A&Q about Lotus
Q:
Originally Posted by delise
When did Rob Zombie start shopping for an Elise?
Originally Posted by delise
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.
When I was in my early teens I used to have fantasies of walking into a car
dealership with a briefcase full of money. Now that I'm old enough for
that to be a possibility, I realize that it would just make me look like a
drug dealer!
Besides, these days, don't you have to notify "the man" for any cash
transaction over about 23 dollars and 8 cents?
You know, extra paperwork to prove you are a patriotic American?
A:
I got similar service on my first trip to the Lotus dealer in Sacramento. While I did get a test drive it was pretty bad.
Called the stores General Manager, he made it up to me where I really wanted (in the price).
Is sounds to me as if Abe is willing to take care of you, thus I would give him the opportunity.
Just my .02.
Rick
A:
Originally Posted by bmw1
HI,
My name is Abraham Reyes and I'm the new Sales Manager for Lotus of South Bay. I don't know what happen but, I would greatly urge you to come back in and I would personally attend to your needs. 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. Please call or e-mail me at (310)939-1851 or areyes@lotusofsouthbay.com
Thanks
Perhaps some training might be in order. You are going to lose sales if it is that hard to get a test ride. Granted I had bought a Ferrari from my dealer, but when I asked to drive an Elise, he gave me the keys, and asked if I wanted the short course on the car, or wanted to just drive it. I just drove it.
Now I own one. Had it been any work at all, I would be in a Porsche GT3 now, instead of trying to figure out when the Lotus Esprit will actually come to market, and if I should buy an Exige S in the meantime when I want more power than my Elise.
Lotus needs a loyal American buying front. If you guys blow it, Hethel will go down for the count this time.
A:
Originally Posted by dk10438
maybe your being a little hypersensitive.
I don't think any of what I posted could be me being "hypersensitive". When you can't get a test drive or even a listen to the car's engine no matter how "busy" a salesman can be with not a soul in the dealership, there's something wrong with that.
That being said, I think Abe is a stand-up citizen for coming on here trying to rectify the situation. I had no idea he was even a member here, it was just total coincidence that I made a post about my experience. I think this thread has served it's purpose and should be deleted. If a mod wants to delete it, you have my permission since I can't figure it out myself.
A:
Originally Posted by Crow331
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.
Thanks
I'm sure Dennis Rodman does not get any $#!+ for his tatoos when he steps into a Ferrari dealership, so if a dealer has any brains at all, he should see right through that... as for the car you drove up in, I think I set the record here - I picked up my Elise in a rusty 1991 Honda Accord LX which was running on 3 cilinders at the time, makes a very loud noise when you turn it right, and sold the other week for an astounding $300 cash (of which $100 I still have yet to see... ) I don't think Kevin even noticed. He treated me better than a nearby Honda dealer who would not let me test drive the new Civic Si unless I paid $5,000 down. Dumbass!
Luke
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.
Yeah, why is the ass still working there? The dealership owner's retarded cousin?
A:
We bought an Elise and an Exige and rolled up in a Saturn ION. Don't let anbody judge you without reason.
A:
Give South Bay another chance. They're nice enough to let a kid like me walk over and hang out on the lot.
A:
I bought my Elise from David at So. Bay. He was nice to me and I just walked onto the lot after work one day. I was with a friend and told David I was just looking. He got the keys and pulled the car out so I could check it out better. He offered a test drive right then but I declined - I told him if I drive it I'll probably drive it home today and I was not sure I was ready to do that. David called me a couple days later and told me the car I was interested in had sold but they had another red one (an 06 the original car was an 05). I went in that Friday at lunch time got the deal going and picked it up after work. I hate the negotiation process so I didn't do as well as others on this forum have done but I got out of there for $52K even. David was nice through the whole process. I find that sales guys in the high end places are always a bit arrogant any way. But he gave me plenty of attention and I am sure that I was not in any way looking like a sure sale.
A:
I think this whole thing is a set up. You did this knowing the sales manager is on this board, and so you can get a better deal on the car. Brilliant, I must say.
Just kidding, i don't really mean that. Buy maybe this will all work out for the best; I bet abe will give you a better deal for your troubles; always look on the bright side.
A:
My Experience a few months ago at Symbolic... Cut and past from OP.
Nothing ever came of it. i noticed a few days ago that the car is still for sale online with more miles. go figure. i wound up picking up something else. its red and has the numbers 360 and F1 in the name.
I have to say i am pretty disappointed in what happened to me there today.
I had emailed Mike a few times over the past few weeks to talk about the yellow 06 Exige they had there. it had the options i wanted and the color i liked.
I had told Mike that i have been really busy at the shop and would try and make it down there to see him as soon as i could. yesterday afternoon a customer canceled his appointment so i had today off. I had asked him if he would be there and we could talk about the car, options and pricing etc. He stated that he would be there no problem and would be more than happy to talk to me.
Fast forward to today. i get there about 11:00 this morning. Dressed decent but not like a multimillionaire. walk around the showroom to see some of the other cars they have there. they did have a nice SLR there. Was asked by the receptionist if i need help.
after about 15 -20 min we walk over to the side that has the few lotus' there. check out the 05 elise and the other odd cars they have there.
the Exige i was looking at was in the front window.
i see a salesman that i think was Mike. i go introduce myself and say that i was glad to finally meet him in person. He takes me to the older 05's that they have in stock and say that's what i should buy. States that there is almost no difference between the 05's and 06's and walks away to the other side of the showroom. After trying to get his attention for about 10-15 minutes. i go into the other showroom and still try to get his attention to at least open the car so i can sit in it. i wasn't even interested in a test drive. just to sit in the car to see how the exige seats felt versus the elise. no dice.
he was trying to talk to some golddigger person that "was just looking" at an Bentley they had in the back. again i try to get his attention but seem to just ignore me...
i had check in hand and was willing to pay the MSRP that was on the sticker no questions asked. but could not get service.
We had enough and walked out of the dealership
Mike, I sure hope you got that sale for the Bentley because you lost a sure sale for the yellow Exige. I will be taking my business to Newport or Southbay.
Tom Deadrick
CEO All Wheel Engineering,llc
--
Tom Deadrick
tom@kartboy.com
Www.kartboy.com
All Wheel Engineering,llc
__________________
Tom Deadrick
www.kartboy.com
A:
Originally Posted by Crow331
I don't think any of what I posted could be me being "hypersensitive". When you can't get a test drive or even a listen to the car's engine no matter how "busy" a salesman can be with not a soul in the dealership, there's something wrong with that.
That being said, I think Abe is a stand-up citizen for coming on here trying to rectify the situation. I had no idea he was even a member here, it was just total coincidence that I made a post about my experience. I think this thread has served it's purpose and should be deleted. If a mod wants to delete it, you have my permission since I can't figure it out myself.
i wasnt there so i its hard for me to comment. the tone of voice has to do a lot with interpretation, however, if someone made these comments to me, just based on what you've writen, i wouldnt take it personally. but like i said, i wasn't there. i did deal with david s myself, and i wouldnt say that he's mr smooth, but he is to the point which can be misinterpreted as being a jerk. he seems to be very literal. like i said, i've dressed like a slob, came in half inebriated drove up in a pos, and have always been treated with respect and courteously. i don't have anything to gain, but these guys seem pretty reasonable to me....
A:
Same thing happened to me at Symbolic in San Diego. Twice. I gave up and bought two cars elsewhere, and will never go back! I have an order in now for a third. Symbolic missed three deals. Lotus of Portland, GREAT GUYS!!!
A:
My two cents, I'd never go back to that dealership again. They had their chance and blew it. To go back would be rewarding that behavior.
A:
I recently purchased my Elise in the Los Angeles area. Although i did not buy my car from South Bay Lotus, I tried and tried to make a deal. At the the time, South Bay Lotus was hobbled with heavily optioned cars that were very pricey. However, my budget for the purchase was unfortunately much less than any dealer would let their car go for. I dealt with David S. who made much time available and worked very hard to make me a deal. I have nothing but the utmost praise for David's professionalism and hard work.
I've purchased high-end sports cars for years and typically go to a dealership on a Saturday, unshaven, in a T-shirt, and shorts, and driving old beaters. In fact, a few years ago when I purchased my first Ferrari, I made it a point to drive a 1982 Toyota Cressida with a bent and rusted front fender, the front bumper askew and missing chunks, and peeling paint. I always made sure that I parked the car prominately in front of the dealership for all to see.
I never, repeat NEVER was treated rudely and practically had dealership sales staff throw keys at me and beg me to take the car for a drive.
I find it hard to believe a dealer would treat you the way describe without probable cause.
Jonathan.
A:
I bought my car at Southbay and showed up looking like a slob. I dealt with Mark, and he was great. If I remember the first time I stopped in it was on a weekend and Mark ofered to take me on a test drive during the week if I was interested. I wasn't that serious at that point just looking, but he offered I didn't ask. I stoped in in shorts and a t-shirt, flip flops, driving my modified Miata that looks a little ricey. No problem at all with the test drive etc. Based on that experience I refered a friend to them that bought a car as well.
I'm very happy with Southbay so I'd give them a second chance, I'm sure they'll bend over backwards to make you happy this time. Prior to this purchase I had so many bad dealership experiences that I swore I'd never use one again.
A:
Have you heard the saying "First impressions last"?
I personally wouldn't give them a 2nd chance if there are other dealers in the area.
Luke
A:
Just to add my two cents. My experience with Southbay and in particular, Abraham, has been nothing less than outstanding. I'm confident that if you're truly going to buy a Lotus, Abraham will make it up to you. He has been the best in every aspect from my initial purchase to after sale follow up and service.
Philip
A:
Originally Posted by Cardinal
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.
Believe me, there are plenty of rich people who are slobs and eccentric (not saying you are). Like for example: Guy pulls up to dealership on rollerblades wearing cutoff jeans and a dirty white t-shirt. Looks like he hasn't had a bath in a week, then says, "I want that green Lamborghini (was a Murcialago)" and proceeds to pull out a wallet with some magic credit card in it. The guy signs the paperwork and drives home. The dealer is miffed and had seen this guy "roll" by the shop for about a week and thought he was crazy, homeless, or both (the guy talked to himself apparently).
The moral of th story is this: you never know when a crazy looking dude on rollerblades may be an eccentric multi-millionaire. TREAT EVERYONE WITH RESPECT WHEN THEY WANT TO BUY YOUR GOODIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I were general manager of South Bay, I would kick that guy off the sales floor for good. One bad experience can lead other customers to follow suit, then voila! Prepare to segue into the fast food service industry. I would instantly NEVER return to that dealership, regardless of deal they offered and how their past business was if in your shoes. Damn I hate bad customer service.
A:
Originally Posted by oblioh27
I find it hard to believe a dealer would treat you the way describe without probable cause.
Yeah, you're right. It must of been me