P&h - No Longer A Ducati Dealer?

But it clearly believes it’s able to do so and still turn a profit.

 

Presuming @outintheopen is right, Ducati will get its solus dealer – on which it must have based a sales forecast.

Ducati and Harley share the same customer base. Who knew? Those pesky Eastbourne pensioners must be closet Ducatisti.

 

In the US Ducati and Indian are typically next door to each other.

 

You are right, we found out a few weeks ago and were a bit surprised to see their association end after so many years.

 

Speak as you find and all that. To date I have had a very decent service from Pro Twins. Nothing too much trouble really. I did a test ride with them on a Multi and they put very modest (minimal and respectful)pressure to buy which personally I appreciate. Asked me to bring what ever bike I eventually bought in for a look over and update check etc, sold me some parts, activated my aux lights FOC within an hour of me phoning up (I’m local) so I’m happy enough with those chaps.

 

Thanks to Ducati’s stupid “solus dealer” decision, they have made the ownership experience utterly crap in Sussex. A conveniently located official dealer is vital because Ducati ownership invariably involves warranty work.

Now, I must travel to the next county to visit ProTwins. They don’t have loan bikes, so it’s a taxi, two trains and a second taxi to get home. It’s not the ideal Ducati brand experience.

Previously, my “Ducati brand experience” involved riding to P&H, being treated professionally, and being given a loan bike while doing any work on my Ducati.

A conveniently located official dealer matters far more (when considering my next bike) than a dealership that only sells Ducatis.

 

Whole heartedly agree, Pro Twins though a 20 minute ride from me is in the middle of nowhere with poor transport links.
No loan bikes will be an absolute pain in the arse for all ex P&H customers who were used to the facility.

I’d have thought being Audi owned it would now be part of a service standard?

Let’s hope the rumoured new dealer will have loan bikes and no Brett type sales guys…

 

The main issues I’ve found with ProTwins is they always want the bike for a few days, don’t have loan bikes and I always have to get my wife to drop me off or pick me up which is irritating, although it’s only 20
Mins away.

They are also a bit shit at replying to emails.

However Pete is very knowledgeable and the standard in the workshop is exemplary.

Sales, I’ve been treated ok but I do know what people mean about Brett.

I’ve bought two bikes there and whilst I may not have got the ‘best’ deal they have always been fair.

Ideally they need a more accessible location and larger premises but they’ve been established a long time.

They kind of remind me of motolegends in that they work the way they want to work rather than the way that other people might want them to.

 

With Audi/Ducati specifying carpet tiles and Solus etc, they may not have a choice in how they work which I think will be for the better.
I’ll be writing to Ducati UK about the lack of loan bikes at Pro twins, hopefully I’ll not be alone in that. Then they may be forced to put it right or lose the franchise.

 

I bet Brett's choking on his breakfast after reading your comments this morning.

 

Pro V aren't a sanctioned new bike dealer, just an accredited service centre and as such operate to different service levels, same as Cornerspeed, you don't get a courtesy bike there either, also unless its your primary mode of transport then surely one isn't needed for a day or two !!!

 

That’s helpful to know and makes Ducati’s P&H decision even worse. So, Ducati has no bike dealer in or even close to Sussex. It’s a sure-fire way to drive away previously loyal Ducati customers like me.

While I appreciate Ducati is rumoured to want a new dealership, its customer communication has been zero. And in the meantime, many of us have no Ducati dealer within reasonable reach

 

They sell new bikes at Pro twins. Or is Pro V somewhere else?

 

One and the same and they sell new and used.

 

We have a loan bike now Dibble have done for the last few years as it’s a requirement now. Last year we couldn’t get one, and this years took an age to turn up, but if supply is there, I run one from around March until November or so.
Pro V are a dealer, albeit not a store. Would have thought they had courtesy as well as demo’s though?

 

Everyday is a school day, cheers fella

 

Had anyone heard if the rumoured Ducati dealer is opening in Eastbourne? Also, who knew seaside pensioners were the Bologna brand’s target demographic?

 

Well to prove your assertion they opened a branch called Ducati Bournemouth, although we all know it’s at Ferndown. Both have a higher than average aged demographic

 

Apparently Ducati are opening somewhere at Sykes HD, classed as Lewes, but yes around 10 miles north of Eastbourne.

 

Called into P&H this afternoon for a spot of window shopping.
MV and CF moto have appeared since I was last in there.