Dealers Attitudes: Location Matters | FerrariChat

Dealers Attitudes: Location Matters

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by slice, Oct 15, 2008.

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  1. slice

    slice Formula Junior

    Jan 4, 2008
    312
    Connecticut, US
    I've lived and worked in Fairfield County, CT my whole life. My company has a large location in the Dallas, TX area so I head down every other month or so.

    I'm 38 and am very well versed in the Ferrari market. I research the hell out of everything and am making preparations for my first purchase within the next 6 months or so. Being a 20 year Ferrari fan, I've been to Miller Motorcars in Greenwich probably a dozen times over the years - first as a teenager and now with my son.

    In all my trips to Miller, I've never once been approached (or even looked at for that matter)...now granted I wouldn't expect someone to talk to an 18 year old gawker, but at 38 I would have imagined at least a "hello". I am not a hedge fund king and don't wear thousand dollar suits, but I have funds in place to make a purchase.

    In any event, last week I finally found time away from work to make it to Boardwalk Ferrari in Plano, TX. What a difference. I arrived unannounced with 3 of my team members - one who was from Italy - and we were welcomed immediately.

    I won't mention names, but let me say Boardwalk has a very friendly staff - the sales rep even gave my girl from Italy a free Scuderia hat - imagine that in Greenwch?!?!

    Gave my information to the rep in TX and perhaps things will work out and I can pick up a car from them and have it delivered to CT...let's hope so, because I won't be making the trip to Miller with a checkbook in my hand anytime soon.
     
  2. wetpet

    wetpet F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    May 3, 2006
    10,210
    greenwich will be on their knees begging in a couple of months. won't that be sweet for you.
     
  3. Kds

    Kds F1 World Champ

    #3 Kds, Oct 15, 2008
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2008
    Having bought a couple of 6 figure Porsches sight unseen from "Porsche of Fairfield"........all I can say is that their customer service attitude is exceptional. They delivered some of the best sales service I have ever received at a franchised high end dealer anywhere in Canada or the US. I doubt what you experienced at Miller was geographic in nature. Bad nonetheless "perhaps".......but not because it is in Connecticut money country.
     
  4. glh222

    glh222 Rookie

    Aug 28, 2008
    6
    Is there a way to contact you via this forum (im new here), if so please let me know...I have a quick question for you regarding your post.

    thanks
     
  5. redtrman

    redtrman Formula 3
    BANNED

    May 16, 2008
    2,292
    VA - Heart in Pitt
    Full Name:
    Jason Bourne
    Slice,

    My wife and I moved from Westport (fairfield co.) to Great falls VA (fairfax co.) and i understand your pain and that is one of the reasons we left pompous county CT. However, the local F dealer here has similar problems so fairfield co is not an exception. I agree with you, buy your f car from a reputable venue and one that treats you like a human being and not like a bottomless checkbook. Good luck on the search.
     
  6. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 22, 2002
    19,278
    goto wwofcars and ask for joan. have never heard a negative comment about her and when i walked in with shorts and tshirt she treated me like i was in a kiton suit. She's grade A, at least in my book.
     
  7. hardtop

    hardtop F1 World Champ

    Jan 31, 2002
    11,298
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Dave
    I grew up in CT and I've been all over the country. People are different by region. As much as we rip Texans here in Colorado, they are an amiable, friendly, hospitable lot. CT still subscribes to the English "stiff upper lip" concept, definitely not outwardly friendly, especially in the WASP confines of Fairfield county.

    Dave
     
  8. JMOrem

    JMOrem Formula Junior

    Jun 7, 2004
    322
    Frisco, TX
    Full Name:
    Jared Orem
    As a former Westport resident, I could not agree more.
     
  9. silver-gt

    silver-gt Guest

    Mar 13, 2008
    47
    Same reaction here...I am under 30 and went into a ferrari dealer and was ignored. Now, thats fine - to each their own but i drove up in an exotic and was looking at the 430s so its not like i was being a gawker. I'm (still) a cash buyer for a 430, I plan to go back and tell them that i was here a few months back and see if they want to give me a deal. If not, I'll tell them to keep the inventory and take the market hit...or to call me with a big discount and see if i return their call.
     
  10. darth550

    darth550 Six Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jul 14, 2003
    61,183
    In front of you
    Full Name:
    BCHC
    Until you move to TX, they'll still have you for service.

    Buy your car and enjoy the hell out of it! Screw them, for they won't care either way! :):)
     
  11. Ingenere

    Ingenere F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Dec 11, 2001
    6,457
    On the Limit
    Full Name:
    Dino
    Joan and Wide World are great. They treated me great when I would ride my bike to their shop when I was a kid. I have long sinced moved away, but I always send them business.
     
  12. bjm

    bjm Formula Junior

    Nov 1, 2003
    923
    Fairfield County, CT
    Full Name:
    Brian
    Hey, easy on there Dave....we're not all WASPS!! LOL! and there are rumors that there are friendly people hiding among the wasps..I have even met 1 or 2 myself. I agree with the OP about Miller...they do not give off friendly vibes but actually Werner in particular is a very decent guy once you start up a conversation with him. Greenwich is a weird place. A town with so many of the nations wealthy elite has its own strange dynamic going on. I would never live there.

     
  13. slice

    slice Formula Junior

    Jan 4, 2008
    312
    Connecticut, US
    Being born in Fairfield County, I never knew any other way of life. In fact, the first time I heard people referring to my hometown as a snobby place was when I attended college in Rhode Island. In the years that followed college I've found some (but not all) of what I heard to be true...still, there are good people here and I am not upset about living in the area...I guess I am more old school than the new found hedge money that flooded the area in the past 20 years.
     
  14. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

    This might be your Greenwich peeps coming crawling to you now ;)

    I think your going to see the snotty F-dealership attitudes changing real quick. Let's remember how we were treated before if and when it comes time to lay down some cash.
     
  15. BIGHORN

    BIGHORN In Memoriam

    Sep 18, 2006
    733
    FLORIDA/NEW MEXICO
    Full Name:
    JOHN F KELLY
    i
    I dont know what happened to CT attitudes in the last 30 years, but I was a frequent visitor and parts customer at Chinetti/NART (600 W Putnam Ave, Greenwich) before they sold to Miller and I was always treated well by the sales and parts staff.
     
  16. hardtop

    hardtop F1 World Champ

    Jan 31, 2002
    11,298
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Dave
    No problem. My own heritage includes one of the original white folks who settled CT with Thomas Hooker. Also, among the first to settle Fairfield County area. My family name is still on a lot of landmarks and streets in the area. Hard to be anymore WASP than that! I think the contrast in attitudes only becomes apparent when you move away.

    Dave
     
  17. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,406
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    To send a Private Message click on the user name in the post....

    We talk of this frequently but not all dealerships are "glad handing" personalities, some are more reserved....they all sell cars..
     
  18. Tom LaPointe

    Tom LaPointe Karting

    Dec 29, 2005
    130
    Tampa, FL - Go Bucs!
    Full Name:
    Tom LaPointe
    My wife's from CT, thought not Money Country, and her family is nice enough. BUT...her brother's wife is one of the worst wasB's i've ever met...and she came from middle class roots. I've never seen anything like it.
     
  19. Tom LaPointe

    Tom LaPointe Karting

    Dec 29, 2005
    130
    Tampa, FL - Go Bucs!
    Full Name:
    Tom LaPointe
    cool heritage...mine's much more boring
     
  20. junglistluder

    junglistluder F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 23, 2007
    3,631
    VA
    Full Name:
    Brendan
    "changes in lattitudes.....changes in attitudes" -Jimmy B


    :)
     
  21. veloce92

    veloce92 Formula Junior

    Nov 25, 2007
    289
    Chapel Hill
    Full Name:
    Aussie
    so, dumb question: what is a WASP? I think I've got the P figured out.
    PM me if it isn't postable.
     
  22. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

    White Anglo-Saxon Protestant
     
  23. DIGMAN52

    DIGMAN52 F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 30, 2004
    4,108
    Dallas Texas
    Full Name:
    Philip C
    There are some good dealers out there, and I'm glad you found Boardwalk Ferrari. They have experienced sales people who know their cars, but are not snooty about them. They hold a couple of rally's a year, as well as a big car show in June, and
    the turnouts have increased every year. Their owner also owns the Porsche dealership across the Tollroad, as well as
    Lamborghini Dallas, so they are really covering the sports car spectrum.
     
  24. JDZNate

    JDZNate Formula Junior

    May 14, 2007
    607
    Portland, OR
    Full Name:
    Nate
    I stop by Ron Tonkin GT here in Portland Oregon every once and a while. They are always nice and friendly.
     
  25. Marcow930

    Marcow930 Rookie

    Jul 9, 2008
    9
    Naples, FL
    I am from Florida and while passing through NJ decided to have some attention paid to a sticky convertible top on my 355 at FONJ. Some of the best service I have ever had ever had. Total time to fix the top 2 hours, $300 Total time explaining Ferrari OBDII systems, warning light causes and a lesson in Computer Engine analysis
    3 hours at N/C. Friendly, Honest, A great experience.
     

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