Should you drive a Ferrari to a client site?
Discussion
Do you or should you drive a Ferrari to a client's?
I work 100% at client sites, and usually drive my XKR. This aint too bad as its black and not too ostentatious. However I can imagine that if I turned up daily in a red F430 it might lead to questions and/or resentment? Anyone else have experience or advice? I dont want it to look like i'm taking the p!ss.
I might just have to buy another car too (thinking of getting another Austin Mini, as it was my favourite drive ever!)
I work 100% at client sites, and usually drive my XKR. This aint too bad as its black and not too ostentatious. However I can imagine that if I turned up daily in a red F430 it might lead to questions and/or resentment? Anyone else have experience or advice? I dont want it to look like i'm taking the p!ss.
I might just have to buy another car too (thinking of getting another Austin Mini, as it was my favourite drive ever!)
Done it many a time when I was a permie and contractor. Got a few of the "Oh you getting paid to much" comments-yes of course I do, thats why I work still 
- but you shouldn't be "ashamed" of it. If people don't like it, well tough. I hate all this resentment that Ferrari's, Lamborghini's, Porsches bring in the UK amongst some people. People seem to envy hard work 
Just go for it !
- but you shouldn't be "ashamed" of it. If people don't like it, well tough. I hate all this resentment that Ferrari's, Lamborghini's, Porsches bring in the UK amongst some people. People seem to envy hard work Just go for it !
Personally i wouldnt, so much jealousy and resentment out there. Why risk upsetting your customers, you better off just having something mundane as a daily.
I ran a Aston V8 for a while as my daily - lovely turning up and feeling motivated, however the whispers and b
hing that took place was unreal. These days its a golf tdi diesel and it does a job. The toys stay at home and the time when they come out are all so more special.
I ran a Aston V8 for a while as my daily - lovely turning up and feeling motivated, however the whispers and b
hing that took place was unreal. These days its a golf tdi diesel and it does a job. The toys stay at home and the time when they come out are all so more special. Thorny said:
It's not just the cost though rather the percieved cost and 'flashness' of it... For eg if it was a fully loaded 7 series or s class clients wouldn't bat an eyelid but a Porsche or Fezza costing the same or less would cause tongues to wag.
Precisely. Its the perception rather than the facts that I'm worried about.I wouldn't for the reasons mentioned, although I remember reading in a marketing mag that some cars can of course be a really good marketing ploy...especially a new client. ie most lads (and women of course) like cars so if you turn up in something that is a decent 'talking point' (but not too flashy) it can work nicely in your favour. I cant remember what the article suggested as it was a while ago, but my 993 always gets a decent reception without seeming too flash wheras I also made the big mistake of taking a Vantage not so long back. Lets be honest most clients will look at your car, then your watch! I wouldnt take the 430, did it once and parked it at a hotel and got a cab!
Personally I wouldn't risk turning up to a client's in a Ferrari...
Bloke I used to work for once got a bee in his bonnet because a supplier turned up in a Ferrari 328 which, if he'd known his stuff, he would have realised was actually worth less than his new M3.
Same boss swapped M3 for a Lotus Esprit worth about the same amount, and then moaned that clients were making sarcy comments about paying him too much... The he bought a brand new XK8 worth twice as much as the Lotus and noone said a thing! I guess it's all about perceptions. By all means turn up in an expensive car, just make sure it's a subtle expensive car!
It wouldn't bother me if I were a client, but then I've always believed that a strong work ethic should be met by an equally strong pay ethic. If I agree a price which I feel is acceptable for something and the supplier manages their business sufficiently well that they can afford a Ferrari without compromising the quality and value that they deliver to me as their client, then good on them. However, on the flip-side, my experience has always been that someone who's paying for something is of the opinion that they're allowed to be rich but noone else is... Which is why I can't afford a Ferrari!
Bloke I used to work for once got a bee in his bonnet because a supplier turned up in a Ferrari 328 which, if he'd known his stuff, he would have realised was actually worth less than his new M3.
Same boss swapped M3 for a Lotus Esprit worth about the same amount, and then moaned that clients were making sarcy comments about paying him too much... The he bought a brand new XK8 worth twice as much as the Lotus and noone said a thing! I guess it's all about perceptions. By all means turn up in an expensive car, just make sure it's a subtle expensive car!
It wouldn't bother me if I were a client, but then I've always believed that a strong work ethic should be met by an equally strong pay ethic. If I agree a price which I feel is acceptable for something and the supplier manages their business sufficiently well that they can afford a Ferrari without compromising the quality and value that they deliver to me as their client, then good on them. However, on the flip-side, my experience has always been that someone who's paying for something is of the opinion that they're allowed to be rich but noone else is... Which is why I can't afford a Ferrari!
Mitch, I guess that blows my theory then, a decent 355 may well cost the same as an M3 but clearly shows you as a completely different person in most people's eyes...Personally if a client of mine showed up in the 355 id be far more impressed!
Edited by Loz8 on Thursday 24th April 14:00
I deal wih lot of ad agencies in W1 and drive to them but stick it away form their offices. also have tinted windows to avoid getting spotted. Think people do resent you and think you're charging too much for services. Dont suppose they Care what Martin Sorrell drives but a supplier. Oh my god!!!
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