[miniyoda]

Quote:

Originally posted by dco43054
I spoke with Chad Simkins at MAG Mini in Columbus, Ohio yesterday. He said they WERE charging $1,500 over list on the S. I told him I had spoken with Eric Robare, who was handling Minis before the launch, and Eric had said they were only going to charge list. Chad said that changed and tried to give me some lame argument about "supply and demand". I told him that was a lame explanation and they had lowered themselves to the level of the rest of the profiteers out there.

So today, I'm calling Cincinnati.

Dave O.
Columbus, Ohio

"supply and demand"? Try: Another dealer can supply at list, so I'm going to demand that another dealer sell me the car.

Pooh on MAG. Maybe I should pay them a visit.

Yoda

[miniyoda]

Quote:

Originally posted by dco43054
I just spoke with Gibson at Cincinnati Mini. She was pleasantly surprised to here she has been immortalized on Mini2. She also said that as of today (11/14/02), at 15 S models per month, they will be delivering cars ordered now in May/June. If their quota is increased, delivery times will drop.

She confirmed they were dealing at list. I will be faxing over an order tomorrow.

If you're in Columbus, Ohio just drive an hour and a half and save $1,500....

Dave

Gibson, and Amy, are both excellent to deal with. I visit the Cincy dealership when I can, even if just to say hi without needing maintenance to Baby.

The (obvious) reason for such a long wait is that they have a better price, and better customer care. You'll have to wait for the car, but it will be well worth it.

MiniYoda

[dco43054]

You Go Yoda! Give 'em some of that light saber stuff, or a mind blast, or something....

I received an email from Gibson at Cinci Mini last night in response to my conversation with her. She's calling today to get the info for my order. What a nice person to deal with. Maybe I will stop at King's Island when I head down I-71 to pick up my new Mini S!

And BTW - I do know the difference between "here" and "hear". Don't know how I swapped them up above. Must be the computer's fault!

Dave

[R53W11]

I've heard Classic MINI up in Mentor, OH is very good, too. No personal dealings with them - but I've seen them mentioned on the forums a lot.

I skipped dealing with MAG as well and bought my MCS from Roadshow MINI in Memphis, TN - they sell at MSRP and are great to deal with. If you don't mind the long drive back give them a try.

[miniyoda]

Quote:

Originally posted by R53W11
I've heard Classic MINI up in Mentor, OH is very good, too. No personal dealings with them - but I've seen them mentioned on the forums a lot.

I skipped dealing with MAG as well and bought my MCS from Roadshow MINI in Memphis, TN - they sell at MSRP and are great to deal with. If you don't mind the long drive back give them a try.

"mind" a long drive back in a Mini? That, itself, is a "roadshow"



Yoda

[dco43054]

Thanks for teh tip on Classic Mini in Mentor. A bit longer of a drive for me.

I spoke with Gibson Olpp at Cinci BMW/Mini this morning. She's mailing the forms and has put my order in the queue. I should have the car in the Spring, just in time for nice motoring weather.

Steer clear of MAG in Columbus. Give Cinci Mini a call. You will not be ripped off, and you won't feel violated.

Dave

[Romhog]

is the wait in cinci still a long one? I know that back last summer it was 6 months, where as MAG is still 6-8 weeks for Cooper S orders.

[wjklos]

Quote:

Originally posted by Romhog
is the wait in cinci still a long one? I know that back last summer it was 6 months, where as MAG is still 6-8 weeks for Cooper S orders.

I ordered my Cooper on 01/06/03, Gibson told me that "S" models were still about 6 months out or so.

[dco43054]

Quote:

Originally posted by wjklos
I ordered my Cooper on 01/06/03, Gibson told me that "S" models were still about 6 months out or so.

Did you place the actual factory order, or did you put down a deposit?

Dave

[wjklos]

Quote:

Originally posted by dco43054
Did you place the actual factory order, or did you put down a deposit?

Dave

Both. It's for a straight Cooper, original production date was set for 02/21/03, now at 02/07/03. Hoping a few more cancellations will being that date in evven further!

[dco43054]

Quote:

Originally posted by wjklos
Both. It's for a straight Cooper, original production date was set for 02/21/03, now at 02/07/03. Hoping a few more cancellations will being that date in evven further!

Thanks for the info. On an S, there is a couple month wait to put in the order, then the normal production and shipping time. I'm hoping to put my order in by early February with a late March build and April delivery. Just have to keep my fingers crossed.

Dave

[Romhog]

did they have many S's in stock in Cinci? Columbus stated that they have 3-4 right now. One is Dark Silver, which is one of my color choices

[dco43054]

Quote:

Originally posted by Romhog
did they have many S's in stock in Cinci? Columbus stated that they have 3-4 right now. One is Dark Silver, which is one of my color choices

MAG may have cars - but at what cost? I refuse to pay $1,500 over sticker for a car. Even an S. So in November, I called Cinci Mini (on advice from members of Mini2) and got in the queue to order a Mini S at sticker.

The people at MAG in Columbus have gone back on their word to offer cars at list to people in the order they were placed on Mag's "list". Screw them. I will drive to Cinci to pick up my car in the Spring. Happens to be the right timing for me.

Regards,

Dave

[miniyoda]

Quote:

Originally posted by Romhog
did they have many S's in stock in Cinci? Columbus stated that they have 3-4 right now. One is Dark Silver, which is one of my color choices

If cincy has S's in stock, then it's probably 1 or 2 at most. They have a half dozen Coopers in stock. Most of their allocation goes into orders. I've been told by a reliable source that they might get their quota increased, thanks to their sales record.

[minisven]

Here's my 2 cents. I ordered my S from MAG and paid sticker price. I also know several other people who did the same. I also only waited 2.5 months for delivery. I ordered an indi blue S on Aug 1st. and it was delivered in mid Oct. I got the first '03 indi blue S delivered in Columbus. MAG can be sort of a pain to deal with but after I told them I was willing to wait and buy the car from Cincy they dropped the $1500 over sticker fee and ordered the car for me without even taking a deposit. Cincy never tried to stick me with the extra fee but they told me the wait for an S was about 6 months just to place an order. You can get an S from MAG if you just pressure them hard enough.

[dco43054]

Quote:

Originally posted by minisven
I ordered my S from MAG and paid sticker price. ... You can get an S from MAG if you just pressure them hard enough.

Don't know what pressure you used, but I tried everything reasonable, since I never had a contract with them in any form, and the response was "It has a limited availability and this is what we are charging".

I am not going to crawl on the floor and beg, or arm-twist a bunch of profiteers. I have not purchased any vehicles from MAG before, and when I'm ready for a BMW, or anything they sell, I will certainly find another dealer.

Gibson Olpp at Cincinnati Mini has always been straightforward and professional. She has never tried to stick me with any extras or upcharges. I have a sales order noting my deposit and the purchase price, which is list.

I don't "need" the MCS, but I certainly want it. I'm willing to wait a bit and save some money. And I do hope that Cinci Mini's allocation is upped so I can wait a little while less.

Dave

[agcarmack]

Quote:

Originally posted by dco43054


...I am not going to crawl on the floor and beg, or arm-twist a bunch of profiteers. I have not purchased any vehicles from MAG before, and when I'm ready for a BMW, or anything they sell, I will certainly find another dealer.

Gibson Olpp at Cincinnati Mini has always been straightforward and professional. She has never tried to stick me with any extras or upcharges. I have a sales order noting my deposit and the purchase price, which is list.


Dave

I must also add: Gibson, Amy, and Katie (?) in Cinci are "motorers" - they get it that purchasing one of these cars is a fun to do. Any time I have been at MAG, I always feel like I am bothering the sales staff. Frankly, I would like to think that I would pay more to buy my MCS from Cinci and enjoy the experience rather than the meatheads at MAG.

[Romhog]

I work with salespeople on the phone everyday, because of the company I work for. They are not that bad. You just have to know what you want, and what you are going to put up with. At one time there was a $1000 markup, but by the time I was done, there was no markup. Its not a saturn dealership. There are games you have to play right along with the salesperson.
I don't need to be taken care of at a dealership. Im in and out of there in 1 day. No time to make friends, just give me my car.

[dco43054]

Quote:

Originally posted by Romhog
...There are games you have to play right along with the salesperson...

Believe me Romhog, I am no pushover. I have dealt with may salesmen (and women) in many capacities, and have purchased more than my share of autos. But you know what? I gave up screwing around with negotiating the pants off people on cars about 10 years ago.

The fact that MAG, and other Mini dealers are charging over list is more annoying, than anything. In the case of MAG it is infuriating given their pre-launch assurances that they would charge list price, and that you could put your name on a list and have them call you to place your order when your name hit the top.

With resouces like Mini2 around, it is very easy to avoid the bozos (with all due apologies to Bozo the Clown, he was more principled).

Drive a few miles, save a few bucks, and a lot of hassle.

Dave

[miniyoda]

Quote:

Originally posted by Romhog
I work with salespeople on the phone everyday, because of the company I work for. They are not that bad. You just have to know what you want, and what you are going to put up with. At one time there was a $1000 markup, but by the time I was done, there was no markup. Its not a saturn dealership. There are games you have to play right along with the salesperson.
I don't need to be taken care of at a dealership. Im in and out of there in 1 day. No time to make friends, just give me my car.

I'd have to disagree with you in two respects. first, I don't play games when spending $20K - $25K. This amount of money, to me, is serious business, and I take the deal seriously.

Secondly, there is always time to make friends with the dealers. Gibson, Amy, Katie, Maryann (head of MINI service), and everyone else at the dealership are very friendly, and I often inform them about MINI related things I find out here that they don't know officially yet. The car owners have even gone out for after-work cocktails on occassion.

MiniYoda