I flew x-country to pick up my car not because of the website, or WW tracking information, but because I had an appointment with my dealer to pick up my car. Date and time. It wasn't until hours before that appointment (a week after the car had made US port) that they told me my car wouldn't be available, with a questionable explanation and no ETA on when they would give me the car.

Why am I upset? My airfare from San Fran was $1400. If my car doesn't come for my track event I'll be out another $1500. If this was due to weather or something beyond mini's control I would understand, however this is an arbitrary decision by mini and is completely within their control to fix.

I will agree with you that they've made the problem worse for themselves. They've gotten us in the habit of checking the location of our cars multiple times a day. We're so used to spending time and effort locating our car, that now we know where they are but have no outlet to find out why we can't have them. I don't feel sorry for them however... it would have been very simple for them to put a note in the owners lounge that says cars will be held at the VDC until x date.

 

I think you both are eating too much popcorn. I've had my own company since 1980, and if my customers wanted to know when there job was going to be done. If I didn't answer the phone or gave them some BS story to delay the truth. How do you think that would go?.

 

Of course you should be upset. Your situation is a lot different from the general idea I was speaking to. It was irresponsible for Princeton Mini to have scheduled an appointment with you and not rescheduled when they knew the vehicle would not be released. However for those without scheduled appointments... I just have a different opinion...

 

Perhaps they do not want to give a date because they do not want to be held to an exact date. My dealer told me he prefers to over shoot because he would rather his customers be happy when they received their vehicles early rather than be disappointed when they did not. So no matter what the Owner's Lounge, Ask Mini or WW says until i get the call from dealer I am waiting and enjoying the ability to spy with my carmel flavored popcorn. Munch, munch.

 

What you seem to not understand is the dealers did not know that they where not getting there cars until 7/20/12. They where as much in the dark as we where. It's Mini that's at fault here not the dealers. The dealers where left holding the bag. Mini is able to hide behind there dealers and take no blame?. I will pickup my car when released, but it will put a bad taste in my mouth when it comes to them as a company. Will I ever buy a Mini again?. Only the car itself could change that.

 

I was in a similar situation along the way except my existing mini that was going back decided it needed some attention and required a new alternator. So instead of me having already traded it in I had to replace an alternator. Not an inexpensive or simple repair on a car that I might have for 1 to x number of weeks. I started test driving other cars, If I find one that I like I might be driving a mini

Yes Mini left the dealers holding the bag, Just try call all the ask mini number and get the run around there. Some dealers claim to have had no idea, my dealer for example claims to have learned about the cars not being release from me and I was repeating what you all said.

We have yet to find the true answer from mini, it would be really nice it they would come out and tell us whats the deal. I just dont have a contact tap for the information and I am not sure at this point if I would trust it

 

Only some of the dealers seem to have know on the 20th ( or were telling people who had cars on the way). My dealer and salesman claim to have known nothing until I told them on the 25th

 

Eat more popcorn.
:popc orn:

 

10 days at the VDC and counting :(

 

I hate to tell you guys this, but what you're experiencing, is normal this time of year. A manufacturer has every right to hold vehicles until they are ready to release. Whether it's to get the EPA testing, or because they are waiting for pricing, or just because they want to release the 2013s at a specific date, it's within their right. This has been going on for decades. ALL manufacturers do this.

As for the deposit, it's not like you aren't going to get the car you ordered. You just may not get it as fast as you had hoped. Still, this whole process is a heck of a lot faster, and a hell of a lot more fun than any car I've ever ordered from any other manufacturer.

And while you may not be feeling it now, I can promise you that any heartache you're going through now, is MORE than worth it to get the exact vehicle you wanted.

I'd wait 6 months, heck, I'd wait a year, if it meant not settling for something I didn't really want.

 

Let's all stop with the popcorn and "I'd wait blah, blah, blah... "

When my car was loaded onto the ship in England, my experienced (top MA in FL for 3 years) told me 1) he was surprised that the car was ready so fast and 2) my car would ship with 2 days of arrival in GA and and be ready for delivery 2 days later. When my car hit GA on the 20th, he told me it should ship out on Monday, Tuesday at the latest. On Monday he learned that ALL cars were being held and was not given a reason, nor did anyone at the dealership (the largest volume sales in FL) have any idea why.

Seems to me MiniUSA owes an explanation to its dealers. MiniUSA has every right to do as they please, but they have at the very least an ethical obligation to be forthcoming with information. FYI, I taught Ethics at the college level and my worst students were business majors.

 

If this is the fastest and most fun you've had ordering a car then you should check out more manufacturers. While I wont put this down as the worst (yet), its close. I've waited over a year for a car before. Was it frustrating? Yes, but I wasn't angry with the manufacturer because they had 18 months of demand to fulfill. I've dealt with shipping delays, allocation issues, manufacturing delays, but never have I had my car available and they just refuse to give it to me. Never have I had a dealer tell me that they'd love to give me my car but can't for some indeterminate period and for no reason. Never have I had a delivery appointment canceled with nothing more than a shoulder shrug and a 'we don't know what's going on either'.

Sadly this could have been the best experience. I could look past the fact that I ordered a car without them knowing what the price was...or what the new options and packages were. The tracking of manufacturing and shipping would have been fun if it actually meant something. No where in the tracking system did I see an asterisk that said 'cars will sit at the VDC for some unknown number of weeks until we feel fit to bless you with its presence'.

 

I feel like you all are going to cyber murder me... I think, at least for me, I would rather stay positive then get upset because I feel as though it will take longer. Would I intentionally treat my customers poorly or make them feel as though they have to wait until I "bless" them with my product, no! However, we still do not know the exact hold-up and are depending on rumors to guide our feelings. Let's be honest most of the dealers do not know what the hold-up is. I think that what pdoel is saying is correct. A lot of dealers do hold-up vehicles this time of year. We may not agree with it, but it is what some dealers opt to do. And Retired Rev, people are not speaking from lack of experience. They are speaking from experience. I do not mind the wait because I am getting what I want. You may.

This is a support group. The purpose of its creation is for members to support each other. That is why I think some members choose to remain positive. If we all were negative this site might become depressing... Whatever your feelings I believe each of us has a right to them. In the end, I just want everyone to be happy and enjoy the popcorn. Hopefully, the MINIs will be ready soon!

 

 

minibered2013; I am speaking from experience as well. I went into my local Mini dealer over two years ago when I first saw a photo spread on the Roadster in a European magazine. I been waiting for a very long time. I've also special ordered cars in the past. Until July 20th, the experience with Mini was the best in my car buying life. I am not negative about the car, just about the lack of communication. Mini wants to establish a "relationship" with it's owners. It lets us track the progress of our car from planning to production to transportation. It was fun and each step of the way made me feel I was closer to having that dream car in my driveway.

Now please understand, if I am officially notified that the car will be released for transport from the VDC to my dealer on (insert date here) then I can make plans accordingly. My issue (or negativity as you put it) is based completely on the complete absence of communication.

I like to think that I treat others the way I'd like to be treated. I am a fiercely loyal customer when a business treats me right. I'm willing to pay more for superior customer service. Damned, I'm paying MSRP! I've never done that in my life and I've owned more than 50 cars, most purchased new.

There is no real financial hardship for me. I am keeping my Fiat 500, so I've got wheels and I'm not hanging on delivery and trying to balance selling a car or worse, having to put money into a car slated for trade-in.

IMHO, venting frustration is healthier than eating popcorn.

 

Captain*: "You gonna get use to wearing them chains after a while Luke. Don't you never stop listening to them clinking, they gonna remind you about what I been saying for your own good."
Luke*: "I wish you'd stop being so good to me Captain"
Captain*: "Don't you ever talk that way to me" NEVER!" (hitting him)
Captain*: "What we've got here is failure to communicate"

 

You are right, I will be 500lbs when all is said and done!

 

minibered: I agree with you, I'm not sure any of the dealers know exactly what is going on.... My only issue with my dealer is they will not give me the contact information for the MiniUSA liaison. The dealers point to the ask-mini number, the ask-mini people direct you to the dealer...convenient. My desire to push the issue with MiniUSA is that if they wont answer my questions maybe they will answer someone else (like the press).

R.R: You nailed it. My frustration is with the lack of communication and inability to plan as well. Will I have my car in time for the track event? Will I have enough time to get the car out of its break-in period? If not, I'll have to rent a track car...will that even still be possible by the time I find our when I'll get my mini? Will I have to rearrange travel plans again for a delivery?

 

Well said

 

According to a website (www.autonews.com) I found, the following information is available as of 9 Jan 2012:

Patrick McKenna - Manager, MINI Product Strategy & Motoring Experiences
David Duncan - Manger, MINI Sales
Jim McDowell - VP, MINI USA

The address and general phone number provided is:
(201)307-4000
300 Chestnut Ridge Road
Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey 07677

 

I just hope they start releasing them by the time the Integrity hits the dock this saturday. Popcorn with no salt or butter

 

Hopefully they start releasing them soon!

I unfortunately can't even tell if mine has made it on a boat yet! I know it didn't make it on the WW boat that left Saturday and I can't tell about K-Line.

One day I will see my new MINI, until then I'll munch some more popcorn with everybody else.

 

Finally!! My car just showed up on the WW site. I'm booked on the Tiger leaving Southampton on the 31st. I guess one good thing about going to the Baltimore port is that only WW is used for transport so we miss the K-Line guessing.

Grey, since we were built around the same time I'd bet there's a good chance you're on that K-Line boat.

 

Thanks epeel. I called the number and explained the situation and was directed to the manager of mini relations (didn't catch her name). Left her a message and am awaiting a call back.

 

I was looking at chamber of commerce and wow looks like info for a large amount of people surely someone can reach someone on this list. Look on the right side of the page.

http://www.chamberofcommerce.com/woo...h-america-inc/