Ferrari trying to take over ferrari club

Well that’s obviously only because the REAL enthusiasts wear the latest Ferrari fashion!!!

INSERT REAL PICTURE SHOWCASING WHAT ENZO TRULY INTENDED…:
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Hey, do you think we could get a discount if we did a group buy?-

 

Ferrari of Houston?

Strange since FoH has a fabulous relationship with the Kansas City Chapter. FoH was working to have an equivalent relationship with the Chapter in St. Louis until the new dealership was announced.

 

HEY!!! That's me!!!

j/k

 

Even though this thread has become somewhat US centric, yesterday I heard an interesting turn of events from my club.

The Board of the club approached the proprietor of a well recognized specialist workshop which only works on the older cars outside of the cars on the official maintenance plan. They asked if he was interested in joining the club as a member as he owns several Ferraris himself, and if he was interested in cooperating with the club towards its members who have cars that require the kind of competence his business possesses [and frankly the dealer does at this stage not]. He accepted their proposal and was told there would be a vote on the motion in the Board before they would get back to him. A great move by the club to broaden their horizons and be more in tune with a larger sentiment of owners, kudos! Not sure how this would bypass the official guidelines from Ferrari, but a good initiative nonetheless.

He was called later that day. The Board voted unanimously in favor of having him onboard. However, the appointed Ferrari Representative from the dealer (as discussed earlier in this thread, and claimed by some to be a non-existent position) used their veto right and rigorously objected to any form of cooperation taking place. Thus, there will be no cooperation between a competent business of many years serving Ferrari's and a club for Ferrari owners, because a single person who has never owned and never will own a Ferrari from the dealer does not like the idea of there being "unofficial" parties in the mix who serve cars the dealer doesn't focus on.

 

these skilled mechanics need feerari spa’s respect. and those are the thanks for keeping these cars on the road since the 50’s. for without them many would have been crushed. they may have been as important as race wins.

 

It's a reminder of how sad the effect single individuals who [as stated] do not own and in this case never intend on owning a Ferrari, single handedly are able to dictate the running of owner communities.

 

Thank you for your kind words. In all fairness, Shawn R was the newly appointed President about the time I came into my position at Boardwalk. HIS approach as President was equally important. Also, not to be forgotten you ( Rob L ) also had a role in it, via Ferrari Chat as communication platform where I could offer my position as well as listen to owners and non-owners alike, while they expressed their opinions and personal experiences. Once Shawn and I started working together and gained support, I only asked one thing from him as President, and that was that Boardwalk be an option when he was asked where to get a Ferrari serviced or repaired. I never once asked or told him to make me the only choice, I only wanted the chance at showing that we were going to be different. Shawn agreed and in turn when he heard about something going on he would personally put the owner and I together to work it out, 99% of the time with positive results.

I have a unique perspective, I was brought on board to help with the changes both clients/owners and Ferrari wanted / demanded. When I came on, Boardwalk was the sole reason the independent shop I ran had so much Ferrari ( and Maserati ) work on a daily basis... they upset that many owners, that wanted to go anywhere other than the Dealership. I had to change that. Also, starting in 2012 Ferrari created the 7 year free service program, I had to learn and help communicate that to a group that had never considered that before. And so much more.

Coming from years of club back ground ( Volvo, BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, Audi, Kawasaki, Ducati, etc ) ranging from simply a member , board member, National board member, President, Treasurer, National Treasurer, and creator of a local Audi club, that grew to become a State club recognized by the national club, as well as the factory. Anyone can get a group of owners together and call themselves a club, but what does that really mean? You want to be a dinner club, great go to dinner together. Want to do Sunday Morning Drives each month, great you are a driving club. Want to do tech sessions... and so on. But to be a truly great club, its my believe that you need your local dealership support and factory support is even better. Aside from adding legitimacy to the organization, it also allows access to the inner workings of the brand at hand ( in the case Ferrari ) A well rounded club will offer a wide range of events and access to its members.

Side note: Members want to get invited to new product launches. Members want to visit the factory and take a tour. Members want to purchase the next new thing. Members want to be treated fairly. Members want ( and sometimes demand ) a lot from Ferrari and Dealerships... meanwhile they are the very same people online bashing Ferrari and Ferrari Stealerships. They are the same ones who make it known that they only do business with independent specialist and would never do business with the "Stealership". That's great, more power to them, and I honestly support that, but don't expect any business to then turn around and support you and your wishes. That's just bad business. For better or worse, Ferrari only has so many new cars to offer. They are going to get allocated to those that are in the family, those that speak kindly of the brand, that do not create stories of what they heard you have to do to buy a current 2022 model. Those that do not blame Ferrari for a product failure they didn't create. You want access, be nice. Be equally supportive of the brand and the independent specialist. Find a way to become a brand ambassador, that is how doors are opened. Ask Shawn R. how he likes being treated as an F430 owner... yet is invited to just about every event Ferrari and the Ferrari club put on. ( Nothing against F430 owners and Shawn could afford to buy whatever Ferrari he wanted to, I was just using him as an example )

Now, to be fair, independent specialist like Norwood's, Gary Bobileff, M Brandon Motorcars, Brian Crall, Marcel Massini, and MANY MANY more are as important or more so as they have the ability to share their knowledge and personal experience that can only be had by doing it, hands on, having access that only they can. Over time, something that can not simply be learned in a classroom, hands on is sometimes the only way.

This is why as the membership selected** President of the FCA DFW Chapter I made it clear to everyone who would listen, that even though I AM the Fixed Operations Director for Boardwalk Ferrari, I openly invite any and all Ferrari related businesses to be a part of our chapter. We have what I consider to be an amazing relationship within the Ferrari community and everyone, member, owner, shop, dealership, FNA, and SpA are better off because if it. FCA National as well as Ferrari themselves have used the FCA DFW dynamic as examples in meetings around the world. ** Read this as I was voted in twice to the position, I was not placed here by anyone other than the members.

Is Ferrari controlling their brand, I absolutely believe it. Are there those within the industry that are taking a strong position based upon how Ferrari used to be, I absolutely believe it. Is it going to be easy bridging and embracing the change... not a chance. But can we work together to make it the best club possible with the best access, the best Concorso's, the best drives, etc... Yes I absolutely believe it.

Steve

 

I've been a lifelong aficionado of the Ferrari brand, up until recently I have not been a Ferrari owner.

I never intended on owning a Ferrari, why would I, I have access to pretty much them all without having to purchase any of them.

Is the fact that I now own a Ferrari the only reason I can be part of the " club " ?
Kind of like not being in the " family " and still wanting access as if I was, isn't it?

Asking for a friend,

S

MM Please excuse me if I misunderstood the intention of your message above. The internet is sometimes difficult to read in black and white.

 

The answer is YES!

10% off for FCA members and additional 10% off if 10 members get together and place their order at once!

;-)

S


p.s. My bet is these items are not in stock and will have to be ordered... LOL

 

I can tell you that FNA absolutely encourages Dealerships to partner with our local chapters.

Its currently a question asked when Goodwill is under consideration

7. Is the owner an active FCA member

right after

6. is the owner a brand advocate ( ambassador )

Steve

 

Pat Ottis has a Ferrari restoration business in California and is widely respected in that arena. He and I were coworkers late 70's early 80's in a Ferrari dealer. He has long had a very good view of this and verbalizes it from time to time. "There is enough work here for everybody". I will add to that there is a place in the market place here for everybody. Pat and I and Boardwalk and Bob Smith and MPI all fill different places in that market place and in reality none of us feel like competitors. Most of us are friends, most of us collaborate and the market place benefits from it all. The thing I find amusing is withing the Ferrari restoration community how much collaboration there is. Chances are if you have David Carte in Virginia restore your early Vignale body whatever when you get it back there will be some MPI, Pat Ottis, Bob Smith, John Wittington etc content in it as a finished job. Just this week I was in an email exchange between all or at least many of the worlds really knowledgeable restorers and historians asking for advice on a decision between 2 different possibilities for the correct small part.

 

My comment was in reference to FOC, not FCA.

 

No worries for asking. The owners club is as its name states an owners club. They are with a few exceptions run on a volunteer basis for owners by owners. As I'm most certain you are aware of, there is a plethora of ways to engage with other enthusiasts of the brand (this website being one of them) without being an owner. However, the club's mission is still an owners club.

I know that in this particular case, the person hindering this cooperation does not care about the brand or product other than treating it as a job. The person in question asked me if they could fill the dealer V12 demonstration with diesel. I will avoid divulging further into this person online as I think that is irrelevant to the cause of Ferrari v Club interests.

 

There are at least 4 fchat members I know of who could buy Ferrari. Come on guys…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I could not see anyone

 

Steve, Thank you for the kind words. I believe the clubs success as in most things has to do with the people involved. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into it. It is a selfless job and most people will never understand and nor do they care too. I have always had a passion for the brand since I was a young child. (Funny story for another time) My involvement in the Ferrari lifestyle has been amazing to say the least. The understanding I have about the brand comes from working with FCA, Steve, Boardwalk, FCA National (I SAID NATIONAL) Ferrarichat & Ferrari of Houston and a few other in the family. I still to this day go out with people from different dealerships and FNA. Most people would be surprised how open the family is when you are open to them. Try looking at it from their side.

 

Steve,

You have laid out a very good discussion on the relationship. Your support for the DFW Chapter is one I describe to my local Chapter and am hoping that our new dealer is able to emulate it. [I would love to get you and our local GM to talk, if possible. He and the club are already on great terms.]

It is a 2 way street between the club and the dealership. And, the club needs to recognize the realities of the dealership and all the imposed mandates a dealership gets from FNA which affect what they can do, the processes by which it has to be done and the financial realities. As one GM told me, the pot of real money is at a Toyota or Honda store not at the Ferrari store.

You have expressed an "enlightened" understanding of the dealer and independent marketplace. Unfortunately, not all the dealers and FNA share that viewpoint.

 

Why did anyone think otherwise? They have never cared- your local dealer will but SpA no- customers are just more money.


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

A brand advocate? What is that definition from FNA? While I consider the local dealer a friend, and I’m a 25 yr FCA member and owner I’ve personally been on the receiving end of FNA’s arrogance and stubbornness. I don’t know of any other brand that treats customers like SpA and FNA. And goes after the club scene… for Gods sake it a club.


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

Brand: A type of product manufactured by a particular company under a particular name
Advocate: A person who publicly supports or recommends a particular brand


LOL, we would have to ask FNA how they define it.


For me, in my position, this is what I look at:

1. Did they purchase the Ferrari from Ferrari Dealership
2. Do they service with the Dealership
3. Do they attend Ferrari events
4. Do they speak well of Ferrari
5. Are they an active FCA member ( Active = currently a member and/or do they attend FCA events )



An owner / club member can have a bad experience or bad experiences with a Dealership, we don't have to get along or like working together.
The Dealership can have a bad experience or experiences with an owner.
Either has the option of openly discussing it and as a result
That member would not be a brand advocate, simple.


I am sharing all of the above as respectfully as possible. As 99.9% of members and owners are simply amazing, making it very easy to go to the ends of the earth for them. Ferrari makes it possible to do pretty much anything to help those 99.9% They just ask for that same respect and willingness to work together towards a solution that helps keep the Ferrari brand at the top of the list.

S