[moola]

Well, the good news is that I finally picked up the MINI on Saturday morning. Green and shiny, beautiful as all get-out. Also had my first admirer! As we were driving back to Michigan from Chicago, we stopped at some godforsaken spot in Indiana to eat and when we came out of the restaurant, there was this guy hovering 'round the MINI, peeking in the windows and such. So we stood and talked with him for a minute - I let him sit in it and popped the bonnet so he could see the engine. Big giddy smile on my face of course!

The bad news, which we didn't discover until we were pulling into the driveway at home, is that there's a big (well, maybe 2 inches across) dent in the tailgate just below the license plate! We only found it because my husband was behind me and his headlights caught it at just the right angle that he saw an odd reflection and went to see what it was after he'd got out of his car! Argh! Now, I know I didn't back into anything while I was driving and I'm reasonably sure no one backed into me anywhere (we had our eyes on the car virtually the whole time we were eating), so I can only assume that the dent was there when we picked up the car and no one noticed it. It was a gloomy, grey day after all - no reflections to show it up. Plus, there's no scrape or scuff mark on the paint surface to indicate that someone might have hit me with something.

So of course I called my MA the instant we got into the house (not there, of course) and now I'm waiting with bated breath for him to contact me first thing tomorrow morning and see what happens. I have a sad feeling I'm hosed on this and will have to pay to have the dent removed myself, but we'll see. I could kick myself for not spotting it at the dealer, but NOBODY spotted it until the dealer was a 4-hour drive away, of course.

Suggestions? Comments? Sympathy?

[markjenn]

Well, you definitely have my sympathy.

This really is a situation where the dealer/Mini doesn't have to do anything, but you would hope they would for customer goodlwill. I'd be cordial, honest, and hope for the best. This is one of those situations where you'll probably get more response if you're nice about it rather than demanding- it is possible that the damage occurred after you left the dealership.

When it comes to body damage, you really do want to get the car in good light and spend your time checking it over VERY carefully, especially if you're buying long distance and about to say goodbye to the selling dealer for the last time.

My bet is that if they don't step up to the plate, you're only looking at perhaps $200 to have it fixed at one of those Dent Wizard type of places. So in the overall scheme of things, it's not a big deal.

Good luck,

- Mark

[ruthie]

Aw Moola. Sorry to hear. That could sure come close to ruining the excitement of finally getting your Mini. Good luck with it.

[Rob.]

You definitely have my sympathy.
Hopefully your dealer will sort it out for you. Stick to it must have been done before delivery and we didn't notice it on collection.

[moola]

Done and sorted (and thanks for the sympathy)!

My dealer is going to pay for it! All I have to do is get it fixed and send him the bill! Patrick MINI in Schaumberg, IL is THE BEST!!!

Feeling soooooo much better now...

Going to go drive in the new snow tonight!

[CooperS4us]

Good to hear your problem is solved. To be honest I am kinda suspicious about the "bystander" that was checking your car out while you guys were eating...too many crazy people out there.

All the best.

[katomliz]

I wil learn from your lesson when I go to pick up my new mini this month. I will look her over really carefully before I leave that lot! I am so excited!!! would hate to go through what you did !

[Smurfn]

Quote: Originally Posted by moola

Done and sorted (and thanks for the sympathy)!

My dealer is going to pay for it! All I have to do is get it fixed and send him the bill! Patrick MINI in Schaumberg, IL is THE BEST!!!

It is very good customer relations for them to fix this. As has been said, they could easily have argued that it happened after you left and you would have no case, but that would have got them very bad publicity.

I hope everything else goes smoothly for you.

[guru220]

i am sorry to hear that you experience hasnt been perfect. I saw tho that u are from grand rapids and i am too!!! i have and indi blue mcs with white wheels stripes and roof. what is yours like so i can wave if i see you around? i have seen a yellow one with black roof and stripes driving around lately that i havent seen in the area before is that you?

[moola]

Quote:

I wil learn from your lesson when I go to pick up my new mini this month. I will look her over really carefully before I leave that lot! I am so excited!!! would hate to go through what you did!

Yep, and it's a good lesson to learn! I thought I HAD checked the car over carefully, but I guess not so much. If it's a cloudy day, you might even ask to have the car taken somewhere that has really good light. I think that was our downfall - gloomy light=low visibility. Heck, now that the car has some schmutz on it from our new snow, you can't even see the dent any more.

Anyway, all settled. I'm having the dent removed next Wednesday and sending the receipt to my dealer for reimbursement.

Can't say it enough - Patrick MINI, Schaumberg, IL If you're looking for something out of state for whatever reason, call Joe Adolf there. They're the best!