MINI center

[weezer2282]

Is there really an appointment scheduler at the MINI Center?

My car has been making a metal on metal rubbing noise and when I was dropping someone off after work this evening, I lost my turn signals and the airbag and seatbelt warning lights came on. After a couple restarts the airbag light went away and after driving a little the turn signals came back, but the seat belt light didn't go away until I made it to the MINI Center.

So...I went in and waited for a while since Bill was with another customer, then I tell him what is happening with my car. He says the problems are probably not serious, so he asks if I want to make an appointment. I asked him if I could leave it with them or is it better to make an appointment, so he tells me they are really busy and it will probably sit for 3 days at least. I ask him if I can make an appointment and he says hold on a second and starts messing with the phone...I'm thinking he has to take a call. Then he is like ok here...trys to hand me the phone...this is our appointment scheduler. I'm just sitting there like "huh?! Nobody ever told me anything about that!" So I said, "I'm sitting right here...can't you do that!!! :flame "

[Will]

I would talk to one of the sales guys like Alex and Faron or Richard about it. That kinda is bad customer service IMO.

I would think he could have made the appt for you.

[weezer2282]

I would talk to one of the sales guys like Alex and Faron or Richard about it. That kinda is bad customer service IMO.

I would think he could have made the appt for you.

He did finally make the appointment for me after pissing me off and making me argue with him to get the appointment. It's ironic because right before he did the whole phone thing he had just shown me the appointment schedule! It's not the first time I've been treated poorly by him and the service department either, but this one got me steamed. He treated the customer before me so much better too. I've told the sales guys and MINIUSA before and nothing much happens. :(

[Jakedog]

The service section definately has its problems. In Bill's defense, he was in a no win situation. He can't give immediate attention to non critical issues, but if he schedules an appointment for you he just has to guess as to when would be a good time for you. He knows he's screwed either way so I think he just doesn't care at that point. When my clutch started to go out , they made me wait a day or two to get in. Now I have a cracked windshield and need the first service oil change. This time it is taking them three weeks to get me in (and have a loaner). I've said before that MINI has done a great job of hyping and selling these cars. Now it's time to back up their claims and provide that great service they allude to.

[weezer2282]

The service section definately has its problems. In Bill's defense, he was in a no win situation. He can't give immediate attention to non critical issues, but if he schedules an appointment for you he just has to guess as to when would be a good time for you. He knows he's screwed either way so I think he just doesn't care at that point. When my clutch started to go out , they made me wait a day or two to get in. Now I have a cracked windshield and need the first service oil change. This time it is taking them three weeks to get me in (and have a loaner). I've said before that MINI has done a great job of hyping and selling these cars. Now it's time to back up their claims and provide that great service they allude to.

Well two or three weeks ago I went in and asked him about getting a recall done on my car, so he asked me what would be a good time for an appointment and made the appointment right there. The thing that irritated me this last time was that he had the nerve to pick up his phone and tell me to make my appointment there when I know he could do it himself in 2 minutes on his computer right there in front of me. He just didn't want to take the 2 minutes to make me happy. Am I supposed to just walk in and sign up for a time with the girl that answers the phones? What is Bill's job then?

Even when I made the appointment last time for the recall I showed up and they wouldn't take me. They made me come back later in the day, so I ended up having to make two trips out there. I don't think I've ever had one good service experience yet. I agree with you that their sales department is much better than the service department.

[Will]

For sure the sales department rocks :dancing :thumbsup

I think if we work with them they might be able to bubble these type things across the the Management team over on the Service side.

One thing that we did back in Dallas with the Audi Club was not only point out the problem but also make suggestions as to possible solutions. Afterall "we" are the enduser, sometimes what makes sense to the provider/seller doesnt always make sense to the buyer.

In the end, we worked hand and hand with the dealership and resolved a bunch of minor issues.

Another thing to keep in mind is to also point out the good things they are doing, like we are here about the sales folks. All those guys there are professional and curtious everytime I saw them at the dealer. Before I bought my MINI, during and even after, they have been awesome.

[weezer2282]

Coming home from work today it did the same thing as on Monday, but worse. I was driving along and my turn signals went out and the airbag and seatbelt lights came on again, but the wipers started up at the same time! I pulled over and tried restarting it a few times to clear it but no luck. So I started driving along again and pulled over to drop someone off, then tried restarting it once more. This time it just died and wouldn't start...I tried 3 times and no luck. On the fourth try magically it starts up and everything is back to normal. I have no idea what has gotten into my MINI. This time Bill wrote it up and took it and was much nicer to me this time. He also told me Tom Byrne, the service manager, was fired. I guess they are making some changes now. :thumbsup

[scuderia]

nice said, Will.

I had some issues with the service before, but every time, we ended in good terms, the thing really happens. Keep in mind, you and I are not the only customers, they are selling bunch of cars, and all these cars need service as well. Like Will said, we should point the good things too. I had my check engine light came on, Bill took care of it in one day. Last time I went to service, Bill was busy, and it was a bulb replacement, so Faron took care of me. They are really improving and I am getting impressed every time.

On the other side I am really sorry for Greg's car, poor guy could not enjoy it without interruption. I would be kind of pissed too.

Finally, lets support Mini Center. This is their job, they make living out of it, support their families, and we should advise them to improve their service, lets take part instead of dropping them in grease (Greg-not directed to you,buddy, those people know themselves).

[weezer2282]

Bill has called me both days my car has been in now to update me. So far they haven't gotten to it because they have so many others to fix, but it's nice to be updated. :thumbsup

[weezer2282]

According to the guy filling in for Bill as the SA, the MINI Center service department has a small crisis right now. Don't know what that means, but he said one tech didn't show up for work today. Last time I brought it in for the recall a tech didn't show up that was supposed to. :(

[scuderia]

oh ohhhhh......