Planet 9

Brad900 · #1 10-30-2008, 07:30 PM

I just thought I'd let you all in on my day today (a little background first) - I have been shopping for about a month. I was first interested in the Cayman S but event of recent days have turned my head a bit to the Carrera side. Fremont Porsche posted some deals on their website that I could not look away from so I went there today with the full attention of buying!

This will be my first Porsche ever and I am completely reveling in the idea of it. My sales man Barry Barovich was truly awesome- he guided me showed me different models- Cayman S, Carrera S, Carrera- just everything. All was good until today!

You would think that in today's environment that the dealer would be happy to have someone in their showroom who was like me - excited, ready to buy, what else could you ask for?

Well let me just tell you if you ever meet the Sales Manager - I think his name was Mark, but I'm unsure- walk out. I have never been treated so poorly. To try and tell me a person working for a tech company - what the going rate for a car should be and established parameters are currently at was nothing short of offensive. In addition instead of negotiating he simply turned and told me good luck and to have a nice day. PLease know that I was not asking for any "extraordinary discount" or something that was unreasonable and had he "worked with me" or been somewhat reasonable I would be driving a new car tonight- sadly that's not the case and I am completely soured right now.

Hopefully I will have better luck at another dealer.

**Santa Fe** · #2 10-30-2008, 07:40 PM

Don't know if you were unreasonable or they are but give out dealer sponsors a call and identify yourself as a Cayman Club member and even if you are buying a different Porsche model you will get some good info to help you with your purchase.

**PistolPete** · #3 10-30-2008, 07:42 PM

That really sucks. Not all dealers are the same fortunately. When I walked into my dealer (Ray Catena Porsche in NJ) way back in 2005 for a Cayman brochure I was treated very nicely even though I could only dream of buying one at that time.

I kept in touch with the salesman and would stop by often to look at the toys in the showroom. Fast forward to 2007 and they were the only guys I went to when it came time to order.

I still speak to the salesman and GM all the time and stop by often. Meanwhile I'm enjoying the car and dreaming of a GT3-RS!

**Nick_USA** · #4 10-30-2008, 07:45 PM

Sounds like you got the 'Good Cop, Bad Cop' routine.....

Bet you the good cop tries to call you with an offer....

I am with you though there are better dealers out there.... Good luck!!!

intubator · #5 10-30-2008, 08:48 PM

I would prefer to buy a new Porsche directly from the factory, have it delivered to my house, and service it almost anywhere but at a dealership. PCNA, are you listening????....

**KS-CS** · #6 10-30-2008, 08:51 PM

Brad900 -

I notice that you are a Cayman Club Insider - perhaps you should put your new membership to use, and see if the buying service can help you out. Good luck.

**Santa Fe** · #7 10-30-2008, 08:59 PM

My experience has sure been different when it comes to dealers. It is a two-way relationship that requires some understanding by both parties. I have found that the transitional rotation of sales staff and service writers can be off putting. My tactic is to make an effort to build a relationship with owner/management who are going to be invested in the long term. I don't try to beat them down so they make no profit and equally I make sure they understand I want treatment from their organization that respects my repeat business (my dealer sells me MBs, Audis and Porsches). My other effort is go meet the senior mechanic and establish a respectful relationship. I don't feel that I'm special but do try to make sure that my dealer and dealer employees know I appreciate them.

Brad900 · #8 10-30-2008, 09:27 PM

I told Ken this the other day- This board is amazing! Thanks to all of you - you did make me feel a hell of a lot better. For those that are wondering here are further details of the conversation:

1st thing: I have a 2006 Mazda3 Grand Touring Sedan- it's well equipped with almost all the options (No nav sadly). On Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book the estimated trade in value is from 14,000- 12,000.

Fremont Porsche's offer: 8000.00!

2nd thing: I was looking at a 2008 Brand new Carrera coupe priced at 69900- but then I spy a 2006 Carrera S Cabriolet! I test drive it, love it, but the price is 72,000! I tell the salesman based on the cost of the '08 The best i'd feel comfortable giving him for the Cab is 60K Flat.

Agreed that might have been a bit low but I "thought" it would be a negotiation- apparently not! The sales mgr- then pulls up Kelly Blue Book to show me the estimated value of the car which is 69k- well where the hell was that on my trade?

In any case- luckily I'm in the Bay area and maybe I look around at some other dealers this weekend. I really forgot how crappy a trial car buying is!

Back to the Caymans- hopefully I'll find my car soon.

Thanks again to all you guys you all really did make me feel better!

CaymanBrac · #9 10-30-2008, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by Brad900

In any case- luckily I'm in the Bay area and maybe I look around at some other dealers this weekend. I really forgot how crappy a trial car buying is!

Speak with Gary or Mike at Carlsen Porsche in RWC. If they had a White '06 or '07 Cayman S I would have been happy to give them my business. The other guy that I liked but they lacked the inventory I needed, was Thom at Stevens Creek Porsche.

Best of luck man,
Jason

mooty · #10 10-30-2008, 10:34 PM

fremont porsche, aka fletcher jones is populated by moronic sales guy other than george and even then he's not all that great. the part's manager mr sanchez is one of the best in the business and gunther in service dept is brilliant.
that's about IT.

you want to buy a porsche in bay area, please call gary quibelan at carlsen porsche and tell him john hua send you. he will let you know what he can do right away. no BS. if he can't beat someone else's deal, he tell you flat out. wont waste you time. i have never spend more than 5 min buying cars from him. he's that good. and i have over 30+ cars from him.

btw, gary quebelan IS the manage. so there is not good cop bad cop joke going on. this is not buying a civic. dont let them play you with good/bad cop sh*t. u are a consumer, they should work for your money, not the other way around. tell them the "scene" in pretty woman. i mean it. i have very very little patience. if they need more than 2 min to sell me a car, i get very very pissed off. give gary Q a call, you will be happy.

he makes me so happy i just bought two more cars from him in the last 60 days.

beez · #11 10-30-2008, 11:19 PM

+1 on Gary Quibelan, but then, I've only bought 1/10th the number of Porsches from him as mooty... (too funny, John!)...

brad

**debwolfe** · #12 10-30-2008, 11:20 PM

I'm another happy Carlsen Porsche customer. They're great!

***DaveN007*** · #13 10-30-2008, 11:26 PM

I agree with Mooty's general points. A lot of us work really hard to earn the money we might spend on a Porsche. Often that work includes delivering excellent "customer service" in one way or another. That sometimes means you can't look someone in the eye and say, "Look, you freaking idiot..."

If I were to walk in to a dealership and offer too little money for the deal to be worth the time of the dealership, at least they should politely counter with an offer over MSRP. LOL. Then we would be negotiating, at least.

On the bright side, Brad900, it is very likely that they would call you if your offer made financial sense to them. So they may have given you some valuable information.

**K-Man S** · #14 10-30-2008, 11:54 PM

Brad,

Have you considered using the Porsche Buying Service that we offer here since you have access as an Insider? I don't know that we have any participating dealers in the SF area at the moment, but if that isn't a deal breaker for you, why not give our sponsors at least a crack at your business? If you need help using the PBS let me know.

**KS-CS** · #15 10-31-2008, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by Brad900

. . . 1st thing: I have a 2006 Mazda3 Grand Touring Sedan- it's well equipped with almost all the options (No nav sadly). On Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book the estimated trade in value is from 14,000- 12,000.

Fremont Porsche's offer: 8000.00! . . .

Regarding your trade-in, you might want to check with Carmax if you have one locally, to see what they will pay for your car - in my experience they are pretty fair on their trade-in price, particularly if it is a late model car in good shape that they can easily sell.

It doesn't cost you anything for the service, and you don't actually have to be buying a car from them in return - they will just pay for your car outright (might make your negotiation with the Porsche dealer a little more straightforward if there isn't a trade-in involved).

Brad900 · #16 10-31-2008, 10:14 AM

Carmax! Who knew!! I may be making a drive over there this weekend- then I'll just rent a car to get back to the city! Thanks Much KS-CS!

K-Man-S yeah that would be a deal breaker for me (locality)- it's already a hassel as I am going to have to ship my car from the Bay area back to my home in Portland. I am relocating here but I thought I'd buy and reap the benefits of no sales tax before I close on my home sale.

**Cold Croc** · #17 10-31-2008, 10:41 AM

Brad,

Welcome to CA....but you'll get nailed on taxes when you reregister the car here... keep OR plates as long as possible.

re local Bay Area Dealers....when I was shopping the Fremont boys treated me like **** as well...walked out, would never go back. I've heard (not personal experience) that Carlson is good. I bought mine from Tom McAfee at Stevens Creek Porsche and my experience was great... I even wrote a letter to PCA president in Altlanta complimenting the folks at Stevens Creek...They usually have a good selection...ompare there as well....

Cheers

balboa · #18 10-31-2008, 11:24 AM

Brad,

You've received several dealer/sales rep recommendations that should provide a much improved customer experience.

I continue to scratch my head on how certain dealers work to alienate serious buyers. When I was ready to buy in the summer of 2007, I approched Stevens Creek and was told up front they would not discount below the sticker for an ordered car or one on their lot (!). I heard pretty much the same from the folks at Monterey Porsche, but eventually bit the bullet and ordered a car through them. Less than a week later while in San Diego on business, I stopped in at Pioneer Centre and Chris quoted me a MUCH better deal. I immediately called Monterey and cancelled my order. Monterey took delivery of my spec'd car anyway and it sat for half a year on their lot. I still can't figure out their desire to keep a few %s points on a deal and then lose more in flooring costs.

In today's world, car buying is a commodity purchase. Appears some dealers still don't understand that reality.

**K-Man S** · #19 10-31-2008, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by Brad900

Carmax! Who knew!! I may be making a drive over there this weekend- then I'll just rent a car to get back to the city! Thanks Much KS-CS!

K-Man-S yeah that would be a deal breaker for me (locality)- it's already a hassel as I am going to have to ship my car from the Bay area back to my home in Portland. I am relocating here but I thought I'd buy and reap the benefits of no sales tax before I close on my home sale.

If your "home" state is listed as Oregon, then you can buy a car in another state and not get charged sales tax as long as the car goes out of the state you bought it in, and presumably to Oregon. Buying California and shipping to Oregon wouldn't be much different than say buying in Texas or Kansas or New York or Florida, etc. and shipping to Oregon other than the shipping costs might be a little higher.

***msg1524*** · #20 10-31-2008, 10:47 PM

I bought (ordered) my 06 CS from Mike at Carslen and I ordered ( delivery in December) my Cayenne from Gary at Carlsen. They both spent hours with me going on test drives and exploring the different options. They also talked me out of options after asking what the car would be used for and how I drive. Of course they are there to sell cars, but they don't push options on you. They want you to be happy with your car. Once they realized what I wanted wasn't available on any car lot, we sat down and ordered the car.
The only problem I have had with them is in the service area. I have received the car from service in an unacceptable dirty condition. When they put on four new tires the service tech scratched 3 of the four rims. I didn't notice when I picked up the car because it was so dirty and returned a week later. They repaired them with no questions asked. There were a couple of other problems when I took the car into service so I have to give the service department a D.
Mike