[MINIfan82]

I recently purchased my MINI Cooper S through Mini Of the Hamptons in Southampton, NY. They were great, the process couldnt have gone smoother. My salesperson was Michael Dito and he was awesome. Not only was I treated with respect and courtesy, Mike also had a very large inventory of cooper and Cooper S for me to choose from. I live out of NY state and he still assisted me in delivery of my vechile. I don't understand why everyone isnt calling the Mike for MINI's instead of waiting so long. You can contact him at mdito@miniofthehamptons.com or at 631-283-0888.

[brave1]

Well I emailed that Mini dealership last night and sure enough Mike called today and left me a message..since they are already closed for the evening I'm gonna send him an email with the address you gave to see if they have exactly the Cooper I want..keeping my fingers crossed! Did you have any tax issues since you live in a different state from the dealership? How long did it take to get your Cooper? My only other issue is trying to sell the truck I have now since trade in would not be an option for a dealership across the country:-)

[MiniFen]

brave1 -

I am also interested in what you find out. I am considering doing the same using MINI of the Hamptons. I would have mine shipped to So. California - San Diego area. I have a 2002 Explorer I need to sell and I also have done some e-mails with Mike. Kinda "scary isn't it"?

I have posted questions for those who have purchased out of state and registered in California re: taxes and if the out of state MINI is C.A.R.B. (California Air Resources Board) approved.

Good Luck!

MiniFen

[Paul]

The original post here was made by someone from MINI of the Hamptons, or at least using their computers, who posted the same message(s) many times.

So on terms of behaviour on MINI2, I'd give them a black mark. Bit underhanded and dishonest in my view.

[MINISquidz]

Quote:

Originally posted by Paul Mullett
The original post here was made by someone from MINI of the Hamptons, or at least using their computers, who posted the same message(s) many times.

So on terms of behaviour on MINI2, I'd give them a black mark. Bit underhanded and dishonest in my view.

Very sneaky

[Paul]

Indeed, MINI of the Hamptons have done this many times on MINI2. I'm not happy about it, as it's very misleading, and deliberately so.

[brave1]

So yet another dealership I should not be dealing with? Shoot, I'm running out of options, no dealership seems to get good marks..any suggestions Paul? I am willing to have my Cooper trucked to me or fly somewhere to get it if it's from a reputable dealer who can get me the car I want without trying to rip me off...
Minifen and I seem to be in the same boat on this one..lol

[Paul]

If you search the dealer feedback area, they seem to come out pretty well (and I think I've managed to remove all the 'fake' posts), which is why it's been quite bizarre the way they've faked their own PR to a certain (quite a large actually) extent on this site.

So I don't know. Try to find some real customers with a search, and see how it comes out. Just because they've treated me/MINI2 like a mug, doesn't mean they treat their customers the same.

Although, I would of course recommend any dealer that DOESN'T try it on like that over one that does!

[brave1]

Hmm, now I gota find a real Hamptons customer..lol Well I'll keep looking for the "right" dealer and if I find them I'll let the board know..thanks.

[Perry]

I bought my car from Mini of the Hampton's and can only say positive things. I was on vacation, arriving the day after they opened, and was quoted 6-8 weeks delivery on an ordered S.. a bit better than the 10 months to never with the local dealer in Philly. They were totally professional and delivery was on time and easy. They are an short train ride from Philly and NYC. They are next to and part of the local BMW and Benz dealers, so I would not worry about odering a car from afar. Nice people, and low key. Perry

[Paul]

Quote:

Originally posted by Perry
Nice people, and low key. Perry

Well, sneaky underhanded people, who posted a LOT on here (so not low key either), but nice to paying customers then I guess.

[dco43054]

Brave1,

I'm a "real" MOTH customer. I dealt with them long distance on a car. They were OK to deal with. Sold at MSRP, and put down a $1,000 deposit to take over a factory order. I dealt with Torr Marro.

Had one general issue and one problem during the deal. First was just their general tardiness in responding to communications. My emails and faxes would sometimes go unanswered for days. Not on an important issue, but if you want a gold star for the deal, you should be prompt.

Second problem was that the installer who put on my roof rack drilled a hole in the wrong place on the roof. I think I figured out how he did it. Basically measured and then plopped the wrong mark on the template down on the index mark. But - they told me I could get it fixed at the body shop of my choice and didn't flinch when the bill came in at $800 for a proper fix.

MOTH did the registration, paid the local tax, and got the plates for my car and sent them to me promptly. No problems there. There are services that handle such things, though I gave them the name of a local registrar and sent them the proper forms with my signature on them.

There are other folks who have purchased from them and have had their cars shipped. No problems that I have read.

MOTH has a LOT of MINIs. They are all the way out at the end of Long Island. Pretty scenic, but I don't know how BMW/MINI ever expected them to sell a reasonable amount of MINIs. But MOTH seems to continue to buy all they can and sell and ship them to other places.

I just flew in for $184 from Columbus to Islip, they picked me up, and I got some break-in miles logged on the drive back home.

Hope that helps,

Dave

[brave1]

Thanks for the info Dave..makes me feel a little better about dealing with them, though I don't think they should post on here disguised as real buyers..why not be like Faron in San Antonio and say you're a dealer and will be happy to assist with a purchase?:-)lol Anyway, I emailed them and they do not have the exact Indi Blue Mini I want, but can order it and say the turn around time is 6-8 weeks, pretty good. I'm checking about 5 dealerships right now to make sure I deal with the right one as to get the car I want, the quicker the better..I made the mistake of seeing The Italian Job today, and Mark Walberg was driving my Mini! So now I really can't get the car off my mine..anyway, thanks for the info!

[Pamlico]

brave1:

Check Towne MINI in Buffalo, NY. I was there late last week and they had 6 MCSs and at least 45 - 45 regular MCs on the lot. They seemed to have just about every color and combination of option packages. We purchased our MCS from Greg last summer and had no problems or complications.

These guys have a lot of experience selling cars out of state. They've sold a number of them to individuals and dealers in California.

Aside from being a customer I have no affiliation with Towne MINI.

[Andy@Ross-Tech.com]

I would have purchased a MINI from MINI of the Hamptons, but they refused to return my inquiries. Habberstad MINI, on the other hand, replied right away. I bought my MCS from them the next day:

http://www.habberstadmini.com/index.asp

(My IP should check out to be in no way connected with Habberstad)

Perhaps MINI of the Hamptons should spend more time returning calls and emails, rather than shilling their product on the forums?

[MOTH]

I would like to apologize to everyone for the misleading post written by one of our salespeople. I had asked them to use the forums as a tool to let potential MINI customers know that we have MINIs in inventory and no wait list, but I guess that this salesperson decided to take it a step further. Thanks to Paul M. I was able to find out who it was. I have spoken to them and it will never happen again. This particular salesperson is really well liked by their customers but just showed bad judgment is this particular situation. We have delivered many Coopers out of state to many satisfied customers. We work very hard to satisfy our local and out of state customers and to maintain a good reputation. This is evident from the many positive post from REAL customers. Again I apologize for any inconvenience this situation may have caused. HAPPY Motoring.

MOTH
Sales Manager

[Andy@Ross-Tech.com]

Thanks for standing up and admitting wrongdoing! Granted, the "blue dress" had already made its appearance.

You may wish to also look into why this email (which could have resulted in a VERY easy sale of a high-margin spec vehicle) was never returned:

Quote:

Subject:
Mini Cooper S Inquiry
Date:
Wed, 06 Nov 2002 16:22:20 -0500
From:
Andy Smith <andy@ross-tech.com>
To:
narcella@miniofthehamptons.com

Hello Nicole,

I was referred to you by a user of www.mini2.com who raved about your
dealership and you personally. :-)

I am looking to lease a 2003 Mini Cooper S as soon as possible to the
specs below. Do you have any allocations available for such an item? If
not, how long is the waiting list? If the Harmon-Kardon system will
delay the order, I'd be willing to do without it. I'm prepared to place
a deposit immediately.

Thanks in advance,
Andy Smith

My MINI Cooper S
Base MSRP* $19,425
Destination & Handling $550

paint it
Dark Silver $400
Body Color Roof/ Black Mirrors $0

package
Combo #1: Premium Package $1,250
Automatic AC
Dual-Pane Panorama Sunroof
Leather w/Cruise and Multifunction
On-Board Computer
Combo #2: Sport Package $1,250
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
17" S-Lite with all-season run-flats
Front Fog Lamps
Xenon Headlights w/Power Wash
Combo #3: Cold Weather Package $300
Heated Front Seats
Heated Side Mirrors
Heated Washer Jets

performance
Sensing Wipers & Auto Dim Mirror1 $140
Silver Wheels STD

cockpit
Lapis Blue Gravity Leather Upholstery w/Panther Black Interior Door
Casing $1,250
Park Distance Control $300
Computer Navigation System $1,600
Harman Kardon 8-spkr. Hi Fi System1 $550

Total MSRP as configured* $27,015

[Paul]

Quote:

Originally posted by MOTH
I would like to apologize to everyone for the misleading post written by one of our salespeople. I had asked them to use the forums as a tool to let potential MINI customers know that we have MINIs in inventory and no wait list, but I guess that this salesperson decided to take it a step further. Thanks to Paul M. I was able to find out who it was. I have spoken to them and it will never happen again. This particular salesperson is really well liked by their customers but just showed bad judgment is this particular situation. We have delivered many Coopers out of state to many satisfied customers. We work very hard to satisfy our local and out of state customers and to maintain a good reputation. This is evident from the many positive post from REAL customers. Again I apologize for any inconvenience this situation may have caused. HAPPY Motoring.

MOTH
Sales Manager

Thank you.

[RHelkowski]

While I would agree that posting and pitching from this forum is rather crass, I will say to be fair that in Sept 2003 i placed an e-mail inquiry which was promptly returned from Joan at mini of the Hamptons.
Went out twice. 1&1/2 hour drive, 3 hours on summer weekends. At that time they did have about 2 dozen 03's on the lot while every body else was Miniless. Mostly S's. We were offered $500 off list if we took an 03 off the lot. They did appear to be genuine, although somewhat anxious to sell. This is understandable if you're sitting with 2 dozen cars while others in the country are without or are waiting months and the new model year is out. I'm probably wrong but my personal thoughts are that the Mini market was not there that far out on the Island where the Stewarts, Speilbergs and Pearlmans summer. To me Hamptons was almost performing a service to those poor folks who were waiting so long and paying so much above MSRP. (I read a post where someone from CA was making the purchase a vacation experience.)
Also visited Hassel Mini in Freeport. Maureen was very nice, although somewhat forward. But that's thier job so I was not offended.
As far as integrety, service and follow through are concerned I cannot speak to that because I did not use either of these dealerships. Instead I chose Habberstad for their sales group and their closeness to our home. I am not at all sorry. They were sensational and we took delivery of our black beauty yesterday.
All my concerns about the right color, the right model and the right dealership were put to rest when we saw the car.
It is beautyful.
Installed the Moss Mini arm rest and center console organizer as well as the Kleen wheels within hours of pick up. That's for another forum.

[pezhead444]

The wife and I were in Long Island last weekend for a wedding and we had some extra time on Friday so we drove out to Mini of The Hamptons. I called them a few weeks earlier and said we would be in town and asked if we could take a car for a test drive and they said sure. We arrived at the dealership and asked a salesman if we could take a car for a spin and he said "Sure." The salesmans name was Mike Dito. After taking the MCS for a spin we came back to the dealership and he sat down with my wife and myself and punched up some numbers and gave us ballpark figures for a payment. I also forgot to mention we live in Michigan. Mini of the Hamptons treated us very well and answered all questions. We only live about 1 hour from Motor City Mini in Shelby Township but hearing about their questionable sales and service, I think it will be worth paying the shipping charge and ordering from Mini Of The Hamptons. Two Thumbs Up For Mini Of The Hamptons.