To take the Ferrari, or not take the Ferrari to work?!?!?

Just curious on your thoughts?? Am I over thinking this!? I have business and I am well known in this town. I feel that if they see a Ferrari out in the parking lot I will lose business. I am a hairstylist and have women that work for me as well. Do you think it will hurt business when clients find out I drive a Ferrari or help it?? Help in a way where I have a Ferrari cause I am great at what I do... I've had this car for a year and I'm not sure if I am just being to self conscious. No other car made me feel this way. Am I crazy?!?!

 

You bought it. Drive it.

Who knows . . . someone might see and and realize how successful you have been and it could engender more business.

The ONLY place I have not driven mine is to church.

 

Yes, you are crazy.
You are good enough to have it.
You earned it.
You saved for it.
You deserve it.
Take it to work.

 

Another thread about 348s and hair stylists...

I think you should drive it. You earned it. Enjoy.

 

Tough call.

Some people (customers, employees, bosses) are going to have envious reactions. It is not right, but it is reality.

I won't take my car to work. I don't need the static.

This issue has been discussed here a few times but I can't find the other threads.

 

There's no way I can rationalize taking my 458 spider to work. It would only cause me trouble. I have over 80 employees who are blue collar. I can just see them wanting to do an uprising

 

I agree. What's the point? When I had mine, I only drove them on back roads when nobody else was around. Not that I was exceeding the posted speed limits or anything. But like the man sang, "When I drink alone, I prefer to drink by myself."

Dale

 

Thanks for all your responses. Unfortunately yes I agree it's not right for employees to see as well as customers. It's not like I have a new one. My car cost less then a Camry fully loaded but only car guys know that. Thanks again!!


Dan

 

I never take it to work. My employees and clients would give me endless grief.

 

It's a shame that in my brief lifetime we've gone from "wow, how do I work to get to be able to do that?" to "wow, I deserve more if he's got a nice car."

 

I never take mine to anything work related. No matter what your intentions are, or even the comparative cost of the car vs. anything currently new on the market, there is a natural perception that the Ferrari is super expensive and you are trying to show off. Some (not all) people will start to "judge" you. Unfair, but true. One time I brought it to a lunch with some friends, most of whom are car guys. When the bill came, they all pushed the bill my way, saying, "here, you pick up the tab. You can afford it, YOU drive the Ferrari." It was all in good fun, but some people will think this for real. My response was, "I CAN'T pay the bill. I already spent all my money, and the Ferrari is tangible proof of that."

About the only thing I will do even remotely related to work, is to bring it on occasion to a social event (barbecue, party, etc.) with business colleagues. These are always events where my colleagues are also good friends, and they already know I have the car. No hint of trying to show off or impress.

 

Me too, and I think I'm a lot younger than you. I can still hear my mom and dad telling me "stay in school, work hard, and you can have that too some day." I cannot think of a single instance where my parents displayed any anger, animosity, jealousy, or resentment for someone having more than they did. It was always, work hard and you can have that too.



Mark

 

I have no problem with my employees seeing the Ferrari. I've only had it for a little over a month, but no negative backlash (yet)...

I've always been known for driving nice cars, and the Ferrari isn't the most expensive car I've bought (but the damn thing always looks like a million bucks). Therefore, driving the Ferrari is just a natural progression of my car line in my office parking lot. It IS my first exotic car - my other cars have always been top model BMW or Mercedes-Benz cars. Also, I'm the top dog at my company, full of white-collar engineers and designers... We don't have any blue collar folks...

I WON'T take it to a business meeting with clients, business lunches, or project job sites (especially if the sites are undergoing construction or they are on a gov't installation like a hospital or Air Force Base). I'm pretty sensitive about its appearance OUTSIDE of the company. I'm not so sensitive of the car's appearance INSIDE of my own company.

I say drive it, but only you know which decision is right.

 

No shame in showing up at work with it assuming that your the first one typically at work and the last to leave. Sets a good example of what lots of hard work will get you. Now if you come in at noon and take off before 4, different story.

 

Mine were the same way. They said if you work hard and go to college you can have it.

I don't drive mine to work. I don't think it's good form. Some patients know that I have it, but I still think its bad form to drive it in...

 

You wait till Christmas bonus season. You know you have to be a little extra generous this year.. because you're doing so well.

 

LMFAO, yeah, that's true. I'm always the one who ends up with a real skinny bonus because I usually give away everything else. No matter - with a red Ferrari, Christmas comes every time I step into the garage!!!

 

Maybe you should look at it in a different way? In my opinion if a successful business allows the owner to possess a Ferrari then I would think the business should viewed as successful and "has achieved popularity, profit, or distinction".

I do not own a Ferrari or my own business and I do not care what others think about me. You worked your butt off, life is short so enjoy it! 90% of society thinks every Ferrari cost $100K+ which we know is a myth so drive the car anywhere you damn well please and stop worrying about what others think.

 

My experience has been that most people are petty, envious and jealous of anyone that they think is doing financially better than themselves. Employees and clients alike will assume that you bought your Ferrari by overcharging for your services and or underpaying your employees. Bad karma all around and generally not worth the hassle. I love my Ferrari and drive it almost everyday.......But never ever to work.

 

I think it depends on your business. I am self employed with only one employee. She know my love of cars and is fine with mine. Being able to drive it to work is important to me.

My clients range up upper middle income to very wealthy with more on the wealthier end. Many of these clients want and expect that the professionals they work with have a certain level of success. I still pick and choose carefully when and with whom I show up in the Ferrari. Never on a first meeting.

 

I drive my car to work sometimes. depending on how hot it is outside cause the AC just makes it uncomfortable. when workers ask me - I give rides etc... the cachet wears off pretty fast when they see how uncomfortable it is in traffic ( atlanta ) etc... but they like having pictures with it etc..

if they are saying bad stuff - that is on them. I wear Ferrari scudetto cuff links to meetings etc.. most people dont notice but for those that know I tell them I have a 328 etc.. and most are enthusiastic. I have always found it odd that folks hide that the own Ferrari's... I'm sure its not secret that you have the money... if you are the boss or highly compensated employee... same people dont think twice about driving up in a new Lexus, Mercedes, Big new Truck etc... it all takes $$$

I have found it to be the opposite - its how you handle the scrutiny that determines if people make a big - negative - deal about your car.

 

I think this perspective is thoughtful and I agree with it. Completely. Good post.

 

So I should just be a confident stylist who drives a Ferrari because I am the best stylist around? I want to do this ,but am just nervous people will take it the wrong way in this economy. Arghhhhhh!!! Just saying!!!

 

I agree!!!!

 

Yes!

Enjoy the car guilt free!

If people like you, they won't care.

Plus... there IS some advertising benefit. ("You know, the one with the Ferrari?")

Matt