GT car / Salesman - Shiraaz Sookralli - Champion Porsche's VP of Marketing
#632
Pro
#633
1. Open case where the attorney is defending both Champion and Sookralli in the Rampage 911r case?
2. Now same attorney is representing Champion and suing Sookralli?
I don't know law, but that seems like a conflict of interest?
#634
Holy Guru
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Registered Pontiff
Rennlist
Registered Pontiff
From the original news reports on the various automotive sites:
"Although the official cause of death has not been released, it’s believed Maraj went missing while out sailing with his girlfriend on the large sailboat that had become his favorite craft. His body was found in the water near the Boca Raton Resort and Club where he and his girlfriend were staying."
"Although the official cause of death has not been released, it’s believed Maraj went missing while out sailing with his girlfriend on the large sailboat that had become his favorite craft. His body was found in the water near the Boca Raton Resort and Club where he and his girlfriend were staying."
#635
I'm surprised by sentiments such as this. I feel bad for the guys who got bamboozled by Champion Porsche. But this situation has made me feel even more fortunate to lock up a PTS GT3. Between the difficulty of navigating the elusive PTS schedule, the endless ADM charges/dealer games/flipping, and this Champion Porsche debacle, I'm amazed and thankful to have landed one with no problem.
Again, the fraud was perpetuated at the dealership: this is on Champion Porsche, not PCNA nor PAG. State franchise laws are a patchwork quilt through which Porsche must navigate. Although the franchise agreements are generally dealer-favorable, Porsche has to work within those signed agreements.
PAG and PCNA can sort out the availability of GT cars, PTS delays, etc., but let's focus on the primary issue: There was fraudulent behavior by a dealership employee. I'm flabbergasted Champion Porsche isn't handling this without the risk of AG action and engagement of legal eagles.
#636
Burning Brakes
I'm surprised by sentiments such as this. I feel bad for the guys who got bamboozled by Champion Porsche. But this situation has made me feel even more fortunate to lock up a PTS GT3. Between the difficulty of navigating the elusive PTS schedule, the endless ADM charges/dealer games/flipping, and this Champion Porsche debacle, I'm amazed and thankful to have landed one with no problem.
#637
Three Wheelin'
If there were even decent controls in place, this could have been prevented. Dozens of cars with no deposits? Constantly changing builds? One person in charge of GT cars with no controls in place to verify his actions? I agree that we don't know all the facts yet, but I'd be willing to bet that we'll find out that this fraud could have easily been prevented, or at least uncovered earlier, if good controls were in place. Trust, but verify.
#638
Rennlist Member
Sorry for those who lost $ and time, and an opportunity to get a car somewhere else. Without direct knowledge, it seems that there was lack of control/oversight from Champion, so in the end it is their responsibility, and it should not be difficult to prove that in court (I'm not a lawyer). Think about some rogue traders at Barclays and other banks. Banks are ultimately responsible for compensating clients for heir lack of control.
I have written this before , but one day we will read a paper at Harvard Business Review on how PCNA let some of its dealers subtract a large value from their brand. They have turned a blind eye to mercenary client relationships since ADMs pay for those Exec Panameras that can't be moved out of the floor unless huge discounts are given. PCNA and (some) dealers win, at the expense of customers, that pay extra and still get a poor client experience. Clients need to shop around for honest dealers , instead of just looking for convenience, quality of service and a good experience.
I have written this before , but one day we will read a paper at Harvard Business Review on how PCNA let some of its dealers subtract a large value from their brand. They have turned a blind eye to mercenary client relationships since ADMs pay for those Exec Panameras that can't be moved out of the floor unless huge discounts are given. PCNA and (some) dealers win, at the expense of customers, that pay extra and still get a poor client experience. Clients need to shop around for honest dealers , instead of just looking for convenience, quality of service and a good experience.
#639
Like someone else also mentioned here, I think that Shiraaz was more than just an employee, perhaps a long time friend or even extended family. Both him and Maraj have indo-Guyanese roots. Now that Maraj's kids have taken ownership they're outing him as part of an internal power struggle.
#640
Holy Guru
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Registered Pontiff
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Registered Pontiff
I have been treated fairly and honestly by my local dealer, but all of the GT car BS that goes on is making me think twice about buying a new Porsche in the future. In my opinion Porsche is ultimately responsible at the end of the day. Maybe not for every transaction that takes place, but they are well aware of the crap going on with GT car allocations and the VIP program and appear to be doing nothing about it. Also, trying to order regular cars like Turbo's and Targa's can be much more difficult than it needs to be, not to mention PTS. The entire allocation system is a joke.
If people stopped paying ADM, the dealer would not be asking for them and making it seem difficult for them to obtain a car. And, you need to stop blaming Porsche for this because it has been said hundreds of time that they have no control over this.
#641
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Martin IMO your credibility went out the window when we saw the PTS Golf Blue .2 @ $25K over for a good price with no sales tax paid on the car @ PNH (which I also don't agree with but a completely different topic of course), I'm sure PNH appreciated that and the profit to get you into that .2 3RS @ MSRP
#642
Race Director
One FACT is Shiraaz was working with brokers who would put buyers in contact with him. Shiraaz would collect a $15K ADM (in this case) from the buyer and deposit it into his own fictitious account. He would them pay the brokers their cut back out of that account.
Car comes in (in this case he screwed up some options), and buyer would settle up with legitimate paperwork for balance.
This is one scenario. Many scams in different ways.
He probably preyed on out of state buyers more.
Question is, can some of these brokers be liable for $$ they received from Shiraaz??? All the big time brokers everyone knows so well worked with him.
Car comes in (in this case he screwed up some options), and buyer would settle up with legitimate paperwork for balance.
This is one scenario. Many scams in different ways.
He probably preyed on out of state buyers more.
Question is, can some of these brokers be liable for $$ they received from Shiraaz??? All the big time brokers everyone knows so well worked with him.
#643
Burning Brakes
Originally Posted by The Pope
The only thing that's a joke are the customers who are more than willing to play the ADM, etc. game. Period.
If people stopped paying ADM, the dealer would not be asking for them and making it seem difficult for them to obtain a car. And, you need to stop blaming Porsche for this because it has been said hundreds of time that they have no control over this.
If people stopped paying ADM, the dealer would not be asking for them and making it seem difficult for them to obtain a car. And, you need to stop blaming Porsche for this because it has been said hundreds of time that they have no control over this.
But even when dealing with an honest dealer, the allocation process is still a joke. It's painful for everyone involved including good dealerships. And that is Porsche's fault.
#644
As a business owner myself, sudden death of the owner could most definitely expose the business to opportunists to take advantage of such situations especially, if they know the customers and the business well
Very unfortunate situation both for the owner's family and for the customers.
Very unfortunate situation both for the owner's family and for the customers.
#645
Three Wheelin'
Porsche will suffer no damage, directly or indirectly, from these events. Those of you who want tighter control by PCNA can fill out an application for a GT car in the fashion of Patek with their customers who desire to purchase flipper prone low volume watches. Expect PCNA to retain your window sticker and request copies of your vehicle registration as further control on the market.