[dinlo]

My friend was looking for a Silk Green Mini Cooper. But b/c it is a discontinued color, she had to call sevral places to locate one. She found one at Desert MINI of Las Vegas. It had most of the options she wanted and she talked to Roger Campell (salesman). At the beginning, he said it would cost $2500 on top of the MSRP, we said we need to think about it, then he called back and said he would lower to $1000 make up. We tried to lower the price, and he agreed to lower the mark up, but that there was a $375 processing fee. In return, we would provide floor mats, a set of rubber mats and a sun shade. We agreed on this price and paid $5000 deposit the same day (Apr 23, 03)

The next day, we found out there was a $200 hidden charge. Mr. Campell said that is for "VTR", something that will lower the insurance. We ask the insurance company and other dealer, none for them had heard of it. One dealer said it's useless. We should not get it, plus it's not necessary. So we called him back and told him we don't need the VTR. Then Mr. Campell started giving me an attitude. He told me on the phone, "This is non-negotiable, so take it or leave it." I was really not happy with his attitude, but b/c it's for my friend, I said we would think about it. He called back again, and said he will take off the VTR, but he will also take off some accessories. We told him we will call him back and tell him yes or no. A couple hours later he called back again and said he have to take off all accessories to cover the VTR, so either we pay the VTR with free accessories, or nothing at all. Remember it's still $500 make up and $375 processing fee.

I told me friend to forget about it, don't deal with this dealer, but she really like the color, so she signed the paper and sent him a check with the remaining balance.

2 days later my friend called to confirm they got the check, he said they got the check but they sold the car to someone else. He said he can order a new one for my friend with no mark up, but we are extremely disappointed with his service. I even talked to the GM, but she never returned my call. I bought so many cars, and this is the worse experience I have had. So Please think before you deal with this dealer. I will never deal with them again.

Sorry for the long message, but just want to warn all the MINIs lover

P.S.
Since we signed the contract, does that mean they void the contract? Please help.

[brave1]

Uh oh, I was just gonna ask if anyone had dealt with Desert Mini in Vegas..I was thinking of going there. I sent them an email and got a call back the next day from a Lon Waite who said they have CVT Mini's in stock and would be happy to sell me one. It was on my answering machine, so I have not called back yet..I would not consider paying more then $500 over MSRP if that, so now I'm worried they are gonna be another rip off dealership....anyone else deal with them? This is frustrating trying to find a decent dealership and buy my car..ugh!

[syntrix]

I will never deal with them ever. Still $2500 markups over MSRP, 10+ week lead time if you order, etc.

They are basically Desert BMW, and they have screwed a few [un-car-educated] friends on deals for bimmers that they are now so upside down on, that they will not be able to get out of them.

They are the only BMW dealer in town (two locations), so the attitude carries over to the mini's.

I'll be calling some socal mini dealers tonight or tomorrow

[dukesantos]

You won't find any deals in CA, only two dealers there Long Beach and East Bay(Pleasanton) sell at MSRP- both have long wait lists. Try Scottsdale MINI and MINI of Murrray (Salt Lake City), they deal fairly. If you are in a hurry there are three dealers in Chicago and one in Milwaukee, all are pretty good and you might find a car in stock. Fly out, drive back, I've done it, it was fun!

[syntrix]

Good info. I used to live in SLC, so that might work

I'd also have to trade my existing car in, but I'm still waiting for 03 trade in values to show up on KBB

[spydr]

i'm shopping right now - my cooper got smashed by a drunk driver

so i'm looking for an S, and it looks like the only place near me (i'm in southern AZ) is the las vegas place.

i called around california, and most of them were either too busy to talk to me, or mentioned the "$2500 premium" the minis were fetching...

mini in scottsdale doesn't have any cars at all, just a few demos they aren't selling, and a 3-6 month wait time for an order, which is just rediculous.

so las vegas it is... which is nice since i can get a cheap one way plane ticket there i'm sure and drive back... but still.

from the look of things i won't be able to talk them down to less than msrp, and it sounds like they will try to add on a bunch of other extra crap that i don't want.

buying a new mini is so ... it's ALMOST not worth it

[1notenough]

Quote: Originally Posted by spydr

i'm shopping right now - my cooper got smashed by a drunk driver

so i'm looking for an S, and it looks like the only place near me (i'm in southern AZ) is the las vegas place.

i called around california, and most of them were either too busy to talk to me, or mentioned the "$2500 premium" the minis were fetching...

mini in scottsdale doesn't have any cars at all, just a few demos they aren't selling, and a 3-6 month wait time for an order, which is just rediculous.

so las vegas it is... which is nice since i can get a cheap one way plane ticket there i'm sure and drive back... but still.

from the look of things i won't be able to talk them down to less than msrp, and it sounds like they will try to add on a bunch of other extra crap that i don't want.

buying a new mini is so ... it's ALMOST not worth it

I live in Southern Arizona and found that Brian Harris Mini in Baton Rouge, LA, are selling at MSRP. My car just arrived today, (MDS) and now I need to fly out to take delivery then drive it back. We found plane fares around $150.00 or so and only had to wait 5 weeks. So far I've been very happy with the salespeople ( Lance Faucheux and Ricky Porche) I hope everything continues to go smoothly when I go out to pick up my new baby. I'll let you know how it turned out.

[Getalife]

Quote: Originally Posted by dinlo

My friend was looking for a Silk Green Mini Cooper. But b/c it is a discontinued color, she had to call sevral places to locate one. She found one at Desert MINI of Las Vegas. It had most of the options she wanted and she talked to Roger Campell (salesman). At the beginning, he said it would cost $2500 on top of the MSRP, we said we need to think about it, then he called back and said he would lower to $1000 make up. We tried to lower the price, and he agreed to lower the mark up, but that there was a $375 processing fee. In return, we would provide floor mats, a set of rubber mats and a sun shade. We agreed on this price and paid $5000 deposit the same day (Apr 23, 03)

The next day, we found out there was a $200 hidden charge. Mr. Campell said that is for "VTR", something that will lower the insurance. We ask the insurance company and other dealer, none for them had heard of it. One dealer said it's useless. We should not get it, plus it's not necessary. So we called him back and told him we don't need the VTR. Then Mr. Campell started giving me an attitude. He told me on the phone, "This is non-negotiable, so take it or leave it." I was really not happy with his attitude, but b/c it's for my friend, I said we would think about it. He called back again, and said he will take off the VTR, but he will also take off some accessories. We told him we will call him back and tell him yes or no. A couple hours later he called back again and said he have to take off all accessories to cover the VTR, so either we pay the VTR with free accessories, or nothing at all. Remember it's still $500 make up and $375 processing fee.

I told me friend to forget about it, don't deal with this dealer, but she really like the color, so she signed the paper and sent him a check with the remaining balance.

2 days later my friend called to confirm they got the check, he said they got the check but they sold the car to someone else. He said he can order a new one for my friend with no mark up, but we are extremely disappointed with his service. I even talked to the GM, but she never returned my call. I bought so many cars, and this is the worse experience I have had. So Please think before you deal with this dealer. I will never deal with them again.

Sorry for the long message, but just want to warn all the MINIs lover

P.S.
Since we signed the contract, does that mean they void the contract? Please help.

This sounds like a horrible experience. Remember, most salesmen look at you as a dollar sign. They see you and the first thing that comes up is (CHA-CHING) and the MINI is a very hot item so the longer you wait to make up your mind, there is another person waiting in line to buy the car. When buying a car you take all the salesmans time and make him answer all questions. For him its a sale, for us it is an investment that we live with for the next 3 to 5 years. You never signed a contract, but you sent a check to him? I would request my check back and go to another dealer, or I would be very nice to him, buy a car from him, and then nail him on his CSI to get even at him.

Good Luck

[CurtP]

Read through your signed contract carefully - you may have legal recourse. I would run it by a lawyer regardless.

[AprilWhine]

People, you are being very helpful and supportive, but check the date of the original post. I'm sure in the course of a year that everything has been resolved.

Dinlo, how about an update?