Bert Smith Porsche
05-16-2015, 06:03 AM
#76
Rennlist Member
Terrence,
very sorry to hear your story about Bert Smith Porsche. I just had a similar experience with Rusnak Pasadena. Been a customer (sales and service) for over 15 years and had a hefty deposit on an RS for about a year and a half, but when I wrote to the GM for clarification on pricing I was told 40-50k over MSRP. He justified the price-gouging on the fact that they lost so much $ on the Panamera Executive models. Quite what that has to do with my wanting a GT car, I have no idea.
I highly rate the service dept there, but will no longer do business with Rusnak. Short-sighted practice by Rusnak and, like a few others here, I'm eyeing the McLaren brand as a possible alternative if Porsche doesn't curtail these practices moving forward.
That said, I've bought 2 GT cars recently from a dealer who's 3000 miles away and that dealer is selling me an RS at sticker. It would be nice to think that one could support local business, but alas it's not to be.
I hope you find a P dealer who's more deserving of your patronage. If not, I'm sure McLaren will spoil you; I've no doubt that McLaren smells the blood in the water of discontented former Porsche customers.
Vivian.
very sorry to hear your story about Bert Smith Porsche. I just had a similar experience with Rusnak Pasadena. Been a customer (sales and service) for over 15 years and had a hefty deposit on an RS for about a year and a half, but when I wrote to the GM for clarification on pricing I was told 40-50k over MSRP. He justified the price-gouging on the fact that they lost so much $ on the Panamera Executive models. Quite what that has to do with my wanting a GT car, I have no idea.
I highly rate the service dept there, but will no longer do business with Rusnak. Short-sighted practice by Rusnak and, like a few others here, I'm eyeing the McLaren brand as a possible alternative if Porsche doesn't curtail these practices moving forward.
That said, I've bought 2 GT cars recently from a dealer who's 3000 miles away and that dealer is selling me an RS at sticker. It would be nice to think that one could support local business, but alas it's not to be.
I hope you find a P dealer who's more deserving of your patronage. If not, I'm sure McLaren will spoil you; I've no doubt that McLaren smells the blood in the water of discontented former Porsche customers.
Vivian.
05-16-2015, 12:46 PM
#77
GT3 player par excellence
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^ rusnak is bad
I fear I will bc one British or italian soon too
I fear I will bc one British or italian soon too
05-16-2015, 12:52 PM
#78
GT3 player par excellence
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actually you've come up with a solution to all the problems and hassle of purchasing, award allocations to individuals not the dealers, base the position of order on a points system, points awarded for past purchases, not being a car "flipper", using a credit card tied into them, parts and service dept purchases etc. everyone gets an allocation, reward those with more points an earlier production date, you agree to sell car back to dealer at msrp -$.5/mile if you sell within a year of purchase, 10 k non refundable deposit, no games
I think they should make as many as they can sell
limited production is boring
when a 918 battery dies in 2029.... well good luck.
not likely finding a replacement part in LA dismantler
if they really want to be exclusive
just a rsrr vtec r with m power amg and whatever suffix they like then put a $20mm tag on it. no I'm not joking.
mass production leads to perfection
hand build one odd leads to idiosyncratic variations euphemized as CHARACTER
whatever.
05-16-2015, 04:30 PM
#79
Drifting
I've never experienced a situation where it was so difficult to spend $300K on 2 cars. I've thought about establishing dealerships but it seems like there are more crappy dealers than there are good ones. I have put a deposit down with a dealer in the midwest based upon a referral (a dealer that does not sell over MSRP) so I'm hoping it works out....if it does I'll be doing a lot of business with them in the future. 
I hope it works out for you.
05-16-2015, 10:11 PM
#80
Just my experience: I went from Porsche to Mclaren (2013 12c Spider and 2015 650S Spider) and now am back to Porsche! My experience with Mclaren reliability and dealer arrogance left a poor taste.
05-16-2015, 10:35 PM
#81
damn, that is not good...because I am considering 570s...really like its look whereas my previous favorite NSX looks more awful with the final product.
05-16-2015, 10:39 PM
#82
05-17-2015, 01:54 AM
#83
05-17-2015, 06:24 AM
#84
Burning Brakes
Well, here's the update after two Fedex letters to Mr. Von Platen, Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Andrew Pine, and Mr. Jason Nelson (the customer service manager who wrote me a letter saying that he was confident that there would be a resolution that would be satisfactory to all the parties).
After informing Mr Nelson that nothing has been done in two months, he called me twice and explained that PCNA cannot force dealers to sell at MSRP, which I understood and agreed. I then asked if under the circumstances (me being cheated out of my allocation and being a top 5% customer based on volume in the last 20 years), if Porsche can just give me an allocation and I will buy it at another dealership. He subsequently told me that Porsche does not ever give allocation to individuals no matter the circumstances, only "awarding them to dealers" based on their performance. He suggested that I call dealers and try to get one. I asked, "Are you saying that if Jerry Seinfeld called you today and wants an RS, you are going to tell him your company doesn't do that and he has to call a dealer?" To that question he offered no answer. Then I said, " You award RS allocations to 918 customers. So its not like it never happens." Again, no answer to that comment. In the end, I thanked him for his time and told him I take no offense to him because I know he has no power to give me that allocation. I told him though, that obviously somebody in this company has the power, but they choose not to do it regardless of circumstances or customer loyalty. I told him that PCNA is a big company and doesn't need me as a customer or advocate, and I am a big boy and doesn't need Porsches either.
Speaking from personal experiences, companies like AMG and Ferrari definitely reward loyal customers with special treatments like special VIP allocations and priority on new models.
I am glad I picked up my Z06 in January. I still love it and plan on keeping it for a while.
I was gonna get my RS to play and track later this year, but now the McLaren 570 with 570 hp and 2895 dry weight sounds damn good for the same price. Just placed my deposit on one yesterday.
I was gonna get a Pan or Cayenne to replace my Pan GTS, but now its an S-class or a Range Rover LWB SC (just ordered). I actually also ordered an X5M also and will use it if I need an additional sporty SUV.
Anyway, I guess there are lots of choices other than Porsche. It had been a fun 20 years, but for me, maybe its time to move on.
After informing Mr Nelson that nothing has been done in two months, he called me twice and explained that PCNA cannot force dealers to sell at MSRP, which I understood and agreed. I then asked if under the circumstances (me being cheated out of my allocation and being a top 5% customer based on volume in the last 20 years), if Porsche can just give me an allocation and I will buy it at another dealership. He subsequently told me that Porsche does not ever give allocation to individuals no matter the circumstances, only "awarding them to dealers" based on their performance. He suggested that I call dealers and try to get one. I asked, "Are you saying that if Jerry Seinfeld called you today and wants an RS, you are going to tell him your company doesn't do that and he has to call a dealer?" To that question he offered no answer. Then I said, " You award RS allocations to 918 customers. So its not like it never happens." Again, no answer to that comment. In the end, I thanked him for his time and told him I take no offense to him because I know he has no power to give me that allocation. I told him though, that obviously somebody in this company has the power, but they choose not to do it regardless of circumstances or customer loyalty. I told him that PCNA is a big company and doesn't need me as a customer or advocate, and I am a big boy and doesn't need Porsches either.
Speaking from personal experiences, companies like AMG and Ferrari definitely reward loyal customers with special treatments like special VIP allocations and priority on new models.
I am glad I picked up my Z06 in January. I still love it and plan on keeping it for a while.
I was gonna get my RS to play and track later this year, but now the McLaren 570 with 570 hp and 2895 dry weight sounds damn good for the same price. Just placed my deposit on one yesterday.
I was gonna get a Pan or Cayenne to replace my Pan GTS, but now its an S-class or a Range Rover LWB SC (just ordered). I actually also ordered an X5M also and will use it if I need an additional sporty SUV.
Anyway, I guess there are lots of choices other than Porsche. It had been a fun 20 years, but for me, maybe its time to move on.
Inherently false - back in 2007, I wrote to then PCNA CEO Mr. Peter Schwarzenbauer and was given/"awarded" an extra GT3 RS allocation due to an options mix-up with my incoming RS order. Someone has the power to make it happen. It happened with my 2012 AMG C63 Black Series, a bonus allocation after writing to the appropriate parties.
The response you've been given T, does not inspire confidence in the way PCNA or how its dealer network does business. I've kept my silence long enough and sorry to "thread jack"...but Bert Smith is not the only dealership treating its customers like this. Rusnak/Pasadena Porsche falls into the same category. 20+ years loyal customer, 9 Porsches and 10 other "off-brand" cars from the franchise (all purchased new, ordered/fully loaded), not to mention countless referrals...and I was given the run around for a Cayman GT4 and GT3 RS, asking for $20,000 over and $40,000 over respectively. $$ deposit for the RS has been "on file" since 2008.
If my home dealership whom I've purchased 9 cars from including 2x 911 Turbo, 1x Cayenne Turbo, 1x GT3, 2x GT3 RS, 1x Carrera GT, 1x Carrera S and 1x Carrera GTS cannot take care of me, not sure who can. I was pondering writing to PCNA again via Mr. von Platen, but looks like from your results T, it won't achieve anything.
The response you've been given T, does not inspire confidence in the way PCNA or how its dealer network does business. I've kept my silence long enough and sorry to "thread jack"...but Bert Smith is not the only dealership treating its customers like this. Rusnak/Pasadena Porsche falls into the same category. 20+ years loyal customer, 9 Porsches and 10 other "off-brand" cars from the franchise (all purchased new, ordered/fully loaded), not to mention countless referrals...and I was given the run around for a Cayman GT4 and GT3 RS, asking for $20,000 over and $40,000 over respectively. $$ deposit for the RS has been "on file" since 2008.
If my home dealership whom I've purchased 9 cars from including 2x 911 Turbo, 1x Cayenne Turbo, 1x GT3, 2x GT3 RS, 1x Carrera GT, 1x Carrera S and 1x Carrera GTS cannot take care of me, not sure who can. I was pondering writing to PCNA again via Mr. von Platen, but looks like from your results T, it won't achieve anything.
I truly do think these types of sales practices are on the out. Right now, it may be hard to see simply because they're still so prevalent. But wait until a sports car company decides to go the Scion route with No Haggle pricing. Simply, here's your entry (Base price) and here's the options you can add to the car, each with their set price. No MSRP, just MRP, take that "S" right out of there. First come first served, no bidding against other buyers. The company who does this will be rewarded greatly. And you know who I could see doing this? Two companies, the first being Toyota when they release the Supra's successor, but as far as changing the sales landscape, the company that I could most see doing this...Tesla!!! Though they don't have any plans for a successor to the Tesla Roadster in the form of some other Sportscar to my knowledge, I can certainly see them as a company eventually offering a Sportscar and employing this type of salesmanship. If that happened, dealers would all have to fight for your business by offering good customer service. I know, that's a foreign concept to most dealers out there...
05-17-2015, 07:38 AM
#85
Three Wheelin'
Terry,
I just read your post for the first time and sympathize. Having never heard of Bert Smith, I looked it up and they're in Florida. Understanding you've had a long relationship with them and are willing to do out-of-state transactions, have you reached out to wherever Ron relocated? My recollection is the deposits are refundable in California, I have no idea what the law is in Florida. Did you get that back at least?
You might want to consult with an attorney to draft something when you place your deposit to contract for a purchase at MSRP.
Dan (wishes Terrance the best)
I just read your post for the first time and sympathize. Having never heard of Bert Smith, I looked it up and they're in Florida. Understanding you've had a long relationship with them and are willing to do out-of-state transactions, have you reached out to wherever Ron relocated? My recollection is the deposits are refundable in California, I have no idea what the law is in Florida. Did you get that back at least?
You might want to consult with an attorney to draft something when you place your deposit to contract for a purchase at MSRP.
Dan (wishes Terrance the best)
Last edited by hfm; 05-17-2015 at 08:01 AM.
05-17-2015, 09:28 AM
#86
Three Wheelin'
I truly do think these types of sales practices are on the out. Right now, it may be hard to see simply because they're still so prevalent. But wait until a sports car company decides to go the Scion route with No Haggle pricing. Simply, here's your entry (Base price) and here's the options you can add to the car, each with their set price. No MSRP, just MRP, take that "S" right out of there. First come first served, no bidding against other buyers. The company who does this will be rewarded greatly. And you know who I could see doing this? Two companies, the first being Toyota when they release the Supra's successor, but as far as changing the sales landscape, the company that I could most see doing this...Tesla!!! Though they don't have any plans for a successor to the Tesla Roadster in the form of some other Sportscar to my knowledge, I can certainly see them as a company eventually offering a Sportscar and employing this type of salesmanship. If that happened, dealers would all have to fight for your business by offering good customer service. I know, that's a foreign concept to most dealers out there...
These dealerships that have RS, GT3 and GT4s over MSRP won't feel effects now, but in future when things aren't selling so well is the time to raise your middle finger back at them when your business will be really worth something.
Last edited by sccchiii; 05-17-2015 at 10:26 AM.
05-17-2015, 09:29 AM
#87
Rennlist Member
05-17-2015, 10:27 AM
#89
Rennlist Member
Other than Mooty's signature footer, I think there should be a wall of fame and wall of shame on RL for dealers. What is interesting to me, though, is my principled feeling with one dealer and why I'm pissed off is another's opportunity. I don't want to pay >MRSP on a GT3 but others do. So I'm pissed at the dealer, but someone else is happy to swoop in, pay, and give glowing reviews of the dealer. The dealers know this.
05-17-2015, 10:36 AM
#90
Three Wheelin'
Other than Mooty's signature footer, I think there should be a wall of fame and wall of shame on RL for dealers. What is interesting to me, though, is my principled feeling with one dealer and why I'm pissed off is another's opportunity. I don't want to pay >MRSP on a GT3 but others do. So I'm pissed at the dealer, but someone else is happy to swoop in, pay, and give glowing reviews of the dealer. The dealers know this.