Finalising allocations in UK

I went through the exact same on the LF. If my dealer was allocated one more car, it was mine, and they were 'expecting' at least one.

I don't drive an LF.

Frankly, I doubt it and wouldn't be buying a big depreciatior to theoretically better your chances and let's face it, a dealer would say that if it helps him shift a new FF or Cali.

 

Hmm, what's that aroma wafting out of the showroom? Gentle notes of tar and rose petal. Ah yes, BS! :^)

There's a thread in the LaF section about someone suing Ferrari over not getting a LaF...many great posts about how these Limited Edition allocations get decided in reality.

 

One thing I don't really get is this. On one hand you say you trust and respect your dealer, but on the other, you are thinking he's giving you BS.
I don't know a lot about the LE cars, but do you think Ferrari SpA cares whether or not you buy one more car? The system here in Europe is not exactly like in the US, we don't generally buy cars to get allocations in the same way as in the US. It seems to me as if it is in your dealers interest only and not Ferrari SpA to sell you one more car. That basically means that either your dealer just wants you to buy a car no matter what happens, or he has someone else up for that allocation if you don't. From what I understand, getting LE cars is much more about contacts and being part of Corse Clienti, spending a lot of money on Corse Pilota or racing Challenge cars etc. and it seems that sometimes fame helps as well.

Try asking him this. You make a purchase to get the TdF and if you then don't get it, he takes the car back without you taking a loss - if you do get it, you keep both cars or sell what ever car he sold you without him taking a loss as if it was any other used car you sold. If he thinks the chances are so good as he says and he thinks it's ok for him to advise you to spend your money, he should not have a problem doing so and taking a risk himself, right?

It all seems very fishy.

Just my take on it.

 

Good luck but I very much doubt it but it will put him on the spot.

 

I'll have a word with my UK dealer and check out if there's any substance to the "second batch" theory. I have a tdf through him so the question's neutral.

Will PM you if I hear anything interesting. My two cents is be positive. There were a few late 458 SA slots popping up.

 

+1

 

I spoke with mine and he tells me he is hopeful of maybe another car or two, but whilst I agree being positive as I am sure there will be an extra few somewhere, I don't give that much credence to what I am told.

 

Perhaps. But there were a few late available RHD 458 SAs last year and volumes were way less than likely tdf numbers. Add the sudden and significant negative lurch in global markets and asset values (China's luxury car market has stalled badly) and I wouldn't bet against more UK cars becoming available.

 

Sorry to hear but as I posted, I am not surprised as I was fed this story about the LF-the next one would be mine and they were expecting at least one. They were not allocated any more.

 

If were talking about any other company than Ferrari, we would probably all see the logic in a brand/company taking care of their "best" clients - presumably measured by revenue, profitability, support of the brand, engagement, etc etc. Pick your favorite metaphor....frequent flier programs, credit card companies....

This is a pretty established best practice, whether for construction equipment, semiconductors, consumer electronics....or consumer brands. In Ferrari's case, they are still small enough that they have a pretty good idea of who is buying their products and further monetizing the brand...

Of course, dealers add another layer of the same, though the calculus shifts. A multi-line dealer who has a client who buys the next McLaren, Aston, Bentley, et al is more valuable to them, than someone who just buys a new Ferrari every 18-24 months. At some point, there probably is some negotiation between the manufacturer and his distributor.

As a passionate car guy and Ferrari fan/owner/driver/etc etc, I understand it but it can be maddening.

 

BTW - I am unsure of how it's playing outside the US, but it's amazing how many Porsche dealers are actively flipping GT3 RS's....I think there are upwards of 50 on the market in the US, openly marketed at $50-100K over MSRP for brand new cars, all that allegedly were pre-allocated by name to Porsche's "best customers", including 918 buyers.

 

Same game is going on with the GT4

 

did they bring up your 675 LT purchase as a reason you wouldn't get an allocation?

 

That'll show 'em!

 

I guess that's what they mean when they say the LE cars are "halo" cars that help drive sales of the entire range

 

Drove my GT3 RS straight from picking it up at Porsche to my Ferrari dealer to "show" them the car and explain how utterly brilliant (after 10km's) it is

They are cool with it as they are a Ferrari/Lambo/Mclaren dealer and I have a 650S as well. Told them to let Ferrari know that their "uniqueness" is under threat from the other brands - (did not get a tdf either) and quite happy to buy a Huracan SL (when its released)