[NeedMiniInfo]

Okay. This is a bit of an odd question...
Anybody here ever do anything nice for their MA or Mini staff on Delivery day
vs. expecting them to do something nice for you? (you know, as in freebies)?

Have had some prob's w/my MA & others.
BUT, figure what point is there now, in keeping some 'spine'
by thinking..."I'm giving them thousands of dollars...
why should I do a nice gesture towards them? It's time for them
to consider doing something towards us, instead."

Anybody here ever bring some 'treat' for staff,
as a "thank you" in a way...
for their assistance along the way?
(or for their patience, if you seemed to be viewed as a 'difficult' customer?)
Difficult as in not making decisions quickly!

Just thinking candy here...not talking homemade stuff, Lord knows! ;-)
But perhaps even candy would be just too strange?

My friend thinks it's way out there...thinks it's not at all 'necessary'!
Almost as if it was 'inappropriate.'

I just was wondering if it might not leave things nicely
(one never knows if later the car will have problems) ...
altho' that would be service staff, not sales involved.

Also...does it hurt to try & make things 'nicer' during delivery day?
Again, I did nothing wrong during the ordering process...
so in a way, am being a bit of a 'doormat' w/this idea.

On other hand, I figure...
let by-gones be by-gones...perhaps it will make the delivery day more pleasant,
than it might otherwise have been. (yes they should just be fun, but
I detect some awkwardness between me & the sales staff)
Am hoping to improve things...

Okay...I'm ready for your sage advice. :-)

[ThomB]

My car is sitting behind the dealership right now. I thought it would be nice to do something for them, so while I was in the hunt for an RC mini (found them at TJ Maxx, a closeout retailer in the states) I found 2 of them. They were only about $10.00 so I bought the dealership one too. I guess it's just one of those things that *may* put me on their good side should I need their assistance in the future. If I get to another TJ Maxx and see he other color (there are 2 that run on different frequencies) I'll get them one of those too...

[mtdave2]

this is an interesting thought. i have been thinking of doing similar stuff for a while. a mechanic shop for instance. one that you use simi often, or a mortgage broker (i buy homes alot) or any person you do business with; i think i would be a good idea to do something nice like you are saying.

for instance, i have thought of buying the office pizza, when they finish up a loan and do it well. just a nice gesture, and more important; the NEXT time you go in, you will get better treatment/service. its just human nature.

with the dealer, if they get warm fuzzy feelings when they see you, you are going to get better service. not that that should be your only reason for doing it, but it would be my main reason.

im thinking of chocolate cigars when i get my mini. would be kind of cool, kind of like the "its a girl" cigars new fathers give out. that would be fun, and people would remember it.

[gokartride]

Thinking of a nice gesture = DO IT!!! The world need more acts of kindness and, although there's no benefit in calculating possible benefits, kind acts always bring about good somehow, someway. Do it...and good for you for thinking of it!!

I'd even love to see MINI owners worldwide, through the networking of our various web communities, do something nice for the plant workers at Oxford...even if it's just a big whoppin' card. We need a big "Thank You For My MINI" campaign!!! My opinion...(and one I plan on following up on. )

[Caz]

Quote: Originally Posted by gokartride

Thinking of a nice gesture = DO IT!!! The world need more acts of kindness and, although there's no benefit in calculating possible benefits, kind acts always bring about good somehow, someway. Do it...and good for you for thinking of it!!

I'd even love to see MINI owners worldwide, through the networking of our various web communities, do something nice for the plant workers at Oxford...even if it's just a big whoppin' card. We need a big "Thank You For My MINI" campaign!!! My opinion...(and one I plan on following up on. )

While I admire all your wonderful sentiments in the USA, try living in the UK where MINIS are made and you'll realise that (whatever kind of good life one leads) a lot of dealers are terrible. I will NOT be giving three cheers for the MINI workers at Cowley - it took them nearly 8 months to build and deliver mine and I only live here. I love my MCS but not my dealer and NOT the management of MINI UK who give priority to overseas buyers. How would you feel if UK buyers could take delivery of a sought-after American-built car at least 6 months quicker than you could?

Sorry but you really make me cross
You just wouldn't believe it...........

[Rollseboy]

If you want to do something nice for your MA, I would encourage you to write a letter to the sales manager and the general manager as well as the MA. Your MA would appreciate it and letters up the food chain will score much bigger points overall than any gift you might come up with. Phone calls are nice, emails are good as well but a formal letter that expresses your true opinion of a job well done is like gold come review time.

Another big deal is referrals. If someone asks you about your wonderful, beautiful car, be sure to refer them directly to your MA. Even better, sent your MA the contact information so that they can do a “Hi, just thought I would introduce myself”. These people are in sales and what they want more than anything else is qualified leads.

I was fortunate to have a wonderful MA (Julie Hoffman from Otto’s Mini). She knew her stuff, was efficient, friendly and very professional. Who could ask for more? I make it a point to have some of her cards on hand in my car to hand out when people admire my little Pepper White S. You will do yourself a favor to put your name on the back of the card so the MA will know where it came from.

As much as I like this car, do not loose sight of the fact that for the dealer it is a business and for the MA it is a job. Fantastic if they can enjoy their job and even better if the dealer is stand up. The down and dirty is that this is what they do for a living and if you want to do them a good turn, word of mouth is the very best advertising.

[fred3]

Quote: Originally Posted by ThomB

My car is sitting behind the dealership right now. I thought it would be nice to do something for them, so while I was in the hunt for an RC mini (found them at TJ Maxx, a closeout retailer in the states) I found 2 of them. They were only about $10.00 so I bought the dealership one too. I guess it's just one of those things that *may* put me on their good side should I need their assistance in the future. If I get to another TJ Maxx and see he other color (there are 2 that run on different frequencies) I'll get them one of those too...

that in order to get good service you have to bribe your dealership I say....HOLY CARP!

If that was the way to get good service I'd never buy a vehicle from that dealership. Anyone ever hear of "customer service"? You're spending considerable cash on the transaction and that "customer service"(believe it or not) is supposed to be part of the bargin. Hard to believe I'm even hearing this. I guess it's a generation that doesn't really understand what it means, but I suppose it should be expected from the "Me" generations that were born in the 80's/90's.

Now if someone in the dealership was to go above and beyond any reasonable service then maybe they'd deserve some sort of thank you. Hell they ought to be going out of their way that you chose their product to purchase and should be bending over backwards to see that it was a pleasant experience for you.

Man! What a sad state of affairs when you have to thank people for taking your hard earned money. The amount of money they make on each transaction should be more than enough of a thank you. Wow! I'm underwhelmed.

[Nameless]

Might have considered it if the useless idiots had got the car order right...

[mtdave2]

Quote: Originally Posted by fred3

that in order to get good service you have to bribe your dealership I say....HOLY CARP!

If that was the way to get good service I'd never buy a vehicle from that dealership. Anyone ever hear of "customer service"? You're spending considerable cash on the transaction and that "customer service"(believe it or not) is supposed to be part of the bargin. Hard to believe I'm even hearing this. I guess it's a generation that doesn't really understand what it means, but I suppose it should be expected from the "Me" generations that were born in the 80's/90's.

Now if someone in the dealership was to go above and beyond any reasonable service then maybe they'd deserve some sort of thank you. Hell they ought to be going out of their way that you chose their product to purchase and should be bending over backwards to see that it was a pleasant experience for you.

Man! What a sad state of affairs when you have to thank people for taking your hard earned money. The amount of money they make on each transaction should be more than enough of a thank you. Wow! I'm underwhelmed.

i agree with you, you SHOULD get great service. and people SHOULD do their jobs, but for some reason 90% dont. still im not saying try and bribe good service. what i mean is stack the deck at bit in your favor if you can.

by the way the original "ME" generation is the baby boomer generation. the gernerations after that just are products of bad parenting.

[justbob]

People are people. They like treats.

The universe has only so much light. If you can add to it, do so.

[ImaVunDerBrah]

I think its a great idea! If my MA was nice/helpful I would totally do the same.

[jggonzalez]

I ordered my MINI at MINI Center in San Antonio, Texas, USA. My MA, Susie Clarke, was very helpful and friendly. I changed my mind a few times and she just took it in stride. When I left, I gave her a (used) copy of the MINI book by Patrick Paternie. She really liked that. I'm also thinking of taking donuts when I get my car serviced. I used to do that when I would take my BMW in for servicing to let the mechanics know I appreciated their work.

As for those who scream about bribes, I have the same reply that I gave once to a young lady who objected when I opened a door for her. She glared at me and said "Don't hold the door open just because I'm a lady!" I smiled and said "I didn't, I held it open because I am a gentleman."

[Cooper76]

Quote: Originally Posted by jggonzalez

As for those who scream about bribes, I have the same reply that I gave once to a young lady who objected when I opened a door for her. She glared at me and said "Don't hold the door open just because I'm a lady!" I smiled and said "I didn't, I held it open because I am a gentleman."

And the headline reads: "Women's lib taken too far loses out to a strong gentleman!" AWESOME!!! I LOVE IT!!!

[mtdave2]

Quote: Originally Posted by jggonzalez

I ordered my MINI at MINI Center in San Antonio, Texas, USA. My MA, Susie Clarke, was very helpful and friendly. I changed my mind a few times and she just took it in stride. When I left, I gave her a (used) copy of the MINI book by Patrick Paternie. She really liked that. I'm also thinking of taking donuts when I get my car serviced. I used to do that when I would take my BMW in for servicing to let the mechanics know I appreciated their work.

As for those who scream about bribes, I have the same reply that I gave once to a young lady who objected when I opened a door for her. She glared at me and said "Don't hold the door open just because I'm a lady!" I smiled and said "I didn't, I held it open because I am a gentleman."

hey! i have been working with Susie too, great lady, no presure, easy to deal with. how was your overall exsperiance with this dealer?

[MiniDaze]

well-said, indeed!

Cleverly put & accurate, JG!

[billy.batson]

[quote=Caz;1662937]While I admire all your wonderful sentiments in the USA, try living in the UK where MINIS are made and you'll realise that (whatever kind of good life one leads) a lot of dealers are terrible. I will NOT be giving three cheers for the MINI workers at Cowley - it took them nearly 8 months to build and deliver mine and I only live here.

On behalf of the vast majority of UK MINI owners I would like to disassociate myself from this member's comments, he is obviously one angry guy but he certainly does not speak for most of us in the UK. It is hardly fair to slag off the Cowley workforce.

[fordcymru]

Having worked for a large south wales car supermarket for many years i dealt with many irrate customers who had spent thousands of pounds on car`s. After all our servicing and p.d.i. checks some car`s unfortunatly still develop faults. While i was the point of contact in the workshop and took a lot of flack from customers, i explained that i did not build the car but would do all i could to put the faults right. Some cutomers were happy with our service and did leave small gifts and treats for the guys in the workshops, other felt we were only doing our job. Basically if you do your utmost to keep your customers happy, they sometimes show their appreciation and this helps to build a good relationship and a good friendly customer base who tell everyone they know of their experience. Give a little love and get a little love.

[Morro]

It's not going to happen.

Perhaps some of you who think this is not crazy are on the other side of the table, and wants this to sound normal.

Yes, that was an odd question.

[feenaldo]

Odd question.

Given the fact that mini people like most on here are more than likley to spec their cars with more extras than tom dick or harry, I would say that the amount of commision these guys get for all the extra boxes you tick is a pretty good deal for them.

[Mejy Poo]

Screw that!!

I want the freebies!!