Dealer Frustration

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anthem said:
I've never understood why people always feel like they are being "ripped off" when dealers quote a price. If you don't like it - move on and do it yourself or some other dealer to do it. I mean - think about it - most of these motorcycle dealerships barely survive. They get along by doing service on the bikes - which pays the bills. Ducati's sales margins are razor thin (like 7 percent or something). Service is what has to pay the bills for rent/mortgage, staff, etc. They have to pay the mechanics whether there is a bike back there or not. They have to pay to send them for training to Ducati to get certified. So yeah, I kind of feel for the dealers (I am not one) as they are business owners and entitled to set the prices they want just like you can determine whether you want to pay it or not.
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I agree the profit margin is not much and they don't do quantities like the Japanese bikes to make up for it. Service is where they get their money to pay overhead cost to keep the doors open. The owner of the Ducat shop I go to is by far no millionaire. I end paying for the service because the mechanic is absolutely great and i always learn a lot from him plus they always give me deals on parts, a minium of 10% off which for me is better than I can find on the Internet. On the Internet it's a good deal because you save on taxes but usually pay for shipping. The min of 10% I get from my dealer saves me on taxes (7.25%) and shipping cost $0 and I don't have to wait for UPS or FedEx to arrive.

They charge $95 USD per hour and they always quote the book hours but the mechanics usually finishes in half the book time and they always charge me the actual time versus the max book time like some dealer charges. If you were to breakdown that $95 per hour the profit margin is still small. Salaries, office supplies, rent, equipment, insurance, etc.
 
I takes time and money to acquire the right tools as well. Not that I'm a dealer/mechanic but I have worked on my bike most of the time (especially after finding a valve shim in the oil pan). Since then, I've done my own valve adjustments on my 5 valve yamaha 4cyl.

I recommend you always have something to ride and something that needs working on.

In terms of tools, the stands are a great thing but don't forget about a table to put the bike on. You can make one from four U-bolts, three 2x4x8's, one 4x8x3/4" sheet of plywood, and some screws. Use a white backing board for the surface over the plywood if you want a bright surface, which definately helps. Let me know if you want me to post a drawing?

Alan
 
The dealer needs to make money and most do from servicing rather then sales and the rates they charge from $80-$120 seem about right considering they need to pay staff,rent etc.

I think the issue is the amount of time they have quoted you if it is indeed a 4 hr job then they are quite entitled to charge you for that no matter how much money you have spent.

On the other hand if it's a 2 hr job and they are needlessly charging you then that is a different matter.

Point being they don't charge you on the simplicity of the job but rather the time it takes.
 
95$ is a lot. The store by my house is $65, but the norm I see for BMW and DUC is $90. 3rd party shops usually charge around $75.
 
reganc said:
The dealer needs to make money and most do from servicing rather then sales and the rates they charge from $80-$120 seem about right considering they need to pay staff,rent etc.

I think the issue is the amount of time they have quoted you if it is indeed a 4 hr job then they are quite entitled to charge you for that no matter how much money you have spent.

On the other hand if it's a 2 hr job and they are needlessly charging you then that is a different matter.

Point being they don't charge you on the simplicity of the job but rather the time it takes.
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Indeed....But as it is well known to not be even close to a 4 hr job then its a rip...
 
If a full is a 6hr job (I think that's what the book says), the slip-ons should not be 4.

I'm pissed a shop manual isn't out.
 
That's quick... must have lots of practice. I did take breaks, and it was the first time opening the bike up. I did it the moment I got the bike home from the dealership.
 
are you purchasing the slips from them, if yes then they should be able to do a deal with you.
 
tholstro said:
So did you call AMS and talk to Sophie yesterday about 3 ish or so?
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No... I did this by email... but the timing is about right.... But it appears from what you are alluding to that I am not the only customer (ex customer) with this issue????????????
 
I've purchased two Duc's from AMS over the past 4 months. Great people to deal with. Jordan, Dan, Sophie and Jeff (owner) work in the service department and offer the best service experience I've ever had. And for that I'm not going go bicker about prices. My BMW autos cost more to service than others as do Ducati's...

$90/hour is worth it for me to have the best tech's in the country working on my bikes. Their service department appointments are 2-3 weeks because they are that good.

If you can get the work done elsewhere for less, just go elsewhere. No problem.

Tom
 
I just happened to be at AMS yesterday and I someone called about getting some work done and it sounded like the person on the phone was trying to debate the work estimate. Thought that might have been you. Maybe not...

I happen to get a flat yesterday at lunch on the 1199 and wanted to ride with some friends in the evening so I needed it fixed asap. I called service knowing full well they were booked solid. Sophie said "come on down we'll get you taken care of". She started mounting the tire but the phone was ringing off the hook. Jeff, the owner, realized I was waiting, stopped working on a bike he had his hands full with, and mounted the new tire for me on the spot.

That's great service...

Tom
 
and when you have dealers like that, it's worth the $$$, they go the extra mile for a customer. I'm lucky to have NPR ducati, a great shop, and have always helped me. I've bought two bikes from them (10 sf and 1199) and have ordered a third MTS 1200.

I do alot of the maint on my bikes (tire changes, oil, chains, etc) but the valves and stuff I leave up to them.



tholstro said:
I just happened to be at AMS yesterday and I someone called about getting some work done and it sounded like the person on the phone was trying to debate the work estimate. Thought that might have been you. Maybe not...

I happen to get a flat yesterday at lunch on the 1199 and wanted to ride with some friends in the evening so I needed it fixed asap. I called service knowing full well they were booked solid. Sophie said "come on down we'll get you taken care of". She started mounting the tire but the phone was ringing off the hook. Jeff, the owner, realized I was waiting, stopped working on a bike he had his hands full with, and mounted the new tire for me on the spot.

That's great service...

Tom
Click to expand...
 

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