Wondering....

I was wondering if anyone could tell me why Lambo of Dallas seems a little standoff-ish? The two nicest people I met were the IT director (who was running around like he was really busy, but still took the time to smile and give me some information about the cars) and the receptionist (whom I only spoke to once, simply asking if I could look at the cars in the showroom). The other 3 people I had contact with made it appear like they were having the worst day of their life. Okay, maybe not quite that bad, but......I was disappointed. And this isn't the first time its happened either. Have they had problems with thieves? Or are they usually that guarded? Now, granted, I could have appeared as some wierdo simply wanting to admire the eye candy of cars that they had. Is there a reason that anyone knows of? I don't want to make a snap judgement about them. I'm just curious.

On the other end of the spectrum was the RUF Auto Centre. The technician that I ran into first was more than happy to answer questions. He took the time to show me the cars, tell me what he knew, and even offered to show me the shop. Hans, the owner, was just as friendly. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. They even let me sit in their $250K cars! :-D If I was in the market to buy a car of this caliber, without question I'd choose RUF over LoD simply because of the service.

 

I was on the phone with LOD just the other day - needed to order something for my Lambo - Never dealt with them in the past - didn't buy my car from them (even told them where I bought it). I had to talk to a few people on what I was after - and they did everything they could to ensure I had good service - I was impressed with them.

However - as you can imagine - they get dozens of people each day that stop buy to look and see the L-cars... Heck when I am in Flordia and Atlanta - I stop buy just to look and see. I usually start off by saying that I am just here to look and I own one already or something of the sort - and that if they have customers they need to attend - to take care of that - rather than me.

Sales is a tough business - they make their money on sales - but usually when you are upfront with them and tell them that you are just looking because you are a Supercarlover - that should help get you in a less standoffish mode.

On the flip side - when I bought a new porsche one time - I went to the dealer with a friend in a 87 Civic, I had torn jeans and a plain shirt and my Garage Baseball cap which had oil all over it. At first I couldn't get them to even acknowledge I was in the show room for 10 minutes. It turns out one of the service guys recognized me - from one of the car shows I had been to - which changed the "atomosphere" of the place....

 

Oh yea...I can totally agree with that. I realize that they get lots of googly (sp?) eyed lookers and that they make their money on sales, not floor traffic. Totally understand. The thing that killed me was, when I went into the showroom to look around, they sent a salesman to lean against the wall and watch me like I was going to damage something. I did try to talk with him a bit, but he didn't seem like he wanted to talk, or was even interested in the fact that I was there. Ah well....everyone has their days and people are certainly worthy of grace and a second (or third, or fourth) chance. Lord knows I need them too.

I do appreciate you telling me of your good experience though. Thank you

 

You had to have caught them on a bad day. Go back and give them a second chance. Yours is the first bad (or even mediocre experience) I have heard concerning LoD. My guess is they know there are two kinds of car nuts out there, those that wish they were loaded and those that are loaded...being car nuts, both groups talk as if they were one group. Piss off any, lose business to both is probably LoD's strategy.

 

You'll find that nearly all of us on here have had wonderful experiences with LoD. They have hosted several gatherings of F-chatters, Porsche owners, etc. They have also been very gracious during simple drop-ins.

An employee or two from there are members on this board so they may chime in.

The folks at Ruf are also fantastic. I have known Hans for a couple of years and I am not surprised by your experience there. I hope his new shop does well.

 

good thing you brought this up supercarlover..i live in san antonio and i always tend to travel to visit my family in highland village, i have only been to LoD once, but i did not have a good experience..just like supercarfreak, i had called them the day before if i can swing by there before i take off back to san antonio, they seem to have no problem with it, the receptionist was really kind and saying i didnt have to call, i could just swing by whenever i want..the next day i had went and my aunt parked outside the dealership while i went inside, i was not really in a rush but i had to get on the plane later that day..i walked in just like anybody else would, it was great to see everything and walk around LoD for the first time, then some salesguy came up to me and told me if i need anything, and i told them about calling the day before and the receptionist said that would be okay, he seemed a little confused and just walked off slowly, while i was taking pictures i could see him staring at me and talking to some other guy, didnt really bother me any, but what i didnt like especially, was when they told me i could not take any more pictures....i didnt know what to say, i have been to a lot of dealerships all over and i have never been told that, i wasnt bothering anyone at all, plus the dealership seemed completely empty, if i was in the way of somebody i would respect them and move on...it wasn't even 30 mintues and they actually told me to stop, after he told me that, i just didnt say anything, i didnt want to disrespect anybody and just told them thank you for letting me take a FEW pictures and i just left, i was really pissed...but then i stoped by boardwalk and they were just awesome i had no problem with them...i was planning on going to dallas on springbreak, but LoD wont be on my list of stops, i think ill just keep with my comfortable Ferrari of San Antonio

 

Hahaha....well, I'm certianly in the first category of "wishing I were loaded". I don't like to talk like I am, tho. I do try to let people up front know that I am just looking and dreaming. However, it is their reaction to that fact that I look for. Now, I never did tell them this time that I was just looking, but I have in the past, and gotten pretty much the same response, to varying degrees.

I hope they do. Not to be confrontational, but to give their side. This was just a concern I had, and again, am glad to hear that many people have had good experiences.

well, I see couple possibilities here. First, they may not like "kids" around. I am 21, but look like I'm 17 or so. Maybe its an "age discrimination" thing? I'm mostly joking, but that is a question I think ought to be addressed.

I have had a decent experience with Boardwalk as well.

I have been in dealerships where they prefer you not to take pictures, or they ask that you not get any license plates or post the pics on the internet.

I guess I'll have to try out Ferrari of San Antonio. My parents just moved to S.A. in January, and I'll be down there in March. And I do highly recommend RUF Auto Centre be added to your list of visits.

 

well dont misunderstand my sn of ferrari"kid"355,lol, im actually 17..i should change it to ferrari"guy", but i do think they do age discriminate, i also look 17 well because i am 17, but i still think they should still show a little respect for everybody even if it is a kid, just my point of view, but its also understandable because i took my niece once to FoSA, and well i understand what they mean

youll like it at ferrari of san antonio, even though it isnt really recognized out there compared to FoD and FoH, it is still a great dealership, i have mostly seen everything Ferrari related there, they just had an Enzo, not to sure if its still there, and not so sure if they still have the 612, but overall it is a great dealership, even when i was 14 or 13 i still went to check it out and they still showed the respect they give me today...go check it out supercarfreak..

 

Sorry to hear your misfortune at LoD. I heard others say similar experience, but they have been very courteous w/ me or my friends. My first visit was just drop-by on Saturday, and Terry took time to show me some cars & talk for about 20 min. Then I met Jonathan at the car show, and he has been very helpful since then. There were some misunderstanding, but these has been resolved to my satisfaction so far. I give them a thumb-up.

I do understand how you felt being watched at the showroom, but thoese cars can be scratched by jeans, keys, etc., and I heard of what can be stolen (shift knob, tire cap, the centerpiece of hub cap w/ logo, etc.). Since they don't know you, they just have to be cautious. Don't be bothered by the presense of their staff, especially if you have nothing to worry about.

Some high-end jewerler only let one set of customers in (you wait outside until your turn) and won't let you in for just browsing. (some jewelers in Italy, France, Japan) They don't want some tourists coming into the store for the experience. (although this may not be true for everytime)

After seeing some scams listed here, I now understand why some dealers' don't want pictures taken at their showroom, too.

If you have nothing wrong, don't be bothered too much by how others reacted you. Hope your next visit will be better one (how could it get worse??)

 

Guys, remember that this is a place of business and not a museum. Selling cars is a tough business, if you don't sell that you may not eat that month. Put yourself in their shoes. Suppose you were having a bad month and yet another person came in to the showroom to drool over the eye candy but have no intention of buying. I think it would be tough to put on a happy face and entertain in that scenario. It sounds like neither of you were treated rudely, you just weren't treated warmly and enthusiastically.

Chalk it up to a bad day, the folks over there are a good bunch. You might try joinnig the FCA or at least monitoring this board for when group meets happen over there. You'l have a much different experience and it will give you a chance to visit the showroom in a more social environment.

 

I have been to LoD I believe three times and they have always been very nice and curdious. I know I'm there to look and I tell them too. I haven't been to the "back" room yet because I simply understand that even though there is a gold mine of outstanding cars behind that wall I'm not buying and am very happy with looking at the ones in the garage or out front. And there are usually plenty. Pics have never been a problem with them and I have even met a fellow F-Chatter there once loading up his BEAUTIFUL 512.

But I'm in sales and understand their viewpoints. Although I would love to meet Jonathan so I could maybe wonder around to the other side of that mystery wall.

 

Great advice!! Thank you. I completely understand the sales-to-eating ratio. The car business is tough. I wish the best for LoD, and hope that someday I can actually be a buying customer.

 

This is always a tough position for us, maybe I can clear it up a bit;

Let me begin by saying that we have an open door policy here at Lamborghini Dallas for anyone. Part of that policy is that while in the showroom, any client whether they are buying or just looking is accompanied by a salesperson. We do not do this to be a watchdog, but to be there to answer any questions that the customer may have.

On the other hand, we do have small sales force and being with any client, once again buying or looking, takes us away from calling a customer back or catching the next sales call so time away from our desk is important to us. We get an above average amount of people just wanting to look just because of the product we sell, so the line between client, enthusiast, or tire kicker gets blurred easily and we work very hard to keep that line clear. If you had a bad experience, we apologize and hope you take some time to come back by the store and give us another opportunity to show you around. When you do, please let us know that you are a member of Ferrarichat.com and we will take some extra time to show you around more than normal.

Let me know if this helps at all....

JP

 

Jonathan let me steal some nice brochures. It would be nice if they could open up a service facility in Houston. It cannot be that much to rent a small facility, and put Michael (or someone else) on a Greyhound for a day or two per week ? They are losing some service business, to a local fac authorized Italian dealership. They obviously are aware of this.


Receptionist ? There was a gal in Korea and . ...... .......

 

Thanks a lot Jonathan, that really helps a lot. I understand the auto business now, thanks a lot for replying, i will try going back to LoD for spring break. Thanks.

What is this "back" of LoD someone stated earlier? Anybody have any info on that?

 

We have two showrooms, one new car showroom and a seperate pre-owned showroom...that's all.

JP

 

A mystical, magical wonderland!

I've also heard some people refer to the shop area as 'the back' where you'll often find a Saleen or two, an F40 (prototype!), etc. You also get to see Mike at work, one of the best F-car mechanics around.

 

How many times has this happened to you? You walk into a dealership, your mauled by 3 salesman at once, you tell them what you want, after they hit you up for all your personal contact information, they drag you over to show you something you told them you didnt want, they force you to sit in it and try to sell it to you anyway. Maybe this is the amount of attention people have come to expect at car dealerships.

LOD is not an ordinary car dealership, its an exotic car boutique and its a business. Gary and Jonathan have established an environment that fits the cars they are selling, it doesnt come off to me as snobby or pushy. They will show you around but they need to protect the fine inventory. People do damage these cars in the showroom.

LOD is the friendliest exotic car dealership I have been in, the other dealers should take example. I was shopping for an F-car in 1999, the sales guy at FOD ignored me at first then be-grudgingly answered my questions, he would not let me drive the 348 Spyder until I put a deposit on it, I bought my F-car from Gary Seale that same week.

Jonathan and Gary need to keep LOD just how it is.

 

I second Brian's comments completely. Every time I have been at LOD everyone has been very friendly and usually when I walk in, it is in jeans and a flannel shirt ( my normal work uniform), so if they are not going to pay attention to someone it should be me. I walked into FOD in the same uniform and could not even get a salesperson to pay attention to me, in spite of the fact I was interested in a 360 they had on the show room floor.
I have dealt with Gary Seale on two vehicles and they have been great cars and good deals. GREAT CARS, GREAT PEOPLE, GREAT PLACE---DON'T CHANGE A THING

 

Jonathan.......

First and foremost, thank you for having an open door policy. Without it, i wouldn't have been able to witness the gorgeous Murci Barchetta that was at your dealership yesterday. That made my day.

I now have a clearer understanding of the juggling act you have to hold up. My apologies for jumping to conclusions. I do realize that having a small store with a limited staff, with vehicles that hundreds of people love looking at, is a tough position. I know that I don't want to hold up a sale, especially knowing that I'm not buying anytime soon.

Is there a time that is 'best' or easiest for dreamers like me to come by? Also, what's your policy about the "back" room? Are those "just looking" not allowed back there?

Thank you so much for posting. I was hoping someone from Lambo of Dallas would. As revenge would have it, we had an absolutely crazy day at work today, and I'm sure there are at least a couple of clients questioning my service ability right now. Anyways, once again. Thank you. I will certainly refer you if anyone I know is in the market.

Agreed. Any chance of a sales facility too? That's one market that ought to be tapped, in my humble opinion.