[carols]

On 7/3 went to Nick Alexander BMW (LA, CA) to order my Cooper S. After a bit of negotiating, I asked to lower the markup...the sales person came back from the manager (with the "4 square form" the dealers always negotiate prices on) w/a way better price than i expected ---$23, 949 for a 2005 Cooper S w/rubber mat accessories included. I thought it was a mistake so i asked her if that price was correct and she said yes. She said the tax, title and license would be about 10% of that price, so about 26,000 approximately. I immediately wrote her a thousand dollar deposit for that car. She wanted to keep the "build sheet" of the car, so I wrote the final price of $23, 949 on the top so I could keep some record of the price and she made me a copy. Unfortunately, when i asked for the purchase order today, the final price was $25, 949 ($2000 over what we finalized). I immediately called to find out if there was a mistake. The original salesperson said that was the price i agreed on. To make a long story short, I asked them to fax the original 4 square where they wrote $23, 949 in the middle and they faxed me a fake one (they even faked the fourth of july flag that the manager drew on there the first time) and completely insulted my intelligence. I did not pull that number out of my ass. The manager even insinuated that i may have made this up because i wanted to renegogiate the deal.. I dont know which, or both, the salesperson (the only female salesperson at nick alexander mini) or the manager, but someone tried to pull a fast one over me. They wouldnt admit their fault until i called the customer service rep at nick alexander bmw. then, they tried to blame it on the salesgirl. The manager (who was much nicer w/the customer service rep on the other line) wouldnt give the car to me for the original price, but he was willing to throw in the "permaprotector" and lower the price by $500. I asked for the ipod accessory outlet instead. (what the hell is permaprotector anyway) Lesson: get copies of all the paperwork.

[joeyjoe9]

permaprotector is nothing. it doesn't exist. it's the biggest retail scam perpetuated on the american people since the carpet sweeper.

[carols]

faking a contract is pretty serious...(incidentally, the fourth of july flag they originally drew on was bigger and in the middle of the paper)...what can you do though...im going to report them to better business breau...is there a car dealership breau?

[RobHardyUK]

permaprotector?!??!?!?! Sounds like something to protect a ladies hair!!

[Rick Anderson]

What a bunch of scumbags. I went there when I was shopping and left right away because the sales people seemed pretty slimey. I guess Nick can say no, huh?

[Lefty]

You may want to bring this to the attention of the Attorney General's Office. I don't know if this stunt amounts to consumer fraud, but it sure seems close.

[lillapoyka]

that is a load of bull but you should have probably gotten some kind of contract in writing since you did put down a deposit.

[hayinboy23]

i ordered my car from nick alexander mini... they were nothing but nice to me... i have been to all of the other mini dealers in the area from long beach to irvine to mt. nick offered me the best deal. i exchanged a few emails with the sales person. he was very nice and friendly and so i stoped in one day and talked for a few. told him id be in monday early to set up the order and deal. i know most places around here make up the minis like 2000 to 10000 bucks but this one said ok let me just make this easy... we will only make up 1500 and knock off the other 1500 of the 3000 mark up... he tossed in all the goodies i wanted... i guess ill just have to wait and see what the real deal will be about once i get to it... ill keep ya posted

[trico]

Actually, in California there is a place to report dirty new car dealer dealings. The California New Motor Vehicle Board. Go to http://www.nmvb.ca.gov/ and find out how to register your complaint before the Governator downsizes all consumer oriented programs as bad for business

[BrianNFergieOC]

Shame on Nick Alexander Dealership! Don't they know the MINI Family is close knit and stories like this don't go unheard....

I must say that although I had some drama with financing my vehicle since I purchased it out of state, I would do it again and suggest it to anyone in a heartbeat.

These CA MINI dealers are getting out of hand....

[AmRov]

Sounds like deceptive trade practices to me. You could probably sue them, but the question is whether you have the time and energy for that... probably not. Which is why dealers get away with that *&% all the time. Bummer...