Ferrari of Houston

They were pretty stuck up when I had to deal with them.
Also, be careful about the wait time. All their priority goes to their race cars. I couldn't afford to leave my car in the shop for 8 months, so I took it somewhere else.

Good luck

 

a family friend was looking for a 550 in a specific color and being that he lives on a ranch in the valley (down by brownsville) he went out of his way to fly to houston to check the place out. this person actually collects classic and modern cars, and could easily have purchased any car in their show room without thinking twice about it, but im guessing due to his appearance (south texas rancher look) no one so much as offered to help him. needless to say he was not happy. after relaying the story to a friend who has done business with them, the friend called the dealership and basically said "you guys are idiots he would have bought a car" and shortly there after FofH called him and apologized and got his info on what car he wanted and in the specific color he wanted. a week or so later they called him back and said they had found a 550 in a different color than he had requested but would he be interested, and he clearly told them that he would be happy to fly up to check out the car but that he didnt like the color. so he goes to the trouble of flying back to houston and visiting with them once again, checks out the car and said "i like it, if you find it in the color i want i will buy it" and then flew back home. the next day he got a phone call from the FofH manager or some higher up who flat out said that "you're not our kind of customer, you should probably look else where." that is, in my opinion, COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS! not their kind of customer? they should have thought about that before they made the call, as he and his brother would have been excellent customers, being that they have purchased ferrari's and other makes in auto auctions from around the world. if i were in the position to say anything directly to FofH, which i am not, i would tell them they need to seriously reconsider their customer service standards. you can never tell who has enough money to simply cut a check and buy a car within 15 minutes of walking in simply by there appearance.

 

When did this happen, I have a very hard time believing any of this to be the case.

 

FoH is a very reputable dealership. There are a lot of happy customers in the Houston FCA. It is also one of the few with a service shop that can handle Corsa Cliente (i.e. race cars).

As with any dealership, there will be people that will swear at them or swear by them. Do a search in the Texas forums to find out people's opinions.

 

Yea, it doesn't hurt to go and visit to see what they are all about.

I first went to ferrari of Houston to buy a car, and the service was horrible. I ended up not thinking twice about buying my 360 elsewhere.

I went to FoH a second time for some collision repair work thinking that the bodyshop and mechanics would be completely separate, and maybe it was just the salesmen who had the large egos. I was completely wrong though. Keep in mind, I don't look rich at all, and maybe if you walk in there with dress shoes and a tux, you might get better treatment than I did.

I would highly recommend Eurocar werk (www.eurocarwerk.com) or Lawell motorsports (www.lawellmotorsports.com)
They have been great and I actually enjoy stopping by their shop, even when nothing is wrong with my car.

But visiting a bunch of shops before I chose one to do my work was one of the better choices I've made.
Good luck.

 

I'm sure it's how you present yourself when you visit there. The last time I was there they gave me a tour of the race shop & one salesman showed me the new Scuderia, all I did was buy 6 Risi team shirts & I don't own a Ferrari. ( but getting much closer to the goal.)

 

this incident happened within the past 2 months, and i assure you that it really happened. and while his experience was not good at all, i am in no way saying that FofH is not a great dealership that has a strong following and good reputation with many people. i am only detailing the experience of a single individual, and im sure that many of the people in this forum have had nothing but great customer service there and their stories about FofH would be completely contrary to that of my friend. unfortunately with this particular incident, it just seemed as though they judged the book by its cover.

 

Well they are a registered User here...........zero posts!

I'll say the sales department is different from the normal car environment, I have been there talking with sales and seen folks enter and look around for awhile without getting a high pressure approach...but if they ASK a question or inquire or otherwise engage the staff I have found them all quite helpful...

Obviously i am not a real huge customer. buying small parts for my old 308s or the Cavallino magazine, but all the staff I know are very compitent and professional and Mr. Risi goes out ofhis way to support events like the FCA even in New Orleans and other Houston affairs, in addition to being very busy running the Race Team.

I'd say if you are looking to buy a new or used car I'd think you'd do very well there, and the Body Shop is one of only a few hat is Certified to do frame repairs on the all aluminum systems of the current models......sure, you can get minor stuff done anywhere......

 

I bought and sold my 360 through FoH. I have found them to be very service oriented. Both Joe and Peter in sales have always treated me with respect and courtesy. Whenever I go, there is always someone available to chat about any car in the showroom, and I have also been walked around to see the entire place. The 360 is the only car I have bought from them (and preowned at that), so its not like I am a repeat customer. Despite now driving Lamborghinis they still treat me the same. I recommend them highly.

 

There is a big difference between being rude and being helpful. They were clearly NOT the latter in the case that started this thread and that is deplorable. There is no reason for that kind of attitude or treatment. If someone is cruising your lot or even more so your showroom, ask if they need any help. Takes virtually no effort and you just never know when the guy might say, "Yea, I'll take that car right there..." Call for an appointment with a car dealer? REALLY? You must be joking... If that is FoH's attitude I would head on up to Dallas and visit the Lambo dealer, maybe they have a better attitude and would actually like to sell a car.

My mother always told me to treat people the way I would want to be treated... I guess FoH would like to be ignored.

 

Tru dat.

In defense of Joe and rest on the front end at FOH, you need to understand that they daily deal with one whack job after the other. After a while, you get a little crusty.

Moreover, for the last few years, new car sales have been by order only. This may change, but that the reality for all Ferrari dealerships is that there is way more demand than supply of new cars.

About service, all I'll say is that the A team is at the race track.

Dale

 

All I can say is that my dealings with FoH have been A+ all the way through. You just have to present yourself properly and be courteous, and patient with them.

C-

 

My dealings with FoH have been just fine. I took my car in for service years ago and they were very courteous, but yes, it did take them over a month lol... BUT, it was done 100% right (but pricey)

they gave me several tours of the facility also.

 

I have only had good experiences with FoH. They are excellent.

Rob's right about these internet stories of visiting in ragged clothes only to be outraged with "do they know who I am!!!".

I find it hard to beleive that a "manager or someone higher up" took the time to call anyone the day after, just to flat out say that "you're not our kind of customer, you should probably look else where."

I'd give them an A+.

Mark

 

I drive past them twice a day sometimes more often, I'll be glad to see the car you are interested in.......they probably won't let me loose in it though....LOL!

 

I have had some interaction with FOH, and they were a bit slow, as an F client...you expect to get the best service...this is their core delivery. You dont just own a ferrari you are part of a family, a heratige, a lifestyle...and from time to time dealers loose that. Overall they were average...they did come accorss plesant, but seemed too busy chatting on phones and lots of emails....they take 48hrs to return phone calls...and I was trying to buy a car.

I cant put them down too much, they where helpful, but I guess once in a while people need to be brought back down to earth....dealers need to remember they are there to serve a customer.....they arent doing us a favor...we keep them in business.

MJ

 

when I still had my TR I took it there asking what they could do about the slow windows and colder AC, they told me that if I wanted faster windows and ice cold AC I should by a Lexus.
Have not been back since.

Ulf

 

anyone with money is their kind of customer

 

Exactly. People act like this is some high volume car dealership where the salesman need to hustle and kiss ass to move cars. They can't drop everything to bs with every person who walks through the glass doors or they would never get anything done. There has to be some process in place to separate the real customers from the riff raff in any high profile business that has its doors open to everyone off the street. If you seriously are looking for something, pick up the phone and call them and ask how they suggest you proceed, I'm sure they would be happy to advise you.

I've had experience with most everyone over from sales, to service to the body shop, and I've always had great results.