Dear all, I would like to apologize today for my following actions taken at CCF (Classic Coach Ferrari). This morning I was greeted on AOL by a very enthusiastic F-chatter named Kevin. We talked for some time about Ferrari's, the events I went to and the photo's I've taken. He had told me that he was wanting to go over to CCF today. So was I. When I found out about CCF online and the Maserati MC12's I did my research, only to find out CCF was located 15 miles from me. Great! So I was going to take a ride up there to do some photography with my newest camera. Great day, absoultely great skies and nice weather. After I got all my equipment ready I invited Kevin to come. We would meet and I would give him some photography tips so he can take his own professional set of photos. What a perfect setting. I got to CCF and parked in front of an adjcent building. Got out and started taking pics. After taking a few, I called Kevin to see where he was at. At this point I should have went inside CCF and stated my position of why I there and if I could take photo's. My fault. Carlos, works at CCF, walked out and told me that I was not allowed to take pictures of the cars for safety of the owners vehicles. Again, completely my fault. I should have known better to go in and explain myself. Carlos was nice enough to off me to at least walk around and take a look at the cars. My parents thought otherwise and we began to leave. Kevin had just showed up at the time. I told him what had happened and felt absoultely terrible on my part. I was hoping to make a good time out of this, have a good time with a new friend, and instead it just turned out bad. So Kevin went in to look and I left. I told him I would keep in touch and let him know of any future events. Hopefully we will have more and it be great if someone could take him out in a Ferrari. As for me I will not be attending anymore dealerships but I'll keep doing photography at events and photoshoots upon request. Thanks I feel better now I needed to get that out.
FYI - If your not on their property you can take all the pictures you want. I'm not suggesting that you create problems, but just providing info. Also, explain to anyone that questions you from the dealership that you are on Fchat and will not show any tags or vins.
CC are exceptional folk. I hope you squared with them before you left. If you did, I suspect a phone call next time arranging your arrival and you'll find yourself amongst some very good people chatting about Ferrari and oogling over the cars they have & sipping cappucino. Frank, Mayeur, Carlos, Rocco and the rest of the CC crew are truly great Tifosi.
I agree completely! I didn't square off with them, once Carlos came out, my parents took over. Clyde if you could foward my apologies to Carlos and CCF. Again it was a mistake on my part. I didn't want to cause any trouble and decided to just keep my mouth shut. P.S. I know my photography limits. It's just not the same as it was a few years ago!
Ron, Don't feel bad. As little as six months ago, CC used to have a completely different attitude toward photos being taken -- in fact, they used to invite large groups of us over specifically TO take pictures of their "fleet" -- both upstairs and downstairs. They had a sudden change of heart recently, and rather than explaining it to those of us who were familiar with the old rules, they've started yelling at people who take pictures (a friend who's been going there for years got yelled at - loudly - by Mayour recently). Glad you understand & respect the new limits, as we all now do, but you shouldn't feel bad about about not being able to read their minds. --Noah
This is the only one I'm posting cause it makes a really good wallpaper. P.S. IT'S REALLY FREAKIN HUGE!
Ron dont worry about it. Ive gotten crap for taking pictures at a dealer here in CT before then i guess i took a picture of the wrong Ferrari tonight cause the owner sure was pissed...ill explain more later.
Ron, I made a post about the particulary interesting set of cars they had when I went over this week. Perhaps your friend read it, I don't know. But in that post I mentioned that I did ask about pictures and was asked to limit what I photographed to cars which were not apart. Basically, I got the impression they didn't want me to take any pictures. I guess your friend missed that part of the post or heard about the cars third hand. Given the interest and the number of people that want to go over there it probably would have been better if: A. I had not mentioned them at all but I was overwhelmed with excitement. They always have terrifically interesting cars but this was special. B. Classic Coach had let me take some nice photos and then most people would have been happy just seeing them. Of course given a choice I'd vote for option B. But I can now see that option A. was probably right one. The exotic car world can be a touchy place to navigate at times. There's a lot of money, pride, ego and competiton involved. There also are numerous reasons why people don't want "their" cars photographed and they range from security to how it will affect the value of the car. Some of that may sound strange but it's true. CCF is a place that some of us have known for a long time. We get parts/service from them and we also see them at the track or at various shows. From time to time some of us go over there to socialize and or see what they're working on. It's an institution around here. But it is not a museum open to the general public. A couple of years ago I was at an event in their shop and was allowed to take a lot of very nice photos. They were ready for it at that time. I asked the proprietor if he would mind if they appeared on my friends wonderful Maserati website and he was delighted about it. Asking first works sometimes and it's always the polite and proper thing to do. I think you probably knew that but just got excitied. Ron, it looks like I screwed up as well. Even old f*rts like me can be as stupid as young kids sometimes. Relax, every one will live. Of course, I'm dead meat now. <;-)
A big THANK YOU to Ron who was nice enough to meet up with me there, it was a pleasure. And just like how Ron said, I went in to take a look inside as he decided to leave. The CCF folks kindly said "no pictures" and let me walk around by myself. I actually don't really mind not being able to take pics, its the experience and what I see that matters. Closely examining the MCC is one of the best experiences that I've ever had! Unfortunately, I couldn't stay for long as they had to close for lunch. On a serious note, I really don't care about taking pictures; if I can, thats a bonus. All I really want is to have a closer look at these incredible machines. And thanks again to Ron. p.s. one of the enzos has some running paint on the front. WTF? thought everything is supposed to be top-notch?
Got a pic? Seriopusly, though, I get the CC privacy issue. They're a race shop. I bet they've got something going on over there that they want to keep under wraps. A setup on a car, a new system for something, etc. Who knows...
Agree with you 100%. Therefore, I totally respect their policy. I really appreciate the fact that they let me take a look at all the cars.
I agree with Emil as well and have the utmost respect for CC's privacy. I should clarify that my distaste with the matter is the way in which they "announced" their change in policy -- i.e. -- they didn't announce it, but instead just started yelling at people as if we were supposed to have read their minds. nlh
straight from their website- We invite you to visit our facility for a review of our work in progress. They should maybe add no pictures allowed (?)
No. Just common courtesy: ask permission first. I still ask Mayeur (and WWoC and FoCNJ and LoBC) before I snap any pictures. And he still reminds me of what is appropriate & inappropriate to take pictures of. And I respect that. Heck, I'm happy as heck to be allowed to wander their facility. Except for Concours, where else can you go & see such amazing collections of cars and talk intelligently about them? My hats off to all the shops in the area.
I also ask if i can take pictures when i first enter a dealership. What ive found is you can usually take pictures of anytihng in the showroom but in some dealers the service dept. is a big no. The only dealer ive been to that said no pictures of anything was The Auto Toy Store in Florida.
I agree, in fact with all the paranoia nowadays about liability, lawsuits, insurance coverage etc. I'm surprised how flexible they are in allowing people to wander around the shop. Love CC!!
Dittos. Hopefully the continued polite and courteous behavior of visitors from this forum will ensure that nothing changes. They don't "have" to let any of us in there....
