I Am Not Worthy

I have been on f-chat for almost a year now and have learned alot. I have had many questions answered by some real professionals as well as received tips on parts and service and found that most people are on this site to help one another -WELL -that changed the other day. I was following up with a fellow F-Chatter on a repair shop/tech to work on my F-cars. I asked him if he could give me the number and the address of this tech, that he takes every opportunity he can, to recommend on F-Chat. He proceeded to email me back that the tech will only take on "high end cars" and would not give me his number to even call to talk to him. If I wanted to talk to him , I would have to go through another guy who is the "gatekeeper" as he called it. I have heard a lot of things in my lifetime but that one was pretty strange. I can't understand why someone would take the trouble to continuously recommend someone on this forum and then tell you, he wont so much as give you the guys number so you could at least talk to the man himself. I didnt realize that there are actually Ferraris out there that are not "high end". Fortunately I have been able to find someone who would work on my lowly cars, however I felt that it was not in the real spirit of F-chat to not want to help a fellow F-car owner.

 

Perhaps "the man" has requested that his number be kept private, except to his current customers. That doesn't seem so unusual to me. The "gatekeeper" concept allows "the man" to work undisturbed, and devote his full attention to the project at hand.

 

Jay,
Ignore anyone who would think your Testarossa is not sufficiently "high-end". I have a great source for you, if your other lead doesn't work out.

 

A TR not high end! That is ridiculous! I dont even own a Ferrari. so a TR would be very high end to me, and a dont care if you own an Enzo, the TR is a very, very, incredible car.

 

That was my thought as well. The better Ferrari techs I know are busy, and you're better off talking to the appointment keeper and leaving a message.

I've seen the hours and focus that go in to working on these cars. It ain't Jiffy Lube. The shop I go to does Pebble Beach cars that take months, so I schedule as far in advance as I can and accept that at as one of the wrinkles of having a Ferrari. It's a second car, so life goes.

No excuse for rudeness, and the "high-end" comment was questionable, but I understand why someone would be reluctant to give out the direct number, especially if it's unlisted.

 

I remember reading an article in the New York Times a few years back about a Ferrari mechanic in the northeast that used to be affiliated with the Scuderia. As I recall from the article, he only takes "special" cars and owners that he thinks are interesting and worthy of his time. He's consistently booked out for about a year and to cut down on the phone calls he employed a guy to screen his calls and only certain cars made the first cut to be considered by the mechanic.

Anyway, there was a story that a celebrity once dropped his Ferrari off at the shop without asking, and continued calling all day to ask if it had been checked out yet. The mechanic had the car towed back to the celebrity's garage and told them never to call again.

Long-winded response, but do you think this could be the same mechanic? If so, I wouldn't necessarily blame this response on the F-Chat member. If it's true that a mechanic only works on certain "special" F cars, then maybe you're better off not even wasting your time.

Peter

 

Jay, I must say it does sound understandable if the mechanic won't consider other work.

This concept also applies in finding a good builder, interior designer and architect. Often good consultants/professionals are talented enough to select their projects and devote themselves to those they can service without spreading themselves to thin.

 

That is absolute BS!
If a particular mechanic doesn't want/can't accomodate any more work then he should be able to telll his prospective clients directly. Gatekeeper nonsense is for online nerd community videogames. It is somewhat arrogant otherwise.
Remember - don't piss in the water. You may have to drink it someday.

 

Jay, after reading the above posts it may be the case that this guy is a real hot dog. Anyway I love the TR's and own a 512 myself. I don't blame you for your initial feelings but I see the explaination now and accept it.

 

Jay sent you a PM.

 

Sorry, this guy sounds like the soup Nazi

 

My main gripe is that why post a recommendation every chance you get for how great someone is, and then when you ask to meet this guy , its like you have to be part of a secret society and know a secret handshake. If he is not taking on more clients I would understand , however that does not seem to be the case. BTW , the TR is not the car that I wanted to talk to him about.

 

This is purposely set up this way so he can charge you more, because it gives the impression that he is too good to talk to you directly. It's bullsh!t. Find someone else.

 

I think we all need to know this great man's name, so that we can show appropriate grovelling and subserviency when his name is uttered out loud.

In fact we need all the names concerned: the recommender, the gatekeeper, the fairy princess locked in the castle keep, - everyone!

 

Oh wow.... news flash..... a ferrari owner does a lot of name dropping and then when it comes to crunch time comes up with excuses about exclusivity, $, credentials, etc.

Fact is that there are people in every trade that have made it to the point where "they" can choose "their" customers...more power to them if they have made it that far.

If you've got the name of the person or the shop do a little leg work on your own. Drive down there, call, meet at an event, etc. Make your own personal connection if you know the name...screw the gatekeeper and the fairy-god-mother.

Good luck.

 

Why not let the mechanic speak for himself! Why does he need an arbitrator?