[gypsyslady]

I popped into Nashville MINI on Saturday to pick up a replacement ashtray/coinholder that they had to order way-back-when. I'd told them I'd come by for it next time I was in the area (which isn't frequently).

Well, I was back in the area on Saturday and strolled over to the service advisors, broken ashtray/coinholder clutched in my hand. Let 'em know I was by to exchange it for the one they'd ordered. They did have it, as promised, but the service advisor would not simply exchange the part. Insisted on checking the car in, have a technician pulled off of another car to install the part and BTW would wash it while it was back there. In amazement, I offered to simply swap the part, this being one of the few parts on the MINI I feel comfortable installing without totalling messing it up. Afterall, it just sits in the cupholder.... Nope. No could do. If I could give 'em 30 mins, they'd fix it right up.

One hour later I notice the car's sitting up front, all sparkly shiny. I check with advisor. Yep, it's ready, go see the cashier. I go see the cashier and point to my keys. Can I go now? Nope. Cashier hasn't received the "paperwork" yet. I check back with the cashier 20 mins later and still no paperwork. I finally go back to the service advisor who manages to swipe the keys from the cashier, proclaiming that he can sign the warranty paperwork for me afterall.

Now, I don't want to come across complaining about Nashville MINI. The SAs are always very nice and helpful. I just find it extremely funny that it took nearly an hour and a half to get my ashtray/coinholder swapped out because of their warranty procedures! And now I'm wondering how I was able to order a spare key without getting a technician to "install" it in the ignition for me...

(One a positive note, my husband and I got to chat with another MINI owner up from Huntsville, AL about all things MINI. He'd never heard of MINI2, so we hooked him up with website info and also told him about a local TECH day that BAMA MINI is holding next month. So the wait wasn't as excruciating as it could have been!)