| Author | Message | ||
| David Stoeppelwerth (Racerdj)
Member Username: Racerdj Post Number: 279 Registered: 1-2003 |
Brian, we were all wannabe's at one time. Keep the passion alive. | ||
| Brian C Thenhaus (1day)
Junior Member Username: 1day Post Number: 63 Registered: 3-2003 |
I am not a Ferrari owner (yet), and as such I guess I fall into the "wannabee" category. I visit the local dealership probably once every other month or so just to keep a picture of one of my goals fresh in my head. I have to say, the sales people are first class and are always more than happy to discuss any questions I may have etc. I do make a point of telling them that I am not yet in a buying position. I do not want to waste their time anymore than I would want someone wasting mine. However, they have always treated me as a future customer, and as a result, I will one day be one. On a related note, I have found that the majority of Ferrari owners are more than gracious when it comes to sharing thier passion with a "wannabee". To those on this board that have offered their knowledge and encouragement to a "wannabee"....THANKS! | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 4748 Registered: 5-2001 |
ask him which one he owns and drives daily and you will get a "ah, well, you know off my salary here...." typ of response! | ||
| PeterS (Peters)
Member Username: Peters Post Number: 673 Registered: 1-2003 |
In regards to "wannabees", a good sales person should cater to this crowd because they do NOT own an FCar yet. Out of 100 "wannabees", probably 25% will buy an FCar in 12-18 months. Also, the "wannabees" I read posts from in this forum are probably more enthusiastic about FCar ownership than the owners! It seems that FChat members treat "wannabees" better than the dealers do! Lets call "wannabees" "Serious shoppers that will soon be owners" | ||
| Jeff Howe (Ferrari_uk)
Member Username: Ferrari_uk Post Number: 296 Registered: 12-2002 |
She's a bit skinny for me !! Gerry pre-diet :-))) | ||
| "The Don" (Mlemus)
Senior Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 5181 Registered: 8-2002 |
"England by the Spice Girls!!), " Posh spice is dreamy | ||
| Jeff Howe (Ferrari_uk)
Member Username: Ferrari_uk Post Number: 295 Registered: 12-2002 |
Can't comment on dealers of course....but can say that we in the UK take this board very seriously. It is obvious to us, even before we became a sponsor, that most or a large proportion of the posters here are actual owners and this has been borne out by the number of web-orders that we now receive on a regular basis. As for the "wannabees" (Another word invented in England by the Spice Girls!!), who knows - today's enthusiast is tomorrow's customer. That's the best approach in my opinion. Cheers | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Intermediate Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 2392 Registered: 9-2001 |
I know from personal experience that both Ferrari of Atlanta and Ferrari of New England read FC. | ||
| Paul Bianco (Paulie_b)
Member Username: Paulie_b Post Number: 261 Registered: 1-2003 |
shame on them, the dealers or FNA, if they don't pay attention. | ||
| Craig A (Milo)
Member Username: Milo Post Number: 253 Registered: 4-2003 |
When I first bought my Ferrari I came online and thanked the dealer and recommended them to all the other members here looking for a Ferrari. Next time I was at that dealer he thanked me for the kind words. Evidently he is a reader any way. The mechanic from that same dealer is actually a member here. Another dealer asked me if I ever got a question answered telling me that he is a reader as well. | ||
| PeterS (Peters)
Member Username: Peters Post Number: 662 Registered: 1-2003 |
DMC..Please tell us why..This I gotta hear! | ||
| DMC (Machinnes)
Junior Member Username: Machinnes Post Number: 51 Registered: 10-2002 |
Have worked with three Ferrari dealers in the past. Would rather burn my eyes out with a steel rod then ever step foot in another one. "Ferrari owner" | ||
| Marq J Ruben (Qferrari)
Member Username: Qferrari Post Number: 387 Registered: 2-2002 |
Tony, it certainly wouldn't hurt to direct someone in management at that dealership in the direction of this site and let them draw their own conclusion... | ||
| Tony Roberts (Pantera)
New member Username: Pantera Post Number: 49 Registered: 6-2003 |
I don't want to Indict this dealer over one bad staff member. I am sure with his negative attitude he won't be around long. Do you think I should contact the owner of this dealership and let him read this thread for himself? | ||
| Jason Fraser (Jfraser)
Member Username: Jfraser Post Number: 396 Registered: 3-2001 |
I think anyone connected with Ferrari sales/service who dismisses a site like Ferarichat does so at their own peril. First, I know FNA come on to this site....I was having a problem with my 360 (sorry ficticious 360) and I contacted FNA; I wanted to illustrate a point to them and I had a senior executive log into the site whilst I was on the phone...We navigated several threads.....Funnily enough wannabee never came up into the conversation. Second, as consumers, a site like this is about as empowering as it gets. A single consumer voice to a dealer/manufacturer is nothing more than a whisper; a community of consumers sounds pretty loud. Finally, If we aren't taken seriously, why is there a yellow advertising banner in the top left of the screen that says...."Ferrari UK, Worldwide..Genuine classic Ferrari parts"? | ||
| Keith (Kds)
New member Username: Kds Post Number: 4 Registered: 5-2003 |
PeterS.... Of course it's my job, and I proudly do it, because I like it, after all....isn't it lawyers and car salespeople that fight over the last rung on the ladder of "likeability". In no way did I mean to demean those not knowing anything when starting out.....I was just stating the obvious from my perspective....an educated buyer is not something to be "in dread" of like someone had inferred. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 5202 Registered: 12-2000 |
Anyone can go to our member list and sort by "Personal Ferraris". This only shows you owners that have filled out their complete profile. My guess is 60% of users are owners. I think dealers would be more interested in the 40% as those are the future owners and most likely to buy next. This dealer doesn't know anything about FerrariChat.com. If they had spent time on FerrariChat.com they wouldn't have that opinion. My guess is they just have a general opinion about the quality of most internet communities. It's a dealers own loss not to respect FerrariChat.com. Any company for that matter. For many companies it's not in their best interest to have informed customers and that's why they may fear FerrariChat.com and discount it. Dealers and companies will be best served moving forward respecting FerrariChat.com and that it's current and potential customers do use FerrariChat.com and are more informed than their customers of 10 years ago. | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 925 Registered: 11-2002 |
Look at the Tech Q&A section. There are a LOT of people pretending to fix their fictitious cars! Wow, what a vivid imagination! All the people who show up at the local meets and take pictures must be meeting in the back lot of a Ferrari dealership and snapping pics too! Holy cow, what resourcefulness. What lengths we all go through! There are people restoring fake cars, and others trading in their Fiero bodied replicas for other replicas. Truly amazing! Please, do tell us who this idiot is so that we can ban him from future clientelle. Cheers | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1813 Registered: 1-2002 |
But Nick, I don't think that really matters. Dealer principals know that their REAL money comes from their service departments. Whether someone buys a new or used Ferrari, it pay$ to court that person for service work for life! Dealer principals are, IMO, very concerned with customer relations these days, as business has gotten softer. It's possible that that attitude hasn't yet filtered down to all the sales staff. I suspect Tony was speaking to a sales person, and not the dealer principal. Hope I am not wrong on this... | ||
| Tom RM (Tgitom)
Junior Member Username: Tgitom Post Number: 123 Registered: 8-2002 |
Hey just tell us who the dealer was already..whats the secret? | ||
| Erik (Teenferrarifan)
Junior Member Username: Teenferrarifan Post Number: 174 Registered: 2-2003 |
Thanks Mr. Doody I did that search and owners out weigh non owners by a fairly huge amount. And I have no doubt that almost every non owner here now will someday own an F-car. Every owner has been a non owner at some point. What is the differance between the guy that stops in the f-car dealership once a week for 7 years or the guy who reads this site? I love this place. Erik | ||
| Nick Berry (Nickb)
Junior Member Username: Nickb Post Number: 93 Registered: 8-2002 |
I like most found the comment "wannabe" insulting. However there is a reality that needs to be acknowledged. New car sales for Ferrari are not predicated on building a market for their cars. They have a long line of customers who have been purchasing Ferrari's for years. Those of us who are new to Ferrari must for the most part buy used or hope and pray that our name is selected off a mysterious list. The wannabbe comment may be directed toward that reality. Very few of us are on the "A" list when it comes to buying a new Ferrari.  | ||
| Kendall Kim (Kenny)
Junior Member Username: Kenny Post Number: 56 Registered: 9-2001 |
Tony- was this an authorized dealer?? or someone who just deals a lot with Ferrari's?? I have never been treated with disrespect at any dealer I been to despite making it clear that I was just an admirer hoping to be able to buy one someday... The dealers near me, Wide World Cars and Miller Motors are very professional.. The only authorized dealer I was treated badly at was Steven Kessler Ferrari who has since lost his license to sell new Ferraris... I think FNA cares a great deal what people think about dealerships.. | ||
| will h (Willh)
Junior Member Username: Willh Post Number: 84 Registered: 3-2003 |
Not to turn this into a dealer love-in, but the somewhat negative comments about dealers run contrary to my very limited experience. I've been impressed by Ferrari dealers. Our local dealership (FMoW) seems to me to be populated with racers and enthusiasts - perhaps because the owner is a racer. My salesman is a racer. Not wannabes, these folks seem to know their stuff. I've received candid, valuable advice about the market, the cars and racing from this dealer's mechanics, salesmen, and the owner himself. I really think it's the racing background. On a recent business trip to Denver, I killed an hour in the local Ferrari dealership - not as a prospective buyer, just an enthusiast looking at the beautiful cars. Ended up having a 45 minute yak about cars & racing with one of the salesmen, very knowledgeable and professional. Are they there to make a buck? As someone once said to me, they're not running car museums. But my informal survey of two shops makes me think the dealer network is pretty good, and a whole lot better than that of other marques with which I'm familiar - where you may be lucky to find a single enthusiast, and will be told that every car on the lot is great and perfect for you. | ||
| PeterS (Peters)
Member Username: Peters Post Number: 659 Registered: 1-2003 |
Keith..Here I will blast you on your statement "There is nothing more time consuming (and often frustrating) than having to "educate" someone about the intricacies of a particular marque or model when they are looking at buying one. "......Dude, this is your job, your profession, your income!If you do not like educating a prospective buyer, why are you in sales? You can not expect everyone to have your knowledge base. When a prospective customer comes to your showroom, it means that they have enough interest to get in their car and take the time to visit you. Its not like they are walking around a mall and poked their head in your store on the way to Cinnabon! It is your job to 'educate' the buyer. If you do your job well, you will create the enthusiasm needed to create a sell. A good salesperson can tell in one minute if their prospective customer is a buying candidate. These people you will work harder. If they are not one, a good sales person still needs to 'talk the talk' because they (the customer) will talk to others about their experiance with you. I am a sales purest. I have made a substantial living in the last 20 years in sales. If I got frustrated with every customer I had to 'educate' on my product, I would be working at Taco Bell! You should rethink your position and go forth with a bit more pride in your trade...I state this with all the respect I believe you are capable of! Tony: I am sure that if you post the name of the dealer that punked the FChat members, his name would be MUD for ref business! | ||
| Keith (Kds)
New member Username: Kds Post Number: 3 Registered: 5-2003 |
Mark..... I personally love it when a knowledgeable customer walks into my showroom. There is nothing more time consuming (and often frustrating) than having to "educate" someone about the intricacies of a particular marque or model when they are looking at buying one. ------------ "Wannabees" in my opinion are usually buyers when the money finds it's way into their repective bank accounts at some point in their lives. I have sold customers 5-8 years after first meeting them in some occasions.....there's nothing wrong with that. The reason I as a dealer am here is to load myself with information for my first "personal" Ferrari purchase in about 12-18 months time. I want a fly yellow Testarossa as a "keeper". Have for over 10 years now, and can finally pull it off. | ||
| Mark (Study)
Member Username: Study Post Number: 488 Registered: 10-2001 |
I still find most sales guys dread when a customer comes in that knows more then they do. How many times have you gotten a BS answer to a question from a sales guy that is more a "confidence man" then a fact person. The web makes a lot of sales guys look dumb now-a-days. Not just a few in F-cars that wish the web would go away! at BMW & Honda I have ask some simple questions and no one at the dealerships could give me a straight answer. For BMW it wasn't about having the facts. They just had their side of the story and that all they wanted to talk about. (too bad there are 1000 guys talking about engines in M Roadsters blowing up if made durring a certain production run) Guys at dealership knew nothing about it. LOL | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 1574 Registered: 10-2002 |
Sean is a dealer and he posts here. The owner of WWOC told me he likes reading the site. The person who said that is a moron. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1810 Registered: 1-2002 |
Tony, that dealer is an a$$clown. I know of several dealers (and Rob Lay knows 2 in Texas alone) who are AVID readers of this site. Also, FNA reads this site. These are smart folks who like to see what their marketplace is really doing/thinking/saying. Since dealers make most of their money from service, they are wise to be aware of any negative sentiments so they can adjust & keep their customers happy. Any dealer who is unaware of the true demographics of this site (and you can tell by reading it for just a few days that most posters here ARE owners) and yet passes judgement on it in a vacuum deserves this award:  | ||
| john (Johnwto)
Junior Member Username: Johnwto Post Number: 95 Registered: 6-2002 |
exactly robert.............ferrari wannabe's are the best because they/we have passion and excitment about f-cars. and as far as this board goes there are some seriously knowledgable people on here. many knowing more about ferrari's than the dealers. i'd love to know which dealer made this comment. | ||
| Robert McNair (Rrm)
Member Username: Rrm Post Number: 433 Registered: 5-2002 |
EVERY ferrari owner has been a wannabe at some point! | ||
| Don Norton (Litig8r)
Junior Member Username: Litig8r Post Number: 153 Registered: 6-2001 |
that dealer = dumbass | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Intermediate Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 1307 Registered: 8-2001 |
My local dealer browses this site and has posted before. At least a couple other dealers has posted here too. I have heard FNA does monitor this site regularly. Wannabes? I think not! | ||
| Scott Mandell (Semandell)
Junior Member Username: Semandell Post Number: 51 Registered: 8-2002 |
Funny because how many of the guys who work @ a ferrari dealership could actually afford a ferrari? I bet most Ferrari "dealers" don't own a Ferrari! (ie they're wannabes!) | ||
| Jason Williams (Pristines4)
Member Username: Pristines4 Post Number: 365 Registered: 12-2002 |
Do all dealers feel that way about non-owners? We're just a bunch of "wannabes"? I'm not an owner, but I will be one day. Mind telling which dealer this was so they don't get this "wannabe's" business in a few years? :-/ | ||
| Marq J Ruben (Qferrari)
Member Username: Qferrari Post Number: 385 Registered: 2-2002 |
Tony- Don't know 'bout the majority of dealers but I do know that Ferrari of Washington checks out this site frequently and takes it seriously. | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member Username: Doody Post Number: 1188 Registered: 11-2001 |
erik - lots of owners! go browse the member list by username (or something other than post count) and you'll see that the vast majority of people here are owners. doody. | ||
| Erik (Teenferrarifan)
Junior Member Username: Teenferrarifan Post Number: 172 Registered: 2-2003 |
Does anyone know for sure, but I have a feeling there are probably more owners then non owners here? Or the primary posters are the owners. I mean who else would ask about what the bolt pattern on a 355 is? Erik | ||
| Craig Dewey (Craigfl)
Member Username: Craigfl Post Number: 608 Registered: 1-2001 |
Tony, Are you sure this dealer knew F-Chat in particular? He may be uninformed and assumed it is like the thousands of sites with enthusiasts and few actual owners... | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member Username: Doody Post Number: 1187 Registered: 11-2001 |
tony - can you tell us who this is so we can all be sure to treat them with a proportional quantity of respect and thoughtfulness? doody. | ||
| John A. Suarez (Futureowner)
Member Username: Futureowner Post Number: 682 Registered: 3-2002 |
One would hope that most dealers would not be so careless! Pretty amazing that this dealer is so quick to discount such an emerging ferrari outlet. Sounds like this guy needs to upgrade from his 14.4 connection! | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member Username: Doody Post Number: 1186 Registered: 11-2001 |
amusing data. rob - you said that FNA pays some attention to fchat - do they think it's just wannabes? doody. | ||
| Tony Roberts (Pantera)
New member Username: Pantera Post Number: 41 Registered: 6-2003 |
I was speaking to a local dealer last week and I asked him if he ever went online to F-Chat.He replied "those people are not my customer's they are a bunch of wannabee's" I said you would be surprised,there are some very knowlegable people on the chat-line. He replied " Those people are not Ferrari owner's they just read alot about the marque" Do you think most dealer's feel this way or is he the exception to the rule! |