Demetrio Merlino | Page 8

BUYERS and CONSUMERS BEWARE!!! To call Ferrari-Maserati of Fort Lauderdale a disappointment and borderline FRAUDULENT may be an understatement! While I am always happy dealing with To call Ferrari-Maserati of Fort Lauderdale a disappointment and borderline FRAUDULENT may be an understatement! While I am always happy dealing with Hank Carpenter in sales and Gabe in service, I can’t say anything positive about my recent experience at the dealership when going in to upgrade to a newer Maserati model. I had already been screwed over by Demetrio in the past, had been treated very poorly in service where Luis made a loud and public (and by the way, SEXIST) comment in a room full of other customers and staff about me being a woman and not being able to read a gas gauge (which is beyond ridiculous when I have a degree in Finance and an MBA and do complex math/statistics!), and had been given TWO lemons (official lemon law Maseratis, under Florida Law). I really wanted to give this dealership another chance and really trusted Dave Weber (manager) to keep his promise to make it all up to me and give me an HONEST deal this time around. While I asked for honesty and transparency, what I got was absolutely shocking. I had already paid my down payment over the phone to hold the vehicle I had decided on and Dave Weber and Hank Carpenter had discussed the numbers with me, so it should have been a very simple transaction (I was already approved- excellent credit over 800 and income). Yet, the first question I asked upon arriving at the dealership was whether the car had ever been a *loaner*- I was guaranteed NO- It had not. Low and behold, when I decided to go take a look at the actual car and take it for a test drive, I noticed that the Odometer read over 350 miles AND it was marked in bright large yellow neon marker “LOANER” on the front windshield, which I brought to their attention. Yes, I was surprised. But here is where the dealership REALLY crossed the line of ethics: Emilio Cosnotti in F&I rushed me through the signing of the paperwork, and when I got to the very last page of the contract, I noticed that the Odometer reading read 299. I let him kindly know that this was incorrect since I had just taken a test drive and the car had over 350 miles on it and crossed it out and initialed it. Emilio Cosnotti (the F&I specialist) went irate and angrily ripped the contract from me and tore it to pieces and said he would have to print a new one because I am not allowed to cross out anything on the contract! I politely let him know that I did not wrong by wanting the CORRECT Odometer reading on the contract because it is a Legally-Binding-Contract! He then admitted angrily that he has PURPOSELY typed in 299 miles onto the Odometer section on the form because otherwise the car would be considered a “USED CAR!” I was so shocked by his statement. He proceeded to print a new form and asked me to sign it but I refused and said I wanted to look this “300 mile” rule up on the Internet. Sure enough. Many articles popped up- even one from Edmunds.com that specifically state that if a car has over 300 miles, you should negotiate a better price, for the exact reason he brought to light to me! I told him I was not comfortable signing a contract that he had purposely admitted to changing the Odometer reading on and that I felt it was completely unethical. I even asked to have Dave Weber (manager) come in and discuss, which he did not see any fault with it. Again, shocking! I had to remind this dealership that these documents were all legally binding! This was unbelievable! I am lucky that I caught that Odometer reading on the contract or this could have had legal ramifications! This crosses every boundary in ethics. The GM, Rick Feldman called me the next day to find out what happened (even though he was there the entire time!) and even he did not see a big issue of fraudulently changing the Odometer reading on the contract for the benefit of the dealership. I really wanted this deal to go through but based on the lack of ethics, I could not, and more so, I could not deal with their D&I department that operates this way, even to the point of doctoring contracts to close deals. Really and truly disappointed. I’m even more disappointed that they didn’t do more to try to fix things and make it right (especially the manager and GM). It is very clear that they need to train their staff on ethics and customer service, whether someone is getting a Maserati or a half million dollar Ferarri. All customers should be treated with respect and with honesty/transparency. I have never met a dealership willing to alter numbers on a contract (especially the ODOMETER) for personal gain. I thought this was illegal?! Be careful what you sign at this place!! Read everything line by line!! You’ll thank me. You will also want to MAKE SURE you ask what the money factor is when you are leasing from them. I just learned that they were charging an extra whole point on their money factor than other Maserati dealerships!!! Definitely shop around and definitely don't shop here!! More

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Excellent in every way Great sales team ( demetrio, great finance team( emilio), great service shop. I am repeat customer, and you are not dealer nearest me, but worth the Great sales team ( demetrio, great finance team( emilio), great service shop. I am repeat customer, and you are not dealer nearest me, but worth the extra drive. More

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Best Ferrari Dealership !! Demetrio is awesome guy & great to work it. Ft Lauderdale Ferrari has great service and is very easy to deal with. They’re both a knowledgeable and h Demetrio is awesome guy & great to work it. Ft Lauderdale Ferrari has great service and is very easy to deal with. They’re both a knowledgeable and hardworking staff. Best Ferrari dealership in the country. More

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Exelent Because the executive are great and very helpful, they are looking always how to give the best attention and the are friendly when you are buying a c Because the executive are great and very helpful, they are looking always how to give the best attention and the are friendly when you are buying a car, More

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New Hapy Customer I’m a first time Maserati owner and I love my new Ghibli! I had the best service with Dimetrio, as well as with Dave. I never felt pressured and had s I’m a first time Maserati owner and I love my new Ghibli! I had the best service with Dimetrio, as well as with Dave. I never felt pressured and had such a smooth experience. I have been a loyal BMW customer, until now. I can’t wait to get another Maserati; as they now have me as a loyal customer! Stacey Wilkes Fort Lauderdale More

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Best dealership !!! Demetrio as always goes far and beyond to please our request . He make us feel comfortable under no pressure and that is why we are a returning custo Demetrio as always goes far and beyond to please our request . He make us feel comfortable under no pressure and that is why we are a returning customer at Maserati Ft. Lauderdale. More

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First and won’t be my last. Top notch group. Demetrio was a pleasure to work with and made it painless. Strongly recommend his group. The extra work I added did not phase this te Top notch group. Demetrio was a pleasure to work with and made it painless. Strongly recommend his group. The extra work I added did not phase this team. More

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First Ferrari purchased I chose to purchase my first Ferrari from Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale, as always feel comfortable buying from an authorized dealer . It was a very eas I chose to purchase my first Ferrari from Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale, as always feel comfortable buying from an authorized dealer . It was a very easy experience. No pressure. Thanks to Demetrio, Rick , Ermillio, and Ceasar for your help. More

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Maserati/Ferrari Demetrio was the perfect combination of friendliness and professionalism. He was always there for me and made both leases with him a joyful experience Demetrio was the perfect combination of friendliness and professionalism. He was always there for me and made both leases with him a joyful experience. And I got to practice my Italian. I always recommend Demetrio Merlino and David Weber of the Fort Lauderdale dealership to everyone. More

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Great experience We purchased our Ferrari F12 from Demetrio at Ferrari Ft. Lauderdale (the largest Ferrari dealership). He was amazing, and extremely patient with us. We purchased our Ferrari F12 from Demetrio at Ferrari Ft. Lauderdale (the largest Ferrari dealership). He was amazing, and extremely patient with us. He answered all of our questions and no requests were too small! I HIGHLY recommend Demetrio - he will make your wishes come true!! More

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