| Author | Message | ||
| david handa (Davehanda)
Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 812 Registered: 5-2001 |
Peter, I am confident that there are enough "deep pockets" in the lower mainland who want a shot at owning a Ferrari dealership that there is a guarantee that a new one will be announced by the end of summer. Wait and see. :-) | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
Advanced Member Username: Peter Post Number: 2788 Registered: 12-2000 |
I hope FNA does consider staying in B.C. I received in the mail (only a few minutes ago!) a letter from Brian Jessel and in it: "Effective as of Monday, May 26, 2003 Brian Jessel Sports Cars is no longer an authorized sales dealership for Ferrari and Maserati. Ferrari North America bought back the Ferrari/Maserati franchise from my company, and they are in the process of deciding whether they are interested in having a Ferrari/Maserati sales franchise in British Columbia in the future... Sincerely, Brian Jessel" Lets keep our fingers crossed...  | ||
| Fayyaz Vellani (Fvellani)
Junior Member Username: Fvellani Post Number: 63 Registered: 8-2002 |
thanks Guillaume... I am also probably going to the Italian Car Show with some of my friends...hopefully Ill see some of you guys there also, do any of you guys know if there will be a 550 barchetta at the show?? on friday at BJF they had the barchetta in the showroom, but i didnt have time to go look at it, and i REAAALLLLY want to see one in person  | ||
| Guillaume (Vancooper)
Junior Member Username: Vancooper Post Number: 62 Registered: 10-2002 |
Fayyaz: BJF's future home was supposed to be at Quebec and 2nd avenue and yes I think the sign is still there. Perhaps BJF sold the lot to FNA as well to guarantee a new dealership building for the new franchise? P.S. I unfortunately won't be able to attend the Italian car show on June 15th but I'll definitly be at Ferrari/Maserati on 12th later that month (?) | ||
| Lawrence Yee (Ferrariguy)
Junior Member Username: Ferrariguy Post Number: 206 Registered: 8-2002 |
Don, small world, eh? The last time I saw Taylor was at BJF when he had his oil changed on his 550. I haven't seen Caroline in ages. I'll be at the Brockhouse dinner on June 14 and I will be at the show June 15 so I'll see you there! Cheers! | ||
| DONALD GRIESDALE (Griesdale)
Junior Member Username: Griesdale Post Number: 76 Registered: 11-2001 |
Hi Lawrence, yes my TR was Taylor's and we are good friends with Taylor and Caroline. Last summer my wife an I went on a drive to Whistler with Taylor and Caroline in the TR and the 550 and were joined by Martin Weiner and Faye in their 360 and we've become good friends. Taylor was obsessive about maintaining and servicing the TR and I've continued in the same manner. Hoping to meet you some time. We're going to the Italian car show at Waterfront Park in North Vancouver June 15 and Taylor and Martin will be there. Don. | ||
| Fayyaz Vellani (Fvellani)
Junior Member Username: Fvellani Post Number: 62 Registered: 8-2002 |
WHAT THE HELL?!?!?! I drove by Brian Jessel on Friday?!? They had rearranged the showroom but thats the only difference I saw... On another road, I think it must have been 4th, I saw a sign saying "Future Home of Brian Jessel Sport Cars"...im so confused  | ||
| Andy Falsetta (Tuttebenne)
Junior Member Username: Tuttebenne Post Number: 146 Registered: 3-2003 |
A lot of off-shore manufacturers ,in all sorts of businesses other than automobiles, are learning that the retail end of the business (the one they didn't want to be in when they first brought their products to North America) is a lucrative opportunity. They are "buying up" dealerships in high volume areas - turning them into company owned stores. Is it possible this will happen to BJF too? | ||
| Lawrence Yee (Ferrariguy)
Junior Member Username: Ferrariguy Post Number: 204 Registered: 8-2002 |
Hi Don, I just noticed the TR in your profile. It looks like Taylor Campbell's old TR (I don't know if you know him) because he had a NART sticker on his TR before he traded it in for a 550. | ||
| Lawrence Yee (Ferrariguy)
Junior Member Username: Ferrariguy Post Number: 203 Registered: 8-2002 |
Stuart, it's sad to see you go but I have to thank you and your staff for allowing a tire-kicker like me to roam the shop from time to time. I hope things go better for you in the future (hopefully back to selling Ferraris!). | ||
| Dr. Shelbee (Shelbee)
Member Username: Shelbee Post Number: 313 Registered: 12-2002 |
Should this be applied to Ferrari of Seattle too ????? | ||
| DONALD GRIESDALE (Griesdale)
Junior Member Username: Griesdale Post Number: 75 Registered: 11-2001 |
All the best to you Stuart and your great staff at BJF. Hey, perhaps selling Kias wouldn't be so bad as Rice Rockets are in right now in Vancouver!! Does your comment about 48' and twin diesels imply some advanced knowledge about some Ferrari prototype?? I really enjoyed my experiences at BJF, met a lot of great people and got a great car! Don. | ||
| Guillaume (Vancooper)
Junior Member Username: Vancooper Post Number: 61 Registered: 10-2002 |
Thanks for the update mr Coutts...I'm one of the little dudes who would come in and have a look at the cars from time to time and buy scale models along with T-shirts to keep my Ferrari addiction alive! The feeling of welcomeness and warmthness was appreciated even for a non-owner fanatic like me...I always told myself that if in 5-10-15 or even 20 years from now I was in the market for a Ferrari, I would go buy it from you (that's if you'd still be working there by then). Where countless other dealerships (ferrari included) have completely ignored me, Mr.Coutts always answered my questions and let me ooggle over the cars without watching my every move! Thanks for the update once again, hopefully the new franchise makes the right move by hiring you as their sales manager! Good luck! P.S. I just wonder though, have all the cars that were on the lot returned to FNA or are they still for sale somewhere else in the meantime? | ||
| Stuart M. Coutts (Nocar)
New member Username: Nocar Post Number: 8 Registered: 11-2002 |
BJF was sold to FNA and will continue as a servicing dealer until such a time as a new dealer is appointed and operating. Well many will quote the latest rumour, it is safe to say that several dealers that are qualified and several that are not, have contacted or been in discussions with FNA for some time. I am sure that FNA will appoint the most capable people to continue on in Vancouver where BJF left off. Service and parts are available from the same staff and the same location as prior to the sale. Save for tying up a few loose ends I am no longer employed with BJF. I am however, available on my previous cell number while playing the guitar(and not very well) outside liquor stores for change. This can be quite lucrative in Canada as we have 1 and 2 dollar coins up here. While I can not get into specifics for obvious reasons, let us put aside the rumours ( I have heard dozens of versions ) and recognize that these dealerships are very valuable commodities and nobody should ever feel sorry for the seller. With only 30 or so dealers in North America if you want one, you pay. I wish to thank everyone that supported my endeavours there as I truly enjoyed dealing with you all. Especially the little dudes who came in to kick tires and pick up a free Ferrari tatoo. I would also like to thank the hot mothers, big sisters and aunts that brought those little dudes to see the cars, I will miss you the most. I made a quick calculation after I delivered a couple of Spiders the other day. You could buy 43 Kia's with those two cars. Another 7 with the tax. Guillaume, you missed your calling, you should be taking shots of half naked starlets over the fence. It probably pays well. Vancouver is a great city to be unemployed in, especially with all those unlimited credit card numbers. Hmmmmm, I think about 48' and twin diesels would be about right. | ||
| Guillaume (Vancooper)
Junior Member Username: Vancooper Post Number: 60 Registered: 10-2002 |
Well, the Ferrari and Maserati signs are still up over the big garage door so I would agree that they should at least do maintenance and warranty work until a new Franchise opens | ||
| Lawrence Yee (Ferrariguy)
Junior Member Username: Ferrariguy Post Number: 195 Registered: 8-2002 |
OK guys, here's the latest I've heard. BJ has lost the franchise and rumour has it that Ferrari of Ontario may take it over. BJ will still do the maintenance and warranty work until at least the end of the year. BJ was going to move the Ferrari dealership to a new location at W 2nd and Ontario where the old movie studio was but that's up in the air now. I've also heard that FNA was under pressure to sell more Maserati where the philosophy was that Ferraris are cars for weekends and Maseratis are daily drivers (I don't agree with this). There's also been a lot of debate (from ehat I've heard) to rename the club from Ferrari Club of America to Ferrari/Maserati Club of America. Lots of speculation here but I guess we'll know more in a few weeks time. | ||
| Ryan550 (Ryanab)
Member Username: Ryanab Post Number: 341 Registered: 3-2002 |
You can see the Brian Jessel and the rrari in the background.. | ||
| Guillaume (Vancooper)
Junior Member Username: Vancooper Post Number: 59 Registered: 10-2002 |
Well guys, last night I drove and the Kia signs were up but the Ferraris were still in the showroom, well not anymore. I just drove by the dealership and all the cars were gone, the inside of the dealership stripped of everything related to Ferrari (except for the Ferrari bicycle). Anyways, took this picture for everyone to see! Hope my first uploaded picture works!  | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
Advanced Member Username: Peter Post Number: 2776 Registered: 12-2000 |
Sh!t, there goes my arrangements for my Ferrari tour... | ||
| DONALD GRIESDALE (Griesdale)
Junior Member Username: Griesdale Post Number: 73 Registered: 11-2001 |
HIi Martin, I'm sure that the franchise will be re-assigned soon. I understand that the "old" BJ shop will continue until then to provide F-car service and warranty work. Closest authorized dealer is in Seattle!! (not too far). See you and Faye in Vancouver June 15, 16. Don. | ||
| Russ F (Russf)
Junior Member Username: Russf Post Number: 123 Registered: 3-2002 |
Vancooper. Why can't you just inform us of what you know for those of us who can't just drive by the dealership? | ||
| martin j weiner,M.D. (Mw575)
Member Username: Mw575 Post Number: 976 Registered: 5-2001 |
What is the closest dealership for you Vancouver guys now that BJ is gone? | ||
| Guillaume (Vancooper)
Junior Member Username: Vancooper Post Number: 58 Registered: 10-2002 |
I know Lawrence, I was there a week and a half ago to buy the Enzo scale model and I drove by the dealership as recently as tuesday but drive by the dealership now, you'll see what I mean | ||
| Lawrence Yee (Ferrariguy)
Junior Member Username: Ferrariguy Post Number: 194 Registered: 8-2002 |
What the hell???!!! I was just there last Tuesday. There was no indication that they lost the franchise. Even in the service area there was a 360 silver Modena coupe that had a sold sign on it! | ||
| Ryan550 (Ryanab)
Member Username: Ryanab Post Number: 335 Registered: 3-2002 |
Vancooper/Anyone: What is the reason for them losing the franchise? What will happen to everyone at BJF?? I can't picture Stu selling Kias.. Hopefully everything will be sorted out soon, & isn't Stuart a member here at FC? BJF was the best all around dealership I have ever visited. Ryan | ||
| Guillaume (Vancooper)
Junior Member Username: Vancooper Post Number: 57 Registered: 10-2002 |
I posted on the Brian Jessel thread in the archive but it didn't seem to come back to the top of the newer posts so I thought I'd give it a link here and get the attention of the Vancouver area people! Thanks! http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/21/249626.html?1053770176 |