The Best Car Buying Experience I Have Ever Had - courtesy - csharrett89
The Best Car Buying Experience I Have Ever Had - courtesy of Nina Maldanado and Helga Carroll at Competition BMW.
After an exhaustive search spanning five BMW dealerships on Long Island, I arrived at Competition BMW in Smithtown. I knew from the moment I walked in that they were in a different class of dealership than I had previously visited, as I was immediately greeted by the Sales Manager with a firm handshake, and his commitment to a solid experience for me.
I was then introduced to Nina Maldanado, my Sales Advisor, who immediately struck me with her warm countenance and professional demeanor. Nina would prove to be best-in-class, and hands-down, the finest Sales Advisor I have ever worked with in nearly two decades of car shopping. My five-year old son was with me for my first visit, and Nina could not have been sweeter to him - asking him questions, giving him candy and drawing paper, and answering all of the questions that a five-year old is liable to ask.
When I found the car that I had settled on - a beautiful 2021 black BMW 228i Gran Coupe, Nina and I discussed the particulars of the car, and began speaking about financing, eventually agreeing on the financing terms. A short aside here - I have bought over 10 cars in my life, and in each prior car-buying experience, I have discussed financing terms with a Sales Advisor only to have those terms discarded (and increased) when discussing the same with the Finance Manager. This was not the case with Nina and Helga Carroll (my Finance Manager at Competition). When Nina directed me to Helga's office, we sat down, and Helga presented me the exact terms that Nina and I had discussed and agreed upon. Helga may not have noticed, but I nearly fell out of my chair. Based on my past car-buying experience, I had expected the agreed-upon terms to have increased significantly. I was both surprised and delighted, and from that point forward, I knew that I was going to move forward with Competition.
When pickup day finally arrived - after the car had been conditioned and the last bit of maintenance performed - my new BMW was waiting for me prominently in the parking lot with a giant red bow. I'm not usually one for theatrical gestures, but this one landed for me, and my son. I went into the dealership with my five-year old son, and met Nina, who greeted us warmly, and proceeded to take me on a tour of the features in my new car.
Once we had concluded the tour of my new ride, Nina delivered me to Helga, who was incredibly friendly, professional, and efficient. I should note here that there was ZERO pressure to purchase any additional warranties, insurance, or upsells; Helga told me what my options were, and that was that.
Both Nina and Helga are absolute credits to their profession, and to Competition BMW, which is itself a credit to its industry. This was easily the best car-buying experience I have ever had. I will happily recommend Competition, Nina, and Helga to anyone who is in the market for a BMW.
Bravo, and best regards.
Chris
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