So much for being on "the list"

Yeah I'm sure they didn't hold your money in any type of escrow either... Honestly I don't why it's still called FOW.... Enough of the flavor, enthusiasm and players have changed that it probably should haver merited a name change also. At least then the enthusiast base in this area wouldn't be expecting it to be something it isn't.

You're in good company though Kevin. I've heard of others that have had similar dealings.

 

Wow, nice. This is why I am basing my business on CUSTOMER SERVICE. Seems it is getting harder to find it every day.
Regards,
MB

 

don't worry kevin, it won't be hard for you to get the new car. just make sure you don't buy it or have it serviced anywhere you don't feel comfortable doing business. And if you need a used car.....

 

Kevin, you are not alone in being treated as "just another checkbook." My experience in purchasing my 550 under the previous FoW management was so pleasant that I would routinely visit on Saturday mornings just to socialize with the staff and other enthusiast customers. I would bring cakes, biscotti, and other things I would willingly bake the evening before to share with the close community of friends that would gather there. The baked goods and good intentions were always rewarded with smiles, gratitude good cameraderie and other kind considerations. Heck, as a result of the enthusiast synergy, I would even get caught up in the moment and spend some pazoosas on things I really didn't need. I would bring friends who became customers. I have to believe as well that the sight of loyal customers having a good time must have made first time potential customers feel a bit more comfortable about taking the plunge into the odd wold of exotic car ownership. After all, at how many other car dealerships do you see people gather on their own and be treated as a club and community of friends ? Since the turnover in management, I have had zero communication initiated by the new owners. I guess in their review of the records, I am not worth it. I have returned their silence. Now it seems that the only thing that is welcome out there is a bucket of money being dumped on their doorstep with little appreciation being offered in return. I still see most of the former staff and many of the customers/enthusiasts who once gathered there on weekends, just not under the FoWhybotheranymore roof. Very sad development.

Mike

 

Make the trip up to Ferrari of Central NJ. You'll be treated much better there

 

I thought FNA said awhile back that new car purchases had to be done with "your" dealer. So I can't go to FL and buy from a Ferrari dealer there knowing I live up here. I would have to buy from FoW. If that's the case, then the new owners have a relationship with west coast players, not east coast guys... How can anyone from the west coast or people they have a relationship with come to VA and buy a car...It contridicts exactly what FNA said a couple years ago... Can't imagine there service dept even exists any longer with Richard and Fernando around the corner.... what a joke...

 

I didn't know that was still a rule. I know there are people who get around it

 

I think this is one of the most idiotic rules in history. To my knowledge, it still stands, though I'm sure (and I hope) it's ignored. I understand Ferrari's intent, but it's so completely unfair that people in the New York area have three options (WWoC, FoCNJ, and FoLI - plus maybe Algar) which means those businesses must strive hard for customer satisfaction, while other dealers can get away with things like what the original poster described. Who decides "area" anyway? I'm sure parts of Virginia, where FoW is located, are closer to Foreign Cars Italia in Greensboro. What if you're right in the middle? You can choose, but someone living 20 miles south or north cannot? The idea is just preposterous.

To the original poster, It appears you have other service options so your main issue is simply buying the car. I'd try and cozy up with Algar near Philadephia or Foreign Cars Italia in Greensboro, North Carolina, both of which consistently attain praise said on this forum.

 

I amazed at the way they are handling customers, not only being rude to them, but to have the nerve to hold on to someones money when they had to intention of honoring the reason the money was given in the first place, is about as low as you can get.

 

DISPICABLE!!! I thoroughly enjoyed the OLD FoW. Haven't been back since the ownership changed [thankfully].

 

(biting tongue)

Kevin, you deserve better. I'd call some other places. Do you maybe have a vacation home in a different state or territory?

 

I CAN VOUCH FOR THAT!!! Man I loved to see your face - that meant just around the corner for me was some sugar filled pastry.
=)

 

The FoW saga continues

 

Mike,

PM sent.

Mike

 

Sounds like the "new" FoW is doing great things for the local customers.......not

 

I wouldn't worry about getting one first. Heck, there are 7 Scuderias for sale on the first 2 pages of Ferrariads!! Let someone else pay the depreciation.


With regards to FOW, sounds like a bunch of real winners! You can only find so many repeat suckers, umm, customers when you burn bridges like that!! I received a flyer highlighting the BIG service sales. Right!

 

This is ridiculous.

I always hear these horror stories from the US.

I've never heard of such behavior in Italian or other European dealerships...

 

The issues I'm hearing about the new management are rocketing through the roof and most people that I've talked to won't take their cars there unless it's for warranty service. I've tried to visit a couple of times but the old camaraderie and car guy days are over. I didn't recognize a single person and barely got a hello from anyone. This type of customer service may have survived back in the days when money was flowing but in this economy you need customer loyalty and passion to survive. Unfortunately, I think we've seen the end of an era at FoW.

Richard and Fernando, how about we start a petition with FNA for a new dealership in Maryland?

 

NOOO! Don't do it. Do not let corporate rules and requirements keep you guys from doing what you do best, which is keeping out old cars humming. Let FOW deal with rappers and athletes who want the latest Ferrari, while we all focus on the good stuff.

(no offense to the OP, I too love the 458!)

 

I'm saddened and surprised to hear this about other US dealerships. Are you saying the new FoW isn't unique in its behavior?

Richard and I had this conversation last year. That is not their plan. Certainly, they would have a loyally reciprocal customer base if they did!

 

"in this economy you need customer loyalty and passion to survive"


Monte, I'm not sure this holds true for Ferrari or any dealer, at least at prior sales volumes, and so long as Ferrari have something folks desperately want like, say, the Italia. Those who want the "hot" cars will buy admission to the club in the traditional way, by buying other cars, buying service, etc. The production car game doesn't seem to have changed.

As I've said here before, I miss the track days, the F1 parties and other events, and I'm sorry most of my FoW friends were fired. My wife came to dread going with me to FoW, because she knew it would never be a short trip - it took me 45 minutes just to go through the building saying hello to everyone. I think it was a terrible mistake to fire virtually everyone who knows the clients, I can't for the life of me understand why one would do that. Ralph Cestero can confirm that, when I saw the first pics of the beautiful new car, I immediately called my salesman, like a good little boy - only Ralph's now at American Service Center.

All that said, FoW is not my business, the new guys supposedly are experts and anyway clearly they're taking a different approach than the former owners/managers. Don't forget that some people here - including some owners with deep ties to Ferrari - didn't think much of the Old Guard, especially their handling of allocations; those folks won't pine away for the "good old days."

The OP and I go way back, a scary thought for both of us. I personally think he can be a tough SOB to sell a car to, but he's a passionate car guy through and through and, though he's modest, a very successful businessman - the kind of guy you might want to sell a car. Kevin deserved much better. But I think he got the truth. Interesting.

 

Well I tried but could not buy my current F-car from FOW, they more or less blew me off and wanted to sell me a Lambo; so it looks like I'll also be purchasing my next F-car again from Ferrari of Central Florida. I had to tag it in Florida which worked out sense I don't have to mount the front tag which the ****** state of MD insist on. We'll see.

 

Pennsyltucky doesn't require a stoopid front plate either. Algar is a whole bunch closer than Ferrari of Orlando/Central Fla. And they have some pretty darn nice sales people. Not sure if you got any property up there or not.

 

Insurance is cheaper in FL too