If I reserve through the official website, can they still charge a markup price?

H

Hammad Shahid

New Member
Hi all,

So I've been trying to get an EV recently, and I've found the mini cooper se to be my favorite choice so far. However, I'm a bit unclear on the whole process. I've heard places charge insane markups and that the cars aren't going to be delivered for a while.
I live in NorCal (U.S.), if that helps.

What's the best way for me to proceed? I sent an email for a quote just earlier today, because I'm not sure how this whole process works.

Thanks for any help.
 
Back in march when I went through the ordering process I contacted the three local NorCal dealers to confirm pricing, specifically if there would be any mark ups or dealer add ons. I’m located near Stanford. Both Mini Marin and Mini Concord confirmed msrp only. I’ve heard Stevens creek is also msrp only but they weren’t quite as upfront with the ordering process. We ended up going with mini Marin as they had an open allocation and were easy to work with. Others have had good luck with Concord. You’ll want to contact each dealer to see who has the earliest allocation for placing an order, otherwise you could end up waiting in line just to place your order. Once you have a dealer selected they’ll send you a direct link to do the $250 deposit.
 
TsylviaNH said:
Back in march when I went through the ordering process I contacted the three local NorCal dealers to confirm pricing, specifically if there would be any mark ups or dealer add ons. I’m located near Stanford. Both Mini Marin and Mini Concord confirmed msrp only. I’ve heard Stevens creek is also msrp only but they weren’t quite as upfront with the ordering process. We ended up going with mini Marin as they had an open allocation and were easy to work with. Others have had good luck with Concord. You’ll want to contact each dealer to see who has the earliest allocation for placing an order, otherwise you could end up waiting in line just to place your order. Once you have a dealer selected they’ll send you a direct link to do the $250 deposit.
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Stevens Creek also confirm the price is MSRP and no mark up when I ordered with them [emoji4] Yes, I second on the suggestion about calling and ask for allocation availability first (which was something I didn’t do as I am new to this ordering process too…. Who would think cars become a scarce goods these days). The salesperson that I work with is a nice guy too.. but it took slightly longer for my order to go through as I think when I ordered, there were no allocation available. Good luck on the ordering process!


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I went to my dealer in NC, we negotiated the price and then they had me fill out the online form from Mini's website while I was at the dealership to get the allocation. Ordered in November and got here last week of March.
 
My process was similar to what others have mentioned. I reached out to all the Mini dealers within 110 miles of my house. I.E. want to buy where I can drive home without a charge. I asked each one for their best price including add-ons. My closest dealer I really wanted to order from since I test drove a Mini there and the salesman was very helpful. When it came to numbers, they were adding $1,200 for window tint and ceramic that they refused to remove.

So I went with Crevier Mini. All my requests were done through e-mail. Once I agreed on the dealer and price, the salesman sent me the link to reserve the Mini online and ensure it was directed to their dealership. Very easy process.

Back in March, all the dealers I contacted were at MSRP. But all of them, except Crevier, were adding things so in a way it was a mark up. It’s up to you to decide if those add-ones are worth it. In my case, I will do window tint and ceramic coating with my local installer. It will be much higher quality products for $200 more.

Good luck.
 
lknjlsaf said:
we negotiated the price
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How did the negotiations begin and end? Did you end up with a lower than MSRP price or MSRP with free stripes and MINI Cooper socks?

I paid MSRP and got 2 free pairs of MINI Cooper socks. I also received a discount on the base MINI Cooper hood I bought to eliminate the SE's skeuomorphic hood scoop and make my EV perfect (however, the discount was peanuts compared to the cost of having my local body shop paint and install the scoopless hood when my SE finally arrived).
 
insightman said:
How did the negotiations begin and end? Did you end up with a lower than MSRP price or MSRP with free stripes and MINI Cooper socks?

I paid MSRP and got 2 free pairs of MINI Cooper socks. I also received a discount on the base MINI Cooper hood I bought to eliminate the SE's skeuomorphic hood scoop and make my EV perfect (however, the discount was peanuts compared to the cost of having my local body shop paint and install the scoopless hood when my SE finally arrived).
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I paid like 500 under MSRP, but after doc fees I essentially paid MSRP. Not much wiggle room right now it seems.
 
Jim In Tucson said:
WHAT?!?! I feel cheated. I paid MSRP but only got ONE pair of socks.



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MINI of Ann Arbor went out of business the day after they delivered my SE. Perhaps they were just emptying the sock bin before closing for good. If your MINI dealer is still doing business, you got the better deal.
 
The two dealers nearest me (2 and 4 hours away still) were both selling at MSRP (+Taxes,Tags,Title+Dealer Doc Fee, all of which is typical in Virginia). I haven't heard of anyone getting below MSRP on new vehicles these days. The closest dealer claimed all cars came with their snake oil protectants already applied for some fee on top, I pushed back and they caved, but it left me with a sour taste so I chose the other, further away dealer.
 
Jim In Tucson said:
WHAT?!?! I feel cheated. I paid MSRP but only got ONE pair of socks.



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We got two pair. Think we will get any with the second one, or is there a family sock quota?

But we were special customers. After I scared the sales kid, he went intonthe back office and sent someone else out. When our Salesman asked where we were from, and we asked him, my wife asked if he went to whatever elementary school. She has friends who taught there, and I knew the building he grew up in Manhattan.
 
Oh I forgot about doc fees and how that can vary pretty drastically between dealers. The doc fee was $85 at Marin. So basically MSRP (w/ no add ons or mark ups) + $85 doc fee. No socks though...well maybe they'll surprise us once we take delivery :p I think Concord was similar, I'm sure Yoyo_boba can chime in with what Stevens Creek is charging. I wouldn't be shocked if it's the same at all three.
 
TsylviaNH said:
Oh I forgot about doc fees and how that can vary pretty drastically between dealers. The doc fee was $85 at Marin. So basically MSRP (w/ no add ons or mark ups) + $85 doc fee. No socks though...well maybe they'll surprise us once we take delivery [emoji14] I think Concord was similar, I'm sure Yoyo_boba can chime in with what Stevens Creek is charging. I wouldn't be shocked if it's the same at all three.
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Documentation fee is also $85 but with tax and registration, it does add up. My estimate includes the following:

Vehicle selling price $ 38250 ( I added mini yours seat, iconic trim, I think 2023 price will cost $250 more for the mini yours leather seat)
Sales Tax (estimates) $3500.81
Documentation Fee $85
Tire/Battery/MVWEA $7
Smog Abatement Fee $20 ????(not sure if I need to pay this? But it was on the estimate)
Tag/ Registration Fee(estimate) $513
Electronic Filing $30
Flat Add/County Fee $21




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