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Looks like Henry knows how to win friends and influence people. He always seemed so charming to me >> Edited by domster (moderator) on Monday 20th January 10:02

Well, after some of the comments on here I'd avoid him like the plague anyway, irrespective of whether I was selling the Boxster or not. Actually, its not mine to sell, but just supposing... The bloke seems to be a complete twit.

...with a nice gaff in the country, dealing in REAL Porsches (sorry Boxster owners) and driving a 993RS in the Porsche Open -must be doing something right then? Melv

Taste, in abundance. Manners, in question!

..but with comments like that in what must be the most widely read Porker magazine in this country, for how long ? You say 'REAL' Porsches, he's got a 924 at the moment. I like 924's and even Scottster's b**tard son of a 924 so let's not go down that route.

Quote "must be doing something right then"....hmmm...selling loads of cars to finance his racing perhaps.....I guess it's repeat business that is the best guide to the reputation of any retailer isn't it?

Greg - can't you spell anything right? There's an 'a' in between the 'w' and the 't' - not an 'i'. >> Edited by argonaut on Monday 20th January 11:12

Sorry, but I hope that comment was meant as tongue in cheek, Melv. Good luck to him, I guess he's got there by alienating potential buyers by his sincerity (I suppose he calls it that, others interpret it as rudeness and arrogance)

Maybe that's why he deliberately aims his business at first time Porsche buyers then ? >> Edited by HermanTheGerman on Monday 20th January 10:50

Porker and 'pay me enough and I'll do a full article on you' World seem to be getting good at this.... An issue or two ago there was a full article on Karl over at Design 911, now if there's one person/company in the Porker world that wond's me up more that our discussed beloved it's him!!

Give us a case in point Dave. It would be better if the journo's posed as customers and then reported on the service they got from these guys. They might lose a bit in advertising if they slagged somebody off but at least the article would be more than a glorified ad.

Surely it was a joke (people remember irony surely) - esp. as he's got Boxster in stock at this moment (i.e. so much for him "not stocking them"). Some people take life and what they read in magazines to seriously! J

You need to read it for yourself Joust. I haven't got the magazine here so I can't quote word for word but it wasn't a passing comment. The interviewer asked him why there were no Boxsters in stock. He said that "he didn't like the people who buy them" and that they were not Porsche enthusiasts, for example they would have also gone to look at an Audi TT or a Z3. He reckon's the Boxster is more of a fashion statement. If he has got one now, then that's really funny. I think we should all make an appointment to view it and take a copy of the article with us.

Sounds like piffle. Just because hard core variations exist should not detract from what is undoubtedly an incredible mainstream classic.

The irony of the comment and his current stock list did strike me. Remember that juron's and editors can change the meaning quite dramatically between what is said and what appears in print tho. As a regular "press" person for my company I am always amazed at how what you say turns out. I've got some classic ones from some old interviews - you get used to what they miss quote so now I don't give them the opportunity, but it's something that takes years to learn. Think Peter W and some of his comments J

I went there looking for a 944 with cash in my pocket. i phoned before, to say I was coming. Gave them a time. When I eventually arrived they said "who are you?" After explaining that I was the person with the wad of cash, they left me alone. No, I mean REALLY dissappeared. I could not ask them for anything about the car. All the 944's were locked (this was a saturday morning). I walked off. If I have money to spend, I would at least like to know a little about the car.

I do see your point J but the nature of these articles in 911&P World is such that the vendor has probably approved the wording before publication. They are basically a chance for the dealer to promote his company and services. There's usually nothing controversial in them and it wouldn't surprise me if they had to pay for the privelage of appearing in the magazine as it is basically a 3 page ad. I still think the comments were absolutely genuine which makes them all the more incredible.

As do "GT Purely Adverts for Specialist Cars Of Malton"

Herman - I'm with you on this one totally (also the reason, shock horror, that I've asked the missus to stop buying it for me). Was soooo pi$$ed off after reading the Design911 advert (sorry, article) that I almost wrote to their editor. That said, I don't pay good money to advertise month in month out so I wouldn't get any column inches. (some may say I don't have many now.... )

Joust, You don't have shares in Henry's enterprise do you? F.T.R being at loose end and due to going on holiday tomorrow, I just called them and asked about the Boxster they have for sale in my best novice Porsche owners voice ( this was not hard). He was fairly waxing lyrical about the car and about what a splendid car/drive it was etc. Ah the power of Sterling eh? After this brief 'chat' I must say my gut instinct is that I would rather buy an old 911RS with no history from Roy's car lot in Walford that this chap. ( Wonder if I can land that job on Watchdog now ? )

In that case - what a twat! J

Nope - just a "thread" tart that can't resist posting See my response to Herman - if he did approve that article then he's a complete drongo if he thinks that will get him sales! What's the number to vote for you 0898 100 ??? J

You guys ARE thin skinned, aren't you!! Melv

I bought my 928S4 from John at SC of M a few years ago and he couldn't have been a nicer guy; proper cars, absolutely no glitches, great test drive (actually encouraged 'spirited manoeuvres!') and they seem to be doing really well.

Didn't mean to knock Specialist Cars as such - never dealt with them. I was having a cheap shot at GTPP who seem to be taking a bit of a lazy approach to journalism i.e. roll up at SCoM every month and take out whatever they have in stock for a spin, then write a not very informative article about it. You can't blame SCoM for taking advantage of the extra advertising for their cars that results. Every month I tell myself I'm going to stop buying GTPP then they lure me in with some nice piccies to lust over. If only the writing matched the pics. Chris

Melv, you seem to be a bit thin skinned yourself when it comes to the subject of Henry (see £30,000 Porker). I can only assume that with your RS connection you know the guy personally which to be fair I don't and I'm sure he's a very nice man. I just thought it was funny that a Porsche dealer would publicly express his obviously very low opinion of people who want to buy Boxsters just because he doesn't sell them. Couldn't he see that just possibly someone who came to see one of his 924's, 928's, 968's or 911's might also be considering a Boxster (shock, horror !). He also states in the article that he thinks he has a very good business brain ! >> Edited by HermanTheGerman on Tuesday 21st January 08:59

Henry's business sense is pretty good, but it is not rocket science. The simple fact is, he isn't greedy. Whereas some main dealers chuck 4-5k on a car when they sell it on, Henry does about half that. He piles them high, then sells them cheap. He doesn't prep his cars unless requested (at a higher price). People like Autofarm spend a few grand on their cars (so they told me!) before selling them on, hence their high margin approach. Could Henry be the David 'Cheap as Chips' Dickinson of the Porsche World? His service is undeniably beneficial to the market as a whole. Want a cheap Porsche? Go to Henry. It may not be the best example, but don't expect to get more than what you pay for. It's just a shame that 1) he can treat knowledgable customers like utter morons; 2) he can appear evasive re a car's history and 3) he can spout bullshit when he wants to... Scottster and I have heard him sucking through his teeth when we suggest that better cars can be found elsewhere for the same money (and then we bought them to prove him wrong ). Henry's wife is charming and helpful though, and his brother Tom is ten times worse then Henry. All the arrogance and attitude, and not as much character! As for GT Purile Porsche, I have always found it a waste of time. 911&PW may have its faults, but at least it has some content, rather than just pretty pictures. >> Edited by domster (moderator) on Tuesday 21st January 10:26

Hermann 1) Don't believe what you read; 2) Read between the lines; 3) See 1). Melv

My apologies to everybody for reporting the words of Mr Firman as quoted in this month's 911&P World. Note the use of the word quoted, yes that does mean there were quotation marks around his comments. I have obviously been taken in by a global conspiracy against the nice young fella. He's the salt of the earth and I for one would be proud if he married my daughter/sister/scottster.

Herman!!! ;-) Melv

Obviously, I didn't mean "my" scottster. That would have been really stupid.

herman - You haven't bee having 'those' funny dreams again have you? ps: I had to drive past Mr F's road yesterday, still get cold shivers of anomosity

I have only spoken to Henry once, that was once too many. I had phoned regarding an early 70's or late 60's 911 he had advertised a couple of years ago. My first question was "what model is it?", his reply: "You shouldn't ask that, you should ask about the condition which is far more important!" End of conversation. Now I don't see 911Ts selling for the same money as Ss, so I thought the model was quite important.

Nick, Don't believe everything he says. You need to read/listen between the lines. Sorry Melv, we're not letting this go. By the way, stop sticking up for dealers, you'll give yourself a bad name.

Nick, that irritates me too - in the "old" days the Es and Ss were far more sought after than the Ts...nowadays one sees Ts and 912s advertised for ludicrous prices and people get away with this because the cars have assumed "classic" staus. As soon as that word is used, the perfomance element is quietly forgotten about...pretty soon we'll see the old sheds of 2.7s joining the same category...

Then again, gents, isn't there (sometimes) an air of thinly diguised disdain behind the retailing of certain other esteemed marques, too? Some BMW dealers have a certain, reputation; and is it not part of folklore that you order a Ferrari on bended knee when at the concessionaire's in Egham? This guy isn't from Yorkshire, is he?

Latest issue of 911 & Porsche World has a full blown feature on 911Virgin.com and the "different" style of it's owner. Anyway, if you own a boxster, he doen't like you and you're not a Porsche enthusiast. That's why he doesn't stock them. So, anyone with a boxster who's thinking of moving to a 911, you know where NOT to go.