One of our own Fchatters makes it to Jalopnik!

Sorry, Felice, I must disagree with you here. First, Bob had more than one bad experience with FoO: once when he was shopping for a 360 and more recently while shopping for another exotic. Second, he is not criticizing an entire company but simply the customer service he received at FoO from one (or two?) employee(s). Third, it is not his duty to go and speak to someone within the dealership who can help. I would argue his duty is to tell the story. We all appreciate the 'caveat emptor' threads posted by owners who received bad service experiences or were overcharged at repair shops. I know I do. Bob did what I (and, hopefully) others would have done. Finally, Bob did get the results he wanted, but not by calling until someone was bound to respond. How much of his time would that have taken? He took his business elsewhere and bought the car he wanted.
That said we all share a love for Ferrari's. I hate it when I hear of tifosi having experiences, especially someone like Bob; a guy who actively enjoys his car and is active in the community. This story could have a happy ending, however. Say the sales manager at FoO contacted Bob (for, surely, they know of the article by now) and had a productive chat and addressed his concerns, then Bob posted an article explaining how well the dealership reacted and earned his business. Wouldn't that generate some internet traffic?!
This could end very well for FoO. How they react to the article will reveal all.

 

this is a dead horse (excuse the pun) and lets move on.

 

Here's the typical 30 year old Jalopnik reader......I'm pretty sure he's wearing an Audemars Piaget watch


[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lKwkn6JT74[/ame]

 

I disagree entirely....part of writing a good story is providing a proper context. the writer here is providing a visual for his experience by letting us know he looked like someone who had the means of buying a Ferrari and not a bum off the streets. He clearly indicates this in the article and is not meant to "impress" anyone.

I would push this aspect even further and suggest that someone who does not look like a typical buyer, wearing a fancy watch or isn't the typical demographic should be served with a smile and treated with respect when they walk into a place of business, Ferrari or otherwise.

Having a different attitude or judging a potential buyer by ignoring him when they show up at your place based on their age is ridiculous......

 

I am from London Ontario, I've been to FOO about 5 or 6 times, each time was a pleasant experience.

 

I really don't agree with this. A 'potential' Ferrari buyer knows very well that Ferrari is an established and much respected company, so why would someone knowingly walk into FOO (or any other F dealership) and act and dress poorly?

Would you walk into a 5 star restaurant for dinner, wearing cargo shorts and running shoes? I understand there is absolutely no dress code at FOO or the restaurant, but common sense (and class) would say otherwise.

 

No one here or in the article is talking about dressing or acting poorly????

The issue here is that a place of business should treat you with respect if you show up and you're clean, polite and well-mannered. Wearing a 300$, 3000$ or 30,000$ watch should not matter and you should be treated with respect and not be ignored. Whether you fit the "demographic" upon first impression also should not matter.

As for Ferrari, they are definetly established but respect is earned and, if they treat people poorly in their dealerships, they will lose that respect.

 

The other point that Bob makes is that things change. They always do.

 

Everyone's experience is their own and Ive shared mine with Bob as well. First time i went to FoO - i went with my entire family in our high ballin minivan - and was treated extremely well. I ended coming back a few times and bought my Gransport there. I looked at several cars, got all the attention I needed, my sales rep is awesome, the manager at the time (Paul) let my kids tour the cars upstairs and bounce in the cars on the show floor while we waited for my wife to come back from a test drive.

My experience has been excellent there I would consider buying there again as long as they have what I'm looking for and the price is right.

My personal worst car buying experience was trying to buy a Nissan Xterra back when they first came out.

 

Hold on Kash, was that "ballin minivan" a Town & Country?

You know that can make all the difference

 

I dont understand why its only in Toronto that its a big deal to dress up to go to a "5 star" restaurant... anywhere in the US, sandals and shorts suffice... I definitely dont agree with that analogy.

This whole thing seem to be blown way out of context.. Its funny that so called "friends" can turn their back on someone so easily...

 

I totally agree with you here....You don't need to play "dressup" and put on your fancy suit to do anything. I'm just saying that some common courtesy and appropriate clothing (not really a suit) should be required when entering any formal place of business, whether its an office meeting, church, business lunch, or car dealership etc...

I'm slowly lowering my head into my palms right about now....

 

My high school football coach used to tell us to make sure we looked good, tuck in your shirt, etc....he would always say "If you look good then you feel good"

I can't agree more.

 

Adi, I think we are arguing about the same thing. I agree, you shouldn't walk into FOO in a wife beater and cargo shorts, and it is not necessary to dress up in a Canali suit, Ferragamo shoes, and the AP watch just to prove to someone that you have money.

All I'm saying is that there is appropriate clothing necessary during certain places and events. Unfortunately, much of the younger generation (and some older generation) fail to appreciate this fact.

And opposite of what Zak said...nobody should ever go to a 5 star restaurant in Cargo shorts and sandals, unless you are in Aruba, or the Jersey shore.

 

Gospel!

 

Perhaps a new thread on "appropriate clothing when entering stores, businesses and dealerships" should be opened because this has now gone Wayyyyyyyyyy off topic....

The writer is painting a picture for us describing that he is well-dressed and well-mannered and I think we all agree that the way he presented himself and his appearance was proper when he walked into the dealership.

The discussion should be on how he was treated and if we agree with the article and his opinion.

 

The main thing in all this , wash both sides of your face whernever you go out.

 

Everytime ?!?

 

And another thing: Gentlemen, PLEASE wash your hands when you come out of the bathroom.

It never fails, every time I go into a bathroom, there's always those 1 or 2 dudes who just walk out afer they're done. WTF?????

These are the same people who shake your hand when they meet you, simply disgusting....

 

What if you only got a couple of drops on your hands?

 

Healthy urine is not toxic.

 

I went into a hotel washroom once and some guy was taking a crap while talking to someone on his cell phone, left without washing his hands, then immediately went outside and got in his Gallardo and drove away. True story.

There is all kinds of wrong in that.

 

What are you saying Bernie?

 

Healthy urine is not toxic.