Ferrari of Scottsdale - WTF????

Welcome to Scottsdale

You'll get that kinda service at many places here, not just car dealerships.

 

At least they didn't charge you $10 to enter like Wynn Ferrari in Las Vegas

Seriously 'though, when you asked if they had older cars they pretty much qualified you as a non-customer and therefore let you wander around the showroom unmolested. You were obviously not going to buy anything from them and therefore they didn't see the need to spend time with you. I would have been concerned if they asked you to leave, but by your account they were okay with you just looking at their cars.

Scottsdale Ferrari is essentially a new car dealership with a late model used car business. It is part of huge conglomerate, UAG, and cannot be compared to Risi's wonderful shop in Houston, which always has race cars and old cars just parked in every corner.

Bear in mind also that this past week in Scottsdale has been insane for high end car dealers with literally thousands of auction goers killing time in dealerships looking at cars.

If they were rude to you or unpleasant in any way, you have a beef, but to be allowed to wander around without having a salesguy shadow you is kinda nice in a dealership like that. All of their cars on display are well marked with sales and car info so there is also no call for someone to be there to give you info either. It sounds like you are mad because you were ignored, but if it was clear from the outset they had nothing you were looking for, are you mad because you felt slighted that no-one paid attention to you? I think you were appropriately handled once they figured out you were not a buyer. The guys in the gift shop have a different motivation. Everyone who comes in there is a potential customer.

 

410SA got it right. The dealership sells hats, shirts and trinkets to the auction crowds, but during auction week the sales team focuses on keeping the trolls from creasing a fender or dropping cigarette ashes onto the leather seats. The Ferrari sales manager, from whom I have purchased several cars, has even suggested that I stay clear during auction week.

 

BTW, you might have taken the comment incorrectly. Scottsdale Ferrari sells a surprising number of used cars, Ferraris included, over eBay. It may have been a serious suggestion......and may I suggest that you are mistaken..... there are A LOT of classic and vintage cars sold over eBay.

One example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ferrari-355-SPIDER-1-OWNER-ONLY-11K-MILES-F1-SPIDER-LOCATED-IN-AZ_W0QQitemZ270080296091QQihZ017QQcategoryZ6212QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Sorry you were put off by the experience, but sounds like you would have appreciated them puckering-up.

 

I think the example was to point out that Scottsdale Ferrari does a huge amount of eBay business. They do next to no vintage car business unless it's a real specific order from an existing customer where they will go out and locate a car for you. I've lived here part time for over a dozen years and I have yet to find any real vintage car dealers anywhere in the greater Phoenix area. The market simply isn't here for those kinds of cars. Most collectors go to the usual suspects: LM cars in N.Cal, Fantasy Junction, also N.Cal, Heritage Classics S. Cal, Nick Soprano in NY etc. There are many high buck used car dealers in Phoenix but they all specialize in late model cars.
Now back to Ferrari of Scottsdale and your visit - I think it was pretty evident, by youir post that you were not a buyer, but simply passing time. Why would you think they would have concluded otherwise and spent time with you when they were probably following up on eBay sales leads on the computer. You were not in the market, so why get bent out of shape. You had the run of the place and no-one kicked you out. This is a Ferrari dealership where walk-in sales are about as common as a black gay female President of the USA. No-one knew you and you hadn't called ahead to make an appointment to see a salesperson. They have a clearly defined clientele and the bulk of their business, certainly all of their business with new cars, is repeat customers, and the rest are introductions by current customers.
I really don't understand what the issue is here, other than your annoyance at not being treated as if you were a real buyer, which you were not.
I don't want to belabor the point but unless you were a committed buyer with a car in mind ( and in this day and age of internet info, the dealer's inventory is a known quantity available for all to see online) you should have no problem.

 

This is not the first time I have heard of Ferrari of Scottsdale taking this attitude.. They should take some lessons from Ferrari of Newport Beach, I was there two weeks ago and they were all great. Although I had meet Pat a few years ago at FCA LA, he did not remember me at first, but was still very nice.

 

Every time I have been into the dealership, I am treat like a second class citizen. Go into Audi, BMW, etc and the service from salespople is very good and professional. I understand that these cars are not quite the same value but even for a good "old timer" Ferrari salesperson...its tough to pick out buyers from time wasters based purely on appearance and conversation for less than one minute. In today's market, you would think they would have someone dynamic and agressive enough to look after you. What also blows me away is that service will kiss the ass of Rolls owners (even older Corniches) yet be very snotty towards me and my 355. Oh well...I guess thats why I didn't buy from them!

 

If your car is not under factory warranty there are options for better mechanical care and less expensive prices in the Scottsdale Area
Alex Traverso is back up and running after relocating to the west side of the runway in the Airpark.
He is on N. 80th St, south of Frank Lloyd Wright and east of Hayden Greenway. (480) 241 8877

 

As a non-buyer, college student, I have had some of the most fantastic Ferrari experiences at FoS. In fact, before they moved to the new facility, the dealer was simply fantastic. I walked in one day as a salesman was doing a showroom delivery for a customer on a black 355 Spider. Both the salesguy and the customer noticed me keeping my distance, but listening and watching intently as he showed how to put the top down, etc. The guy called me over and let me be a part of delivery, got down on the floor to show me the undertray stuff, etc. Later, I went back with my mother right around the time the 360 Spider came out - they had a window in the boutique that looked into the showroom. They had a 360Sp up on a lift - the head mechanic gestured to me from the bay and motioned me to come on in. He started the car, let me sit in it (still in plastic), just fantastic stuff for a younger enthusiast.

After they moved across the street, that level of service dropped, but the salespeople are always polite to me, talk, and let me take pictures.

 

Isn't this the dealer where you go in with a semi automatic firearm, you get some attention?

Maybe they've turned the 'friendly' level down a notch...since then......

 

I went in there a few months back and felt the treatment was decent. I waited in the showroom for about ten minutes before someone came over to talk with me. I then asked about a challenge stradale and was told that they don't get many, but if they come across one they would give me a call.

I had also gone into the lamborghini dealership and was treated well. I sat in a roadster and got a quote from them on what I could trade my 360 in for. Later in the day, however, I was told by the guys at the lotus/exotic car dealership that I was lucky to have even walked into the lamborghini dealership because they usually don't even talk to you unless you have an appointment.

Overall, Scottsdale was a pretty strange place to visit.

 

Nope. The "reverse detail job" on that Ferrari happened at another Scottsdale exotic dealership.

 

OK, I'll save that comment for another time........

wspeer have you seen the new 246 at FoH's showroom?

Also a nice green 250 California.......

 

Sort of makes sense actually.....the vast majority of unknown visitors to a Audi or BMW dealership are in the market to buy a car. The vast majority of unknown visitors to Scottsdale Ferrari are not in the market for a Ferrari but on their way to the Cheesecake Factory after having been to the Phoenix Zoo or the Phoenix Botanical Gardens.

Good business people invest their time and energy wisely. No reason to be rude or discourteous, but at least in Scottsdale, in the Winter at the height of tourist season, you would have to double the sales force to attend to each and every tire kicker who drifts in.

 

They all suck. Its all part of the experience. I was in Ferrari NY and spent 20 minutes looking around and I could have driven the 599 right out the front door. I'm in Canada and its twice as bad (we are gluttons for punishment). And if you're a real masochist, try any Lambo dealer...even worse.

 

Hey if you are a serious buyer, and at these prices they are picky, then they would have spent some time with you.
You weren't, got to nosey around, and left without being pestered.
There is no issue.
Next time make an appointment.

 

I think this is untrue. Lamborghini of Las Vegas is probably one of the best dealerships Ive been in. I am 17, and have gone in with one other friend a little older than me, and been approach multiple times and asked very politely if I need any help. I politely declined, and was told if I needed any assistance or had any questions, to feel free to ask. I personally think a lot has to do with how you, the customer acts.

 

I live in the Chicago area, but all of my family-Mom & Stepdad, Grandmother, Uncle, 3 brothers, cousins, etc....have all been long time Arizonians. I go out ther a few times a year to visit, and was just out there for 2 weeks at Christmastime with my 15 year old daughter and 9 year old son. I own a Ferrari, and just sold my other one.

We stopped in Ferrari of Scottsdale and was immediately, pleasantly greeted by a nice looking young lady with long black hair. She was very nice and asked if she could help us. I told her that we were just looking, she said that if we needed any help to just ask her.

We also stopped at Motorsports of Scottsdale,(Lamborghini) on a whim, so I was dressed Very (EXTREMELY!!!!) casually. But, a salesman aked if he could help us, and was pleasant about it also.

My mom lives in Scottsdale, has for 20 years. And one of my brothers lives in Paradise Valley. The rest all live in North Phoenix. And they call it "Snottsdale" I saw a guy at a Gas station on Scottsdale Rd., by the small Airport that had a T-Shirt on that said "F**K Scottsdale".

I don't know what the beef is down there. I haven't experienced any rude behavior by any of the masses of Yuppies and Californians that have recently infested the Valley in the past few years....

 

I am originally from California. I live in Arizona and go to college here. My parents own a second property here for vacation, so they come down often. Everyone in my family all feel that Arizona is worse than California, in snobbery.

I don't see many problems. When I am by myself, there are never problems. Whenever I am with my mother (who is very fashion savvy), we have problems. People seem to think she came off Rodeo Drive or something. Then they assume things and make stupid remarks about how we must be from LA. We're from the Bay Area!

I think Scottsdale is no different than anywhere else. For the person with the shirt "F--- Scottsdale," you must look at the individual. Basically, did they look like they don't quite blend into the average status?

Lastly, Scottsdale has great areas and not so good areas. It's so diverse. You have people making $40,000/yr. living in condos (or renting) in Scottsdale and then you have many people making 6, and some even 7, figures.

 

I had the opposite experience with Ferrari of Scottsdale. The experience noted here is what I had heard before and when I decided to visit, I was braced to be asked to leave. I'm 29, but could probably pass for 23, and showing up in jeans and a polo shirt did nothing to assert any status, not as if I'd want to anyway.

That being said, I was very impressed by the great service I received. The salesman, Chris Pauken, was quick to answer all of my questions and we spent a long time discussing maintenance costs and design issues. Shortly thereafter, he offered the keys to any of the Maseratis sitting outside the showroom. I was keen to look at a Spyder outside, so he led me out to the car and gave me a tour of the features and made sure I revved the engine to get the feel for it!

I was very impressed, so I can only guess you caught them on an off day. Sorry to hear that, but it seems to be the rule some places these days.

Sidenote - I own property in a very prestigious North Scottsdale Country Club. No matter what I'm ever doing there, I'm treated with suspicion and as if I'm a second class citizen. If you're in the market, I'll cut you a deal.

 

hahaha!! Love it.

The beef is the snobbery around Scottsdale. It's so funny too cuz PV is where a lot of the "elite" live, but Scottsdale seems to be where all the "wannabe" people are, you know those who get a little money and think they're "The Don" or something. Not everyone is like that of course, but there are a lot of snobs in Scottsdale.