What would you do?

Every time that "creature" shows up, I am adding the 23 year old:

elmera said:

Nope. It actually just says 2012 Panigale (not even S). I realize I probably look like an idiot for not noticing it, but since it was a used bike, it didn't have a traditional "sticker" tag with details. I asked if it had ABS and both sales people said yes. That was good enough for me. It wasn't until I got the bike, read the owners manual, turned on the bike and noticed the "ABS" icon was not listed on the screen that I realized the discrepancy.

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You said the dealer/sales people seemed to acknowledge their mistake and were sorry for the confusion.
So what has the dealer offered (if anything) to "make it right"?

I myself wouldn't have much interest in ABS. But if the demo bike was pitched to you as a good deal because it was an S w/ABS (i.e. it was an inducement that made you decide to take the deal), and the dealer or his sales people have acknowledged that it was pitched that way, then you should approach them with the idea as to what they intend to do to make it right (if anything).
Given you've signed the bill of sale and taken delivery I'm not sure you have much leverage on them. But I'd remind them that there's a lot of money to be made by them after the sale (tires, service, accessories, etc.) and it's in their best interest to make sure you're (ultimately) satisfied with the way they treat you.
True measure of how good a dealership you're dealing with is how they treat you after a sale.
I don't think anyone here is going to be able to tell you what you should do as that's pretty much dependent on what value you set on the options at hand. And that that gets into personal preferences.
But I'd definitely press the dealer (who sounds like he's genuinely sorry for mixup) as to what he's willing to do to take care of you.

Charliem90 said:

You said the dealer/sales people seemed to acknowledge their mistake and were sorry for the confusion.
So what has the dealer offered (if anything) to "make it right"?

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I completely agree with everything you said and to answer your question, so far the offer to "make it right" has only been to accept a return/refund. They didn't offer any counter offers, though this all went down shortly before their closing time. I said I had to think about it and the sales person said they would discuss it. So we'll see what happens tomorrow. Surely they're hoping I just accept it and go away.

RSR racer said:

Get the refund and make me an offer on my S w/ ABS. And full Termi's.
(it is the bike you want, after all ;-)

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one just traded on eBay...was away at a business lunch and may have missed what seemed like a real opportunity to buy one at the right price and in my own backyard so to speak.

as to the OP's decision/dilemma/quandry, i'd return the Pani to the dealer and start over. get one with ABS, especially if you're going to use it on the street.

Buying your first Panigale is a one time shot for anyone.. alteast for me.. so in that sense, I would just return it and get the Panigale with ABS since to me, ABS is the most important feature ... no second thoughts about it... its not some part you can just install.. it comes built in from the factory itself, everything else can be added as aftermarket parts but not ABS ... so keep in that mind

elitesoldier357 said:

I believe you can have the ABS installed. Get in touch with your dealer or Ducati North America and look into it. Would be much more efficient and less time consuming just to have the install done. I am sure your dealer could cut you a good deal on it too. I don't want to give out details because I am unsure of the whole process. But I may be able to get in touch with someone if you can't get your answer from them.

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ABS is not some part that you can have it installed, if your bike doesn't come with ABS then thats it, in-order to still have ABS installed, you'd have to change the entire Dash (this wont be covered as part of your warranty), sensors, electrical harness etc, they dont come pre-wired on non ABS models. The entire cost would be very well over a few grand and the craftsmanship wouldn't be as good as the Ducati Factory... Id just pay $1k more and get the ABS installed from the factory or pick one that already has ABS

Thats a 1000 dollar mistake that I can't see how a proffesional dealer could make. If you want ABS, take it back. too much money to "settle". Can you live with a 1000 discount on the demo bike? Get what you want!

Trauma said:

Every time that "creature" shows up, I am adding the 23 year old:

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she's actually 64 yrs old. DOnt let the back fool you, the front is a Disaster!

This is a no-brainer. But RSR's & take that one back. You most definitely DO want ABS.

southeastduc said:

This is a no-brainer. But RSR's & take that one back. You most definitely DO want ABS.

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ABS sucks, when I brake, I want that damn tire to stop turning - and with ABS, it does this stupid chirp-chirp-chirp. I have disabled it on all my cars.

MUNDMAN said:

Thats a 1000 dollar mistake that I can't see how a proffesional dealer could make. If you want ABS, take it back. too much money to "settle". Can you live with a 1000 discount on the demo bike? Get what you want!

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Lots of turnover in this dealership in the past 12 months. The GM, and two of the three original owners are gone, as well as the original service staff, and a number of other people. The new GM arrived pretty much at the very end of the MN riding season last year. It would not surprise me if the sales person wasn't there when the bike was originally started as the dealer demo.

Many of the people who are gone were people I've done business with around Ducatis for a decade and were in my opinion the best Ducati folks in the area. It is still too early to tell how good the new folks will be.

Ray916MN said:

Lots of turnover in this dealership in the past 12 months. The GM, and two of the three original owners are gone, as well as the original service staff, and a number of other people. The new GM arrived pretty much at the very end of the MN riding season last year. It would not surprise me if the sales person wasn't there when the bike was originally started as the dealer demo.

Many of the people who are gone were people I've done business with around Ducatis for a decade and were in my opinion the best Ducati folks in the area. It is still too early to tell how good the new folks will be.

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I think a Ducati dealership has a rough time unless they have other popular bikes. We have 2, one that is only Ducati/Triumph, and a few KTM dirt bikes - is just about breaking even. The other has been arouind forever, with Yamahas, Hondas, Triumphs, big mailorder operation, multiple locations, is doing great.

You either love or hate the ABS. To each their own. It saved my ass from my own stupidity so I'm really glad I have it. And, you can always turn it off. I personally think it'll help in resale. But again, just my opinion.

I think you have a good point on a dealership being better off when it can offer multiple lines of bikes. Let's face it, we were all in our 20's once and unlike a few of the young bucks here who CAN actually cut their teeth on a ducati; most of us spent time on Hondas, Yamaha's, Suzuki's & Kawasaki's. And in fairness, those are all great bikes too.

Sounds like your dealership is going downhill. I'd take the bike back & move on.

Seriously, make RSR an offer. He's an older rider with the cake to maintain the bike the way it is supposed to be maintained. He wants to get an R, you want an S w/ABS & termi's. I'd be surprised if you can't work out something there.

The dealer isn't going to lose money, just because they made a clerical mistake. The refund is the best you can hope for. They could have been jerks, and just said "sorry".

+1

take it back, get refund & walk away....

Trauma said:

The dealer isn't going to lose money, just because they made a clerical mistake. The refund is the best you can hope for. They could have been jerks, and just said "sorry".

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You want the ABS. And it will always haunt you to not have what you thought you had. Return it and figure something else out. I would hammer the dealer hard and try to get them to sell you an S for cost. They can do that, they'll still make money on their various fees. If not, I'm sure you can find a used S with ABS. But with bikes (or cars), if you are not THRILLED with what you got and how it went down, walk from it, it will taint your love of the bike.

Ray916MN said:

Lots of turnover in this dealership in the past 12 months. The GM, and two of the three original owners are gone, as well as the original service staff, and a number of other people. The new GM arrived pretty much at the very end of the MN riding season last year. It would not surprise me if the sales person wasn't there when the bike was originally started as the dealer demo.

Many of the people who are gone were people I've done business with around Ducatis for a decade and were in my opinion the best Ducati folks in the area. It is still too early to tell how good the new folks will be.

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Good to know.

At this point I've all but decided to return it and go from there. What I never mentioned was this is the 2nd bit of drama with this bike. See those dealers pics on posted on the previous thread -- the ones displayings the Termi's? Those were the ones listed on their website from the page advertising the bike (and what lead me to come in and check it out). Well, when I got to the dealer the stock pipes were put back on. When I inquired they said the pics were old, but they were happy to "sell" me the used Termi's. I refused. After further phone calls/discussions they agreed to put the Termi's back on, but I had to pay the $200 installation.

Now this. And for the record, I saved the page from their website with the listing (lists price, pics, etc). It clearly says "2012 Panigale S ABS". I'd post a screenshot but I haven't spoke with the dealer yet today to see what they have to say and don't want to stir the pot (in the event they read this forum).

I was under the impression from talking to a salesman over at Ducati Austin before I picked up my base with no ABS...(Wont be suprised if this is false) He told me that the only thing missing from the non-abs bikes is the small ABS brain which mounts on the upper right side of the bike.

I have always wondered if this is true? He led me to believe that all Panigales are wired for ABS and to add it to any of them, all one must do is get the brain and plug it in and secure it.

It would seem from a production standpoint to make adding ABS or deleting ABS as easy as possible for them on the production line. Especially since only the non ABS bikes are sold here?

elmera said:

Good to know.

At this point I've all but decided to return it and go from there. What I never mentioned was this is the 2nd bit of drama with this bike. See those dealers pics on posted on the previous thread -- the ones displayings the Termi's? Those were the ones listed on their website from the page advertising the bike (and what lead me to come in and check it out). Well, when I got to the dealer the stock pipes were put back on. When I inquired they said the pics were old, but they were happy to "sell" me the used Termi's. I refused. After further phone calls/discussions they agreed to put the Termi's back on, but I had to pay the $200 installation.

Now this. And for the record, I saved the page from their website with the listing (lists price, pics, etc). It clearly says "2012 Panigale S ABS". I'd post a screenshot but I haven't spoke with the dealer yet today to see what they have to say and don't want to stir the pot (in the event they read this forum).

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Don't just walk, run from this deal.

Denver Rick said:

Don't just walk, run from this deal.

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I tend to agree. It's a lot of money and you should get exactly what you want. If I was buying a used compact car and they offered me a deal on a turd brown one I'd prob take it, but this is a different animal.