Ive lived and breathed the italian brand for a while now. Ive currently got a M1100S and a 848 and was looking to add a 899 or panigale in the new year, but ducati have lost my loyalty completely. Id booked to visit the factory in october, which has included paying for hotels, flights and parking. All this has cost over £500 and today ive had a badly worded email to say that theyve cancelled our tour. No refunds or help. I hope the double sided swing arm bankrupts them
A badly written email saying what exactly? Surely they can't just cancel something that has been paid for. And yes, the double sided swing arm is a travesty.
I had a problem in 2010, Factory/Museum visit a week before WDW. We booked it and then emailed to change it from morning to afternoon a couple of weeks beforehand which was acknowledged but no specific time. Because I hadn't actually rebooked we weren't allowed in, even to stroll round the Museum briefly. We had stayed an extra night in Bologna for that purpose. Put my nose out of joint for the whole of WDW. I swore I wouldn't go to WDW again and haven't so far. At the time I started to look at Triumphs with a view to selling my Dukes, especially as my 999 ran like an absolute dog in the Italian heat.
The email says that they reserve the right to change and cancel dates etc. it says museum and factory are closed because of a event from 19th to 23rd October. Even though they confirmed it 6 months ago. The money I've lost pisses me off but the fact ill never book another trip there is the worst bit as needed something at moment to look forward too. Ducati need to be very careful as before this I'd of defended them and purchased more bikes. I won't be doing that now. At least I've not got to justify buying a panigale or 899 now. I've spoke with customer service but not holding out much hope. Mv 800 here I come
Stuff like that happens unfortunately. During WDW2012 a lot of the factory was closed because of the Italian earthquakes as a safety precaution until they had completed structural tests to determine if the factory was still safe to operate. Closing the lines costs them a *lot* of money so it's not something they take lightly. In your case, I expect it is because there is something being built on the factory lines that is not yet announced - Monster 1198? - and as such they will not let anyone inside the factory until production stops or the bike is announced. Post EICMA they will have announced all the new bikes and factory tours will continue. If you've got travel insurance it may be worth checking if you can cancel everything and get a refund. If not, chalk it up to experience and enjoy the trip to Bologna anyway!
Thats really shit May be worth a cheeky little email to Tim Macabee at Ducati UK (he's a member here so contact him through the forum - bit less formal IMO) - he/they may be able to help. Tim really cares about both the brand and the owners, he's a good guy
Fuck me that's not how I see it , chalk it up to experience ? , so it seems you support them by buying their bikes , and put money in their bank all for a fuck off note, oh and by the way we own your hard earned now ,tatty bye. I love my bike ,would I consider buying a new Ducati , not a chance , the marque I support seems long gone now, I'd certainly buy a used Duke like an 851 916, 1098, In fact almost any Duke before 2012. But my interest in this company is defiantly waning , If I didn't enjoy you peoples on here I'd even pack in this Ducati related forum, for me the lustre has gone. Sorry to say.
Unfortunately this is how a lot of companies act. I think i mentioned on here before, but I bought a new 748 back in 2000, costing a hefty amount of money. Had all the extras on it and was well over 5 figures. Engine blew up after just 500 miles and so it went back to Ducati repair. They didnt give a toss about me at all. No apology, no courtesy bike, even though the 748 was my only means of transport to work & back. I had to borrow a friends car to use whilst the 748 was off the road. No good will gestures and they took about 4 months to rebuild the engine, when my local indi said they could have done it in 48 hours. The actual dealership didnt care less as they were happily making cash off servicing peoples bikes whilst mine sat at the back of their workshop gathering dust as a warranty repair. Ducati UK didnt care less when I spoke to them and no amount of calls or letters resolved anything. Its like they know people will buy their stuff, even if they treat em like crap. Bit like Justin Beiber I guess, spits on fans, turns up 10 hours late to concerts etc. etc. and yet his fans still go mad for him.
Feel sorry for you mate. Its shabby of Ducati to do such a thing but don't forget brand loyalty only ever goes one way. Why not visit the Ferrari factory and if they have one the Lambo factory. Surely it wont be a wasted trip
I'd like to see Ferrari and Lamborghini but not enough to spend lots doing it. I sell cars for work so I've no interest in them. My bikes are my passion. It's all paid for but ill still need spending money and I've lost my mojo for it now. So ill probably just leave it. Ducati for such a niche company should really care more in my opinion.
Some of the replies here are worst than the Pistonheads ones ..... this is what i imagine Mumsnet must be like ....
It's a pain you didn't know earlier but i don't think you can hold Ducati up as unusual in this respect. I rocked up at the Imperial war museum a while back to find most of it closed to visitors and only 1 major section open. No mention of that when we booked the tickets 9 months earlier. The staff were very apologetic but didn't really give a monkeys that we came all the way from Devon and were paying London silly hotel prices etc. As they said to me and Ducati will be the same, they can and will change things as and when they need to and their only obligation is to your entry fee if that happens. Interesting though the Factory might be i doubt you couldn't entertain yourself in the area by other means to at least mitigate the pain. It's gotta be warmer if nothing else.
