Deane Motors Event - Get Out and Drive

Tzardine

Boards' favorite classic car dealer, Deane Motors, has announced a driving event in September. It takes place over a long weekend in September and involves a spin from their showroom to Galway (via Mayo), with a hotel stay on two nights.

https://deanemotors.ie/events/

The cost is €1,600. They are getting a lot of flak on Facebook about it. People giving out about the price.

While I think that it is not cheap, I dont think that its badly priced for driving experiences like this. I also think it would be a quality event, and the price would not attract the yobbos that sometimes go to these things in their badly modified cars. (Altezza drivers I am looking at you)

What do you think?

Full disclosure - I did buy a car from Deane Motors , but have no involvement with them or this event.

Dr Turk Turkelton

When I initially saw it I thought it was a great idea but it seems like it's just a profit making enterprise for the garage.
Obviously it's a free market and no problem with that but before the details were released it read as if it was an altruistic move to bring car lovers together so he should have made it clear that it was a for profit event.
I'd imagine 1k at most would cover someone's expenses so a nice profit in it.
I'm not sure but is the Cannonball classic event not similarly priced? (The one for clarify cars not the main event).
Anything over 50 quid would have ruled out the Altezza drivers so I can't see that being the excuse.

easygoing39

Do you get a fuel voucher worth 1,400 Euro included??? Or is there a sister hotel to the Burj Al Arab in Galway now??

Tzardine

For comparison, the Cannonball Classic in August is €1550.

Like the Deane Motors one it includes

Car and two persons
2 nights hotel accommodation
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner for 3 days
Goody bag etc.

So it looks like he has priced it competitively.

In fairness to him, he is passionate about the motors, and he will likely put on a top class event.

Dades

Tzardine wrote: »

Like the Deane Motors one it includes

Car and two persons.

I read this to include Deane providing you with a motor as well! Still, if you're into hanging with car types for two days, this sounds like well run gig.

No mention of classics as a requirement so although there won't be many Altezza drivers there might be a bunch of modern Audi/Beemer drivers along for the trip.

Neilw

As someone who was involved in organising several similar drives which cost a fraction of their €1600, it really shows the difference between genuine enthusiasts and a company out to make profit.

We had similar numbers too, merchandise, lunch stops, evening meal and overnight hotels.

JabbaTheHut

Neilw wrote: »

As someone who was involved in organising several similar drives which cost a fraction of their €1600, it really shows the difference between genuine enthusiasts and a company out to make profit.

We had similar numbers too, merchandise, lunch stops, evening meal and overnight hotels.

I saw someone on the Facebook page claiming that they organised events and claimed that €1600 was not expensive. It is.

Dr Turk Turkelton wrote: »

Anything over 50 quid would have ruled out the Altezza drivers so I can't see that being the excuse.

I also saw this as a reason to excuse the price.

hi5

I think that's it....If you cant afford it we don't want you!

E36Ross

They obviously don't want the normal classic car enthusiast, Only the half up there own hole snobby types.


First stay is Hotel Westport on Sep 3rd, A 'premier' room with B&B is €160 currently.
Second stay is the G Hotel in a 'Deluxe Twin' is €269 currently (No breakfest!)

Dunno about ye but don't think 2 people would eat €1200 odd worth of food for 3 days.


Someone should set up a similar route with budget B&Bs and use the same route, Should be well doable for half the cost.

ht9zni1gs28crp

E36Ross wrote: »

Someone should set up a similar route with budget B&Bs and use the same route, Should be well doable for half the cost.

You aren't the first to suggest this

Tzardine

E36Ross wrote: »

Someone should set up a similar route with budget B&Bs and use the same route, Should be well doable for half the cost.

Sure you could sleep in a tent and save even more money.

To be fair, I think you and others are missing the point.

It's not a budget event. Its not targeted as a budget event. It's intended to be 'high end'. As I understand it, its more than just following a few cars to Galway. There are events and gala dinners and expensive hotels.

And no I am not going. I can't afford it

E36Ross

Tzardine wrote: »

Sure you could sleep in a tent and save even more money.

To be fair, I think you and others are missing the point.

It's not a budget event. Its not targeted as a budget event. It's intended to be 'high end'. As I understand it, its more than just following a few cars to Galway. There are events and gala dinners and expensive hotels.

And no I am not going. I can't afford it

I literally just posted the prices of the hotels...... Its a money making exercise by a business, nothing to do with enthusiasts.

Tzardine

E36Ross wrote: »

I literally just posted the prices of the hotels...... Its a money making exercise by a business, nothing to do with enthusiasts.

Whats wrong with a business making money?

Neilw

Tzardine wrote: »

Whats wrong with a business making money?

Nothing whatsoever, but masquerading as classic enthusiasts when it’s a money making exercise is a bit rich.

By all means charge €1600 to get the clientele you want but do some good and give the profit to charity.

Tzardine

Neilw wrote: »

By all means charge €1600 to get the clientele you want but do some good and give the profit to charity.

Absolute nonsense. Its not a charity run. Its a for profit event to put money in the pocket of Deane Motors. It has never been advertised as benefiting anybody but them.

And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

If people are happy to pay the cost of it, then good luck to them.

Dont get me wrong, I have a laugh at some of their prices as much as the next guy, but it seems that a lot of people just hate to see them do well at all.

ht9zni1gs28crp

Tzardine wrote: »

Absolute nonsense. Its not a charity run. Its a for profit event to put money in the pocket of Deane Motors. It has never been advertised as benefiting anybody but them.

And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

If people are happy to pay the cost of it, then good luck to them.

Dont get me wrong, I have a laugh at some of their prices as much as the next guy, but it seems that a lot of people just hate to see them do well at all.

Begrudgery, the Irish are world leaders in it

Neilw

Tzardine wrote: »

Absolute nonsense. Its not a charity run. Its a for profit event to put money in the pocket of Deane Motors. It has never been advertised as benefiting anybody but them.

And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

If people are happy to pay the cost of it, then good luck to them.

Dont get me wrong, I have a laugh at some of their prices as much as the next guy, but it seems that a lot of people just hate to see them do well at all.

They can’t call themselves classic car enthusiasts if they put nothing back into the classic community. Everything they do is geared to extract the maximum amount of money from a customer, I know they are a business but don’t come across as enthusiasts when money is the only motivation.

I don’t begrudge them making money, my gripe is how they go about it.

chalky_ie

I would guess that the pricing is more to do with exclusivity, and in turn the type of cars they want to be there, than pure profit making. I'm sure they will make a video of the trip, and have a photographer taking pics all along the way, they want expensive/rare cars there. It is essentially a marketing media collection exercise, to be used to try and take up a position as one of the top classic/rare car dealer in the country.

Not that there is anything wrong with that. It is basically sold out, so it seems to have worked anyway. I'm sure it will be great, but out of my price range(I don't think I would go anyway, I don't think it's great value for money given the hotels).

The bird man

Neilw wrote: »

They can’t call themselves classic car enthusiasts if they put nothing back into the classic community. Everything they do is geared to extract the maximum amount of money from a customer, I know they are a business but don’t come across as enthusiasts when money is the only motivation.

I don’t begrudge them making money, my gripe is how they go about it.

How can they not call themselves classic car enthusiasts???
How would you suggest they give back to the classic car community?
Lastly... just wondering, can you give an example on how they go about it?

I’m genuinely interested to know?

unkel

Honestly, I don't see any issue here

The company has organised a private event. Accommodation and food is included, which is not cheap, good quality establishments in Ireland have become rather expensive since last summer, for obvious reasons of supply & demand. It would also take plenty of time to organise all this, deal with customers and venues, etc. Their time is not free and has to be paid for. Taken that into account, it doesn't look overly pricey to me. Not suprised at all it is fully booked

Wishing all who are taking part & the organisers a great event, hopefully we will see some pictures here

Dades

Neilw wrote: »

I don’t begrudge them making money, my gripe is how they go about it.

Also still entirely unsure as to what the problem is here.

There's no mention of charity and as far as I can see this event is optional? :P

For Forks Sake

Neilw wrote: »

They can’t call themselves classic car enthusiasts if they put nothing back into the classic community. Everything they do is geared to extract the maximum amount of money from a customer, I know they are a business but don’t come across as enthusiasts when money is the only motivation.

I don’t begrudge them making money, my gripe is how they go about it.

Are they going around forcing people to sign up at gunpoint?

KevRossi

Agreed it's their business. It's a meet and greet and a bit of a hobnob between people. There's nothing hidden there. They say where they are staying, where they are eating, and any extras they are offering. You can work it out with a few minutes on Google what it costs against what you pay and if it's worth it to yourself.

No mention of a charity as there's no charity involved and they're not obliged to donate to charity either.

Much the same as any other organised tour, the organisers make a profit, which is their good right to do so. After all it's not the USSR under Brezhnev where we live.

brucky

Neilw wrote: »

They can’t call themselves classic car enthusiasts if they put nothing back into the classic community. Everything they do is geared to extract the maximum amount of money from a customer, I know they are a business but don’t come across as enthusiasts when money is the only motivation.

I don’t begrudge them making money, my gripe is how they go about it.

“How they go about it” Probably rates as one one the most nonsensical statements I’ve ever heard. If someone wishes to pay to go on a higher end tour it’s up to them. Let’s just be clear and deal in facts. Dean Motors sold over 150 classic cars in Ireland last year. A significant amount of these were imported. It may come as a shock to you that Dean Motors sold them at a profit as they are operating something called a business. That’s 150 classics that are new to Irish roads driving around in this country as a direct result. That almost equates to a small car show in itself. In addition most of those cars are in very good condition, not junk, stuff that people will get real pleasure from seeing drive around, and at events. When most garages don’t want to know or haven’t the skills to fix classics Dean Motors have been fixing classic cars and keeping them on the road long before your ba**s dropped, so less of the daft comments. They keep both my classic cars on the road at a very reasonable cost for which I am very thankful. Have you ever purchased a car from them?? (a mate of mine told me,,, doesn’t count) have you ever had a classic repaired by them? Have you had any direct experience of them Mr Keyboard Warrior?

easygoing39

Think someone got out of bed the wrong side this morning.

brucky

easygoing39 wrote: »

Think someone got out of bed the wrong side this morning.

Nice try, maybe I need to change my tag to not-so easygoing. Doesn’t alter the facts though.

unkel

easygoing39 wrote: »

Think someone got out of bed the wrong side this morning.

Sounds to me like a satisfied customer who won't stand for some of the comments made about that company

I've no skin in the game here, I've never dealt with Deane Motors, in fact I've often commented that the prices of their cars were juicy. But I can't say I've seen them do anything wrong here or indeed anything against the spirit or the community of classic cars in Ireland.

chalky_ie

I've bought a car from them, and have nothing but good things to say about everyone I dealt with. Hard to get hold of most of the time, as all independent dealers seem to be(juggling god knows how many schemes at once I'm sure), but really nice guys, willing to both work on a deal and help to get rid of your car if a trade in is what you want, and your car doesn't suit them.

I was someone that thought their prices were very out there before I bought from them, usually laughing at their ads when they came up, but I would happily only buy cars from them in the future, the prices you see are negotiable, and I ended up with a better deal than I would have gotten from anyone else by a fair margin, when trading my car in. They were also happy to bring the car I was interested in to a specialist for a PPI, fixed everything highlighted, and are currently standing by an issue I'm having, a couple of months after purchase.

Tzardine

conor-w wrote: »

I've bought a car from them, and have nothing but good things to say about everyone I dealt with. Hard to get hold of most of the time, as all independent dealers seem to be(juggling god knows how many schemes at once I'm sure), but really nice guys, willing to both work on a deal and help to get rid of your car if a trade in is what you want, and your car doesn't suit them.

I was someone that thought their prices were very out there before I bought from them, usually laughing at their ads when they came up, but I would happily only buy cars from them in the future, the prices you see are negotiable, and I ended up with a better deal than I would have gotten from anyone else by a fair margin, when trading my car in. They were also happy to bring the car I was interested in to a specialist for a PPI, fixed everything highlighted, and are currently standing by an issue I'm having, a couple of months after purchase.

Having also bought something from them I concur.

What did you get from them? (I got a little Fiesta 2 years back)

chalky_ie

Tzardine wrote: »

Having also bought something from them I concur.

What did you get from them? (I got a little Fiesta 2 years back)

A 997 Carrera S! Delighted with it.

w124man

Neilw wrote: »

They can’t call themselves classic car enthusiasts if they put nothing back into the classic community.

Hahahahaha what nonsence!

Neilw wrote: »

Everything they do is geared to extract the maximum amount of money from a customer

Thats called making a profit

Neilw wrote: »

I don’t begrudge them making money, my gripe is how they go about it.

Yes you do and no it isnt!

I Was VB

I’ve never bought a motor from Deane motors or have any link to the business.

Personally I think it will be a high class event to those lucky enough to afford it and no I’m not going as I could not afford it.

This is Ireland whereby a 25 year old econobox Toyota is seen as a classic car, whereby the meaning a performance car is something that has a engine greater than 2000cc. Imagine going to the event and seeing every slack jawed yokel in a 2001 is200 giving her plenty at the crossroads, the price is prohibitive for a good reason.