BMW Rebate

["Duane Collie" <drcollie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

From: "Hassan Hassan" <hhassan001@domain.elided>
>Subject: Owner Loyalty Rebate
>
>Greetings BMW Enthusiasts,
>I know that the BMWCCA owner loyalty rebate is effective from 12/1/98 to
>12/1/99.  I took delivery of my `99 M3 Coupe on 11/98.  I've been a
>member of BMWCCA for 3 years and this is my 3rd Bimmer.  Does anyone
>have any idea if it may be worth the attempt to inquire about
>eligibility in this scenario?  Is there any flexibility?  Any
>experiences or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I have an interesting TRUE story on this subject. I bought my '95 M3 in
December of 1995 when BMW offered the BMWCCA Rebate on the M3 for that month
only.  It was the deal closer I was looking for.  All the rebates soon
stopped.  At O'Fest '97 in Waterville Valley I struck up a conversation with
Vic Doolan (President of BMW NA) about that very subject, and asking what
happened to them.

Vic told me that they stopped the program because of threats of litigation
from a few (very few) BMW purchasers who were outside the rebate date
windows.  He basically told me they were trying to do something nice for
Club Members as repayment for their BMW loyalty (BMWCCA carries more
influence with NA than you might imagine), but that a few rotten apples
spoiled the barrel.  They had no plans to repeat it as it was more trouble
than it was worth.  A couple of really noisy, angry customers can 'cause a
lot of grief at the New Jersey HQ.

My suggestion would be to write Vic Doolan a polite, personal and
non-threatening letter asking if the rebate could be extended for you (or if
you can get a Service or Parts Credit in the same amount).  You might get
nothing...cost ya a stamp.

The worst thing that will happen is if they start getting demands/threats
from those that didn't make the cut. Then you probably see that program go
away FOREVER.  I think its something we Bimwad owners collectively should
try to hang onto and wouldn't rock the boat too much.

Duane Collie

P.S.  For what its worth, I bought a new Chevy S10 Pickup last year.  3 days
after the purchase date they started a $ 1,000 rebate from GM on the S10
series. I wrote my letters - they blew me off.

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