3X were hardly a highlight of customer care[/QUOTE] Too right. I had to get MV in Italy to kick their arse and do the warranty work
Too right. I had to get MV in Italy to kick their arse and do the warranty work[/QUOTE] I had a row with them over my ST4 service and losing my service book. Ducati UK replaced it and told them to refund the cost of the parts fitted. Not long after they either lost the franchise, went bust or both.
Yes, agree. Plus with that tenure they had a half-way decent relationship and understanding with the factory. Shame that the management buy-out didn't happen in the end.
VAG have a history of this. I used to work at an Audi VW dealership where Audis and VWs shared the same showroom and they told the dealer that they needed to separate the brands into their own spaces. Even though the Audi showroom build had some design and financial assistance from VAG, it was a major hit initially from a cost perspective. The only part of the garage that was allowed to stay servicing both was the parts department and body shop.
You and me both .... My 996 came from P&H after a particularly pants experience at ProV in Godstone who obviously decided that someone in shorts and flip flops couldn't afford a Ducati ...
Interestingly, in France its Triumph who insist on solus dealerships ( Ducatis appear not to be). Apparently its their biggest European market, even above the UK, and the bikes really hold their value well.
Strange isn’t it how different people perceive or have experiences of a particular dealer. I’ve been taking my 749 to Pro Twins for years, purchased originally from Moto Rapido but this is too far for me for servicing. I did take it to P&H once and although not a bad experience it was very impersonal. Where as Pro Twins (parts & service) have always gone above and beyond to offer me good customer service. I think we all know who is the weak link in customer service there though! Pete, Rob and Merv? and the other guy in the workshop are great.
it is interesting Shaun, and firstly i'm just glad that your relationship is working for you but agree with two others on here as regards "the other Godstone place". It's not a conclusion quickly jumped to and could divulge far more when I see you next but possible not appropriate anyway. Everyone can change and mellow in time. Let me end by saying that i think Rob is great.
I've had a similar experience at Godstone. But Ive also had better experiences due to who it is that deals with you. One of the guys there is sound, but the other is a business liability. I service at Snells and ProV is 5mins from me.
I’ve bought bikes from both P&H and ProTwins. P&H were very good in getting some major warranty work done on my Multistrada’s. ProTwins - I agree that the sales manager is a bit odd at times but the parts and workshop set up is good (albeit small). I expect they are delighted that P&H have lost their franchise unless there is another one being set up nearby
The issue will be capacity I imagine. I cannot see them being able to cope their workshop is tiny and P&H were already booked ahead by months for work on my ducati... With the new one I'll have to use the main dealer, bournmouth, snells or Pro_twins, but am definitely looking wider for an indie for the 996
I’ve only ever bought my Ducatis from P&H. Shame that Ducati are enforcing a dedicated showroom approach like Honda do, and similar to what Mercedes did to all their car dealerships a while ago. MV will fill the Ducati void in P&H next year once KTM own 100% of the company. Shame as they are 15 minutes ride from me and Paul, the “P” in P&H is my neighbour so feels close to home
Funny you mention Honda, as P&H have a separate Honda showroom next door. I wonder if they’ll do the same with Ducati.
blade group used to have Ducati and Honda in Reading, they used to have a sliding door that they pulled across when Honda reps were on the way and put some bikes in front of so that there was ‘physical separation of the buildings’ as stipulated by Honda, who still believe that if you send the customer out the front door towards their car they will turn round and walk into the Honda showroom
As do Wheels in Peterborough, there is a stand alone showroom for Honda within their grounds. All the other manufacturers are in the same block, although I seem to recall kwackkwack being in a sepetate room
