Actually the Ducati dealer I use has a very nice selection of in house bikes for Demo's, I have test ridden a 1198, multistrada, Hypermotard and Monster. This is not at demo days, I will never buy a new bike without a test ride.
Car shopping adventures
- Thread starter crankcall
- Start date
What is the magic mileage that makes a vehicle a demonstrator?
To me it's when a potential customer drives it for a demostration.
OpenGambit
Banned
Yes, and as a result I tell all my friends not to go to that dealership, so I ended up buying my bike somewhere else, my new bike that I will be buying in a month or two gets purchased somewhere else, and all my buddies never go to that dealership anymore.
/best call
possible liability issue?
OpenGambit
Banned
and that affects my decision and my now 4 buddies' (in the last 4 months) decisions not to buy there how?
I found another dealership that let me test ride and they got the sale. Its that simple. I vote with my wallet, and I can tell people about it becuase I want to.
Surely you are not suggesting I am doing something wrong by buying from the dealership that treats me better.
Last edited:
invictus43
Well-known member
Possibly..functionally, they're test-driven at the plant and into the dealer's lot. PDI is mostly cleaning and trim. Not a huge issue I don't think.
invictus43
Well-known member
I think he's suggesting that not all dealers can afford (or think they can afford) to put miles on multiple vehicles for people who may not buy. And he's right. Many people just want to joy-ride with no intention of ever buying. And that makes it harder for a dealer to sell that vehicle. So the dealer has to make the decision about whether you're going to get a test-drive or not. Cars I don't think are much of a problem, unless you're obviously not intending to buy. Bikes..I don't think there are a lot of dealers (that I know of) that will let you test-ride any old bike you like, unless they're high volume and have a fleet of demo's.
OpenGambit
Banned
and I am suggesting that if a dealership can't provide a test ride for someone with cash in hand then they shouldn't be suprised when that person walks away and buys it somewhere else. At the very least, even if they can't afford test rides for whatever reason, they should be polite and actually act like a place that sells things. But hey I am talking about a place that makes a guy drive an hour then refuse to sell a key.
I don't care what other people do with their test rides. If a dealership can't tell a serious customer from a non serious one, thats not my problem, nor should it be.
but hey maybe the economy is so good that the things are just flying off the showroom floor and they don't need to be polite or give test rides to anyone.
I don't care what other people do with their test rides. If a dealership can't tell a serious customer from a non serious one, thats not my problem, nor should it be.
but hey maybe the economy is so good that the things are just flying off the showroom floor and they don't need to be polite or give test rides to anyone.
Last edited:
EngineerJoe
Well-known member
I believe there is a legal limit for the number of km's on a new vehicle before it cannot be considered "new" anymore.
invictus43
Well-known member
I'm not disagreeing..but dealerships are free to do as they please..to their detriment perhaps. I suppose one should look at which ones have been around the longest..
Maybe your expectations are unreasonable.
Dealership X is a multiline dealer and has only one Diavel on the showroom floor. Dealership Y only carries Ducati and they have 3 Diavels on the floor and 3 in crates in a warehouse. Dealership Y would have a much easier time justifying a demo bike.
Look at dealerships that carry 3, 4 or more brands. How many different models do they have available? Dozens. A Ducati dealership only offers a handfull so it's easier for them to cover their whole line with demos.
Dealership X only has one Diavel on the showroom floor and you'd expect them to prep it for you?
I have a pretty good relationship with Inglis and I wouldn't even bother asking to test ride a showroom floor bike.
OpenGambit
Banned
It wasn't the same bike. Both dealerships had quite a few versions of the bike I was considering at the time. The one that I wanted to ride at the first dealership had actually been out before and you could tell from the tires + odo.
I actually got an apology from a different member of the sales staff over the behaviour of the first guy I talked to, so no i don't think I was being very unreasonable. But you are free to assume what you wish.
I actually got an apology from a different member of the sales staff over the behaviour of the first guy I talked to, so no i don't think I was being very unreasonable. But you are free to assume what you wish.
sounds like they tried to make it right after the fact?
OpenGambit
Banned
Not really, because the apology consisted of "he has done that before and has received complaints" to "he is ESL". In the end, the store didn't make anything right, I got an apology from someone that can't make decisions so while that guy is cool in my books, the dealership is not.
The first reason well.. the shop kept him knowing there is a problem so that doesnt' say much,
secondly.. ESL was a poor excuse, because it wasn't the words he used that were offensive, it was his attitude.
The first reason well.. the shop kept him knowing there is a problem so that doesnt' say much,
secondly.. ESL was a poor excuse, because it wasn't the words he used that were offensive, it was his attitude.
