Another wee update. I went to see the display bike today which was in pride of place in the showroom window on one of Glasgow's busiest roads. It had seemingly only been there for a couple of hours but it was certainly grabbing the attention of passers by. I wandered into the shop and had a wee look at it, and was instantly impressed. I turned to have a look round at what else was in, and there was another identical 2013 model sitting there marked as "Sold" and with a "Do not Touch" sign on the seat. I was thinking to myself that the new owner was one lucky dude and was wondering who had bought that one as they'd not mentioned any others being sold when I'd been in before. Anyway, I wandered over to it and the owner Martin and the Business Manager wandered in from the back of the shop and asked if I liked it. I said yes, and that I was more impressed with it in the shop than I was when I saw it at the NEC. They then proceeded to tell me that the one marked "Sold" was mine!!! They wheeled it out of it's slot and told me to have a seat on it and a good look over it. I was totally blown away by the bike in the flesh and delighted at the surprise. It seemed even better than when I saw it at the bike show and it was great seeing the actual one I'll have. So it's now sitting safely in the shop ready to have the Termis and some other small extras fitted for me to collect first weekend of March! Had a really good chat with Martin and Kerrie and they were more than happy letting my 2 year old son run about and sit on the various other bikes while I spoke about the 848. I left the shop again feeling absolutely over the moon with it all. I just need to be strong now and wait until March as I could probably pay the balance take it away now but it's just going to sit in my garage not going anywhere and causing me frustration until the winter's over. I'm delighted that it's here and will be ready for the date I wanted and yet again, the service and attitude was absolutely first class. Andy :biggrin:
Funny you should say that... I was handed the 2013 accessories catalogue when I was in. I've ordered the bike with a couple of extras already though - Termis, carbon hugger, venture shield, evotech tail tidy. Think there's a couple of small ones I've forgotten and there's a few more I'd like buy in time but I'm about at my limit for cost for the moment.
As a sometime salesman, I have to say that it is great fun weaving your web of kindness around the punter and watching him emptying his or her wallet (or purse) in a warm glow of bonhomie. It's sort of fun making people happy whilst at the same time upselling them. Everyone's a winner!
Hey, don't get me wrong... I know they are selling something and that it encourages me to spend more money there. And I'm very aware of it all when I'm in the shop, but at the end of the day I won't be buying anything I didn't want already as I don't work that way. What it does encourage me to do is buy there rather than another dealer or go online. To me this is very good salesmanship on their part, but also in my interest. I looked at the option of other dealers for the bike should I feel like I would prefer to go elsewhere but there was no need at all. Unless I feel like I'm getting taken advantage of, I'm happy.
Ducati accessories catalogues tend to have a lot a fancy photos and waffle, designed to look tempting. Unfortunately they do not give precise information about any parts such as the dimensions, weight, material, maker, price, how it fits on the bike - or really any of the facts you would like to know. Pity that.
You're not wrong actually. Lots of glossy photos and wee bits of blurb but nothing overly useful. And nothing in the way of pricing either. I am having those couple of things fitted for when I get it and have a list of things I may want to do in time once I get to know the bike.
