1st post, 1st BMW, order process surprise - little help?

[ard]

Originally Posted by mtech8

ard. I didn't realize that the dealership could back out of the deal too. In what situation can they do that? Anytime/any reason?

As far as the deposit being refundable, it also depends on the state that your in. In California, like what ard said, they cannot keep the deposit. But I believe in NY, it's a different story. Not sure about TX.

Negotiate everything before. Including the interest rate, etc before hand. By the time you get the car, the interest rate might be higher. So you'll need it locked in.

GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING, including free mats, etc. Don't let the sales make you feel guilty by not trusting them. As ard said, treat everything they say as a lie. Too many smooth talking sales that will say anything to get the deal and then leave you high and dry afterwards.

But I highly recommend ordering the car, get it the exact way you want it.

[this is not legal advice]

Without a written agreement that is binding on both parties, simply collecting $1000 and saying 'we'll put you name on a car' is not binding. I am not familar with state laws, but I would be surprised to hear that any state codifies an informal 'order taking plus deposit' and gives it 'non-refundable' status. So check YOUR state.

With some very popular cars (GT3RS, early M5 days) dealers would routinely sell the incoming car to the highest bidder no mater who was on the list- although arguably they may not have placed an individual's name on the order with the factory....

Dealers will almost never reverse themselves once a name is on a deal, but they can.

Also, dealers will leave a name on an order even after someone cancels just so they remain 'priority one'... indeed this can also result in dealers getting those priority one colors that never see lot time (ie that can only be sold to someone ordering...)

Finally, BMW has an "Individual" process by which european customers can order 'non-standard' or custom colors. But this is not (generally) available in the USA- for the simple reason that in europe your rights to cancel are very restricted, whereas in the USA they might find themselves with purple and pink M5s and owners that claim "I don't want it now". Some amazing combos (many tasteful ) in EU.

A