A&Q about Lotus
Q:
Go see Abe - he's a good guy.
I had an issue with my local Lotus dealer - the net result? Well... they had two cars I wanted and I've bought two cars this year, neither from them.
A:
Originally Posted by Donbecker
Sure you didn't come across as a tire kicker?
Nope. What's funny is I actually mentioned that I was reading a lot of online forums about the car and specifically mentioned some CONS of this car but wanted to check them out in person. I mentioned some things that only someone serious about buying the car would know (i.e. research). Maybe cause I showed up in a sleeveless shirt, shorts, sandals and my tattoos all out there it threw him off, but I did drive up in BMW Z3. I know that these dealers get a lot of tire kickers, but it's their "job" to know who is serious and who is not and either way everyone who walks through the door should be treated with respect, not the "are you sure you can afford this car" look??. I'm 37, not a kid. The car is nice, but it looks more pricey than it is, and it's not really that expensive and it's not like I asked to test drive the ferrari or something. I drove over an hour on a sunday from Los Feliz to test drive the car and even mentioned that I work for Fox. That and the car I drove in with should of given me some cred., tattoos or not.
Delise, where exactly did you rent from? I clicked on the link but there were many choices and I didn't see one specific to San Diego?? My brother lives down that way and I love to drive down there so that could definitely be a possibility. What was the price per day on the weekend? I called a couple places here in L.A. but only 1 had 1 at one time, and they said they sold it. I'm sure I can find one around here to rent, just need to make a few more calls.
Thanks
A:
This sort of thing bothers me. I would like very much to go check out an Elise at one of the dealers in my area (Somerset/Union County, NJ) HRM and Princeton Lotus come highly recommended. The thing is, the daily driver is a boring old Honda Civic from my past life when I made about 40% of what I make now. I also tend to dress in shorts and sneakers on my days off. I pretty much know that if I pull into a Lotus dealership in my car, I will get run off the property. I understand a salesman not wanting to waste his time on someone who appears to be unable to afford such a car, but c'mon. It's a $45K car, not a Murcielago or something. Personally, if I were treated like that, I would never go back. Then again, I have a propensity for being irrational and holding grudges. I am still angry with the girl who in third grade kicked me in the nuts.
I'd like to get into a car around New Years. I will wait until then to visit a showroom because I do not want to be pegged as a tire kicker. Wallaby and Mark Starr being regulars here will certainly make a dealership visit more comfortable.
A:
Originally Posted by eliseowner2b
If I had a salesperson working for me that was known as an "ass" he wouldn't be working for long. Those are bad combinations.
Pretty much what I was thinking.
A:
This dealership we're talking about is one of the best in the country.
SouthBay Lotus is top notch.
Try again sometime...it will be better.
A:
Originally Posted by Crow331
...I drove over an hour on a sunday from Los Feliz to test drive the car...
Again, I think that the way you were treated was the exception rather than the rule.
Just my opinion, but if I was going to drive an hour to test drive a car, I would make sure I called ahead, they knew I was coming and everything.
Hope the rest of your buying experience pans out.
A:
It's actually not that far except for "L.A. traffic" ... I've never made an appointment in my life to buy a car, why should I have to start now? If a dealer wants to sell you a car, they'll sell you one with or without an appointment. It's not like the place was packed, I was the only 1 in there. There were 2 sales peeps, 1 customer (me) and you would think SOMEONE could let me test drive it. With no one else in there, I should of been able to at least listen to the engine, with or without an appointment, don't ya think?
A:
This same scenario is what pushed me away from the Porsche Cayman. As a previous customer (BMW wing) I went to the dealership and signed up for the "unveiling" of the car/test drive etc. They never called or sent me any confirmation...even after I called to inquire multiple times.
Two weeks after I drove my Elise home I got the invite for the Porsche. They helped me make the right decision.
I get that the dealerships have to deal with a lot of less-than-serious buyers but it really pisses me off sometimes.
A:
Originally Posted by Crow331
If a dealer wants to sell you a car, they'll sell you one with or without an appointment.
Not sure that would apply to all cars, e.g. Ferrari FXX, but definitely seems reasonable for an Elise.
A:
David is actually a sweet man but, comes off as rather assish (if that's a word ) he does not mean anything by it but, it's just the way he is.
Then he should not be selling cars. If it was me, I would not give your dealership a 2nd chance. If you have people working for you, that you know treat people like that then you really can not care about your customers all that much.
Just by him being an ass to a potential customer, there are now at least 28 people who have read this (at this time), and I am sure there will be a lot more. Maybe he will think about that the next time he speaks and treat everyone with respect.
A:
I've heard all the talk about South Bay and Newport European. Don't forget about Desert European. I've purchased 3 cars from this dealership over the last 5 years (including my Lotus Elise). Good service and great prices! They will negotiate too! It's in Rancho Mirage (just past Palm Springs), but you'll enjoy the drive.
P.S. Don't forget to check out the Bentley's, Aston's and other Euro Exotics while you are there.
A:
I had a somewhat similar experience last year with David when I was looking around for my Elise. I ended up buying the car from another dealership.
A:
"I also tend to dress in shorts and sneakers on my days off. I pretty much know that if I pull into a Lotus dealership in my car, I will get run off the property. "
Well I think a salesperson would be fairly foolish these days to judge somebody by what they are wearing or arrive in. I know several multi millionaires that dress in ripped up jeans and t shirts, don't wear rolexes or big rings and drive normal Honda-ish type cars. I personally don't dress up at work and don't dress up at home. I drove up to the lot in a nice American pickup truck wearing shorts and a tshirt. I also knew the Elise inside and out before showing up on the lot and the sales people would be kind of surpised. I knew the engine specs, weight, colors available, popular problems all from reading this forum. By the time I was going around to dealerships I had rented an Elise for a day, and knew exactly the color and options I wanted. I also knew more than most of the sales people about Lotus/Elise at the other dealerships around LA. South Bay was the exception !
A:
Originally Posted by Cardinal
This sort of thing bothers me. [...]
The thing is, the daily driver is a boring old Honda[...]
I also tend to dress in shorts and sneakers
Hmmmm, you should be able to drive up in a rusted-out Yugo,
wearing cut-offs and a faded tattered T-shirt that says
"Uriah Heep World Tour 1972" wearing a purple mohawk with
half your moustache shaved off, tattooed eyelids and a nosering
and STILL get phenomenal service.
Only one concession to society need be made: you should at least have bathed recently.
It's only being polite to the salesman who will be in close quarters with you.
Other than that, your fashion choices should not be his problem.
Your money is the same color as anyone else's.
However, saying that, the East Coast still expects a little more formality
in clothing than the West Coast, but even there a smart salesman
shouldn't have too many preconceptions if he wants to make some sales.
Um. OK. Where did this soapbox come from? How did I end up on top of it?
Time to climb down now....
A:
Originally Posted by Gizmo
Hmmmm, you should be able to drive up in a rusted-out Yugo,
wearing cut-offs and a faded tattered T-shirt that says
"Uriah Heep World Tour 1972" wearing a purple mohawk with
half your moustache shaved off, tattooed eyelids and a nosering
and STILL get phenomenal service.
Only one concession to society need be made: you should at least have bathed recently.
It's only being polite to the salesman who will be in close quarters with you.
Other than that, your fashion choices should not be his problem.
Your money is the same color as anyone else's.
However, saying that, the East Coast still expects a little more formality
in clothing than the West Coast, but even there a smart salesman
shouldn't have too many preconceptions if he wants to make some sales.
Um. OK. Where did this soapbox come from? How did I end up on top of it?
Time to climb down now....
Truly talented sales people (particularly car sales people) know this.
My dad is ex-military, and when he started selling cars, he tended to "pre-qualify" people. It wasn't something he did conciously, it just happened.
Then, he got over it. He had one too many people walk into the dealership in ripped jeans and a t-shirt, and drive out in the top-of-the-line sedan, after writing a check for it, I guess. I also provided a little gentle guidance -->
Look at the bright sides:
- you got the attention of the sales manager who seems to be a really top-notch guy
- you actually got talked to - I went to my "local" dealer (it's an hour plus drive due to traffic) and did everything but attempt to copulate with the car and no one ever talked to me, though several bored- and snooty-looking salespeople did pass by
A:
How do I delete this post? I can't figure it out
A:
Don't delete it, Crow. You had a bad experience and posted it. Abe is actually here and is rectifying the situation. People going there should avoid David, period. This thread only makes the salesperson look bad, but Abe and his dedication to the customer are the bright points here.
A:
maybe your being a little hypersensitive. i went in to look at the cars dressed very casually (i live in Hermosa Beach) and actually david s was pretty nice to me. and he asked if i wanted to set up an appt to drive the car. i came in on thursday (unannounced) and he wasn't there, so thursday really is his day off. he came off as a little cold but i think that is his personality. i eventually bought a used car so never bought from south bay, but i wouldnt hesitate to buy from them if i was in the market for a new one. they're staffed pretty lean. if i made an appt to test drive a car and showed up and they "were too busy" i think that i would be kinda irritated. once, i drove up in a toyota tacoma after a few drinks and some sushi just to show my friend the car and was treated very courteously, so i would give these guys another chance.
A:
Originally Posted by Gizmo
Hmmmm, you should be able to drive up in a rusted-out Yugo,
wearing cut-offs and a faded tattered T-shirt that says
"Uriah Heep World Tour 1972" wearing a purple mohawk with
half your moustache shaved off, tattooed eyelids and a nosering
and STILL get phenomenal service.
When did Rob Zombie start shopping for an Elise? Always remember those infamous Motely Crue stories where they come into a Ferrari dealership after a big hit record , get treated like crap for their shabby looks by the sales guy and they whip out cash and say we will take 2 F40s please.
A:
David could have been having a bad day. Just because they are no customer on the lot doesn't mean they have nothing to do. He could have had follow ups. I'm not saying it's an excuse but a possibly explaination.
I think my only encounter with David was when my wife and I came to pick up my Elise. My wife really liked the Exige and asked if it came in automatic. David very polity explained to her why there was no automatic version of an Elise. In contrast, I could stop laughing - and she's my wife!!!! I later thanked David for such a professional answer ( and I was still laughing).
Incidentally, David and I were talking last Saturday about that last visit. David mention it's not uncommon for people to ask about automatics. I referred him to Sector 111 who has the SMG and he looked into it. Imagine the sale's value - Can drive a stick here's a SouthBay Lotus SMG optioned Elise.