458-Dealer feedback | FerrariChat

458-Dealer feedback

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by F2003-GA, Oct 10, 2009.

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  1. F2003-GA

    F2003-GA F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 2, 2003
    13,376
    Sunbelt
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    I've bought and enjoyed 8 new Ferrari's over the past 12 years.
    Fair assumption would be that I am a loyal long standing customer.
    I asked my Dealer where do I stand for allocation and delivery
    He told me no promises for first year delivery.I left dumb found

    Any similar stories out there - What's everyones take on this?
     
  2. hdpt00

    hdpt00 F1 Rookie

    Jul 15, 2005
    2,894
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    Brandon
    Maybe your dealer owes a few people for buying a California at MSRP???
     
  3. The Ape

    The Ape Formula 3

    Feb 28, 2007
    1,793
    Los Angeles
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    Ape
    Hmm? That's just not cool.

    With your history as a loyal Ferrari customer it seems insane to me that you wouldn't be in the top 5 of the list.
     
  4. WCH

    WCH F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Mar 16, 2003
    5,186
    Jas, I'm unimpressed by the US operation.

    Our local dealer changed hands earlier this year. The new folks called me about a California, which I turned down. My 16M (ordered well prior to the ownership change) arrived incorrectly specced; dealer pushed hard to get me to take it, but I passed. Haven't heard anything from them since. My purchase history is similar to, but even more active than yours.

    At the suggestion of a friend, called and left a message for the principal of another factory dealer. Call was never returned.

    My conclusions:

    - if possible, deal only with the factory

    - it's really not possible to personalize a Ferrari without a factory visit, the US dealers generally don't have the samples or knowledge about factory capabilities - which IMO costs Ferrari a lot of money

    - as I don't want an 8 cylinder car, but am only interested in the 12s, I'm not sure I even need a dealer relationship to get what I want. When I want a 612 or 599 successor, I won't be first in line, but someone will sell me one.

    - I may explore dealing with other manufacturers for fun auto toys, there are so many. If Ferrari stops being fun, I'll look elsewhere.

    - I should buy more vintage cars.

    It may be that the customer who purchases approximately a car a year just isn't all that important; Ferrari should care for the folks who not only buy cars but play in the Challenge series, participate in corse clienti, etc. Ferrari has devised ways to identify what it sometimes calls its most important clients - as well they should. Everyone else is more or less buying off the rack.

    All "just business" in my mind, all a game no one has to play.
     
  5. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    Feb 11, 2008
    106,121
    Vegas baby
    I agree it sounds weird. The only reason I can say is that the dealers don't know their allocations yet.

    I suspect that with the economy in the US the way things are, the US will get LESS cars than the 430 per year. Over time, as the economy improves, we may see more made for the US market. Also, the dollar vs euro makes it more profitable to sell them elsewhere.

    There's plenty of market for this car throughout the world. I don't think they are worried about their production issues for the 458 for years to come.
     
  6. F2003-GA

    F2003-GA F1 World Champ
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    Buying a Cali gets no preference
    BTW I paid 50k over for my 599
     
  7. mkultra

    mkultra Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2004
    1,705
    Chicago, IL
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    MK Ultra
    on the positive side, the dealer said there is no promises for first year delivery. doesn't mean that you may not be surprised and indeed see it arrive first year. don't forget there may be customers who have been just as loyal and have purchased more cars during the same period.
     
  8. of2worlds

    of2worlds F1 World Champ
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    Apr 6, 2004
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    CH
    My favourite blow off line that I read a while ago was "the dealer has decided we are going to sell to younger buyers for this new model".
    The 'economy' is a non-issue when there is no shortage of buyers waving 300k + in the dealers face and he declines to sell...
    CH
     
  9. F2003-GA

    F2003-GA F1 World Champ
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    Locally there are very few. But he claims to do business Nationwide
     
  10. smooth

    smooth Formula Junior

    Nov 4, 2005
    682
    This "history as a customer" is a joke. Somewhere in the anti-trust statutes, this must be considered as a "restraint of trade".
     
  11. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #11 TheMayor, Oct 10, 2009
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2009
    Geez you have this "I hate Ferrari" fever bad!

    You see, it's called "a market". It's supply and demand, not ego, that drive car pricing.

    If suddenly there was a blight on all peaches and only a bushel of them was available for the season, do you think your local supermarket would still sell them for $2 a pound? Would you blame them also for increasing the price?

    Dealers can do dumb things. That may be happening here. But, my experience has not been the same. If the Italia is priced too high, consumers will certainly let them know with their pocketbooks and those waiting lists will get shorter and shorter real fast.

    I find this whinning interesting.

    First, we whine that we can't get the cars we want at the price we want.

    Then, we whine that Ferrari makes too many cars and the value drops as does the exclusivity.

    You can't have it both ways.
     
  12. Testacojones

    Testacojones F1 Veteran

    Nov 3, 2003
    5,198
    Florida
    Full Name:
    Luix Lecusay
    #12 Testacojones, Oct 10, 2009
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2009

    I bet Nelson will get one of the first ones, lol, there are some really big fishes buying from this dealer.
     
  13. smooth

    smooth Formula Junior

    Nov 4, 2005
    682
    No, No, No. Knock off the hate Ferrari bullcr@p !!!! Every time someone criticizes Ferrari, you cry hate. It's a question of reasonable opportunity. I don't like it when people are taken advantage of. I feel the same thoughts about GM and the new Camaro, and all other rip-off strategies. That's not "market"; it's greed. I wish the Dept. of Commerce would outlaw these practices. MSRP should be MSRP !!!
    When there are gasoline shortages; it's illegal to overcharge. Ticket scalping is illegal,etc., etc.
    If there was a "blight on peaches" the farmer would have due cause to charge the store more, and therefore the store has a valid reason for a price increase. These clowns running the dealerships are not passing along a 'price increase', they are simply taking advantage of the situation. If you think that's fair --- do you subscribe to the idea that if there is a big flood in your locality, it would O.K. for The Home Depot to raise the prices of sump pumps, just because people need them ?
     
  14. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #14 TheMayor, Oct 10, 2009
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2009
    Do you understand what MSRP stands for? It's Manufacturers SUGGESTED retail price. SUGGESTED. Dealers are free to price it where they want and we are FREE to pass.

    This is a free market, thank god. Goods and services sell for whatever price we (the public) are willing to pay for them.

    Why is a 250 Testarossa worth $6 million+. Because there are people out there willing to pay for it. Is that wrong too?

    I'll take the free market over some government price fixing any day. Why? Price fixing is the quickest way to eliminate goods and services from the market. Just ask the Russians before the fall of communism.

    When the Mini first came out, every dealer in Southern California wanted over MSRP. I shopped around and found one that sold one to me at MSRP. Guess which dealer I support with my service and continuing business? Which one would I recommend?

    Market manipulation is BAD in the long run. Bad for everyone, and that includes gasoline. If gas is manipulated, we will just run out of the stuff before we find an alternative. As the price rises, more exotic and expensive alternatives can flourish and be brought to market.

    So, the Farmer with the peaches is NOT taking advantage of the situation? Why? Was his cost to produce higher? You defeat your own argument.

    Now, if you're talking about SPECULATION and it's market manipulation, then I agree that needs to be monitored and controlled. But, once again, it's the fault of consumers, not the dealers. If someone walks in and wants to pay you 50 grand more for your car than the next guy, would you turn him down? Dealerships are BUSINESSES running on profit and loss no different than your local McDonalds. Blame the guy with the 50 grand, not the dealer.

    If you want no 458's sold in the US for the next 2 years, just force price fixing. You'll see them in Afghanstan before they ever show up in the states.
     
  15. Carnut

    Carnut F1 Rookie

    Nov 3, 2003
    3,797
    Gladwyne PA
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    Morrie
    Every dealer run their operations their own way, and like any business, some respect their loyal customers, and some do not. I have bought 8 cars from my local dealer over the last six years, and I have always been treated with respect, which is why I would never go anywhere else, and have sent them many buyers.
     
  16. WCH

    WCH F1 Veteran
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    Mar 16, 2003
    5,186
    #16 WCH, Oct 10, 2009
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2009
    Smooth, I don't see anyone being taken advantage of. You play, or you don't. The buyers are not stupid.

    bdelp is right.
     
  17. F2003-GA

    F2003-GA F1 World Champ
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    My 1999 360 was one of there first deliveries.
    Prior to that I was buying 355s out of stock with a discount.
    Where do all this new High prority clients come from and where were they then.
     
  18. The Ape

    The Ape Formula 3

    Feb 28, 2007
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    +1
     
  19. F2003-GA

    F2003-GA F1 World Champ
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    I think you hit on the nail.Some respect their loyal customers,and some do not
    Thats what makes the market place go wild.Because most allocation goes to loyal customers but small portion that does not brings crazy premiums.If all dealers were allowed to sell to whomever for whatever I think the premiums would be a lot less wild.
     
  20. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    I will say this... Ferrari is not totally innocent here also. They control allocations to the dealers. This does force prices to be higher in specific markets and longer or shorter waiting lists. It is a form of manipulation of the market.

    But as long as people continue pay for it, they will continue. You see, it's a profit deal.
     
  21. F2003-GA

    F2003-GA F1 World Champ
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    But my point is it's unfortunate to be located in a market where customer loyalty is not respected as in some other markets.
     
  22. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    And your point is absolutely correct.
     
  23. WCH

    WCH F1 Veteran
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    Mar 16, 2003
    5,186
    "And your point is absolutely correct."


    And the answer is to move on to another dealer/source, or another product.

    Red 458s will be available outside the dealer network almost immediately, albeit at a premium - resale restrictions notwithstanding.
     
  24. F2003-GA

    F2003-GA F1 World Champ
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    You cannot move to another dealer.Because most dealers do not sell to you if your located in another dealers market.They break the rule If you pay a big premium which puts you back to where you started from.
     
  25. WCH

    WCH F1 Veteran
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    Mar 16, 2003
    5,186
    Jas, if you walked into Ferrari of Anywhere right now and said you wanted to order a 612 OTO, I'm guessing they'd sell it to you in a New York minute. I'm bored with the BS. Also, many buyers have more than one address. So, where am I located?
     

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