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How Ferrari dealers once were...

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Ferrari 360 CS, Jun 7, 2008.

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  1. Ferrari 360 CS

    Ferrari 360 CS F1 Veteran

    Dec 4, 2004
    6,887
    Cape Town,SA
    Full Name:
    Jacques
    #1 Ferrari 360 CS, Jun 7, 2008
    In a modern world where paper work and protocol seem to have replaced good genuine service its nice to know that at least somewhere in the world old world charm and Ferrari tradtion still exists.

    This might shock some of you be the head of Ferrari South African is also the chief technician, thats right when you take your Ferrari in he works on your car, when importers meetings are called he goes to those.

    Its readily acknowldeged that FNA was built up by the Luigi Chinetti and his familly and the same is true, out local Ferrari dealer and importer is a familly business, a world far removed from having to pay $50 to do go have a look at a Ferrari dealer in Las Vegas. In this world custmers and dealer become good friends, one sits for hours on a saturday morning chatting about all things Ferrari, free coffee is provided.

    One can walk around the workshop freely. There is none of this upmanship, everyone that walks into the showroom is treated the same and made to feel welcome in the Ferrari familly.

    I dont own a Ferrari but have been lucky enough to able to experience some magical events thanks to our local importer. For example every so often track days are organized, owners and guests dont pay yet we are treated to breakfast and the use of the track for the morning.

    Yes folks in some parts of the world dealer service is still impeccable and that special in commercialised Ferrari feeling is alive and very well.
     
  2. otaku

    otaku Formula 3

    Aug 12, 2005
    1,391
    Boise,Idaho
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    Josh
    #2 otaku, Jun 7, 2008
    Good to hear. Sounds like things are as they should be. I can see the logic in charging to enter the vegas dealer but its still wrong imo. I have only visited one dealer (la jolla,ca) and didn't feel terribly welcome/comfortable but they did let me sit in a 360. My fellow visitors were very uncomfortable though. Shame.
     
  3. Ferrari 360 CS

    Ferrari 360 CS F1 Veteran

    Dec 4, 2004
    6,887
    Cape Town,SA
    Full Name:
    Jacques
    #3 Ferrari 360 CS, Jun 7, 2008
    The interesting thing is I usually spend most saturday mornings at our local dealer and perhaps because it wasnt such a long time ago since I was a 13yo kid but it always amazes me what an experience is it for young kids to come and look at the cars, in fact its still an experience for me now.

    Reading what I have hear about Ferrari dealers in the USA it seems to me they are highly formal places where dreamers are not welcome or made to feel welcome which is sad because it reflects back on Ferrari.

    Thanks to our importer was ended up spending a good amount of time chatting to our Ferrari regional manager and very nearly ended up going to Bahrain for a demo of the 612...bear in mind I dont own a car....
     
  4. 2000YELLOW360

    2000YELLOW360 F1 World Champ

    Jun 5, 2001
    19,800
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    Art
    #4 2000YELLOW360, Jun 7, 2008
    I think that some of the dealers are still pretty much clubby. I can still go back into the service department at my dealership, know some of the mechanics names (those that have worked on my cars), chat with them, discuss the car, etc. Up until a very short time ago, people weren't even signing the work orders, very, very informal. As usual it takes a jerk to screw things up, and someone decided to sue over the cost of repair, and there was trouble. Now things are more formal, a real shame.

    Art
     
  5. Ashman

    Ashman Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Sep 5, 2002
    33,226
    MA
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    John
    #5 Ashman, Jun 7, 2008
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2008
    I've always felt welcome at Miller Motorcars in Greenwich and they are active in the local car scene, providing lots of support to car events, even when Ferrari isn't the only or featured marque.

    I also got a warm welcome at Ferrari of Houston a couple of years ago when I had some free time in the afternoon during a business trip. I was treated to a tour of the shop area and of course the race car section. In fact, similar treatment at Ferrari of Beverly Hills in the 90's while I was still looking for my first Ferrari.

    In all of those instances I felt that I was in the company of true enthusiasts who really enjoyed sharing their knowledge with another enthusiast, even a lowly 400i owner or wannabe owner. I have noticed this at wineries in Napa as well. All you have to do is to ask a question that indicates you are a fan and not just a goggled eyed loon (e.g. "I loved watching the FOH cars at Daytona a few years ago" or at the winery "I was wondering if you were sampling your xxxx cabernet that I've wanted to try") and you will be amazed at how chatty the people become. In the case of one winery, the guy was so pumped that I was a wine enthusiast instead of someone looking for a quick buzz, he kept going out back to bring more wines to compare with the one I asked about "If you liked this one, tell me what you think about this one!" type of stuff.

    Everyone loves it when you ask them to talk about themselves, I guess! (Narcissistic guy to cute girl in a bar "Enough of this talk about me, let's talk about you. I'm interested in what you think of the shirt I'm wearing?)

    John

    PS to this day, I am still a big fan of that winery's cabs!
     
  6. bill brooks

    bill brooks F1 Veteran
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    Jul 30, 2007
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    waynesburg,pa
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    bill brooks
    #6 bill brooks, Jun 8, 2008
    [
    One can walk around the workshop freely. There is none of this upmanship, everyone that walks into the showroom is treated the same and made to feel welcome in the Ferrari familly.


    that was one of the nice things about dealing at the old exoticars dealership in pittsburgh.
    their service area was right in the showroom and there was never a problem talking to the
    chief mechanic while perusing the ferrari inventory or other fine cars for sale.
    i've not been to their new location yet, but i would imagine it's pretty close.
     

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