I had been riding though the Smart Car dealership considering my purchase of a used Mini Cooper for a couple of months. They had several on the lot and upon my only visit with a salesperson, I expressed that I was a very serious buyer. I have been in sales for 26 yrs and am amazed at the level of unprofessionalism. Short list: We were greeted by a salesperson, whom I will not reveal out of kindness, who seemed sour and disbelieving that we were serious buyers. I had my insurance agent with me just to discuss the advantages of the S series Mini Cooper versus the more base version. We asked to test drive a couple of cars and were informed that they ""all drive pretty much the same"", (???). We test drove a manual drive and I was particularly inept, so chose to move towards one of the automatics. It was made clear that the salesperson was not interested in multiple test drives so we chose what seemed to be the most acceptable of the automatics. Did I mention the salesperson failed to introduce herself until asked her name during the initial test drive? She then explained that she was a ""really bad"" salesperson.Cut to the chase..I revealed immediately where I was closable. That I wanted to purchase a car that Saturday and have done with the purchase. I was armed with a pre-approved check from Capitol One for an amount up to 22,500 and willing to pay 18k.I made a serious offfer of 18k off the lot at 18K. After much BS back and forth where they said they had approved me for the same amount as Capitol One..17k (??)..they could tell me what my monthly payment would be but not my interest rate. Now, I understand all of the reasons why you would want me to finance through the dealership...but you can't tell me the interest rate but provide me with the monthly payment? The salesperson had the temerity to suggest to me that I come back on Monday night because the manager on duty that night would offer me a far better deal. Multiple phone calls and a conversation with the dealership manager yielded only that they would be doing me a favour if they accepted 1k down and they would just pray they could finance the last $500 thru the bank, offering the 2005 car through Wachovia. Needless to say,the dealership I purchased a far superiour Mini from had no trouble getting me fully financed through Wachovia, but accepted my Capitol One check because the interest rate was far better...with no money down. I bought a 2006 pristine condition Mini vs. the 2005 from Smart Car which was a litlle ragged out interiorly.I wold never recommend this particular car dealership. I bought though Leith at the VW dealership, see review, and could not be happier with the experience.
Pros: Mini Selection
Cons: Feeling of less than ethical treatment
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