Dealers what the heck is their issue

Hi Brian...

We had a very similar experience in a dealer in Texas.

My gf commented on it, as it is so radically different from a 'normal" sales envirnment.

I explained to her, the situation Ferrari has, with so much buyer demand "they are all presold" on the new cars, and "they are just allowing us to look around" without being pestered!!!

Sure enough, once I told them I had an appointment to look at a 599GTB, they paid ALL KINDS of attention!

It did not hurt she was wearing some vintage French jewelry, I suppose....

"Will they open those big glass doors and let us drive it?"
"Well, maybe another time, once the financing clears the bank!"

Sorry to hear, if they were truly azz....come down here to shop!

 

You gotta have 3 fcars qualify-then these guys finally see you may purchase another

All jokes, it's got to be hard hiring car sellers-you throw the horse into the mix and you must get all sorts of results

 

Sounds about right for most of the dealerships.

 

FoH is much the same...but you just have to understand it.

Many times the receptionist is away from her central desk, you can walk past into Parts Department (but no one is standing there!) and only after you wander into the second room where the used cars are actually for sale, that a salesman will see you and ask if they can help.

They are usually on the phone, taking care of existing (and oftern International) clients.

The Body Shop is another entire building in the back of the property.

It's not really rudeness, it's just silence.

 

Best way to get their attention is email or call first and make an appointment. Tell them what you're looking for.

I think most people who walk in off the street are just looky loos. But, it's still wrong for the dealership to treat everyone like that. There is a mind set in most dealers to not care much about anyone who walks in.

I don't think "looks" have anything to do with it. A long time sales person I know said most of his best clients walked in wearing jeans and tennis shoes and put down cash for a car when purchased.

 

A car dealer was rude?????


I'm shocked I tell you, shocked!!

 

I think this pretty much sums it up. I would guess 95% of the people that walk in off the street are just there to look around, while the real buyers are either on the phone, or have made appointments to see a particular car and are being picked up at the airport. The sales staff know this only too well, so why bother with the walk ins?

Now being overtly rude would be another thing, but leaving you alone so that you can get in with your business and them with theirs... I get it.

 

On my third Fcar. Am treated nicely when l walk in.

But if l am not just browsing l make an appointment. My time is valuable too. Just common courtesy.

Works for me.

 

Typical treatment. I am proud to say I have been treated like **** by every west coast Ferrari Dealer including Las Vegas.
The nicest to date is Denver.
My wife was actually asked to leave Las Angeles, as well as a well known non authorized dealer there. She was told that by her dress that she was probably not a buyer. She was there to buy me a Ferrari gift........I was very pissed and let them know that.
I'm sure that carried a lot of weight!!!!!!

 

Many people, myself included, like not being engaged by the sales team when we are in a dealer. If and when we are ready tp seriously talk about a car, we engage and let them know.

I prefer it that way.

 

Am one of those. Last summer I passed by F of Newport Beach, just looked at the cars, and nobody talked to me. I thought that was great. I prefer to not waste my time (talking to sales person) and don't want to waste their time either if I'm not buying.

 

Me to. I know what I want, don't try to convince me otherwise just to make a sale.

 

My experience was totally different. I was a walk in to my local dealer. They were extremely pleasant, greeted me asked what I was looking for and set out to find it. A week later I got a call to give me progress on the search, and offered me a test drive of a similar model they had in stock. A week later they had the car I wanted and I purchased it. I periodically still get calls from sales associate to see if I'm still enjoying the vehicle. I often stop by the dealership and they treat you like you're part of the family. I can't accept pretentiousness on any level.

 

me too.

that said, FNB does have ridiculously snooty sales guys. most Ferrari dealers are cool (especially when you make it obvious you're not buying and don't want to waste their time)

 

It's foolish in this day and age for a dealer to judge a book by it's cover. FoW won't. But I think they look for signs, the shoes, the watch, etc

What's funny OTOH though is when we buy a couple of cars from Fcar dealers and expect to be treated special like we would be by a GM dealer after buying four cars in 20 years. Ferrari newbies, myself included, think at first there's a one or two step path to getting on the short list for an early copy of a new model. But in this game, the real players have FU money any buy ten cars a year.

 

Boardwalk Ferrari Maserati of Plano (Texas) has always treated me superbly. I drive a 328 (B) and a C7 Corvette and they know I'm not in the market for a new car yet they always make me feel welcome. This friendliness extends through all departments: sales, service, parts, and reception... Sales consultant Philip Antinone treats me as if I owned a couple of current models and was in the market for a third... a truly pleasant dealership experience.

 

Walk into Algar any day or any time and they will greet you with a warm friendly smile and invite you in. I witnessed this many times especially with mothers or father bringing their children in to look and dream. Francis, Tony and Patrick treat everyone like a potential buyer. Us guys in the PA,NJ.DE region are lucky to have a great dealership close by.

 

It's to bad to read all the bad experiences people have at car dealers, they are a great place to waste an afternoon. I have been to about 10 different Ferrari Dealers, and all of them have treated me very well, and I'm always in very casual attire. Most places will just ask if there is anything they can help with, and for me to let them know if they can help. Like others have said on here, it's really foolish to judge someone on how they look when they walk in the door.

 

A serious buyer will typically schedule an appointment to look at a specific car/model. That said, I've been to our local dealer numerous times (even before I was an owner) just to browse (I let the sales people know that I'm not there to buy anything any time soon) and they are super friendly and accommodating. It helps that the people there are enthusiasts and customer focused.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I have had excellent service at Boardwalk in Dallas although I've only used their service department. When I walk in, someone always asks if they can help. I understand leaving people alone to look and yes, people interested in buying a Ferrari will usually make an appointment, but I admit to testing the theory of snobbery. Whenever I'm buying a new car or home, I wear my usual self-employed, work-from-home outfit of yoga pants, tee and sandals. We never drive one of our nicer vehicles, chosing instead to drive our pickup truck.

We've found that if you don't want salepeople hovering over you, that's the best way to keep them away. The unfortunate thing is we're cash buyers for cars and easy qualifying/large down payments for houses, but people are still foolish enough to take one look at a person and wrinkle their nose.

 

Walk ins, browsers or serious buyers, does not matter, they all are treated professionally at LFSC.
No one is ever disappointed with that place.

 

Another thumbs up for Boardwalk and for Foreign Car's Italia in NC when I was visiting the area on business.
And for F/Houston who went out of their way to help when I bought a car from a different dealer but registered the car for me with Ferrari. My next car will be from them.

 

There seems to be a wide spectrum of experiences with Ferrari dealers - most likely, consistent with any retail relationship, and perhaps exaggerated as a high-line product and brand.

FWIW, our local dealer (Miller Motorcars) has been spectacular. We literally walked in off the street, and they were professional, polite and engaged from the first moment. (we brought our then 8 and 9 year old girls in tow, and even they got test rides...).

Over time, I'll credit them for their integrity and willingness to "do the right thing". As with any relationship (perhaps especially the car business), I've pissed them off, they've done it to me, but when that happens, one of usually calls the other and airs it out - and we move on.

When we go by the shop, we usually hang out in the service and parts dept - and talk cars.

I can only imagine - and I wouldn't be able to likely tolerate - the myriad of BS they have to put up with given "potential" clients, grinders, and perhaps more likely some of the more "eccentric" clientele they deal with. I also like to remember that while they sell and service Ferraris, they are a independent business and need to turn a profit, and I'm sure i've added to their profits but have never felt taken advantage of. One advantage perhaps our dealer has is they have deep competence in the cars - our front and in the back.

Now, having said all that, over the years I've tried to buy a Ferrari when we lived elsewhere, and I've met quite a few dealers, and have had some crap experiences. .....some are great, others less so. It's variable, and like many things in "retail", we usually hear about the bad stuff 10x more than the good.

 

I bought my first Ferrari at Algar Ferrari outside of Philadelphia. My salesman was Tony Palmer. He couldn't have be more accommodating and professional. Great experience. I ordered my 2nd Ferrari from Wide World Ferrari in Spring Valley NY. Initially had some issues but they made it right and now the dealership has become a place we're i enjoy visiting and always feel welcomed. Wide World has really become a top notch dealership. Gary Little is extremely knowledgeable and a consummate professional. They realize where their bread is buttered and act like it. Wouldn't hesitate recommending them.