[Pennypincher]

It's none of my business of course, but I wonder what your personal profile is? I don't think any dealer would try this on someone they perceived as a "car guy." If you are very young, old, or female, then it wouldn't surprise me as much as if you were a 20 -50 year old male who made it clear tht you knew your way around a car. Just my opinion, of course!

[planeguy]

Please, please tell me you have not paid the dealer a cent!!!!

You are getting ripped off bad! evan the paperwork fee that almost all dealers charge are way to make an easy $200-$500 profit

listen, take your purchase elsewhere and call your local Better buisness buearu and MINIUSA

[chiph]

If you didn't order it, don't pay for it. Be willing to say "Sorry I don't want that on my car. Order me one just like you promised, even if you have to bump someone else's position in order to get it to me in time." They won't do this, but it'll indicate you're serious.

The $200-$300 "processing fee" is annoying, but for a high-demand car like the MINI you aren't likely to get out of paying it. However, underbody coating (on top of the already good factory coating??), paint sealant (a coat of wax), fabric protectant (a can of Scotch-Gard), and Life Insurance (??!??!) are all rip-offs and you shouldn't pay for them.

You didn't say what dealer this was, but you should know that Flow in Winston-Salem has un-committed cars on their lot for the first time since they opened last summer.

Chip H.

[tip]

I just looked at my Bill of sale. I purchased and took delivery of my car a week ago. NO ACCESS fee anywhere on the bill of sale. Everything is straight forward. My admin fee was only $195.00.

It sounds wishy washy this ACCESS Fee. Keep us posted.

Charles

[northandy]

I'm kinda shocked by that, I'm horrified that they are trying to rip you off to the tune of $2k, thats unexcusable, if i were you I'd ask for a $500 off what you originally agreed to pay for them trying to swindle you !!!!... or you'll walk away shouting loudly about what they tried to do...

I once heard of a guy in the UK that had major problems with his dealer that decorated his car with a story of the faults etc etc, then parked it legally on the road outside his dealer for a few days... soon got his problems sorted !!

Hope it turns out ok... and i'm glad us UK guys dont have to pay over MRSP !!...

[dco43054]

Quote:

Originally posted by tip
I just looked at my Bill of sale. I purchased and took delivery of my car a week ago. NO ACCESS fee anywhere on the bill of sale. Everything is straight forward. My admin fee was only $195.00.

"admin fee" = ADDITIONAL DEALER PROFIT. You paid the same thing as an "Access Fee", you just got gigged a bit less, and it is Canadian $$ to boot!

But seriously, undercoating, paint guard, fabric guard, rust protection are all HIGH PROFIT items for dealers. They make a ton of money on them. And less reputable dealers make their sales staff really push them. I remember a salesman at a Pontiac dealer one time just beg me to have them add undercoating to a car. He even dropped the ask price on the car to work it in. Just like extended warranties on most electronics - 90%+ profit.

Walk away and find a dealer that charges sticker with no BS. They are out there and some have cars on the lot with no wait.

Dave

[Bonjour]

Did this dealer look like William H Macy's character in Fargo by any chance?

[Spy Car]

This dealer sounds like bad news. Can you believe there were dealers here in LA getting $6000 in dealer mark up? Yikes. BMW ought to shut these guys down. Do make a report with MINIUSA.

[BartMack]

I recommend calling Graham Hardwick at Checkered Flag MINI in Virginia Beach. I just ordered my second MINI through him and he (they all) have been very accomodating to me so far.
They charged $399 processing fee over MSRP and no hard sell anything, and the rest was VA taxes, title etc.
(AND if your looking for a BRG automatic, I know where you can find one.... )
Good luck to you.