Service and Expectations

Just called to make an appointment for my first service. I was a little shocked when they said the earliest they could do it was August 1st.

45 days out is pretty tough to swallow for a 600 mile service. I also asked them to fit some misc parts that would take less than an hour and was told they didn't do that on Saturday because it was reserved for oil changes, tires and small repairs?

Am I being unreasonable or is this a new standard because Ducati is selling so many bikes? Or is the particular dealer just really understaffed?


Edit: the reason I am not doing the work myself is because of time constraints with taking time off work, wedding planning, vacation, etc.

Way too long - I'm just going to have them re-set the light for $50

They're just fully booked.

Find another dealer or maybe just do the work yourself, find a buddy, etc. If they have an opening they would be more than happy to take your business.

Grayson said:

Just called to make an appointment for my first service. I was a little shocked when they said the earliest they could do it was August 1st.

45 days out is pretty tough to swallow for a 600 mile service. I also asked them to fit some misc parts that would take less than an hour and was told they didn't do that on Saturday because it was reserved for oil changes, tires and small repairs?

Am I being unreasonable or is this a new standard because Ducati is selling so many bikes? Or is the particular dealer just really understaffed?

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Change your own oil, check for loose bolts and save yourself $250-$500. Have the light reset at your leisure or at the 7500 mile service.

0612Devil said:

Change your own oil, check for loose bolts and save yourself $250-$500. Have the light reset at your leisure or at the 7500 mile service.

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+1

all because of the effin scramblers

Phl said:

all because of the effin scramblers

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Damn those bearded hipsters!

Looks like you need to find another dealer. I'm not sure if you'll have another dealer locally.

Here in socal we have our choice of dealers to choose from. I already have experience from who to avoid and the ones I can trust to rebuild the whole bike.

Phl said:

all because of the effin scramblers

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flobrandx said:

Damn those bearded hipsters!

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Yes, and yes.

Phl said:

all because of the effin scramblers

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I think you may be right. This isn't my first issue. Oh well found a new dealer. 2 dealers in NC closed in March that were not near here but closer to the dealer I chose. I think this is more of a staffing issue.

Problem resolved.

I'd do it myself. I can't wait for someone to hack the ECU like the Guzzi Diag guys did for the Marelli. Probably my biggest issue going to a new bike is that I don't have control over it like I do my 999 & GT.

damn, I'd certainly be bent out of shape. I just showed up without an appointment today, tacked on a couple things like flushing my coolant system and replacing with track-approved water wetter, and it was ready in four hours. In the meantime they went over my bike pretty thoroughly and found a loose clamp that had been very slowly dripping coolant.

It was very, very expensive, but I like the service guys and know they really look over my machines.

My dealer is really busy, got to wait ages. They said as long as I don't go over a thousand miles it's okay.

I just dropped my bike off at the dealer Tuesday for the first service, clutch / brake fluid flush, headlight repair and recall of the rear ohlins. They said they'd have it back by Friday. Mind you I called last Tuesday to set up te appointment. The first service would have been a same day turn-around f it wasn't for the ohlins recall. I will be doing my own oil changes until the 7500 mile mark. Not sure how far you are from duc pond. I've been there and the staff seemed knowledgeable and helpful. My 848evo was purchased from them no issues or complains.

I dont mind paying the money.

It's an after sales issue.

The facts and the issues:

1. They are understaffed: 2 salesman and the owner with one person doing mixed finance and sales in over 10,000 sq ft showroom. This would probably work on most days except for Friday and Saturday. They are all extremely friendly. They sell BMW, Ducati, KTM & Husky.

2. I had to call about my tag and was told the MSO wasnt there, which was impossible because I had my tag 3 days later. Ducati nor the NC DMV doesnt work that fast. Mistakes were made on there end for failing to file sooner. Refer back to #1.

3. Coming from a business prospective, if you have the business and you are making money to where you might lose money if customer needs arent met. You need to hire to again balance out the equation. One Ducati tech that is also a BMW Master tech and 2 BMW master techs and a service manager. That's alot of work between service and sales. Again...that is not bashing them. They do great work.

This is a learning process for me as my old dealer shut down in March for whatever reason. (I think Ducati is trying to push out small family dealers) I drove over 225 miles and have bought several bikes from them over the past few years because of customer service.

Bottom line is you can sell fecal matter, but if you do it the right way and have excellent customer service you can make the customer feel good about it when they leave.

August 1st

That's absolute crap .Im guessing your brought the bike from there ?

Hey Grayson, was Barnettes able to get you a better date?

I called my dealer a few times trying to get it in for the first service.

Finally gave up, bought the oil filter and stuff from them and with the cost savings, bought a Tuneboy setup to forever reset my own service lights.

$300-400 for an oil change was tough to swallow let alone the pain in the ass process of scheduling it.

steveved said:

Hey Grayson, was Barnettes able to get you a better date?

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No, I didn't call them. I just called Ducpond.

It's roughly 2.5 to 3 hours to all the dealerships around Raleigh so what's 4 hours. I might even be inclined to trade to the "R" while im up there, Plus I have several friends in Falls Church that I can stay with for the weekend so its a win-win.

Thanks again for answering my question.

hmmm i use a dealer that is great. took it in for a dash replacement (under warranty) and they out a new windscreen on my bike, replaced said dash, flushed the brake fluid, flushed the clutch fluid and checked all bolts for tightness.

I only asked for the dash and windscreen and they did the rest at no cost and same time frame.

Some dealers are better than others at customer service