We would like to introduce ourselves to those Ducatisti that don't know us and say hello to those that do. We are a long established Motorcycle Dealership with a vast knowledge of the Ducati World. Please feel free to visit our store at the Cowdray Centre Colchester for all your Ducati needs. Whether you own a M600 or a Desmosodici we can offer you the same high level of Service. Our Technician - Glen Harrison is not only highly experienced Ducati Technician but owns several of his own models, so your pride and joy is safe in his hands. If its a new bike your looking for or accessories for your current model call in and speak to Martin Frost. Martin has more than 12years experience and will gladly offer you advice on what to buy. look up our website www.parkinsonmotorcycles.co.uk or call us on 01206368500 or better still come and see us.
I will be ok then as a new M600 owner :-D Hello and welcome to the mad house Your just a little to far from me to wander to
Not my experience. I took my bile to be serviced, not a Ducati but explained to them I wanted it done locally because main dealer was some distance away. Service seemed OK but a couple of months later the service warning light came on. I rang to ask about it and they told me I would have to take it to main dealer to have it reset. I asked to speak to manager and was told he would call me back, which he never did. It turns out after ringing main dealer it was very simple to do and I did it myself, but I think it shows Parkinson's attitude to customer service.
I hope Parkinson's are a d*mn sight better than when they were at Marks Tey after Ron let Jim take over...........Christ, did they have some rubbish mechanics......particularly one obnoxious g*t.......Allegedly.
I think you are living in the past. Ron retired in the early 80's. I think I know the mechanic you refer to but he has been retired 15 years!
The Parkys of old has long gone....There isn't even a Parkinson working there anymore! The new (ish) owner is very keen to move away from the 'old' image, the manager is new ( well 18 months new!) and very accommodating. The machanics are also good guys! give them a chance.
it is a pain when independent dealers can't be bothered to reset the service indicator especially when usually it can be done from the drivers seat using the OBC, all you have to do is to use Google to find the instructions.
I know when Ron retired........It was just an observation.............The last I heard of Jim is that he was working in a wine bar. The mechanic I was referring to was there when Jim took over at Marks Tey, but may even be dead now......... The last time I went to Parkinsons at the Cowdray Centre was a year or so before Jim departed...........The 'sales' staff just sat there drinking coffee and ignoring people in the showroom........when you finally got attention, it seemed as though you were on a limit of "ask two questions only". As I said earlier, I hope they are much better than what they were........The best mechanic they had back then was a giant hairy bloke that rode a Z1300.......can't remember his name. I used to live half mile from Parkinsons at Marks Tey, so I know roughly what took place, particulary as a good friend of mine did the PDIs. AL
Thats one of the many reasons Jim was asked to leave! His sales technique was interesting!!!! I myself didn't start using Parkys until after Jim left, the difference in the dealership is 180deg!
There's another really major reason he went (so I was told)......... He sold me plenty of bikes at really good deals when I was on his doorstep and I always got on well with him........he was even a neighbour, living not far from me and the shop.........but after a while I got fed up with the servicing side of things, while at the same time ended up stuck in Suffolk so I started to buy from Revetts who were OK for a while. AL
I think sales staff cant win.... they greet you as soon as you walk through the door - they are overbearing they let you browse unimpinged - they are lazy or ignorant. its a place ill never use as im up newcastle - but give them a chance I say.
The guy at Parkinsons saw people waiting to talk to him, and actually picked up the phone, dialled a number and started a conversation with someone.......from what I could hear it had nothing to do with bikes or Ducatis, so I reckon it was the latter of your descriptions. AL
It appears from what people have said, that they must be much better than they were (although a friend of mine has stopped having his Ducati servicing done there because of ...his words 'horrendous charges')...........but if it was my business and a Parkinson no longer had any interest in the company, plus there were historical bad vibes associated with the company of that name; I would have come up with a new name............ AL
I've called in a few times and only bought a couple parts but found them helpful. Glen knows his stuff and gave me sound advice on a starting problem with my 999.
All I can say, is some people do not know how lucky they really are.. Just think what it would be like, in not having a local Ducati shop anymore...I have owned many Ducatis now and I wouldn't go anywhere else. Just think, in these days of, " you can buy anything now" on the Internet, in calling up Amazon and asking, how do I fit this Ducati part I purchased from you... It wouldn't happen... It takes a lot of hard work from a dedicated team and a brave owner, to run a specialist shop in this day and age, just think of the overheads alone..surely it's better, to possibly, pay, a couple of quid more and freely get the expert help and advice thats sometimes needed. And yes they can post out parts etc as well if you like to see your postman laden with packages of a morning, there's no excuse, so go on, try them... I can honestly say,the Parkie guys, have become my very good friends over the years, a friendship I and many others would wish to remain for life... In Martin you have the most polite respectful and thoroughly nice guy you could ever wish to meet, no pushy sales.. Just, " Can I help you " and help you he will.. In Glen and Alex you have a knowledgeable pair who are approachable and will always advise when asked, how many workshops do you know where you can walk in and access their best guys knowledge. Kieran admitterly is still learning, one for the future and once again, so very polite... You have to remember, they are a very small team and normally keep busy, but,no matter who you are, you will receive , the best possible all round service, beleive me.. Go check them out please, and if, like me, your one of the old Marks Tey school, go give them another look.. They have transformed into a wonderful hard working bunch that deserve your support .. If you agree or disagree you can contact me via my e mail I have no problems with that.. [email protected] When you visit just tell them I sent you.. Nige, i know they will get you a free tea or cofee and as we all like too, have a nice chat about all things Ducati.. Beleive me, I am a very demanding, fussy person by nature and these guys bend over backwards to help me to enjoy and get the bery best from my love of the bike world... My beloved Ducati.. Please Use them, as where will we be should we lose them... Noods (Nige Ipswich )
