Ducati charging for test rides!!!!

I recently visited my local ducati dealer for a test ride on a Multistrada. They understandabley wanted to see my driving license and a utility bill for extra proof of ID, but imagine my shock when they wanted to charge £20 for the pleasure (and it was a pleasure ) of riding their demonstrator, they said that if I ended up buying a bike from them they would refund the £20. I was pretty miffed about this considering that in the past 18months I have spent at least a £1k on parts and servicing with them.
I kicked up a small fuss and fortunately they forgot to charge the £20, Still its bloody cheeky though

I mentioned the above to another dealer who was surprised that another mainstream dealer should be charging for test rides, he said that every time a customer takes a bike out for a test ride Ducati pay the dealer £20 (for a 999) to £10 (for a M620).

Anybody else come across this situation before ?

I've heard of a couple of dealers doing this, thy tell me its to deter people
who just turn up and want to take a bike for a spin with no intention of
buying a bike.
It seems to be a problem in some areas.
I'm not saying its a good thing, its just what I've been told.

Originally Posted by fatbloke

I've heard of a couple of dealers doing this, thy tell me its to deter people
who just turn up and want to take a bike for a spin with no intention of
buying a bike.
It seems to be a problem in some areas.
I'm not saying its a good thing, its just what I've been told.

that's exactly true. I'm afraid, cos there are a lot of joy riders just using their petrol and bikes to show off and i'm afraid, a few bikes have been damaged as the result. it's to separate those truly interested and just joy riders. most people charge 25 quid a bike. P&H introduced it first I believe. only time there's no charge is on an open day.

Originally Posted by slug

I mentioned the above to another dealer who was surprised that another mainstream dealer should be charging for test rides, he said that every time a customer takes a bike out for a test ride Ducati pay the dealer £20 (for a 999) to £10 (for a M620).

Anybody else come across this situation before ?

Oh! and that last paragraph... Ducati and only them, have taken away their demo discount for dealers.. which means when a demo goes up for sale after 3 months, normally its a grand cheaper! but since Ducati have taken that away, they now say, for every demo ride, an appraisal forms is to be filled out, and every form they receive the dealer get's 20 or 25 quid back. and THAT is what the dealer knocks off when demo becomes for sale. I think that's discusting way to treat dealers... and in turn the customer!

Originally Posted by slug

Anybody else come across this situation before ?

I took a test ride on a Multistrada and ST3 this weekend too. See my thread http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...485#post105485

Called Pro Twins at South Caterham - where I get all my Monster servicing done, and they said it would cost £15 - Non refundable - to cover insurance. Plus, if is was raining then the test ride was off.

As they didn't have an ST3, I called Ducati London South.
They had both bikes (although check in advance as they share with the other Ducati London shop). The rides were 2up, with both Susan and myself taking turns as rider and pillion. And it was raining/drizzling for some of the time .

No problems .

No charge , although could we put 'some' petrol in to cover our ride - a reasonable request - I put £5 worth in the Multi, and £8 worth in the ST3 (as we took it on the Motorway and went further). We both signed damage waivers - but that is also standard.

A good experience, which means if we do go for a Multistrada, then Ducati London South will be getting my business . Thank you Claire.

PS - Daryl, Glad you liked the Multistrada too - 620 or 1000 ?

[slob]

I had a similar experience at DLS... put a fiver in the tank after the fuel light came on on the motorway. (It was an overcast day and absolutely p*ssing down by the time I got back)
What annoyed me was a charge for a courtesy bike during servicing, when they're already charging you a whopping 10% of the bikes new value for a 6K service.

not heard of that one, charging you for a courtesy bike whilst yours in for service, apart from the indemnity of course...

[Pedro]

Originally Posted by Melnie Mouse

not heard of that one, charging you for a courtesy bike whilst yours in for service, apart from the indemnity of course...

Most car main agents will do the same unless you kick up about it

Originally Posted by Pedro

Most car main agents will do the same unless you kick up about it

Oh really? I've not heard of that...

Thanks for stickers and badges, ducati people only... yahhhh

Originally Posted by Pedro

Most car main agents will do the same unless you kick up about it

Pedro, Such as who???? I'm interested.....

I never experienced this (and done a fair bit of buying / mystery shopping). I hope its none of our dealers.....

As for bike dealers, if someone wanted to charge me for thinking of buying one of their bikes, I'd assume they didn't want my business and go and spend my money somewhere else - their loss.

Hi,
And they say the Scots are skinflints!! Anyway I had my M1000 in Ducati Glasgow for its 6K service and some warranty work. Free of charge I had on loan a 999 for two days - great bike. The tank was nearly full and the only stipulation was I fill the tank on return. Well worth it and a fantastic two days riding the 999. Great bunch of guys at Ducati Glasgow - well worth a visit.
Geoff

[dunxster]

Oh joy, the price of servicing at DLS. Once the warranty ran out on my Monster I turned my back on them. I now take it to In Moto. I don't know if they charge for a courtesy bike or if they even have one (as they're nice and local to me).

I had a word with Tim Maccabee (MD Ducati UK) to get the official line on the
"charging for test rides" issue here is his reply

"I just wanted to clarify the background to the Ducati demo policy.
It is correct that Ducati UK demo policy pays dealers per demo ride, and
the way we monitor this is through checking the dealer records - be it
demo forms or a demo log, which the dealer has to keep for legal reasons
anyway. The motivation to pay per ride is that it means the dealers are
incentivised to use the demonstrators for..... customers to ride bikes! So
we are running a policy specifically intended to help our customers test
bikes before purchase - which is what started the whole thead off in the
first place."
Tim Maccabee

I hope this helps
TERRY

Go to P&H Motorcycles in Crawley they have full range of Ducatis and you can test them for as long as you want ,Free

Im on my third new bike from P&H and have never been asked for any money for a demo ride also i have never been on a time limit