Factory Tour Rule Change? | FerrariChat

Factory Tour Rule Change?

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Monteman, Mar 5, 2018.

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  1. Monteman

    Monteman Formula 3
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    Feb 9, 2006
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    I heard that the rules for getting a factory tour are changing. Before you simply had to own a Ferrari. You would send your request through the dealer, FNA would check the VIN to confirm ownership and off to the races you went. Now my understanding is that you will need to be classified as an "Active Customer". Not 100% sure what that means yet but it appears that you must own a current model Ferrari or have one on order. I asked if you had a dozen vintage Ferrari's if you'd be able to get a tour and the guidance I received was it was up to the General Manager's discretion.

    Has anyone else heard this or have more information?
     
  2. Formula Uno

    Formula Uno F1 Veteran

    Oct 8, 2008
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    Wow I hope that what you say is just a rumor!!

    That will piss off ALLOT of us! I busted my a** to buy a 36 year old 308 and am proud to be considered a part of the Ferrari Family. I did a tour just this past September as well.

    Is Ferrari turning into a snob brand like Hermes??

    THIS will REALLY upset me!
     
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  3. G. Pepper

    G. Pepper Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Need a definition for, "active customer." If it means one of the high flyers who always lease the latest and greatest, that would cut out many enthusiasts, because leasers aren't even owners, as far as I'm concerned, and a lot of enthusiasts have older cars. If, OTOH it just means being active in FCA and having a relationship with your local dealer, that wouldn't be too bad.

    As the number of owners increase, I'm sure Ferrari has more people who want the tour than they can accommodate.
     
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  4. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 TheMayor, Mar 6, 2018
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2018
    Active customer means you have bought and own a Ferrari, new or used, from an authorized dealer.

    Some guy who bought a used 308 in 1984 and sold it in 1985 isn't going to get a tour.

    In the end I believe it comes down to dealer discretion. I honestly don't see the issue.
     
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  5. ago car nut

    ago car nut F1 Veteran
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    I read the dealer actually pays for your free tour. Maybe that is what is up? Might be some dealers don't want to bother with cars they can't make money off?
     
  6. spirot

    spirot F1 World Champ

    Dec 12, 2005
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    We're going again this July 12th. if you have not been, its very interesting and un like other large factories ... not much noise and the robotics are very minimal compared to Porsche or BMW etc... but not quite as hand crafted as Lamborghini. I think we are also going to tour Pagani as well.
     
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  7. Formula Uno

    Formula Uno F1 Veteran

    Oct 8, 2008
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    "The guy who bought a 308 in 84 and sold it in 85 doesn't get the tour." Well...he isn't an owner anymore why should he?

    What about the guy (me) who bought a 308 in 2008 because that's all he could afford and STILL has it because he's a loyal, fanatical, and proud Ferrari owner...he doesn't deserve the tour??
    But Kim Kardashian who bought a LaFerrari for kicks but can't even spell Ferrari gets the tour?

    I think that its a great way to divide and alienate your customers. Whats next....lets measure penis size? ;)
     
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  8. Carper

    Carper Karting

    Aug 13, 2017
    108
    Suffolk, UK
    Hopefully you stand a chance against Ms Kardashian in this contest !
     
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  9. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Seriously? This is your big issue for the day?

    You want to know how to divide and alienate your customers? Tell your current customers they can't get a tour because some guy with a gold chain in the 8o's who once owned a 308 and sold it after Magnum was cancelled is ahead of you.

    This is a NON ISSUE. Its at the dealer's discretion. You are not "entitled" to anything. Its a privilege, plain and simple. There's no contract when you buy a used Ferrari that you are offered a factor tour.

    And I don't think Kim Kardashian came come either. She leases hers through an secondary company that supplies cars to stars. SO, are you happy she can't come? She's not "an owner".
     
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  10. arizonaitalian

    arizonaitalian F1 World Champ
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    Mayor - why do you keep saying anyone is raising your straw man about a non owner? (Nobody is except you)

    The issue here - obviously we would have thought - is whether current owners who did not get their car from a dealer are still able to go on the tour...
     
  11. Formula Uno

    Formula Uno F1 Veteran

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    #11 Formula Uno, Mar 6, 2018
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2018

    Stop it with the "Big issue of the day" remark. You are sounding a bit pretentious now.
    If "the guy with the gold chain" currently owns a Ferrari then why shouldn't he get his tour??
    Is it only for rich, pretentious, WASP's then? An owner is an owner...right? Or do you approve of one "type" of owner over another? Is an Enzo owner who bought the car on a whim more of a owner than a janitor that owns a beat-up 348 but treasures it more than his own kids?

    I totally agree with you that the tour is a "privilege" but to tell some poor SOB that can only afford a 308 but lives and breathes Ferrari that he can't have a tour because it is for buying customers only doesn't sit well with me and allot of other owners as well i'm sure.

    Maybe here we should only allow owners of 430's and up to start a thread? 430's down to 355's can only reply, and 355 down can only view posts.

    Whatdaya think?

    PS: I did the factory tour this past September as a lowly 308 owner. I felt so proud and privileged to be there...it was even more touching than as a catholic, when I went to the Vatican and The Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. Maybe the guy ahead of me in line owned a LaFerrari but it didn't make a difference to the staff in Maranello.

    It would be a shame if Ferrari changes this wonderful sentiment and opportunity for owners.
     
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  12. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Look, you own a 308. That's awesome. But that entitles you to get a cup of coffee at Starbucks if you give them your $6. :)

    If you want a factory tour, drive over to your local dealer give him your reasons why you should be allowed the privilege.

    ACTIVE customers are people who bought ANY FERRARI of any age from a dealer and still own them, new or used. If you buy a junked out Mondial 8 off of craigslist for $5000 don't expect a "factory tour"
     
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  13. italiafan

    italiafan F1 World Champ
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    Do you guys even read each other's posts before responding?
     
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  14. Formula Uno

    Formula Uno F1 Veteran

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    LOL you're right!
     
  15. Formula Uno

    Formula Uno F1 Veteran

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    So then it looks like we are in agreement!;)
     
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  16. ago car nut

    ago car nut F1 Veteran
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    I took the tour for the second time in Sept. 2016. My wife and I were the only ones on the tour, others didn't show. Personal tour. The tour guide, young women, she was Czech and could speak 4 languages. Her husband was a design engineer in the Formula one division.
     
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  17. msark

    msark Formula Junior

    Feb 18, 2017
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    Southern California
    What about things like "The Italian Guy Tour" ?
     
  18. kerrari

    kerrari Two Time F1 World Champ
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    IMHO, 'active' customers are those who DRIVE them! I'd be pretty cheesed if some current leaser who watches his trip meter was given a place and I (as a long term active owner) wasn't! Personally not affected as I've been there before (and paid $100 head to the dealer for the privilege of organising it) but still...
     
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  19. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    We aren't talking about the most loyal or most passionate. We're talking about people who recently bought and still own a car from a dealer.

    I stand by what I said. This is a complete non issue. If you don't like it go to your dealer and make your case. It's a privilege, not a guarantee.

    Ferrari has to have a way to say to some people you can't go.

    I'll tell you something interesting.

    I bought a new Corvette C7 and took the factory delivery option. It think it costed me $1500 for that "privilege" of picking up the car at the factory and getting some other bennies. With that "privilege" I got a private factory tour (it lasted about 2 hours and I rather enjoyed it).

    So, should every person who ever bought a Corvette, new or used, from a private dealer or party or Chevy dealer for the last 70 years get a factory tour? Is Chevy somehow discriminating against "real Corvette enthusiasts" in favor of people who pay?
     
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  20. azlin75

    azlin75 Formula Junior

    Jul 16, 2017
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    I'd think an "active" customer would be anyone who uses any and all dealer services. Of course if you purchase your car at the dealer that is also going to give you a big leg up. But let's face it the Ferrari dealer isn't always going to have a car in the spec you want on hand especially if it's an older car.
     
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  21. INRange

    INRange F1 World Champ
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    It would appear that the wording has changed on their website....

    "Factory tours are reserved for Ferrari clients and official sponsors."

    No definition for the word "Clients". If I recall correctly it used to say Owners. I would think if you had your Ferrari serviced by a Ferrari dealer.....regardless of who you bought it from.....you are a Ferrari Client since you have a business relationship with Ferrari. When I went a couple of years ago, Ferrari of Washington DC sponsored the paperwork to FNA and the factory verified my identity and VIN. FoW services my car from time to time and I did not purchase it there. I would think trying to get a tour without having a Dealer relationship in place for purchase and/or service would be extremely difficult for an owner.
     
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  22. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
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    I would just call up an ask. Maybe all it takes is an overpriced oil change to get you to be a 'client' of the said dealership.
     
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  23. Formula Uno

    Formula Uno F1 Veteran

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    Or a $2,000 pollen filter;)
     
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  24. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
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    hahahhaa
     
  25. LorenzoOO

    LorenzoOO Formula Junior

    Sep 21, 2017
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    Call Ferrari NA in NJ, and ask.
    I’ve been three times. It’s definitely worth seeing. My first tour was 1993 and the production line was positively prehistoric compared to my second trip in 2004. By 2012, it was like Star Wars.
     

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