Didi/Carlsen

[Brett Dikeman]

At 10:24 AM -0700 9/27/02, urq wrote:
>Didi is still working actively at Carlsen ... I just picked up a load of
>parts for a TB on one of the V8s yesterday ... perhaps the original poster
>was talking about Linda ... BTW, they are doing a big face lift at the
>dealership ... and apparently they are going Audi only!

Dictated policy from Audi Of America and Porsche North America.   In
some cases, dealerships are able to get away with it by completely
separating showrooms with a wall or similar, but for the most part,
Audi doesn't want anything to do with other brands(VAG or not) on the
same floor.  Can't blame them- not very classy to have a Honda Accord
sitting next to an A8.

I think half of it was to force dealers to shape up.  Some badly
needed it- Bernardi Audi's building was a)shared and b)scary.  On my
first visit, I said to the service writer(looking up a radio code):
"This building is SO much nicer than the old one."

He looked at me and nodded with a "tell me about it" look.  "You
know, a lot of people have been saying that."

No kidding.  The old building was poorly maintained, dirty, smelly,
poorly laid out, had NO parking(and what parking there was required a
20-point turn to get in/out of), the service desk area looked like a
DMV area, etc.  The new building is large, spacious, modern design,
good parking layout, nice waiting room, covered dropoff area for
service, etc...a thousand times better in almost every regard.  It
was also busier than I ever remember the old place being.

>Did did say she wanted to make sure that all were aware of the wholesale biz
>at Carlsen ... I told her that we all were.  Apparently Carlsen is even
>getting calls from folks in the UK for quotes ...

Phil Payne has reported outrageous prices in the UK in the past and
dissatisfaction with the UK owner's club lack of handling the issue.

Brett
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