Galpin in trouble... - LotusTalk

patavakian · 10-17-2004, 07:14 AM

So I was driving home on PCH today when I noticed a Yellow Elise in "dealer" showroom. Odd I thought, what the heck is that doing there.

Knowing the guys at the "dealership" very well, I stopped by to ask them the deal.

It looks like Galpin might be in trouble. The car on the showroom was a display only Elise sent by Lotus of America (funny Galpin doesn't have one) and a salesman admitted then are negotiating a deal with Lotus.

They have no list and can't take any $$$ yet but it raises serious doubt in my mind regarding Galpin. I'll be putting in a call to Joe later today to get the bottom line, and relay it to the board.

Till then, let's keep our fingers crossed. I am sorry for not giving out the name of the dealership as I was asked to refrain.

Patrick Avakian

shinoo · 10-17-2004, 08:48 AM

They do have a list and have taken deposits. The key issue is that their contract with LCU is still not yet final.

The fact that the car is in their showroom shows good intent from both sides.

Win · 10-17-2004, 08:49 AM

I read it as a different dealership (not Galpin) has a car on the showroom floor.

ConeFusion · 10-17-2004, 09:18 AM

Me too. Unless I'm completely missing it, patavakian is saying that he saw an Elise at an unnamed dealership (in the LA area) other than Galpin, and that unnamed dealership is negotiating with Lotus.

Ground Loop · 10-17-2004, 11:21 AM

Patavakian said there was a Yellow Elise in "dealer" showroom.

You mean not Galpin's?

A paragon of lucid text this is not.

NMRJock · 10-17-2004, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ground Loop
Patavakian said there was a Yellow Elise in "dealer" showroom.

You mean not Galpin's?

A paragon of lucid text this is not.

I think he put "dealer" in quotation marks to underscore the idea that it is a mystery dealership that he is not at liberty to disclose the name of. I too read it to mean "not Galpin."

Ground Loop · 10-17-2004, 12:13 PM

Not at liberty? What is there, some kind of nondisclosure agreement to see a car in a showroom on PCH?

It almost sounds like he saw it from the road, while driving. How on earth can the "dealership" name be privileged information?

It wasn't enough that delivery information has to be totally cryptic, now which dealerships are legit and which ones have cars in the showroom -- that's also a national security secret.

This feels like some twisted alternate universe, where we maximize sales and satisfaction through secrecy and misinformation. THX2004

atyclb · 10-17-2004, 12:21 PM

he probably doesn't want word to get out and 50 people on here to get on a list before he does.

evomind · 10-17-2004, 12:29 PM

yeah, thats weird for a "dealership" to ask that their name not be disclosed for having a car on their showroom floor.
weird.
this whole lotus thing is typical british/english confusion, mismanagement, and overall poor business practices.

Surferjer · 10-17-2004, 01:16 PM

Let the bashing begin. It takes so little to get it started...

shinoo · 10-17-2004, 04:19 PM

Oops! My bad. Looks like he is referring to another dealer.

Donovan · 10-17-2004, 04:47 PM

According to the guys over at Roadfly (dickedup), the car was a trade-in, not from Lotus USA. The dealership is South Bay BMW in Hermosa Beach.

Not sure why they would put an Elise in the window and then expect people to keep it a secret?

For what purpose?

patavakian · 10-17-2004, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ground Loop
Patavakian said there was a Yellow Elise in "dealer" showroom.

You mean not Galpin's?

A paragon of lucid text this is not.

Sorry for the secrecy and confussion. I was if fact refering to a dealer other than Galpin, and I was asked not to mention the dealerships name and decided to honor that request without question.

The purpose of this post was to invoke other Galpin prospectors to chime in with their thoughts.

rtking · 10-17-2004, 08:01 PM

If this were true, I'd think that Joe would be appreciative of a phone call. Joe has always been honest with me and even encouraged me to pursue ordering my car with Newport European since he couldn't confirm whether Galpin's deal was going to go-through or not.

The last time I spoke with Joe (about 2 weeks ago), he had heard that Galpin's owner sent video and photographs to Lotus in order to help pursuade John English to complete the dealership agreement with them. Lotus was still undecided if they wanted Galpin as a dealership due to the placement of the Lotus brand. (i.e. not with the other high-line marques on Roscoe Blvd.)

Bob

RacerX · 10-19-2004, 12:11 PM

So its been a couple of days now, has anyone talked to Joe at Galpin yet?

Sownman · 10-19-2004, 12:56 PM

I don't think there is anything Joe will have to offer. This is not in Galpins hands.Either Volvo or Jag have refused to allow Lotus into the Prestige Showroom at Roscoe. Seems the contracts signed allow Volvo and Jag that right. Galpin is offering
"something else" to Lotus to include building them their own showroom down the road. John English seems to not care about "down the road" plans and doesn't like the current offer.

I was putting a great deal of faith as well as $3000 in the Galpin deal. It seems quite clear unless Patavakian is a liar
that the Galpin deal is doomed. There is no logic at all in Lotus giving a LA Show car or test mule to some unnamed dealer to display if they had the slightest intent in moving forward with Galpin. They never got serious enough about Galpin to give them a car to display.

Understand, I am not calling Patavakian a liar.

Regards

Steve

dez · 10-20-2004, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sownman
There is no logic at all in Lotus giving a LA Show car or test mule to some unnamed dealer to display if they had the slightest intent in moving forward with Galpin.

I find it equally unlikely that Lotus would provide a car to this 'dealership' before any finalized contract with them.

atyclb · 10-20-2004, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sownman
There is no logic at all in Lotus giving a LA Show car or test mule to some unnamed dealer to display if they had the slightest intent in moving forward with Galpin. They never got serious enough about Galpin to give them a car to display.

Understand, I am not calling Patavakian a liar.

Regards

Steve

from what DU said at roadfly, the car was a trade-in, not an LA Show car.

Gromit · 10-20-2004, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sownman
I don't think there is anything Joe will have to offer. This is not in Galpins hands.Either Volvo or Jag have refused to allow Lotus into the Prestige Showroom at Roscoe. Seems the contracts signed allow Volvo and Jag that right. Galpin is offering
"something else" to Lotus to include building them their own showroom down the road. John English seems to not care about "down the road" plans and doesn't like the current offer.

I was putting a great deal of faith as well as $3000 in the Galpin deal. It seems quite clear unless Patavakian is a liar
that the Galpin deal is doomed. There is no logic at all in Lotus giving a LA Show car or test mule to some unnamed dealer to display if they had the slightest intent in moving forward with Galpin. They never got serious enough about Galpin to give them a car to display.

Understand, I am not calling Patavakian a liar.

Regards

Steve

From the sounds of it, the other dealer has no intent on becoming a Lotus dealer, and wasn't given any cars by Lotus.

Both Galpin and Lotus want the deal to go through.

Symbolic has no bearing on the situation. Nor does Jag or Volvo.

patavakian · 10-20-2004, 09:48 AM

The other dealer is very much interested in becoming a Lotus dealer.

The yellow car at the "other dealer" was in fact bought by the dealer, it is not a car given to them by Lotus (I had bad info).

As far as Galpin goes, I left Joe a message and hope to hear from him later today.

I will say this... Lotus is very interested in the "other dealership" and less than thrilled about Galpin... and the reasons have nothing to do with placement of the Lotus brand among the premiere collection, Jag, Volvo, or Austin Martin.

10-17-2004, 07:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
patavakian Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 65	Galpin in trouble... So I was driving home on PCH today when I noticed a Yellow Elise in "dealer" showroom. Odd I thought, what the heck is that doing there. Knowing the guys at the "dealership" very well, I stopped by to ask them the deal. It looks like Galpin might be in trouble. The car on the showroom was a display only Elise sent by Lotus of America (funny Galpin doesn't have one) and a salesman admitted then are negotiating a deal with Lotus. They have no list and can't take any $$$ yet but it raises serious doubt in my mind regarding Galpin. I'll be putting in a call to Joe later today to get the bottom line, and relay it to the board. Till then, let's keep our fingers crossed. I am sorry for not giving out the name of the dealership as I was asked to refrain. Patrick Avakian

10-17-2004, 08:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
shinoo Project Nirvana Elise Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 2,709	They do have a list and have taken deposits. The key issue is that their contract with LCU is still not yet final. The fact that the car is in their showroom shows good intent from both sides. __________________ shinoo sector 111 - tasty bits for your elise & exige

10-17-2004, 09:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
ConeFusion Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,579	Me too. Unless I'm completely missing it, patavakian is saying that he saw an Elise at an unnamed dealership (in the LA area) other than Galpin, and that unnamed dealership is negotiating with Lotus. __________________ Reto 2005 Lotus Elise (yellow, sport pack), #94 SS 2005 Nissan Xterra (LSV)

10-17-2004, 01:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
Surferjer No more cone damage! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Exton, PA Posts: 8,969	Let the bashing begin. It takes so little to get it started... __________________ Jer-2005 Elise (retired from autox) 2002 Ford Excursion DIESEL 4 X 4 1993 Miata (ready to race) 1987 Toyota Corolla FX16 Lemons car (needs new motor) 1984 Chevy Citation Lemons car (getting a motor!)

10-17-2004, 04:19 PM	#11 (permalink)
shinoo Project Nirvana Elise Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 2,709	Oops! My bad. Looks like he is referring to another dealer. __________________ shinoo sector 111 - tasty bits for your elise & exige

10-17-2004, 08:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
Win Elise owner Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 1,267	I read it as a different dealership (not Galpin) has a car on the showroom floor.

10-17-2004, 11:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
Ground Loop Student Driver Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,192	Patavakian said there was a Yellow Elise in "dealer" showroom. You mean not Galpin's? A paragon of lucid text this is not.

10-17-2004, 12:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ground Loop Student Driver Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,192	Not at liberty? What is there, some kind of nondisclosure agreement to see a car in a showroom on PCH? It almost sounds like he saw it from the road, while driving. How on earth can the "dealership" name be privileged information? It wasn't enough that delivery information has to be totally cryptic, now which dealerships are legit and which ones have cars in the showroom -- that's also a national security secret. This feels like some twisted alternate universe, where we maximize sales and satisfaction through secrecy and misinformation. THX2004

10-17-2004, 12:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
atyclb htdaab Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,834	he probably doesn't want word to get out and 50 people on here to get on a list before he does.

10-17-2004, 12:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
evomind J. Caesar Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: chicagoland Posts: 5,484	yeah, thats weird for a "dealership" to ask that their name not be disclosed for having a car on their showroom floor. weird. this whole lotus thing is typical british/english confusion, mismanagement, and overall poor business practices.

10-17-2004, 04:47 PM	#12 (permalink)
Donovan Talkin' Loco Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Snohomish, WA Posts: 1,061	According to the guys over at Roadfly (dickedup), the car was a trade-in, not from Lotus USA. The dealership is South Bay BMW in Hermosa Beach. Not sure why they would put an Elise in the window and then expect people to keep it a secret? For what purpose?

10-17-2004, 08:01 PM	#14 (permalink)
rtking Former Elise Owner Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 1,000	If this were true, I'd think that Joe would be appreciative of a phone call. Joe has always been honest with me and even encouraged me to pursue ordering my car with Newport European since he couldn't confirm whether Galpin's deal was going to go-through or not. The last time I spoke with Joe (about 2 weeks ago), he had heard that Galpin's owner sent video and photographs to Lotus in order to help pursuade John English to complete the dealership agreement with them. Lotus was still undecided if they wanted Galpin as a dealership due to the placement of the Lotus brand. (i.e. not with the other high-line marques on Roscoe Blvd.) Bob __________________ Gone: Ardent Red/Biscuit Elise Current: 2004 Nissan Murano SL AWD 2004 Ducati ST3 2002 Mercedes C230 Coupe 1987 Mazda RX-7 1984 Mustang SVO

10-19-2004, 12:11 PM	#15 (permalink)
RacerX Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Mission Viejo Posts: 106	So its been a couple of days now, has anyone talked to Joe at Galpin yet?

10-19-2004, 12:56 PM	#16 (permalink)
Sownman Above Labeling Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 670	I don't think there is anything Joe will have to offer. This is not in Galpins hands.Either Volvo or Jag have refused to allow Lotus into the Prestige Showroom at Roscoe. Seems the contracts signed allow Volvo and Jag that right. Galpin is offering "something else" to Lotus to include building them their own showroom down the road. John English seems to not care about "down the road" plans and doesn't like the current offer. I was putting a great deal of faith as well as $3000 in the Galpin deal. It seems quite clear unless Patavakian is a liar that the Galpin deal is doomed. There is no logic at all in Lotus giving a LA Show car or test mule to some unnamed dealer to display if they had the slightest intent in moving forward with Galpin. They never got serious enough about Galpin to give them a car to display. Understand, I am not calling Patavakian a liar. Regards Steve __________________ Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car and oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall, torque is how far you take the wall with you.

10-20-2004, 09:48 AM	#20 (permalink)
patavakian Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 65	The other dealer is very much interested in becoming a Lotus dealer. The yellow car at the "other dealer" was in fact bought by the dealer, it is not a car given to them by Lotus (I had bad info). As far as Galpin goes, I left Joe a message and hope to hear from him later today. I will say this... Lotus is very interested in the "other dealership" and less than thrilled about Galpin... and the reasons have nothing to do with placement of the Lotus brand among the premiere collection, Jag, Volvo, or Austin Martin.

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