[rei00]

Is it just me or some dealers are just totally lacking in any kind of customer service?

Last year when I put down my money for Cooper S at Arlington MINI, the salesman promised me that they will be open in March 2002.

1) I am #27 on the list and I have yet to hear from them for even a test drive.
2) I can't never get them on the phone-they are off selling porsches and BMWs.
3) Haven't received the new brochure.
4) I found out that there was MINI coming (just for show), about a month ago by calling them myself... not the other way around.
5) When I went to see the MINI (for the show), they told me that they will not be open until JULY(!!!) unlike March they promised...

I decided to give a call over to Sterlin MINI, Chrystal was most helpful and I signed as around number #70(Arrgghhh!)... last week, they even gave a phone call to come and test drive a Cooper even though I am #70 or something on their list - Most fun I've ever had on four wheels. They even had a customized cooper with 18"s, Add-on fog lights, and new exhaust.

This brings about the subject of my post.

I understand some dealers are just better than others, but why do I have suffer and wait more because some dealers are being honest with their opening dates!

IMHO, MINIUSA f****ed (pardon my language) this up pretty bad. There should have been a centralized waitlist - too late for that now. But MINIUSA better fix this dealer opening situation soon - or they will have some angry people like me howling at their doors for a cooper.

[sixfoot6]

Honestly... I think it depends on the motivation of the BMW dealership's MINI representatives. The Santa Ana dealership only seems mildly interested in selling MINI's so far. They're salespeople are still in the dark. The Irvine dealership, on the other hand seems much better informed and enthusiastic, mainly because their doors are open and they're moving MINI's.

However, with waiting lists in the 600-1000's for both the Cooper and Cooper S, the iniative to cater to the customer may wane...

sixfoot6

[Sejanus]

I was told by my dealer (Niello Sacramento) that the staff were not working for individual commissions. In general I would feel this was a good thing, you know tone down the hard sell attitude, but I wonder if with such a high demand it might not lead to the responsibilty for customers just being passed off.

[rei00]

I guess my problem here is that even though I put my money down a year ago, I will not be getting my car when it's due because of these dealer practices.

But then I guess I should happy to be able to get the car MSRP... In another thread, I saw that California dealers are jacking up their prices by thousands of dollars.

This is capitalist country but selling $17000 car for $25000 is just way too much.

Do you think that MINIUSA is going to do anything anything about these sub-par customer service and outrageous mark-ups?

What were their criteria when they selected these dealerships? Shouldn't they have required them to at least open on the launch date?

[mr.bill]

I got on the interest list at Long Beach MINI the day they became "official." I was promised I would be contacted when the showroom was open and a demo car was available. I was promised I would be sent a brochure and kept informed of the progress of the dealership. I have written to them several times and never received an answer. I never got any calls, never got any brochures, nothing. It is as though I don't exist. They are open now and selling cars, because at least one poster here got his car there last weekend.

I have already decided to put off buying the car until BMW gets its act together and improves the build quality once and for all, but the dealer doesn't know that. It angers me that I was treated like a pile of dog poop. A promise is a lie if you don't keep it. I don't like being lied to and I don't like being ignored. When I was at the dealership the opening day, I got the impression that the salespeople in the MINI division would rather be selling BMWs where the sales commission is a lot larger. Buying a new car should be a pleasant experience. Some dealers apparently need a refresher course in customer relations.

[weimdog]

I have decided not to buy a MINI at this time. After talking with the sales manager from Crevier months ago, I have not received any word about their dealership opening. I visited Long Beach Mini yesterday and the sales staff could answer none of my questions regarding ordering the exact car I wanted.

The stories of outrageous dealer mark-up are really troubling.

I'm putting off my Mini purchase until years end.

Maybe we can start a thread to recommend dealers with excellent customer service to the members of this website.

[Clutch Cargo]

I have been dealing with Peter Braun at MINI of Fairfield county. He's a classic Mini enthusiast, and an honest guy.

I have had excellent service from Peter. Emails, phone calls (when there is actual news), a brochure in the mail. Because I was on their list, I was given an opportunity to test drive the car on the day they opened, March 22 as promised. And I have had my exact spec ordered. Peter says delivery possibly in May, so psychologically I am preparing myself for June.

Actually, everyone I have dealt with at this dealership has made me feel like a client and not like a sucker. I know, when the car actually arrives, that I'll be put into the small room with the ex-professional wrestler, so final judgement will have to wait. But in the meantime I am happy to recommend this dealership to everyone: (203) 348-4700. I don't expect too much knuckle-breaking, because I have also prepared myself psychologically to postpone my MINI or forego it entirely if necessary. It's a policy of mine not to co-operate with extortion.

Something else to consider: Part of the reason for my fast order is that I want a Cooper, but virtually everyone else in this area that wants a MINI, wants an S.

I don't know if they have a policy about out-of-state purchasers, but I live across the border from them in NY state, so they can't be too rigid about it.