Bit of a rant - Maserati don't want to sell cars
Discussion
samvia said:
Granted, walk-in traffic is part and parcel of a main dealer, nothing wrong with that. But the absolute "last thing" you would do is arrange an appointment to discuss a six figure car purchase? Must be nice to have a purchase of that size so far down your priority list.
So far as priorities go, it's got nothing to do with the money but the matter itself. The luxury of buying an car which is superfluous to my needs doesn't even make a list of priorities; taking my young nephews to Toys 'R' Us does make the list which reminds me ... I need to find a Beyblade Arena or whatever it's called! 
samvia said:
Granted, walk-in traffic is part and parcel of a main dealer, nothing wrong with that. But the absolute "last thing" you would do is arrange an appointment to discuss a six figure car purchase? Must be nice to have a purchase of that size so far down your priority list.
Until I read it somewhere else on here, it would never have occured to me in a million years to make an appointment to browse cars.NPI said:
unrepentant said:
The Jag is $50k and the guy asks me if a $300 payment would buy it (no cash down and you're looking at $1000 a month). I asked him how much cash he wanted to put down. None. No, $300 a month would not buy it. Oh, $300 a month is his budget. Can he test drive it anyway? No, he can't. It's called qualifying and any salesman who doesn't do it is an idiot.
Did you ask him how he intended to bridge the gap if he test drove the car and liked it?Seems odd; if he was just a test pilot it would have been easy for him to say he could afford it, test drive it, and then walk away.
In defence of JCT600 Brookland in Leeds, I have travelled over 200 miles on four occasions to buy from them because of their friendly, professional and thoughtful service. In fact I am currently waiting for car number five to turn up. Having bought many high-end cars, I rate them as amongst the best in the business.
NPI said:
samvia said:
Granted, walk-in traffic is part and parcel of a main dealer, nothing wrong with that. But the absolute "last thing" you would do is arrange an appointment to discuss a six figure car purchase? Must be nice to have a purchase of that size so far down your priority list.
Until I read it somewhere else on here, it would never have occured to me in a million years to make an appointment to browse cars.Speaking of which, I had two people walk in at different times this week to look at new Land Rovers with the smell of alcohol on their breath! It beggars belief that people would do that and expect a test drive. The first guy was interested in a FFRR and we don't have a driveable one so that was easy, the second, yesterday, an Evoque and I just gently suggested we set something up for Monday when she started talking about a drive. Fortunately she acquiesced as refusal may have offended, and I would have refused.
unrepentant said:
If you read what I wrote I asked him what he wanted to put down and he said nothing down, $300 a month budget. Which is a $15k car with decent credit. To be honest he was a bit odd and a bit of an extreme case.
Sure, but don't people (maybe less so in the US?) always understate their budget?I know there's nowt so queer as folk but thinking he could get into a $50K car with $300/mth to spend certainly does qualify as extreme!
unrepentant said:
Speaking of which, I had two people walk in at different times this week to look at new Land Rovers with the smell of alcohol on their breath! It beggars belief that people would do that and expect a test drive. The first guy was interested in a FFRR and we don't have a driveable one so that was easy, the second, yesterday, an Evoque and I just gently suggested we set something up for Monday when she started talking about a drive. Fortunately she acquiesced as refusal may have offended, and I would have refused.
They must be previous owners - they'd have to be pissed (in the UK sense) to buy another one! 
NPI said:
samvia said:
Granted, walk-in traffic is part and parcel of a main dealer, nothing wrong with that. But the absolute "last thing" you would do is arrange an appointment to discuss a six figure car purchase? Must be nice to have a purchase of that size so far down your priority list.
Until I read it somewhere else on here, it would never have occured to me in a million years to make an appointment to browse cars.Most cars/anything else I buy are spur of the moment; on a whim. It's how I work.
It'll just pop into my head that I want xyz so I just go straight to the nearest dealership and do it. I do this because I am afraid I'll have changed my mind (again) by the time I have arranged an appointment etc
Col, it was very disappointing to read of your experience with JCT600 Brooklands and I am absolutely certain that Nick Burke, Dealer Principal of Ferrari and Maserati at JCT600 Brooklands, Leeds would share my view as I know he runs a professional operation!
Having purchased both Maserati's & Ferrari's from several of the UK's Franchasied Dealerships over the years, I would advise you to call Nick on 0113 389 0700 to have a chat with him about your experience, & certainly do so before you vote elsewhere with your feet, as I am absolutely certain he will do his utmost to remedy this percieved situation, but he can only do so if you give him the opportunity!
I am simply trying to give you the benefit of my experiences and hope you view it as same, as in the last 12 months I have purchased 3 cars from Nick, being a new Maserati MC Stradale, a used Ferrari FF and only last Friday I took delivery of my new Ferrari California 30 HS and on each occasion I have found Nick to be a very professional and painless operator to deal with, so I think it would be an awful shame if you walked away from this encounter with this percieved bad taste in your mouth, as I know JCT600 Brooklands to be one of the best out there!
BTW, if you are buying a QP at the lower end of their price range & its not coming from a Maserati Franchised Dealer I urge you have a Used Approved PDI carried out at an Approved Maserati Service Centre to ensure the QP is a good one; as history and condition are critical to keeping cost of ownership down! Id also highly recommend buying one from a Franchised Dealer, as you will get a 12 month Maserati Used Car Warranty as part of the package and this on an older car could be worth it's weight in gold.
Good luck and I hope you get the car of your dreams!
Having purchased both Maserati's & Ferrari's from several of the UK's Franchasied Dealerships over the years, I would advise you to call Nick on 0113 389 0700 to have a chat with him about your experience, & certainly do so before you vote elsewhere with your feet, as I am absolutely certain he will do his utmost to remedy this percieved situation, but he can only do so if you give him the opportunity!
I am simply trying to give you the benefit of my experiences and hope you view it as same, as in the last 12 months I have purchased 3 cars from Nick, being a new Maserati MC Stradale, a used Ferrari FF and only last Friday I took delivery of my new Ferrari California 30 HS and on each occasion I have found Nick to be a very professional and painless operator to deal with, so I think it would be an awful shame if you walked away from this encounter with this percieved bad taste in your mouth, as I know JCT600 Brooklands to be one of the best out there!
BTW, if you are buying a QP at the lower end of their price range & its not coming from a Maserati Franchised Dealer I urge you have a Used Approved PDI carried out at an Approved Maserati Service Centre to ensure the QP is a good one; as history and condition are critical to keeping cost of ownership down! Id also highly recommend buying one from a Franchised Dealer, as you will get a 12 month Maserati Used Car Warranty as part of the package and this on an older car could be worth it's weight in gold.
Good luck and I hope you get the car of your dreams!
Edited by Scottish16M on Monday 13th January 14:48
I would have to agree that the Dealer Principal seems to be the best way to start the process and whilst you may deal with a member of his team day to day, he is still there for anything you need.
On that note I recommend Matthew Beard the DP at Dick Lovett Ferrari / Maserati, he sees the value in long-term relationships, high levels of service and building trust. I bought my 599 from them.
GusB
PS: Went in to see a Jag garage admittedly dressed like a homeless person recently as looking for a 4 door car and they couldn't have cared less... went back a few days later as saw they had an XJ I liked in, still dressed badly but in the 599 and it was VIP service... coffee sir, take a seat sir...
On that note I recommend Matthew Beard the DP at Dick Lovett Ferrari / Maserati, he sees the value in long-term relationships, high levels of service and building trust. I bought my 599 from them.
GusB
PS: Went in to see a Jag garage admittedly dressed like a homeless person recently as looking for a 4 door car and they couldn't have cared less... went back a few days later as saw they had an XJ I liked in, still dressed badly but in the 599 and it was VIP service... coffee sir, take a seat sir...
GusB said:
Went in to see a Jag garage admittedly dressed like a homeless person recently as looking for a 4 door car and they couldn't have cared less... went back a few days later as saw they had an XJ I liked in, still dressed badly but in the 599 and it was VIP service... coffee sir, take a seat sir...
That bugs the hell out of me ....... 
I make a point of looking like a tw4t when I go and look at cars...... when I went to Meridian In Southampton I wore my hat with ears, even text the saleman to pick me up from the station, described myself as wearing a set of ears ..... unshaven and wearing a top with paint on.....
The damned saleman was still perfectly polite and had time for me ..... I'll try harder next time .....
It's a difficult one but on the whole I think I sympathise more with the buyer on most occasions. My eldest was lucky enough to be in the position to the people who needed persuading and myself that he should be allowed to buy a new 911 aged 23. He went along to a Porsche dealership in London by himself initially and said that he wasn't even given a 'hello' despite the showroom being not all that busy. Upon making it clear that he was there to purchase he tells me their attitudes barely improved and he felt like walking out there and then, I still say he should have done.
Interestingly when I went to drop him off on the day of collection, a young man, similar in age to my son, from an OPEC member country walked in and was immediately met with a queue of salespeople and secretaries offering him all sorts of luxuries, he was there to buy a second hand Boxster...
Interestingly when I went to drop him off on the day of collection, a young man, similar in age to my son, from an OPEC member country walked in and was immediately met with a queue of salespeople and secretaries offering him all sorts of luxuries, he was there to buy a second hand Boxster...
Snooty salespeople do make me chuckle.
Particularly in mid-range shops. Regardless of what you sell, you are a sales assistant. Nothing wrong with that, we've all been there and I've done my fair share of s
t jobs. But to consider yourself above your clientele because of the way you perceive them is laughable.
One visit I had a while back to Laura Ashley (I know, I know!) around the end of the day resulted in them closing the front doors and loudly exclaiming about that being the time of day for shoplifting- At me! Now, I wasn't in a three piece suit but I didn't expect that treatment... I was too taken aback to complain at the time do just left.
Sadly my letter of complaint came to nothing, since the branch closed a month later
Particularly in mid-range shops. Regardless of what you sell, you are a sales assistant. Nothing wrong with that, we've all been there and I've done my fair share of s
t jobs. But to consider yourself above your clientele because of the way you perceive them is laughable. One visit I had a while back to Laura Ashley (I know, I know!) around the end of the day resulted in them closing the front doors and loudly exclaiming about that being the time of day for shoplifting- At me! Now, I wasn't in a three piece suit but I didn't expect that treatment... I was too taken aback to complain at the time do just left.
Sadly my letter of complaint came to nothing, since the branch closed a month later
carreauchompeur said:
Sadly my letter of complaint came to nothing, since the branch closed a month later
They may have known it was closing, hence the treatment?I was treated weirdly in a dealership once - not rude, but they just obviously couldn't give a toss. Threw the keys at us for two trim levels of the same car and left us to it. They ceased to be franchised dealers shortly afterwards. You never know what's going on behind the scenes.
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