[90rr]

I've been searching for a 2020 M340i with the executive package and under 30K miles for 6 months. Finally, I found one in CA and I had the cash in hand to purchase it. With cash in hand, I tried to buy the car online from BMW of San Francisco yesterday since I'm located in Florida, but they simply won't sell the car.

I found an offer for the car on AutoTrader and went to the BMW of San Francisco website. Both the AutoTrader offer and the BMW of San Francisco listings specified that they were selling out of state. I spoke with someone via chat who asked me relevant questions and took all my information, assuring me that someone would contact me soon to finalize the purchase. However, no one called me back for hours.

Frustrated, I went back to the website and submitted my own order. During the process, I had a question about shipping and PPI, which I was in the process of completing with Lemon Squad. So, I decided to call the dealership to inquire about it.

When I called, the person who answered the phone simply told me that they wouldn't sell me the car since I was out of state and that it was too much hassle. Even when I asked if I could buy the car and figure out shipping on my own, the salesman said no and suggested that I buy a car from a dealership in Florida. I explained why I wanted to buy from their dealership, but the salesman wasn't interested in listening and just said no.

I went back to the chat and explained what had happened, but the customer service person wasn't aware that they didn't sell out of state. They apologized and said that a manager would call me immediately. However, no one called me back as promised.

I'm disappointed with the poor treatment I received as a loyal customer. Has anyone else had dealings with them?

[Soul_Glo]

No dealings with them myself. It’s a shame they won’t entertain a serious customer with money in the bank. Distance selling can be a bit of a pain. If you want it that bad put a reservation deposit down and turn up their in person to drive it away on the day. Otherwise it ain’t meant to be and plenty more fish in the sea… that kind of thing. Good luck buying it or finding the right one.

[tgrundke]

Always call first. Why not speak directly with the sales manager and ask what the process is.

I have a colleague that just purchased a Bronco located in Michigan (we're in Ohio), and he had to jump through massive hoops to do so - the dealership would not accept anything other than cash.

Frankly, if I were the dealership, so long as I had a verified bank loan/check that cleared, I don't see what the issue would be.

[tturedraider]

I had another California dealer who wouldn’t sell to me because I was out of state. I’ve noticed BMW of San Francisco tends to have some pretty good prices, but I’ve also read reports they are not good to deal with. It would seem they would be into internet sales, because they put a ton of information about their cars on their website.

[m340ninja]

Got around $7k off the total price when I got my car originally in 2020 from BMW of SF. Hard to compare times now to then though.

[doublevanosrc]

I bought my car from BMW of Loveland in Colorado(I'm in Texas), probably the best experience purchasing a car ever. I put a deposit down after all the usual questions, flew in a few days later and drove it back.

Easy peasy.

I swear it seem some sales people these days don't want to make a sale if it requires a little work.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by doublevanosrc

I bought my car from BMW of Loveland in Colorado(I'm in Texas), probably the best experience purchasing a car ever. I put a deposit down after all the usual questions, flew in a few days later and drove it back.

Easy peasy.

I swear it seem some sales people these days don't want to make a sale if it requires a little work.

Pretty much no one these days wants to do anything if it requires some work.

[G30M]

Lazy. Complain to manager?

[zazzau]

Sellers market

[whofelt]

Originally Posted by zazzau

Sellers market

Not quite.


I'm sure they just dont want to deal with any BS that may come from out of state buyers, especially one that is in florida..

[zazzau]

Originally Posted by whofelt

Not quite.


I'm sure they just dont want to deal with any BS that may come from out of state buyers, especially one that is in florida..

Didn’t you read the part where OP told the dealer they’d be willing to buy the car but deal with transportation themselves? I bought mine during CoVID and I completed all transactions over the phone and DocuSign — even though my dealer is nearby. Lazy is probably another way of putting it for this particular dealer. By “sellers market” I meant to say this dealer is probably not eager for OPs money. They know that they will sell the car either way without any “extra” effort from an out-of-state buyer. If OP needs the car so bad probably escalate to a manager of call BMW NA.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by whofelt

Not quite.


I'm sure they just dont want to deal with any BS that may come from out of state buyers, especially one that is in florida..

What an utterly STUPID statement!! Jon Shafer in San Diego sells cars to out of state buyers on a regular basis. That’s because he is a first class CA, enthusiast, and all around good cookie!!

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

I had another California dealer who wouldn’t sell to me because I was out of state. I’ve noticed BMW of San Francisco tends to have some pretty good prices, but I’ve also read reports they are not good to deal with. It would seem they would be into internet sales, because they put a ton of information about their cars on their website.

Okay, to add to this post that I didn’t have time for earlier.

I actually got really close to buying a great deal from BMW of San Francisco right at the end of last year, but it sold before I got all of my details worked out. I was working with Carl and he knew from the beginning I was in Chicago. One small difference to your situation, I was planning to fly out and pick up the car, although I don’t think that mattered to him. Overall he was very accommodating and sent me a ton of information and photos. I’m going to PM his contact information to you.


Just pm’d you. I just noticed Carl’s title is Internet Sales.

[whofelt]

Originally Posted by zazzau

Didn’t you read the part where OP told the dealer they’d be willing to buy the car but deal with transportation themselves?

You mean this part?

When I called, the person who answered the phone simply told me that they wouldn't sell me the car since I was out of state and that it was too much hassle. Even when I asked if I could buy the car and figure out shipping on my own, the salesman said no and suggested that I buy a car from a dealership in Florida. I explained why I wanted to buy from their dealership, but the salesman wasn't interested in listening and just said no.

They (the dealership) do not want to sell you the car.

OP, leave a review on Yelp or Google and look somewhere else.

[JABCAT]

Part of it could be requirements that the CA dealer would have to meet specific to FL, such as collect sales taxes, send them to FL, etc. I've purchased a few vehicles from out-of-state and they always ask me in what state I reside. When I say TX, they say oh ok, TX is easy to deal with.

My BMW was purchased in TN & they had to collect TX sales tax & I also had to sign a document that I was removing the vehicle from TN within 3 days or I would be subject to TN sales tax - it was from their State Comptroller. My wife ordered a new vehicle from a dealer in IA & they didn't collect any sales taxes, we had to pay them in TX upon registering the vehicle.

Each state has different rules and regulations, so before bashing the dealer, find out why they don't want to sell you the vehicle.

[oonowindoo]

As mentioned above, it is a seller's market right now. They really have no motivation to sell it to you when they can sell it to someone locally at the same price or more, especially when they know you are paying cash.

If you were the sales manager, you probably would do the same too.

It is their car. If they dont want to sell it to someone, they dont really have to right?

Keep looking, i am sure you will find the car you wanted somewhere else. If it is not meant to be, then maybe it is a good thing.

[zazzau]

I was at BMW San Francisco today to checkout a car. I pointed out your experience to one of the sales agents who apologized profusely. Apparently they no longer offer out of state sales. It’s a recent change after they became corporate. Also part of what informed that decision has something to do with fraud?! The agent said they’ve had to deal with that.

I’m told they will be outsourcing out of state sales. Maybe call sales manager if you want more clarity.

[90rr]

Thank you to everyone who responded. After months of searching, I finally purchased a fully loaded 2021 Portimao Blue RWD M340i in excellent condition with 18k miles on it. I found it as a fresh trade-in at a Ford dealership in North Carolina.
I almost put a deposit on a similar 2020 model in New Jersey, which was CPO but had 30k miles on it. Unfortunately, I had already ordered a PPI for it, which I couldn't get a refund for. However, the dealership was taking too long to complete the transaction, and this deal in North Carolina was by far the best value for what I was looking for. For just $1092 more, I was able to get a vehicle that was a year younger and had 12k fewer miles under warranty.

The car is set to be delivered sometime next week or later, and I'll be sure to follow up with pictures. Thank you again!

[bavarianride]

Congrats on the new ride!

[j luke]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

What an utterly STUPID statement!! Jon Shafer in San Diego sells cars to out of state buyers on a regular basis. That’s because he is a first class CA, enthusiast, and all around good cookie!!

Just a small correction. John is in Santa Maria, CA. He does sell cars to out of town and out of state buyers.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by j luke

Just a small correction. Jon is in Santa Maria, CA. He does sell cars to out of town and out of state buyers.

Funny…. I don’t know why I typed San Diego. Even though he’s now moved I actually had Santa Barbara in my mind when I typed that. If my memory is serving me correctly he was at BMW of Santa Barbara for many years. Seems like he’s had some trouble lately finding a dealership that appreciates what he brings to the table and he’s moved around some. Regardless, folks still find him and give him their business.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by 90rr

I've been searching for a 2020 M340i with the executive package and under 30K miles for 6 months. Finally, I found one in CA and I had the cash in hand to purchase it. With cash in hand, I tried to buy the car online from BMW of San Francisco yesterday since I'm located in Florida, but they simply won't sell the car.

I found an offer for the car on AutoTrader and went to the BMW of San Francisco website. Both the AutoTrader offer and the BMW of San Francisco listings specified that they were selling out of state. I spoke with someone via chat who asked me relevant questions and took all my information, assuring me that someone would contact me soon to finalize the purchase. However, no one called me back for hours.

Frustrated, I went back to the website and submitted my own order. During the process, I had a question about shipping and PPI, which I was in the process of completing with Lemon Squad. So, I decided to call the dealership to inquire about it.

When I called, the person who answered the phone simply told me that they wouldn't sell me the car since I was out of state and that it was too much hassle. Even when I asked if I could buy the car and figure out shipping on my own, the salesman said no and suggested that I buy a car from a dealership in Florida. I explained why I wanted to buy from their dealership, but the salesman wasn't interested in listening and just said no.

I went back to the chat and explained what had happened, but the customer service person wasn't aware that they didn't sell out of state. They apologized and said that a manager would call me immediately. However, no one called me back as promised.

I'm disappointed with the poor treatment I received as a loyal customer. Has anyone else had dealings with them?

Was this the 2020 Portimao Blue M340i they had listed for $45k? I purchased that car last week!

This is the 2nd BMW I have purchased from them. They were one of the few family owned BMW dealers, the owner is a big motorsports fan with a collection of rare BMW cars... but they sold the business to a corporation and things changed.

Their prices are pretty decent but you do have to show up to purchase. Because of the pricing, the turnover on cars are pretty fast. Used cars are usually sold within a few days or weeks. It is much faster for them to sell to a local buyer than deal with remote buyers and deal with shipping and PPI etc.

They only have a few sales people on staff so it is not uncommon for one sales person to sell 6 cars a day... my sales person was did that the day I purchased my car. When I wanted to look at a car, he'd toss me the keys and tell me to ask for him when I was ready to buy and disappear to go help another customer.

But if you are there to buy in person, they will slash the price for you to make the sale... sometimes you get some great deals.