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Ferrari/Maserati of Houston

Discussion in 'Texas' started by Shark01, Jun 30, 2005.

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  1. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    6,479
    #1 Shark01, Jun 30, 2005
    Can anyone provide some background on Sales & Service for this dealer? I have been in there on consecutive Saturdays to speak with someone about Ferraris and Maseratis and both times despite being there 30-45 minutes not a soul approached me. I was OK with it since it gave me a chance to sit in whatever I wanted and play around with controls, but the wife was pissed and I do wonder how responsive they would be and whether they are interested in selling cars.

    Thanks!
     
  2. RossoCorsaItaly

    RossoCorsaItaly F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 9, 2004
    4,683
    LA & OKC
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    #2 RossoCorsaItaly, Jun 30, 2005
    You have to realize how many people go in there and waste their time. If you contact them over the phone and set up an appointment then they will take you a bit more seriously.

    Good luck,
    Kevin
     
  3. LSU348

    LSU348 Formula 3

    Dec 19, 2003
    1,047
    Sugar Land
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #3 LSU348, Jun 30, 2005
    They must have assumed you were not garbage if you were not approached the second you hopped in a car. My take on FoH is they know a "qualified" buyer will come get them when he/she is ready. They know you are there.

    They are not snobs. Mr Risi is a racer. Period. Man is his shop nice. The showroom is the tip of the iceberg.

     
  4. AnotherDunneDeal

    AnotherDunneDeal F1 Veteran

    Jun 2, 2003
    6,109
    N.Richland Hills, Tx
    Full Name:
    James Dunne
    #4 AnotherDunneDeal, Jul 1, 2005
    Call and ask for Joe Maniaci. You can tell him I referred you to him. If are serious, set an appointment. He will give you all the time you need. It is amazing how many people go in there just to look. Unfortunately, they cannot spend the time will everyone who comes in that most people would like them to. The staff is small because they do not sell the cars like you sell a BMW.

    I am surprised that they had any of the showroom cars unlocked. It is their policy to keep them locked to avoid possible damage to the interiors and doorsills for future owners........

    Once you have talked with them, I believe you will find them quite accomodating.

    If you want to cut to the chase, call and speak to Carol. She has been Mr. Risi's office manager since day one in the old building down the street.......

    Good luck on your search........BTW, I worked with trained there before being sent to Ferrari of Dallas back in 2000. Be patient and persistant and I believe the results will turn out well.
     
  5. MurcieMurcie

    MurcieMurcie F1 Rookie

    Jan 31, 2004
    3,100
    #5 MurcieMurcie, Jul 1, 2005
    great people, they know that if you were interested you would have approached them....They do get alot of tire kickers in that place so they were just respecting you as a potential buyer. If they thought you were not a qualified buyer they would have been on you after you opened the first car door.
     
  6. AnotherDunneDeal

    AnotherDunneDeal F1 Veteran

    Jun 2, 2003
    6,109
    N.Richland Hills, Tx
    Full Name:
    James Dunne
    #6 AnotherDunneDeal, Jul 2, 2005
    Shark1,

    I dropped by FoHouston today and spoke with Joe for you. He is expecting your call and says he will spend the time with you. He apologized for not having talked to you while you were in.

    I hope that helps some. Now the ball is back in your court.....
     
  7. jknight

    jknight F1 Veteran

    Oct 30, 2004
    7,821
    Central Texas
    #7 jknight, Jul 2, 2005
    We bought our car from them. We called ahead to make an appointment. Ask for Joe Maniaci. He, and other members of the staff, spent a lot of time with us. We received a tour of the dealership including the race department. Preparation of our car for delivery was very thorough. We recommend them without hesitation.
    John & Carol
     
  8. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    6,479
    #8 Shark01, Jul 2, 2005
    Thanks James,
    I'll call Joe and set something up.

    John
     
  9. AnotherDunneDeal

    AnotherDunneDeal F1 Veteran

    Jun 2, 2003
    6,109
    N.Richland Hills, Tx
    Full Name:
    James Dunne
    #9 AnotherDunneDeal, Jul 4, 2005
    Joe said you should be able to look at a nice 355 for what you mentioned you might like to spend.........
     
  10. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    6,479
    #10 Shark01, Jul 24, 2005
    Just to close the books on this one, due to some OT using up home time (no complaint, I can sure use the money to contribute to the car fund) I finally was able to call Joe this week. First, the conversation didn't go so well, he sounded put-out, didn't seem to like the idea of accepting an appointment, and didn't know/remember who James was. But he finally said come by about Noon on Saturday. OK, everybody can have a bad day.

    So after cruising through shops on the SW freeway (Memorial 1, Expo, Nexxus.....like a damn candy store), I get to FOH about 11:35. The is just one salesguy there and he is talking with a big bald dude. No biggie, I kind of wave to him to get his attention and cruise to the Maserati showroom. Well after 20 minutes not a soul enters the place, and I just got frustrated and left.

    Bottom line, I can't work with a dealership that is THAT hands off, and if I wanted a Maserati (and I'm pretty sure I did) its the only game in town for sales and service. Now Ferrari is another story, Dallas and SA have good dealerships and we have a couple of repair shops.

    I then went to Momentum Porsche and had a productive discussion with the sales manager about a couple of TT cars, this kind of dealership just suits me better.

    No hard feelings for anyone here, and thanks for all your help.
     
  11. AnotherDunneDeal

    AnotherDunneDeal F1 Veteran

    Jun 2, 2003
    6,109
    N.Richland Hills, Tx
    Full Name:
    James Dunne
    #11 AnotherDunneDeal, Jul 24, 2005
    Did not know me????? I worked with him for three years.....Geesh, am I going to give him a call. I thought he took me seriously when I went by on my way back to Dallas. I am really sorry it turned out like it did.

    Man, am I going to call Joe. That makes me look like a jerk for recommending you call him.....Sorry.....
     
  12. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    6,479
    #12 Shark01, Jul 24, 2005
    James,
    No apology needed, you did me a favor and I appreciate it. I'm taking it as a sign that this isn't the right kind of car for me. I feel real comfortable in the Porsche world and am building some relationships with the dealers, well that is if I can get Momentum to agree that aftermarket wheels aren't worth jacking the price up $10k.

    The 355 would have been a stretch anyway (would need to buy a 4 seat daily driver as well) financially, and although the Maserati coupe meets most of my requirements, their marketing stratagy (is it an enrty level Ferrari or a premium Alfa) and their committment to the US market poses risk.

    With the Porsche TT, you get what you see. Now if only I could knock off a couple of banks to get a TT cabriolet :)
     
  13. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 26, 2001
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    Snike Fingersmith
    #13 GrigioGuy, Jul 24, 2005
    Have you tried Lamborgini of Dallas?

    They have a great selection of cars and won't blow you off

    (and trust me, you're not the only one to get this kind of treatment from an O-Fish-El dealer)
     
  14. Sfumato

    Sfumato F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
    10,194
    Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, Anglesey, Wales
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    Angus Podgorney
    #14 Sfumato, Jul 24, 2005
    Call Ferrari of San Antonio/Barrett Ferrari-Maserati.
    210-341-2800 or 800-234-3466
    Tony Jones, Jeff Harral are the salesmen, Matt Burkholder is the GM.
    Tell 'em Dr. K sent you...they'll know.
    Great store, nice people, happy to help you.
    Owner is great guy.
    They sell lots of Maseratis...they sold out of '04's last year!!!
     
  15. Ferrariman355

    Ferrariman355 F1 Rookie

    Jul 11, 2004
    2,950
    NYC
    #15 Ferrariman355, Jul 24, 2005
    what ever Sfumato says, you can tell FoSA is a great dealership, because even when i came in and i am 16, they had folks their looking at cars, most likely customers, the sales people came up to me and asked if i needed any help or questions when i walked in through that door, they didnt push me aside since i was young or stare me down, you know its a good dealership, when you can tell they have time to spend with the littlest group of people.

    Tony Jones, is the person i always talk to. Great guy, even though he is with a customer, he is kind enough to make a small conversation. The way they sell Maserati's is impressive, they sell those things quickly...FoSA is a good choice.

    Take Care
    John Serrano
     
  16. jknight

    jknight F1 Veteran

    Oct 30, 2004
    7,821
    Central Texas
    #16 jknight, Jul 25, 2005
    Sorry your experience was such with FoH. We've had a very positive one with them in all aspects of our dealings - in fact they bent over backwards for us - going above and beyond what most dealers would think of doing.

    Carol
     

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