[Cooperbabe]

Do you think your dealer is actually being true to them?

I'm dealing with Tom Bush in Jax and have been on the list for awhile--I'm like 30 something on the list.

Late March I received a letter saying they would open on the 22nd and since several dealerships couldn't open on that date, they would have additional cars (being on the list we were promised we could specially order ours) and they would contact us according to our spot on the list to see if we didn't want to wait anymore and just take one of the ones coming in.

Well, I found out that was bull. I've never been contacted and when I was at the dealer I saw them selling those cars to people who were never knew a waiting list even existed.

Furthermore, a friend of mine who is lower on the list said he was told he could order his now and not wait anymore.

What the heck happened to we'll be dealing with everyone in the order they're one the list? And it's not like I want an S..I just want a Cooper!!

Grrr.....

[sixfoot6]

Around here, this appears to be happening all over...

Those on the 'interest list' are simply invited to come down and see the MINI's...

...which are in turn marked up from MSRP and pre-spec'ced to an extent that the real enthusiasts are balking... and the walk-on trend-followers are dishing out the money and driving away in the new MINI's...

I'd simply try to be as proactive as possible in getting a special order MINI in and being clear about MSRP when it gets here... after that, be patient.

Good luck,
sixfoot6

[Cooperbabe]

Thanks

I could understand if this was a case of we put on names on a list and that was it..but we put a $500 deposit down to show our intent...you'd think that would count for something! Regardless, I think I'm going to head up to the dealer again this Saturday--although I have to see if they have a CVT to test drive (although who am I kidding? I'm pretty sure we'd buy it without test driving!)

Oh well, much bigger issues to worry about in the world

[MGB Boy]

I don't really know what my dealer is doing on the Cooper (and I'm not too concerned, either), but on the S, it seems like they are going somewhat by the list, but certainly not religiously, your "number" isn't etched in stone. I went down for a test drive the day after they opened, and filled out an order sheet right after the drive, and the (unspoken) impression I got was that being on the list meant you were on the radar so to speak, but filling out and signing an order sheet (countersigned by the sales manager) is where the rubber met the road. I got the impression that, by coming in and filling out a spec and agreeing to purchase, I was thus moved forward on the list, ahead of others who may have had a deposit in ahead of me but hadn't come in to spec their car and shake hands and seal the deal. That's just my impression, could be wrong. It felt like "if you're on the list, you have first whack, but we won't wait for you, so if you're #10 but you haven't done the paperwork and #20 comes in today and signs the papers, he's now ahead of you". But maybe I'm wrong...

-Ricardo

[minirossa]

Cooperbabe,
I think it really helps to be the "squeaky wheel" in regard
to the waiting lists. Been pestering (in a nice way) my salesman about test driving an S. Everytime I call I ask about the list; Where am I? How many now? etc.
Seems I learn something new everytime!
When I asked about the Cooper list he told me a specced car
would be 120 days. A car already shipped (not ordered) could
only be a couple of weeks!
Granted you would have to settle in that scenario.
If you check around this site though; several people have mentioned they got "bumped" up the list.
Let's face it alot of Mini dealers are overwhelmed.
If they get to know you it cannot hurt your chances.
Find out what your salesperson likes to drink!!

[Keith]

It also pays to be flexible. If the dealer has a very specific list of requirements by your name then you will not be called until they are ready to take customer specified orders. You may get passed over for a car that is close because he thinks you don't want it. It is better to tell the dealer you want to be told about almost any car they have available - you only get to turn down a pre-spec car if he calls you!

Also be flexible on options - for example, why wait an extra 6 months for a HK stereo when you can upgrade the stock stereo later if you decide you don't like it? How many options on your "required" list are really worth waiting an extra six months for?