello MINI. I reported this to MINI USA and they did nothing.
By the way, this crappy dealer is still crappy and will always be crappy.

[Wynn]

Quote:

Originally posted by mixdman
This crappy dealer is still crappy and will always be crappy.

*LOL!* Crap sucks.

[charper]

If you are not happy with how a dealer is conducting business, just go somewhere else. I called several dealers prior to making a decision – delivery time, “motoring fees”, and the general “vibe” I got from the person I spoke with all factored in. Nice or not they all knew exactly what the fees above MSRP would be when I asked them. But the ones that weren’t friendly and had wacky fees just didn't get the business. It’s the same as when I'm shopping for stereo equipment or jeans or anything else.

Most of the Mini folks I have dealt with have been friendly, helpful, and generally enthusiastic about what they were doing. But I dare say that they also have a life and family outside of motoring assistance, dealership management, and the Mini Cooper.

I do think it is irresponsible to post their full names (along with their work place) on a web site just because they aren’t doing things the way you wish they would. I think that feedback in this area should be kept to dealerships not individuals at dealerships. It’s not nice.

I would suggest that anyone who is interested in the Mini get on the phone and talk to these folks. Find yourself a dealer and make a road trip if necessary. If this doesn’t work for you there’s always the PT Cruiser!

charper

[BillK]

Uh . . .Charper,

I think Wynn is perfectly ready to let it go. I believe it is the dealer who is threatening a law suit and keeping things alive.

[rich]

That's **** poor and reflects badly on MINI USA for not enforcing higher standards

I say print the names of these cowboys & save others the wasted time & bad experience...

Good luck Wynn & others finding a car somewhere else...

[Daddu]

charper, Do you work at a MINI dealer????? It sure sounds like it.

[gromit]

Quote:

Originally posted by charper

I do think it is irresponsible to post their full names (along with their work place) on a web site just because they aren’t doing things the way you wish they would. I think that feedback in this area should be kept to dealerships not individuals at dealerships. It’s not nice.

charper

Um, no. Through the use of MINI2 and the other boards several dealers, dealership personnel and MINI have had their feet held to the fire due to sub-par service issues. I have, and will continue to, name names when I am treated poorly *and* when I am treated well. It *is* effective and if a salesperson, sales manager, finance person, service manager or other guy/gal is embarrased by a description of their conduct, too bad. Perhaps they should act in a more professional and upfront manner in the future to avoid embarassment. I've got nearly $25,000 invested and being *nice* is not always in the customer's best interest.

I must add that Wynn's description of the problem was one side of the story. I have corresponded with Wynn and have read his posts. They reflect a reasonable individual and I have no question of their veracity. The dealerships are fully aware of this new technology known as the internet and I would be quite suprised if not one single person at the dealership in question is aware of MINI2. MINIUSA sure is (Hi Jack P.). There is no reason that a representative of the dealership cannot log on and tell their side of the story, we have some great MINI sales folks who are active on MINI2. I would give them my hard-earned money anyday because they have a customer service attitude that is exemplary. I wish they were *all* that way.

[Wynn]

Quote:

Originally posted by gromit
we have some great MINI sales folks who are active on MINI2. I would give them my hard-earned money anyday because they have a customer service attitude that is exemplary.

I totally feel the same way. My point in telling the Momentum story is not to slam Momentum or even Mr. Chapman, but to help other MINI buyers know the truth so they can buy from the kind of people they want to. And, because I hope and believe that by sharing our experiences, those dealers who aren't up to par with the many wonderful dealers around the world will also benefit by seeing the difference, and having an opportunity to learn and do better. I hope that this leads to constructive changes at Momentum, where I liked everyone I met but the manager.

And like you, Gromit, I am delighted by the one MINI2 member I can think of off hand who also sells MINIs, and has always been a warm, sincere, and even fun member of our MINI community. The whole community is so smart and friendly... for car buyers, I think we're an exceptional bunch, and blessed by our constructive relationships.

[Wynn]

Guys,

Mr. Chapman just called me to say that he's reviewed our discussions here, and wants to apologize. He agreed to honor the original offer to sell me a car without mark-ups or add-ons, and even offered to place the order today for immediate build. "Let us and MINI make this right for you."

I think that the right thing for me to do is to accept his apology, and perhaps wait to order from the good people in San Antonio who have been warm and sincere since I met them last year. I need to think about it and not just make a spontaneous decision.

Thank you all for all your support, your friendly-dealer recommendations, your critical ideas, and all your feedback. By being here for one another, we strengthen the entire MINI community and experience for everyone. To that end, I hope Momentum and Mr. Chapman grow from this experience to offer better service and policies for everyone henceforth.

Peace,
wynn

[gromit]

And cheers to Mr. Chapman for seeing what the 'right thing' was and then doing it!

The power of MINI2, don't mess with the karma.

[charper]

Quote:

Originally posted by Daddu
charper, Do you work at a MINI dealer????? It sure sounds like it.

Nope - just Joe Mini buyer.

Wynn - glad you got it sorted out.

charper