| Author |
Message |
Anthony R. Jacobazzi (Ajacobazzi)
New member
Username: Ajacobazzi
Post Number: 3
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, September 07, 2003 - 6:13 am: | |
My experience with Foreign Cars Italia has been nothing short of a pleasure. Eddie Ruth was my salesman and had treated me like someone that he's known for years. I traveled to North Carolina because the attitude of the exotic car dealers in South Florida can be expained simply as no briefcase full of cash = zero respect. Their arrogant enough to have the attitude of "what can you do for me."
As far as I'm concerned, I paid a fair price for my Ferrari and had a 30k mile service included in the deal. He even e-mailed photos of the servicing. As soon as the Tubi gets installed and my new HRE wheels come in, I should hopefully have my 328 GTS this weekend. |
stu cordova (Balataboy)
Member
Username: Balataboy
Post Number: 501
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, September 06, 2003 - 11:21 pm: | |
CC - you and David C are in agreement about Steve Barney being the "man" to see. I will use them for a PPI if it gets to that point. Thank you.
Dave - thanks very much for the offer - David C. said he would do the same for me. I have yet to talk with the GM there regarding the history of the car, which is critical info for me. If it seems worth going after, I would love to have your opinion on the car. I'm hoping to get in touch with him this week. It's the 95 Black/Tan GTS with about 20k miles. They're asking $83 and I think they've had it for a while, so I'm hoping they are willing to "talk". Do you know the car?
Thanks all for the great feedback. |
C.C.ofAtlanta (Atlantaman)
Member
Username: Atlantaman
Post Number: 255
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, September 06, 2003 - 9:26 pm: | |
FCI was a lot better back when Steve Barney owned it but they are still good to work with.
As for myself--If I need work and am in the area I will go over to Steve Barney's NEW place about 20 miles up the road--Sport Auto in Summerfield--It is worth the effort to have a real Ferrari expert to work with. |
Dave (Parts_man_soda)
Junior Member
Username: Parts_man_soda
Post Number: 205
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, September 06, 2003 - 8:17 pm: | |
Stu, what car are you looking at? I can get some info from them and take a look at it. I am literally 2 minutes away! |
stu cordova (Balataboy)
Member
Username: Balataboy
Post Number: 498
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 7:52 am: | |
Neither would I Martin, but it's unbeliveable how many will. My experience is that often those are the folks that don't really care that much about the car they're selling either. Frustrating.
Thanks to ALL for the input - very much appreciated! I'll post if there is progress. |
Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member
Username: Miami348ts
Post Number: 5898
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 12:46 pm: | |
Doody,
excellent observation.
Now From time to time I do not have a title to the car I am selling as well. This is merely due to us making title applications and the time they send us the title in the mail. We are talking 2 weeks at most and I can show proof of the actual title application.
Yes it is illegal and highly unethical. If you can not pay for the sh*t you have on your lot, you are in the wrong biz.
From time to time I have to pass on good deals because I am at my limit that is just the way this biz works but I would never use the buyuers money and give them stories for months to float my cars.
|
Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member
Username: Doody
Post Number: 1632
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 9:15 am: | |
This title holding is just a business practice to use your money to floorplan other cars.
note that this is EXTREMELY ILLEGAL in some jurisdictions. grounds to have your dealer license pulled or worse.
when dealers do this, it's sometimes a sign that there are substantial cash flow and/or other business problems. be careful.
excellent advice from martin re: the contract!
unfortunately i don't believe there are any federal rules about title delivery on cars. so once you start buying across state lines, you're sorta SOL. the seller's state doesn't really much care 'cuz nobody in their state is getting screwed. the buyer's state doesn't really much care 'cuz they have no real jurisdiction; and the DAs have more important things to do with their time (murderers, rapists, thieves, etc.).
doody. |
Robert J. Steinhagen (Bob)
New member
Username: Bob
Post Number: 31
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 8:42 am: | |
I tried to work with them when I bought my car earlier this year from FOW. Found them less than helpful and they sent me an e-amil bragging about how they had gotten $$$ for a 550 they had purchased from FOW that I could have bought at FOW for a lot less money if I had wanted the car. My recommendation is drive up to DC and talk with the folks at FOW. It could save you thousands. |
Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member
Username: Miami348ts
Post Number: 5889
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 7:24 am: | |
I bought a car wholesale from them. Smooth transaction. Title came a few days later.
Ask if they have the title and make sure to include what you are getting with the car in EVERY contract. Like Books, leather pouch, service records dating back to X, tool box, 2 sets of keys etc. Note on there that they do have the title and will deliver title within 5 days of receipt of money, if not they agree to pay 18% interest per annum on your purchase price until the day title is received.
This title holding is just a business practice to use your money to floorplan other cars. They use your cash to pay for other things while the title for your car may still have a lien on it or is borrowed against. Just had this here with a guy that bought a BMW from a Miami Dealer and had to wait 3 months for his title. The company was Auto Trend ! Lets put names to scum! |
Ken Thomas (Future328driver)
Member
Username: Future328driver
Post Number: 549
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 7:12 am: | |
I visit there every year when I go home to visit family. I have not had very good experiences with their salespeople. A few have been very condescending - they did not want to deal with someone only looking to buy in the $50k range for a used car. One salesman basically told me that if I was not interested in buying a car from him that day that he had more important things to do.
Unless they had the exact right car and the exact right price, I, personallym would take my business elsewhere. |
Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member
Username: Doody
Post Number: 1630
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 6:24 am: | |
they seem to have a habit of these title delays. it would be interesting to hear if anyone else has had similar title issues with FCI.
many jurisdictions are very inflexible about that sort of thing, btw.
three months is insane beyond belief.
i paid a premium price there too - but i got a premium car, so i'm not complaining on that front.
doody. |
Stan Kidd (Pocketbikeracer)
New member
Username: Pocketbikeracer
Post Number: 16
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 6:06 am: | |
I purchased a 355 from them last year. Car was as advertised although I overpaid. that was before I knew much about the prices.
The only bad thing about my experience was the three month wait to get the title. I assume the car must have been a consignment and that was the reason for the delay. That delay made for some frustration and concern on my part that the title would not be delivered.
Next time I'll ask the question about the title up front.
Stan |
David C. (Worth_it)
Junior Member
Username: Worth_it
Post Number: 174
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 9:40 pm: | |
Stu,
If you have not already talked to them, let me know. I will get you in touch with the right person.
I will e-mail you right now.
Keep me in the loop if the deal moves forward, |
stu cordova (Balataboy)
Member
Username: Balataboy
Post Number: 497
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 9:06 pm: | |
David - that's perfect!!!
I appreciate your offer to help and as soon as I make contact with them tomorrow, I'll let you know.
Thanks again very much! |
David C. (Worth_it)
Junior Member
Username: Worth_it
Post Number: 173
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 7:29 pm: | |
Stu,
I live 10 minutes away and my office is 3 minutes away. I know almost all the people that work there. I have no affiliation !!! Never had the right car / right price at the same time for me.
They have always been courteous to me even though they have never sold me a car, unlike other dealers that I stop by regularly.
Just e-mail me the specifics and we can follow up by phone. I purchased my 348 Spider this way with help from a F-chat member in Houston.
Just let me know what I can do to help. |
stu cordova (Balataboy)
Member
Username: Balataboy
Post Number: 496
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 7:00 pm: | |
Thanks Mr D. for the email.
Anyone else have input or able to help? |
Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member
Username: Doody
Post Number: 1628
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 31, 2003 - 8:04 pm: | |
search the archives.
i bought my 355 from them sight-unseen. the car was all it was advertised to be, and more.
however, their business practices were sub-optimal. i will not deal with them again.
doody. |
stu cordova (Balataboy)
Member
Username: Balataboy
Post Number: 495
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 31, 2003 - 7:40 pm: | |
Any feedback on these guys? Also -
Anyone here live near them and willing to look at a car for me?
Thanks much! Stu |