Tom Hartley - Do they allow "spectators" to photograph cars?
Discussion
I've just stumbled across Tom Hartley whilst looking on another thread here. I'm amazed that I diddnt know of their existence given I live 10 minutes away!
I'm a keen photographer and would love the chance to do some shots of some of their stock - But do they have a showroom which is open to non-buyers?
I'm a keen photographer and would love the chance to do some shots of some of their stock - But do they have a showroom which is open to non-buyers?
I can't speak for Tom but I'm sure if you sent him an email first or gave them a call and asked you'd find out the answer easily enough...
Just try and aim for a midweek lunchtime, I don't think they'll appreciate you under their feet if they're busy showing potential clients around etc.
Just try and aim for a midweek lunchtime, I don't think they'll appreciate you under their feet if they're busy showing potential clients around etc.
Most definitely not appointment only, turned up out of the blue the first time, gates shut so rang the number on the gates to ask if could take a look. Gates opened, found the staff very friendly bit they couldn't spend too much time as someone quickly followed me in who they appeared to know quite well so guessing a valued customer. Was put under no pressure to leave.
kazste said:
Most definitely not appointment only, turned up out of the blue the first time, gates shut so rang the number on the gates to ask if could take a look. Gates opened, found the staff very friendly bit they couldn't spend too much time as someone quickly followed me in who they appeared to know quite well so guessing a valued customer. Was put under no pressure to leave.
Interesting personal account - based on what they say on the website about being 'appointment only' etc, I would've thought TH would be unlikely to open their gates to someone turning up basically on spec. Not that I'm disputing what you say at all, but if I were TH (the company, not the person), I'd only be letting in people after talking to them / vetting them in advance to make sure they weren't casual dreamers! The thing is, TH is based out of the way, isn't it, somewhere in Derbyshire? If you go there, you've gone out of your way to get there, if you know what I mean. It's not like wandering around Kensington and suddenly deciding to drop into HR Owen.Having said that though, some of the nicest salespeople I ever met were in a Tiffany shop; even though they clearly clocked me instantly as lacking the ability to pay, I too was received with much politeness and was definitely under no pressure to leave.
BelfastBoy said:
Interesting personal account - based on what they say on the website about being 'appointment only' etc, I would've thought TH would be unlikely to open their gates to someone turning up basically on spec. Not that I'm disputing what you say at all, but if I were TH (the company, not the person), I'd only be letting in people after talking to them / vetting them in advance to make sure they weren't casual dreamers! The thing is, TH is based out of the way, isn't it, somewhere in Derbyshire? If you go there, you've gone out of your way to get there, if you know what I mean. It's not like wandering around Kensington and suddenly deciding to drop into HR Owen.
Having said that though, some of the nicest salespeople I ever met were in a Tiffany shop; even though they clearly clocked me instantly as lacking the ability to pay, I too was received with much politeness and was definitely under no pressure to leave.
It's only out of the way if your nowhere near it! Was at loughborough college for my hnc course (sponsored by company so not of student age) was going to my workplace in donington so took a little detour as finished early. Probably helped that they saw the car I was driving (only an elise, but then all their cars aren't hypercars) I can't answer for them why they let me in, or whether they would again. I can only states that they did let me in and had no problem with me having a look at their stock. Having said that though, some of the nicest salespeople I ever met were in a Tiffany shop; even though they clearly clocked me instantly as lacking the ability to pay, I too was received with much politeness and was definitely under no pressure to leave.
Wouldn't hesitate to go back when looking for a new toy, which is I'm guessing what their plan was.
kazste said:
It's only out of the way if your nowhere near it! Was at loughborough college for my hnc course (sponsored by company so not of student age) was going to my workplace in donington so took a little detour as finished early. Probably helped that they saw the car I was driving (only an elise, but then all their cars aren't hypercars) I can't answer for them why they let me in, or whether they would again. I can only states that they did let me in and had no problem with me having a look at their stock.
Wouldn't hesitate to go back when looking for a new toy, which is I'm guessing what their plan was.
Fair enough, thanks for the clarification. I'm sure you had a great time looking around the place and, as you say, if they considered you to be a potential future customer, then the accommodating attitude would've been an encouragement for you to return again. I know that TH has received both glowing praise and withering criticism on this forum, but in general I'd be surprised if they'd survived so long and built up such a reputation if their customer service wasn't up to scratch.Wouldn't hesitate to go back when looking for a new toy, which is I'm guessing what their plan was.
andrew said:
Not seen that before, and would disagree pretty strongly with it. Have done quite a few deals with Tom Junior, and he's been 100% straight. He's done at least what he said he'd do (more at times), when he said he'd do it, and has some great cars Very good guy in my experience.it was more people who havent bought or even had dealings with TH who were taking issue with them. Car dealers are car dealers i dont regard them as friends and all have their good and bad points.
One thing i would say though is that there are very few dealers like TH where you can see a variety of supercar makes under one roof. So well worth a look/photoshoot. Not the biggest showroom but crammed full of interesting cars. Not sure where else you can do that in england apart from TH and Romans
One thing i would say though is that there are very few dealers like TH where you can see a variety of supercar makes under one roof. So well worth a look/photoshoot. Not the biggest showroom but crammed full of interesting cars. Not sure where else you can do that in england apart from TH and Romans
andrew said:
HHHmmmI'm not sure that was written by the 'real' Tom Hartley....
I would email ahead first and explain your interest in supercars and photography and say your trying to build up a portfolio. At the end of the day, i dont see why there would be a problem, there is nothing wrong in having a look and besides, not everyone gets to see supercars every day of their lives.
Gyrock said:
HHHmmm
I'm not sure that was written by the 'real' Tom Hartley....
Are you being serious?I'm not sure that was written by the 'real' Tom Hartley....
1. On that thread Tom Hartley posted up pretty damning evidence of his presence of the meeting that took place that day
2. If it were a fake TH as you think, wouldn't the 'real' one caused merry hell with Pistonheads asking for those fake posts to be deleted
Drclarke said:
Gyrock said:
HHHmmm
I'm not sure that was written by the 'real' Tom Hartley....
Are you being serious?I'm not sure that was written by the 'real' Tom Hartley....
1. On that thread Tom Hartley posted up pretty damning evidence of his presence of the meeting that took place that day
2. If it were a fake TH as you think, wouldn't the 'real' one caused merry hell with Pistonheads asking for those fake posts to be deleted
Back on topic - when I was collecting my R8 from TH there was a chap who popped in unplanned to take snaps of their two Veyrons, and he had all his questions politely answered by Gary.
Also when I first went there I didn’t call in advance, and just turned up (albeit in a 911 turbo), though I don’t think that’s something they recommend, as it is the grounds to TH’s home.
Also when I first went there I didn’t call in advance, and just turned up (albeit in a 911 turbo), though I don’t think that’s something they recommend, as it is the grounds to TH’s home.
Gassing Station | Supercar General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff