So it's the EU that is interfering with Ducati John's business? What recourse is open to Ducati John? Maybe he could vote for someone who will repeal the appropriate legislation? If he changes his trading name, will he be able to change it back, later?
Probably because of the huge expense involved. Workshop requirements, tools, certified training and God knows what else. His rates would become less competitive because he'd need to cover his increased overheads.
They don't allow new Service centres anyway as the question 'poser' knows full well but the costs will be significant yes...
Actually no... what about "Cornerspeed" operated by our own @nelly ? He's an official Service Centre and not a dealer...
My point is: if Ducati set a minimum standard of those things (workshop requirements, tools, training, etc) to be allowed to call yourself an official "Service Centre" then shouldn't anyone who works on Ducatis have those things? If they are doing the work, then they should already have the tools? If they are doing the work, then they should already have the knowledge? Again, not pointing fingers at anyone in particular, but I would have thought that any good independent would/should breeze any kind of minimum standards?
How does the forum get away with being called "Ducati Forum"? That smacks more of a Genuine affiliation to Ducati, than Ducati John. Plus Ducati UK seem to be happy supplying the forum with race tickets..
The forum is a fantastic marketing platform for DUK, as well as being an info centre for those already in the community and those thinking about moving to Ducati from other marques. Ducati John on the other hand is seen to be using the brand to take work out of the official workshops. @nelly at Cornerspeed pre-dates all this and started out as an independent, I was one of his earliest customers, and at that time there was a route to 'official workshop' status that he took, but prior to that he wasn't Ducati Nelly or CornerSpeed Ducati ..... or he'd have got the same treatment ....
I get that Dibs.. Shouldn't Ducati UK officially affiliate themselves with the fourm, as to become a bonafide partnership, or order the forum to change it's name? Cake and eating it springs to mind
TO Be An Official Anything then the franchisee has to comply with corporate branding standards. location, signage, carpets, stationary logos. these are the things that wack expense up. People like John get thsir trade from reputation. People feel his quality and reliability of service is better than a dealer. You can't get a certificate for reputation. That is why he is so highly regarded. TB
