[Lefty]

I, too, offered my business to MINI Scottsdale because it was the closest dealer. Debbie was, unfortunately, the MA assigned to me. I wasn't happy at all with her attitude. Here's one example of many: When I remarked that the "doc fee" was a bit inflated, and suggested that it could be lowered, she told me "No it can't. That money doesn't go to us, it goes to the dealer." I thought: if you're not the dealer, then who are you? From her reaction you'd have thought I was trying to take money out of her own pocket. Anyway, I let it all slide, until the last straw. She sent me an email one holiday weekend at work (it was obviously work: it ended in .gov) to advise me that it was time to put down the deposit and if I did so in the next 24 hours I would get $250 in goodies. Monday morning, when I got the email, I phoned her to arrange for the deposit, and was informed the goodies offer had expired. "Tough luck" was the attitude, "you didn't make the deadline." I walked. Buy from Scottsdale if you must, but Albuquerque is not that far away. (And, you avoid paying Phoenix city sales tax by going elsewhere. Yes, MINI Scottsdale is not even in Scottsdale, it's in Phoenix proper.)

[Poisonedwell]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lefty

Yes, MINI Scottsdale is not even in Scottsdale, it's in Phoenix proper.)

Now, that's crazy

[GreyStreet]

Quote: Originally Posted by Poisonedwell

Now, that's crazy

It was all about which city would benefit from the sales tax revenue from United Auto Mall/Group.

[mindymini]

: You can no longer order a Mini at North Scottsdale Mini of AZ. In the future Mini's will be ordered the way the dealer wants.Also can not look to see what they have orderd. When a car comes in they will E-mail all people on an e-mail list to say that they have cars on the dealer floor. First come first serve. My son kept waiting to put his name on the wait list and found that he was 10 days to late. He was in very foul mood that day.

Also they do not take e-mail loan checks even if they are certified and made out to them because they want to be the one to give you the loan. But they will match the interest rate.
Yes debbie is our MA and at times calls days later. But in genral she has been good to work with. Our mini is due on land Aug the 18th . ChilliRed/black/ black / white stripes red /black leather

With red and black checkered top which we have never seen but were told by Debbie it was so different and a knockout look. We think a Mini should have the sporty bright bells and whistles

[tfaust]

Quote: Originally Posted by mindymini

: You can no longer order a Mini at North Scottsdale Mini of AZ. In the future Mini's will be ordered the way the dealer wants.Also can not look to see what they have orderd. When a car comes in they will E-mail all people on an e-mail list to say that they have cars on the dealer floor. First come first serve. My son kept waiting to put his name on the wait list and found that he was 10 days to late. He was in very foul mood that day.

Also they do not take e-mail loan checks even if they are certified and made out to them because they want to be the one to give you the loan. But they will match the interest rate.
Yes debbie is our MA and at times calls days later. But in genral she has been good to work with. Our mini is due on land Aug the 18th . ChilliRed/black/ black / white stripes red /black leather

With red and black checkered top which we have never seen but were told by Debbie it was so different and a knockout look. We think a Mini should have the sporty bright bells and whistles

Sorry to hear that, when did this policy go into effect? Glad I made the cut off, my car should be here in a month or so. Did you want the CR/B you are getting or was it forced upon you?

[mindymini]

I have always wanted a black top no matter what the base color.
Nothing was force on us. Our choice the whole way.

Son went into scottsdale Mini today. Thats when he found out .

[GreyStreet]

Basically, it seems that they will configure their own MINIs and maybe only sell fully loaded cars to make the most money out of their customers who are waiting for a year to receive a Cooper.

I don't know exactly what the policy is but maybe MINI USA should know what they're doing. One unique MINI buying experience is configuring your own specifications and that's what MINI of NS is taking away from the customer.

[Cadbury]

This could be a reaction to the low amount of allottments they get. This way, when you go in there to buy a mini, you can pick one out and drive it home that day... instead of waiting the 9 months, as I have!!

but... I would bet there will be a strong negative reaction to not being able to design your own. People asked me why I didn't buy a used when I told them I'd been waiting 5, 6, 7 months... but its the custom features that drew me to the new!!

[GreyStreet]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cadbury

This could be a reaction to the low amount of allottments they get. This way, when you go in there to buy a mini, you can pick one out and drive it home that day... instead of waiting the 9 months, as I have!!

but... I would bet there will be a strong negative reaction to not being able to design your own. People asked me why I didn't buy a used when I told them I'd been waiting 5, 6, 7 months... but its the custom features that drew me to the new!!

I went to test drive a Scion tC at Right Toyota the other day. Pretty nice ride for the price! And you can choose your own spec too!

[Poisonedwell]

Quote: Originally Posted by GreyStreet

I went to test drive a Scion tC at Right Toyota the other day. Pretty nice ride for the price! And you can choose your own spec too!

most of the important stuff is standard though. For under $17K I didn't even get a sunroof

[GreyStreet]

Quote: Originally Posted by Poisonedwell

most of the important stuff is standard though. For under $17K I didn't even get a sunroof

What car under $17k are you talking about? The tC that we are waiting on is $16610 and comes with a panoramic sunroof.

[Poisonedwell]

Quote: Originally Posted by GreyStreet

What car under $17k are you talking about? The tC that we are waiting on is $16610 and comes with a panoramic sunroof.

I think I didn't phrase that correctly. I meant that the TC is one of a very short list of cars under $17K that includes a sunroof. The MINI certainly not being one of them.

[GreyStreet]

Quote: Originally Posted by Poisonedwell

I think I didn't phrase that correctly. I meant that the TC is one of a very short list of cars under $17K that includes a sunroof. The MINI certainly not being one of them.

Hopefully, in a few weeks I will be able to compare the two.

[CooperSAZ]

I do not understand MINI of Scottsdale. But logistically speaking, they are in a hole with allocations. By virtue of being the only dealership in Arizona. My wife and I went there in mid-July to inquire about an '05 MCS. I believe his name was Justin, the front desk guy. I was promptly told that it would take 12-months in order to get one. Who orders a brand new vehicle and waits 12-months? Honestly? Most people go to a dealership or many of them and purchase a vehicle within a few days! This was tough to explain to my wife who still thinks I'm nuts for waiting for the MINI to be built/shipped/delivered.
This is why I placed an order with the MINI Center, San Antonio, Texas. I was promised the car in four months (fingers crossed in Nov '04), and that was good enough for me (and my wife , did I mention that she still does not understand the idea of waiting for a car to be built.
What is the point of this? I truly believe that Arizona requires a second MINI dealership. Truly! If not for allocation purposes, for competition purposes. When there is competition, the consumer wins! In theory, it will push both dealerships to "out-do" each other in the form of customer service and car servicing. Right now, MINI of Phoenix (aka Scottsdale) is the only player in town and they know it!
On a side note about the dealership, I did not get the impression that we were not at the "level" (if you will) to be on the property, but with that said, I could see it happening! That dealership area is very high end. When I initially spoke with "Justin", he told me that the reason it takes 12-months for an MCS (4-6 months for MC) is that "they" are "re-tooling" the factory for the new model and that pushes things back a bit. When I called LV, TX and some other state, I was told by all that it would take 4-months. So after weeding out the "Premium" dealerships, I decided on San Antonio, Texas. Alex is the salesman, very good guy and no additional premiums charged. I then felt compelled to call back MINI of Phoenix (aka Scottsdale) and ask again why it takes 12-months again???.... "That is just how long it takes to order one!" (the reply) I then said, why is it that everyone else is four months, a couple of which do not charge a premium addon to the sticker price. Then he mentioned that they are the only dealership in the west region that does not charge over MSRP and therefore they have customers from all of the coast, Arizona, Las Vegas, New Mexico etc etc. Given their only dealership in the state allocation numbers, the list grows! (and so does the wait time) I then found myself asking, "Why did this not come out before, instead, I received a factory re-tooling explanation???"
Who knows about the dealership, I just hope their servicing ability is better! Or this will get interesting! Take from that what you will!
Finally, I found a current Arizona thread!!!!!!! (It's the small things in life, ain't it?)

[Poisonedwell]

CooperSAZ - I don't understand their 12 month rule either. It really sounds strange when you compare both New Jersey dealers which have a 2 1/2 month wait. I guess I should be lucky I got my 05 MCS BEFORE I move back next summer. Then when I go for my service at MINI Scottsdale I can think to myself (thank GOD I dodn't order mine here)

Good luck!

[CooperSAZ]

Thanks! I really hope their service is quicker than their sales. It would suck to wait for six months on an oil change.... (yes, I am being sarcastic!) I hope........

[tavis1]

Quote: Originally Posted by CooperSAZ

I do not understand MINI of Scottsdale. But logistically speaking, they are in a hole with allocations. By virtue of being the only dealership in Arizona. My wife and I went there in mid-July to inquire about an '05 MCS. I believe his name was Justin, the front desk guy. I was promptly told that it would take 12-months in order to get one. Who orders a brand new vehicle and waits 12-months? Honestly? Most people go to a dealership or many of them and purchase a vehicle within a few days! This was tough to explain to my wife who still thinks I'm nuts for waiting for the MINI to be built/shipped/delivered.
This is why I placed an order with the MINI Center, San Antonio, Texas. I was promised the car in four months (fingers crossed in Nov '04), and that was good enough for me (and my wife , did I mention that she still does not understand the idea of waiting for a car to be built.
What is the point of this? I truly believe that Arizona requires a second MINI dealership. Truly! If not for allocation purposes, for competition purposes. When there is competition, the consumer wins! In theory, it will push both dealerships to "out-do" each other in the form of customer service and car servicing. Right now, MINI of Phoenix (aka Scottsdale) is the only player in town and they know it!
On a side note about the dealership, I did not get the impression that we were not at the "level" (if you will) to be on the property, but with that said, I could see it happening! That dealership area is very high end. When I initially spoke with "Justin", he told me that the reason it takes 12-months for an MCS (4-6 months for MC) is that "they" are "re-tooling" the factory for the new model and that pushes things back a bit. When I called LV, TX and some other state, I was told by all that it would take 4-months. So after weeding out the "Premium" dealerships, I decided on San Antonio, Texas. Alex is the salesman, very good guy and no additional premiums charged. I then felt compelled to call back MINI of Phoenix (aka Scottsdale) and ask again why it takes 12-months again???.... "That is just how long it takes to order one!" (the reply) I then said, why is it that everyone else is four months, a couple of which do not charge a premium addon to the sticker price. Then he mentioned that they are the only dealership in the west region that does not charge over MSRP and therefore they have customers from all of the coast, Arizona, Las Vegas, New Mexico etc etc. Given their only dealership in the state allocation numbers, the list grows! (and so does the wait time) I then found myself asking, "Why did this not come out before, instead, I received a factory re-tooling explanation???"
Who knows about the dealership, I just hope their servicing ability is better! Or this will get interesting! Take from that what you will!
Finally, I found a current Arizona thread!!!!!!! (It's the small things in life, ain't it?)

Obviously you have never delt with Southern California dealers. There is seven in LA and only one sells at MSRP and has a 12 month wait. The others have a shorter wait but, but have a a $2500- $6000 dollar mark up. Between friends and I we have been just about to every dealer for service and it has been seriouse crap. I had to go to Las Vegas to get good service!
Tavis1

[turbolisa]

We just took delivery of a base 2005 Mini Cooper from Debi @ Mini of N. Scottsdale. So, you need to hear how good they can be.

We went in and ordered the car at the end of May. At that time they quoted 9 months for an S and three months for a base model. We were told about the plant closing due to re-tooling and the high demand for S's. They also quoted us list price for either. However, due to the unknown pricing at that time, we did not finalize the price until July. We put down $2k in May.

If you want to whine about whether they are in Scottsdale or Phoenix is useless. They are located in a very high dollar part of town where people think nothing about dropping $30k for a car. So, the lack of S's is no surprise to me.

We chose the base model to get the automatic, CVT, option. While it would've been nice to get the S with the SMG next year, we didn't want to wait.

The car showed up on August 21st and we went up there to get it. Debi and Scott could not have been more helpful. Scott spent an hour with my wife (her car and the actual Turbolisa) going over all of the bells and whistles. The car had no quality issues and had been cleaned and waxed very well.

On the issue of doc fee's, I'll offer my last four as comparison:
1998 M Roadster - $160
2002 Vette Z06 - $300
2004 VW Tuoareg - $200
2005 Mini - $388

So, they certainly aren't on the low side. But they're only high by about $100. Certainly not a deal breaker to me.

So, thanks to Debi, Scott and Mini of Whatever. We'd go back.