Won ebay auction at 60K for E90 M3, BMW of Lincoln refusing to honor

[takedown8]

Originally Posted by Desert Rat

Many here have asked for BMWNA to step in. The problem with that is the dealerships have franchise agreements that are lengthy and protect the dealership more than BMWNA. The dealerships are a independent business and the manufacturer has no control over day to day operations. There are disagreements on a daily basis between customers and businesses, more so in automotive related that others but still few, if any, business around the world are able to please every customer every day. One can not reasonably expect corporate headquarters to step in every time there is a dispute.

This problem was worked out between the parties in a reasonable time frame, so what do you want BMWNA to do?

Why do people keep saying that?? If you really believe that, then can you tell me why BMW NA does NOT allow US dealers to sell new BMW's to Canadians? Is that not intervening in their "day to day operations"?

The plain fact of the matter is, BMW NA intervenes when it's in their best interest to do so, and doesn't when it's not. It's that simple. Although, I do think that it would have been in their best interest to intervene in this case. Their PR people probably didn't though.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by AEC

The residual is based on MSRP and is not affected by the sales price. Any benefit from a low sales price will be had in the form of low lease payments. The leasing company isn't getting any significant benefit.

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Yeah, but this isn't a BMWFS lease. The residual his leasing source uses doesn't have to be the same that BMWFS uses.

^^

[AEC]

It might be a different residual from BMWFS, but it will still be a percentage of MSRP, not the purchase price.

[MadDog]

Originally Posted by Hawk

+1.

[Junior Barnes]

Originally Posted by toddy33

Actually, I am a grammarian. No kidding--professionally. I teach grammar. I can honestly say that your parenthetical commas are okay. Both of you.

In that case, how do you manage to hold down your job? Two of your five sentences are ridiculous fragments (including a misused em dash!); to top it off, you're wrong about the original punctuation. Lordy! I feel sorry for anyone in your "professional" grammar class.

To ImJustSayin': I LOL'd.

Sorry for the , everyone. Back to business now!

[BavarianFanatic]

It would be unreasonable and illogical for BMWNA to step in - no matter how much press this particular transaction happens to get. It would set a precedent that would unravel the entire dealer network. Every time a customer couldn't come to an agreement on a new purchase they'd be on the phone to BMWNA to force a resolution. They might as well sell retail themselves (which legally they can't) or follow Saturn's model of fixed pricing.

[PadreScout]

I personally don't see how all this talk of leasing versus outright purchase changes anything. I just hope to hear Ken got a car today, That's all I'm waiting on.

[toddy33]

Originally Posted by Junior Barnes

In that case, how do you manage to hold down your job? Two of your five sentences are ridiculous fragments (including a misused em dash!); to top it off, you're wrong about the original punctuation. Lordy! I feel sorry for anyone in your "professional" grammar class.

To ImJustSayin': I LOL'd.

Sorry for the , everyone. Back to business now!

I was just illustrating that conversational (descriptive) grammar, such as that used in a forum like this one, is often much more flexible than traditional, formal, prescriptive, uptight, academic grammar. This was in response to the original criticism. My em dash was meant tongue-in-cheek. Also, no, I'm not wrong about either of the original sentences. Commas may indeed also be used to indicate a spoken parenthetical pause for an inserted adverb phrase or clause. Sheesh. Tough crowd.

Now, a double sorry for the .

[Tallest]

so, did Ken get the car or what?

[mbonus]

we be boArd.? grammar ftl

[BavarianFanatic]

So has anyone else noticed that the page count is consistently one to two pages greater than the actual pages visible? Is someone reviewing the posts before letting them through or is vB simply choking on all of the action?

Edit: I can safely say the first thought isn't true as my comment posted instantly.

[MadDog]

Some posts were deleted - more that likely by the person posting - and that always screws up the page count.

[addy85]

Originally Posted by MadDog

Some posts were deleted - more that likely by the person posting - and that always screws up the page count.

LOL no one wants to be associated with this war anymore? Sissy's!!!

[PSUWayne]

Originally Posted by takedown8

Why do people keep saying that?? If you really believe that, then can you tell me why BMW NA does NOT allow US dealers to sell new BMW's to Canadians? Is that not intervening in their "day to day operations"?

The plain fact of the matter is, BMW NA intervenes when it's in their best interest to do so, and doesn't when it's not. It's that simple. Although, I do think that it would have been in their best interest to intervene in this case. Their PR people probably didn't though.

I'm no auto industry expert, but the way I see it, the relationship between BMWNA and the dealerships isn't much different than, say a audiophile speaker manufacturer like Paradigm, and an authorized Paradigm retail store. The store has an agreement to sell and support Paradigm's products, but if the retailer pulls some shady tactics and overcharges a buyer, would you expect Paradigm to "step in" and resolve the dispute? No. They have nothing to do with setting the final sale price or the sales tactics used by their retailers.

However, I would expect that if I had a bad experience with an authorized retailer, then I should be able to report the incident to Paradigm so they are aware of it. After that, it's entirely up to Paradigm to decide whether my incident is the straw that breaks the camel's back and causes them to sever their relationship with the retailer. But if that happens, it's likely the result of many negative reports over time.

As for not allowing US dealers to sell to Canadians, I'm guessing that's not determined on a case-by-case basis. It's probably a precondition of being granted a BMW dealership. What I'm saying is, that's completely different than overseeing the day-to-day issues that arise at a dealership.

[thesoundman]

Originally Posted by PSUWayne

They have nothing to do with setting the final sale price or the sales tactics used by their retailers.

Not completely true with the retail analogy - with larger retailers, manufacturers have contracts that can set the lowest allowable advertised price, or even tell the retailer where their product should be displayed on the shelves.

[addy85]

Originally Posted by toddy33

I was just illustrating that conversational (descriptive) grammar, such as that used in a forum like this one, is often much more flexible than traditional, formal, prescriptive, uptight, academic grammar. This was in response to the original criticism. My em dash was meant tongue-in-cheek. Also, no, I'm not wrong about either of the original sentences. Commas may indeed also be used to indicate a spoken parenthetical pause for an inserted adverb phrase or clause. Sheesh. Tough crowd.

Now, a double sorry for the .

Huh?

[toddy33]

Originally Posted by addy85

Huh?

Just responding to what typically happens when, in the course of events, everyone gets bored and crazy waiting and waiting.

I'm goin' back to my popcorn now.

[nusevad]

holycrap almost 1 million views!

[addy85]

Originally Posted by toddy33

Just responding to what typically happens when, in the course of events, everyone gets bored and crazy waiting and waiting.

I'm goin' back to my popcorn now.

It was to grammatically correct for me to understand

[Rossland]

Originally Posted by Desert Rat

Many here have asked for BMWNA to step in. The problem with that is the dealerships have franchise agreements that are lengthy and protect the dealership more than BMWNA. The dealerships are a independent business and the manufacturer has no control over day to day operations. There are disagreements on a daily basis between customers and businesses, more so in automotive related that others but still few, if any, business around the world are able to please every customer every day. One can not reasonably expect corporate headquarters to step in every time there is a dispute.

This problem was worked out between the parties in a reasonable time frame, so what do you want BMWNA to do?

BMWNA needs to get involved here, at least to say they don't condone these shenanigans.
Other manufacturers do step in when the dealer is clearly wrong. I once owned an Eagle Vision that needed a new transmission. I thought it should be covered by the warranty, but the dealer refused to do anything unless I paid $4000. I phoned Chrysler and two days later the stuff hit the fan. Chrysler informed me that a new transmission was on its way and the dealer had been instructed to install it at no charge. They even refunded $450 for air conditioning repairs that I had been improperly charged for. My next vehicle was also a Chrysler product - purchased from a different dealer.

[AYF82M4]

*** UPDATE ***

I've confirmed that my leasing company has wired the money, and that the funds have been received by the dealership. Props to Brandi at ACS Leasing and Ryan Mathis at Husker for their hard work, in making this happen.

So it looks as if we are moving forward.

I'd like to thank everyone who has taken the time to post here. Although I have not been at liberty to post these past few days, I've read all the entries that everyone here has posted. No doubt alot of speculation, but dissenting opinion or not, I appreciate you taking the time to expressing your opinion and interest in my situation.

Also, I'd like to thank the people at Husker Auto Group for their hard work in finalizing the transaction. Alot of people have been caught in the crossfire, and no doubt that this past week has been very taxing on them.

Lastly, I look forward to seeing my car get on the truck for delivery. Believe it or not, this ordeal has been taxing on me as well. As a fellow car enthusiast, I too would like nothing more than the opportunity to appreciate the car for what it is.

Jeff Goman, the local BMW CCA president has offered to take pictures and such, as its prepped for its journey to Los Angeles. Thank you for that.
Currently, we are set to ship out on 4/2, arrival here in LA on 4/9.
I need to contact Phillipe over at South Bay BMW, to make sure the logistics are OK. I'll update again when I have more information.

Thanks again,

Ken

[runutzzzzz]

Originally Posted by blarney

That's what I'm getting at, he basically gave that deal to a leasing company so now they get to buy it for below MSRP, they will rent that car to him for a few years and at the end they get to sell that car to him or someone else based on it's depreciation over MSRP. Which means they are the ones who reap the benefit of this deal.

They don't care what your purchase price is.. your "rent" will be lower but your residual is still the same, since it's based of MSRP. Ken wins, not the leasing company.