What's supposed to happen?

I wonder if an experienced person would be kind enough to tell me what the sequence is for ED buyers.

I've got a signed purchase agreement with a dealer. I've given him a deposit. I've given him the date (July 19) that I need the car (an E90).

If I knew what to expect (who I should hear from, by when, etc.) it would let me sleep better at night. I don't know that the dealer knows what he's doing, but then I don't know that he doesn't. Knowledge is power and if someone here could summarize what the sequences of events and notifications are prior to leaving for Munich, and what I should have and know when I leave, it would be great.

It seems like people here have lots of info, such as knowing even what ship their cars are scheduled to be on after drop off, but I couldn't find an ED FAQ that would tell me how to learn this info.

Thanks.

Reply » What's supposed to happen?

Start with the stickies at the top of the forum.

As for the sequence, here's my take after two ED's.
0. Get BMW CCA membership 1 year in advance of buying BMW
1. Buyer gets excited, learns about BMWNA Program
2. Buyer configures car, still thinking BMW is nuts and there's gotta be a catch.
3. Buyer finds willing ED Dealer and makes the deal over ED Invoice.
4. Buyer makes a deposit and requests a date.
5. Silence
6. More Silence
7. Crickets
8. Buyer panics, posts question on bimmerfest, beewang says everything is ok and travel plans should be firmed up.
9. More silence from Dealer and BMWNA
10. BMWNA confirms date
11. Buyer makes payment(30 days prior if financing, 14 days prior if leasing)
12. Buyer panics, posts a question about the ED packet.
13. One week before pickup, ED packet arrives
14. Dude heads off to europe, gets drunk on beer, picks up car, blasts thru the autobahn, vacation over, back to reality.
14.1 Submit all paperwork gotten in Munich (don't need Odometer report) to BMWCCA to get rebate cheack ASAP.
15. Wait for redelivery, annoys Client Advisor
16. CA blows off buyer since he is no use anymore and is looking for the next sale
16.1 Buyer posts repeatedly that he cannot wait for car.
16.2 Buyer starts to ask how he can track car on ship.
16.3 Buyer posts random messages about where the ship is his car is on.
16.4 Buyer posts more frustrated messages.
16.5 If Buyer is e36M3r then Buyer hangs out at port when ship is due in, takes loads of photos of ships and cars unloading, annoys port staff
16.6 Buyer starts to call dealer hourly to ask if it's there yet.
16.7 CA ignores buyer's phone calls, car sits on the lot over the weekend while buyer has already paid his 2nd montly lease payment or his 3rd loan payment.
17 Buyer is finally reunited with car and thinks about the next ED trip.

Edit: Ok...added Uncle Fester's contributions

Add Agent99's comments.

Reply » What's supposed to happen?

Sticky, definitely!

Reply » What's supposed to happen?

That was great!

Reply » What's supposed to happen?

Quote:

15. Wait for redelivery, annoys Client Advisor
16. CA blows off buyer since he is no use anymore and is looking for the next sale

Reply » What's supposed to happen?

Arnolds hit the nail on the head. That is the process you follow. Once you get a production date/number confirmed from BMWNA you are good to go and make travel plans. You may or may not need the VN number for Lufthansa to book your ticket. They may reserve your seats and wait until BMW gives them VN number in order to issue tickets. It should be such a smoothe experience that you won't believe why other people have not done ED on their car purchased. You will tell others and they will blow you off as if you are crazy and got ripped off. Good luck and enjoy the process.

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