avoiding US Mini dealer's extra add-ons & fees

[minirocket]

Has anyone encountered any negative experiences with Mini dealers attempting to charge for extra unecessary add-ons & fees? Has anyone tried taking delivery of their new Mini exactly the way it first arrives at the dealership, and avoid the dealer prep work fees? Thanks.

[Sejanus]

Oh there have been plenty of such negative experiences. Take a look through the dealer feedback forum threads for a wide range of both positive and negative dealer experiences.

[erazo]

With the limited allocation for each of the 70 dealers in the U.S., and pressure from BMW NA not to gouge customers and thereby jeopardize their 2003 allotment, dealers are trying to recoup their required investment in the new MINI showrooms any way they can. On the other side, they are frustrated by early buyers at MSRP turning around and turning a hefty profit from impatient buyers on eBay Motors.

What's a dealer to do? Try to get buyers to add dealer extras, such as Lo-Jack, Permacoat, etc.

My suggestion to buyers: if the dealer treats you right, repay him/her by getting the add-ons you would have purchased anyway, but don't buy anything you don't want or need. Look, you got on their list, and you got a car. There are many thousands who would like to have been as lucky as you. Do your dealer a favor for not gouging you.

On the other hand, if you paid a hefty premium, then the choice was yours.

[noahe]

I rather agree. My dealer is getting my money for features I want, like a Boomerang Vehicle Tracking system, All the rubber floor mats, boot net, winter tires on 15" alloys... They know I'm happy to buy some extras from them, and they're not gouging me for paint sealants, or rust treatments, or pre-loading the car with options.

But it is a very different situation in Canada. I haven't heard of anyone in Canada getting ripped off my MINI yet. I think MINI Canada has more control over the dealers, than MINI USA does.

[mixdman]

Well, from my constant dialogue with MINI USA, I have come to belive that they really don't care what dealers do with the car. As far as the supply for 2003, they really don't care who sells the car as it seems customer satisfaction surveys don't count. Basically, MINI is touting itself as this really cool, hip, forward thinking car company and they are turning out to be crap like most of the rest. I would rather buy a Mercedes C230! I can get one for a little more than Cooper S and get treated WAY better doing so.

[BRG4Me]

Yes, I am still leaning strongly toward getting a Cooper, but I have to agree with the above post. The MINI is without a doubt a very competent car, but it is mostly about marketing. MINI has taken the "cool, hip" page from the VW play book and enlarged it ten-fold. Like VW, I suspect MINI USA is going to over-promise and under-deliver. I also agree that MINI USA could care less what their dealers do with the cars or their customers during this honeymoon period. It's all about making money, not making friends, and it's wise to remind yourself of that from time to time.

[noahe]

That sucks, for you, and for their long-term customer base. MINI USA should smarten up. Do they read this board?

Because MINI Canada is doing an awesome job. We get more advertising, TV Commercials, MSRP and no add-ons, and they are truly delivering the same as promised. Sounds like other than a few new-car gremlins, MINI UK is doing a pretty good job too.