[howardpm]

And I'm told I didn't have any appointment, even though I was told to bring it in today. Then it turns out I could leave it but they were out of loner cars. So I was like ok i'll come back next week. So I email the service manager to tell him what happened and this nice email below. I don't see why the heck it matters were I bought the car. I just paid 34,000 dollars for a car, I should have the same service as everyone.

"
You neglected to tell me you picked up your new MINI from a different dealership. When we were emailing back and forth I was under the impression that you were a new purchase customer of MINI of Sterling.

The issues you discussed with me are delivery issues. For our customers that purchase here they are taken care of on the spot. I did not make an actual appointment because that is our new purchase customer policy.

I regret your inconvenience, but this could have been cleared up had I known you purchased elsewhere."



Think I should send a copy of this letter to Miniusa and complain?

 

[indimini]

What were you going to have done? I purchased my 02 MC from Towson in MD (and my 05 MCSC) but have had all my service done at Sterling because it was more convenient.They have always treated me very well.

It seems that if the work you requested is due to manufacturing problems, then they shouldn't have any problem doing the warranty work. I could see if it was something like programming the user options on the car that they would be less inclined to do that because i doubt that is a covered expense for them, but assumed to be part of the $$ they make on a sale.

 

[MINIAC]

I doubt MINIUSA can do anything about it ... the dealership isn't denying you service, they're just not giving you the preferential treatment they afford to those who purchase from them.

 

[howardpm]

hmmm

Was going to have them look for a rattle, fix the dead pixel on my nav screen, remove all the leffover tape/glue still from the shipping and I also wanted them to set the dealer options which they told me they would chage me 40 bucks for so I told them I'd call Richmond and ask them to pay. But giving me different treatment isn't the way to run a shop. People buy cars all the time from different places and service them elsewhere.

Howard



P.S. I just called talked to the Richmond dealership and they said they charge too to set up the daytime running lights and door unlocks. Is that normal? I thought you get those options free.

 

[indimini]

Sounds like the Richmond dealer did a pretty poor job of prepping the car. I am surprised that Sterling didn't address the rattle and nav screen issue however, as those are definitely warranty related repairs.

Not trying to make excuses for Sterling - they should have treated you like any other ower - but they seem to get the lion's share of service calls from those of us buying in the DC metro area, even when we get our cars in Towson, Annapolis, or Richmond. It makes it hard for them to provide service for all of their customers along with us "outsiders."

 

[MINIAC]

I just called talked to the Richmond dealership and they said they charge too to set up the daytime running lights and door unlocks. Is that normal? I thought you get those options free.

I believe you get one free programming of these options at the dealership where you purchase the car.

 

[howardpm]

well

I believe you get one free programming of these options at the dealership where you purchase the car.

Is that standard or you just guessing? If so someone will be getting an ear full.

 

[MINIAC]

The FAQ on what to check when taking delivery recommends letting your sales person know ahead of time what memory options you want programmed during dealer prep. If you didn't make this request or Richmond MINI didn't ask you which ones you wanted, then they shouldn't charge you to have them programmed the first time.

 

[howardpm]

Miniusa

Miniusa called Crown Mini of Richmond for me and they told them that they should have given me 1 free programming before I picked up my car which they didn't do, so now its to late since I had sterling do it, but I'm going to see if they will reimburse me do to misinformation.


Howard