On the independent side there is Mike Grande at www.lnsmotorcars.com One of the great things about working with Mike is that he has an engineering background, runs a shop, and has been incredibly helpful before and after the sale with maintenance related questions. He has even offered to help source parts for me should I ever need it in the future. Many sales guys don't want to talk to you again until you are ready to buy another car. I have bought 5 cars in just the last 1 1/2 years and working with Mike was easily the most enjoyable, hassle-free transaction.
First off, to Writerguy. Thank you for the vote of confidence. It is word of mouth like this that advances our careers. To 355Now. I am sorry that you have apparently had a bad time or two with salespeople. Unfortunately, in the auto business there is a large number of "salesmen" who are only in it until something better comes along. They only see you as a dollar mark coming thru the door and if you do buy something from them it is doubtful they will be there when you come back. They jump from place to place looking for those greener pastures. They do not choose to be professionals and treat their clients with the professionalism that they should receive. They are the ones who give the rest of us a bad stereotypical image. I am a professional car salesperson and happy to say so. I have chosen this profession to feed my family. I realize that if I do something wrong to one person, that person will in turn tell ten more not to buy from me. If I do something good, that person will only tell three about me. Which benefits me more? It is very obvious that I need to treat all my clients with professionalism and the utmost honesty. Only in doing this will I be able to be successful. And I am a person too. I have to make car payments, pay a mortgage and pay my bills. I have a wife and son that I love to spend time with and for whom I devote my time. I get involved at school with my son and support him and my wife in their endeavors. I attend a church of my choice and hope to have friends. I cherish the relationships I have built over the years and would do nothing to endanger them. I still have people who drive over 300 miles to buy a car from me that I began selling cars to 20 years ago. This would not be possible if I acted like the people you so voraciously attack. I wish there were no liars in the car business. I also wish there were no liars in politics, religion, computers, racing and the like. But, unfortunately that is not so. The auto sales business is a microcosm of the world. It is reflective of the way things really are. And you know as well as I do that we must search out the best in the areas we want. We will find many bad apples in our search and those we throw away. When we get a good one we hold on to them. Might I be so bold as to suggest that you temper your opinions to just those who have actually done an injustice to you and not label us all in such a negative light. I know I would appreciate it. If you ever need a question answered about the car business, PM me. I am open enough to give you an answer and stand behind it. And I think there are enough people on this site who know me to agree with me. I hope you have a good day. Writerguy, thanks for the ride in the new GTO. It is indeed quite good for an American/Australian effort.
Thank you AUDIGUY! My first post was sincere and a bit sarcastic, and I'm glad you put this issue to bed. I myself am involved in auto sales and feel I have made a point to be honest. That IS the only way to represent yourself and/or your organization. I buy Porsches and other exotics on the side and have helped many a freind acquire there dream drivers/collector cars. Just the same as salespeople, there are the customers that truly enjoy breaking your b@lls! I don't appreciate it but think it makes me a better person. Thanks again Audiguy!
Steve Harris imports out of Salt Lake City, Sean was grat to deal with. Bought my 348ts from them, almost a year ago, car is flawless and dealing with Sean was a pleasure.
I believe that if you will ask the guys here, you can get some real good feedback on the places that will treat you with honesty. I know that you will certainly hear if a place does not. Something like the Auto Toy Store in Florida. Their reputation certainly went before them and cast a dark shadow. If you get a bad feeling about the honesty of someone you are dealing with just walk away. Too many cars available out there to take a chance on not listening to a gut instinct. Just my opinion.........
Hey Shelbee, unfortunately I do not have one....... Thanks everyone for the kind words. I am sure there are some people out there that may have differing opinions, sometimes you can not please everyone, but we try hard to make sure everyone is satisfied with their purchase and the deal.
"I still have people who drive over 300 miles to buy a car from me that I began selling cars to 20 years ago." Excellent post. Most of us could buy cars from just about anywhere; I choose to deal only with people I like. My two favorite folks to deal with in the car business are both hard core car guys with racing backgrounds, who happen to sell cars to make a living. I am more likely to buy cars made by the marques these guys represent (Ferrari, Maserati and Audi) than other marques simply because life is short and for me largely about relationships with good people.
I bought my first (and only so far) Ferrari from Ferrari of San Francisco. It was a very pleasurable experience and I am certain to buy several more Ferrari's from them in the future. Being a factory owned store I wasn't sure what to expect from them at first, but dealing with Evan Shoane was like dealing with a friend. I would recommend them highly. -- Michael
I strongly disagree. I walked into Scottsdale Ferrari with shorts and a dirty t-shirt and was treated with respect (that's more than I can say for most dealers). They didn't have what I was looking for so I left my business card. Two months later I received a call from Gary Simon about a 1995 355 that they sold and were taking back in on trade. Gary described the car perfectly and also emailed me many photos. I decided to buy the car (I live in NJ so this was a leap of faith) and also had the 30K service done at the same time. Gary called once the service had begun and told me that the compression was a little low in one cylinder and they were going to do some more checking... As it turned out, the car needed to have the valve guides replaced (that's about $8K in work over the cost of the major) They not only did the work at no cost to me but also documented the work with a roll of photos and gave me the old parts as well. They also then warrantied the car for a year. After I received the car, the struts on the rear deck lid started to fail. They arranged to have WWOC pick up the car from my house and do the work. Again this was at no cost to me. They could have easily not told me about the low compression and also not covered the cost of the work. The reason they did was that we had verbally agreed for them to pick up the cost of any repairs needed during the service. Most dealers would not have honered this agreement. I would buy another car there in a minute!!
To AUDIGUY: Audi guy I am humbled and must say I am sorry. You seem like a real good guy. I've been burn by dealers to many times. What I said before was wrong. I am man enough to admit that. Instead of saying all dealers are crooks I should have said most of them are crooks. Because I strongly beleive that most of them are crooks. Sorry. I am sure you are one the good guys and thanks for restoring my view on this matter. To Writerfag: I still think that you are a ***** for talking **** and telling people to $hut the fu$k up just because you don't like what they have to say. It's people like you that ruins this beatifull planet for us aliens. You are nothing but an idiot and a cowart.
Unless I am mistaken, this thread is about honest dealers. It was not meant to be a mud slinging contest. If you want to attack someone, PM them. It is between you and them and not the whole world. I know Writerguy and have spoken with him on many occasions and ridden with him when he was testing the cars for Texas Driver magazine. I would suggest you have an intelligent discussion and discuss your differences of opinion in a mature manner. I think you will be surprised in discovering that he is an open person if you have something to share. Anyone, myself or yourself included, can become defensive if attacked verbally or physically. I think it is how we handle these attacks that determines our maturity level. When I met Writerguy it was not on a friend to friend basis but on a professional basis as he was approaching FoDallas about advertising in the new Texas Driver magazine. Dealers get approached all the time by all kinds of groups wanting advertising money, contributions, free loan of vehicles and much more. Jim came in, presented his product and how it could benefit the dealership. It was worth listening to. He has devoted the past year of his life trying to launch this magazine, which by the way is going to press as we speak. He has seen very little monetary return at this point but has remained focused on the job at hand and accomplishing it in a professional manner. I appreciate his work ethic. He contacts me from time to time to discuss motorsports since I have somewhat of a background in various forms of racing,(road racing, professional Kawasaki factory moto-cross, 8 second-168 mph drag race car and such). Because I have been involved in the auto business for as long as I have and with the companies I have represented I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of people who could be of interest to an enthusiast magazine. I share with him what I can and what I know. 355Now, please don't do anything or say anything that will damage any respect you may get here. We can only base our opinions of people by what we see and hear them do. If you must attack someone, take it off-line, please.
Thanks James You see here Exactly what I am talking about. 360--- Grow up I have had a number of different experiences with people and those I have met in person from this board has turned out to be a true pleasure. Those members are the people who use their words to inform and to occasionally poke fun at the foibles of other members. it is a community and if you took the time to notice i was not the first person to use that little graphic. I just responded to your ill informed asinine assertions with something I thought you might understand. little words. Now If you are an adult (or just another troll out to have some fun) I don't give a rats azz but If you post something expect others to disagree it is called Discussion. Back on the topic of Dealers, What ever happened to that tool down in florida with the multiple TRUTH TRUTH posts...http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9484&highlight=Florida+Car+dealer Now from what we know this is not an example of a good dealer. But hey we really would like to see what happened with that one.
My vote for honest used car dealers: Cavallino Motors - Martin is a straight-shooter... "calls it as it is" - I bought my 348 challenge from him over a year ago and have become great friends with him since. I would EASILY buy another ferrari from him again!! Harris Imports - Although I have not bought a car from Sean yet, he has been extremely helpful, spending time with me to help me understand some of his inventory and answer all the myriad of questions I have about some other models - From my experiences and all the feedback I've heard from my personal friends that have bought from him... nothing but class there! Thanks, Sean! LNS Motorcars - Mike G and co... talk about hands on car guys! These guys know their cars... with these guys, you will always find a very well-priced used car that is also well-maintained and w/o stories. Great guys!! Hi Jim M. - how's the texas driver going? B.
I guess what I found about Sean Harris is his CONSISTENCY. That's why I am gonna stick with him. If I find a car from the other dealer, I often call Sean to call the dealer to get me a better deal. I would not mind giving him a business and commission for what I am getting and how I am gonna be treated!!! Thanks again Sean. Look forward to purchase my next Ferrari from you!!
Now the good reputation Sean, Martin and James and others will tell all those reading (Especially the person who started the thread) that there are some great new and used dealers out there and they have earned our business. There are also some chumps but those in the business for the long hall know how to deal with people regardless of the price of the item
He he, I am glowing that I brought you guys directly to MIke Yep, he is class act. Not just a fair salesman, a good mechanic but also a medical Doctor
I am a bad salesman. I have talked more people out of cars than into them. Crap, how can I have that part more profitable Maybe I shoudl offer serviced to your wifes: For a 3% commission I will talk your husband out of the next Ferrari he wants to buy He is thinking F40 eh? that will be $ 9,000 and you can be sure he will keep the Stationwagon. I think I am on to something here
A medical doctor? That's total B.S. !! If anything the dude INFECTED me with a virus called "Ferrari-itus, strain 348, variant TS". I hear there is no cure. -Daniel
Jim, thanks for pointing me into this thread. It is great to hear from people I respect a lot that they apprechiate my way of doing business, the same as those dealers I respect very much myself: Steve Harris, Ben Corrale at Shelton, Mike Grande (daily talks) and there are others. Ther eis a bunch of good people in this biz and ther eis a bunch of bad. FerrariChat has made it possible for a large community to discuss issues and experiences. I predict the bad ones will be out of business soon. Martin
