Ducati South London (In Liquidation)

**Dan** · 10 Oct 05, 12:57 PM

I've just read a post in one of the Google News Groups that says the following:

Quote:

A few months ago the ISTR were saying, thay they "couldn't see how Ducati could maintain its UK dealer network on the small volume of sales it was producing".

This week Ducati South London (and the North London shop) went into liquidation. This was Ducati's largest and top-selling UK dealership, incidentally.

Does anybody know anymore about this?

**Dan** · 10 Oct 05, 01:24 PM

A response from a guy called Anthony, seems to know his stuff:

Heard about this last week just after they closed their doors.

As I know Marchello, the owner, and a couple of the guys who work(ed) there through their entry into the race series. Its always a shame when people lose their jobs through no fault of their own.
Having said that, there were often reports of not quite favourable customer relations from the shops, to the point where it seems they were only worried about selling bikes and not with aftercare. I'm sure the adage about "people who get poor service tell everyone, those who get good tell no-one" applies to some extent here, but you have to wonder how much
that kind of thing plays a factor, especially given the current market (downturn) out there.

I always thought they were on hiding to nothing with their Chelsea shop, as it was small, tucked out of the way and they even took the bikes to DLS for the servicing anyway. The rent must have been burning the cash something rotten.

There is a market out there for Ducati, but you're correct that they've just not got it right at the moment. Whether they will survive this lull in the market (both in general and their own sales) will be interesting. Will the v4 be the saviour, much like the 916 was back in the early 90s? If the market continues as it does I doubt it will. They're not going to sell many of the Desmosedici RR bikes at 35 grand a pop and the real road versions won't be ready for another 2 years after that. Is it more a question of 'will' they market a cheap bike rather than 'can' they? Depending on the success of the Classics range, I reckon we'll be seeing a Sport 620 and 800 before
long.

Talking to a few more dealers and specialists its going to be a really tough winter for them. Ducati owners traditionally wrap them up for winter and leave servicing and toys until the spring, so I really doubt this will be the last casualty.

**Ducky** · 10 Oct 05, 02:33 PM

Aarragghh, I used them for any parts I needed.

**Brian** · 10 Oct 05, 03:37 PM

Doh!!

Wasnt Bagazee getting his duke from there

**BaggaZee** · 10 Oct 05, 03:54 PM

Nope, but I was going to test-ride there (which I would have had to pay for

).
Meanwhile, 749 Darks are pretty thin on the ground (low mileage used ones anyway), I may have to 'settle' for a yellow one!

**Tony** · 10 Oct 05, 03:57 PM

you would have had to pay for a test ride???????

**Dan** · 10 Oct 05, 03:58 PM

Paying for a test ride.....

No bloody wonder they went under!

**Brian** · 10 Oct 05, 04:12 PM

serves em right then "pay for a test ride"

I will look out for some dark ones for you 8)

**BaggaZee** · 10 Oct 05, 04:29 PM

Please do, I had my eye on one in Rex Judd, only 364 miles!
Not surprisingl;y, by the weekend it had gone. Too slow!

**jools** · 11 Oct 05, 06:34 PM

Have you tried Pro Twins, just down the road at S. Godstone? In there Fri, had a black 749dark tucked upstairs? 01342 892 888

Incidentally, went there for a set of clutch plates 'cos their now closest too me that isn't DLS. Saw the bayliffs there to collect the bikes so stopped off, and was offered a bike for cheap by one of them. Sadly, he turned down £100...

Had past experience of their "customer service" it was ****, as previously mentioned, I was left with the impession if you weren't there to buy a bike they had no intrest in you.

Although much closer, I won't be shedding a tear.

**Brian** · 11 Oct 05, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jools

Sadly, he turned down £100...

Well youve gota try it aint ya

**Brian** · 11 Oct 05, 06:55 PM

Welcome jools by the way

**BaggaZee** · 12 Oct 05, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jools

Have you tried Pro Twins, just down the road at S. Godstone? In there Fri, had a black 749dark tucked upstairs? 01342 892 888

Nice one, second hand? I'll give 'em a bell...

**morphi** · 13 Oct 05, 12:23 PM

Hello,

New here, I have discovered this site from www.multistrada.net (I own a nice MTS1000 Black). Personal wise, I am french and lives in Hatfield, herts.
I would say a more UK web site is good for local information, so well done to the webmaster !

The first thing I saw was the post about DLS closing down ...

I have to say that the following quote is too familair to me :

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

[i]
Having said that, there were often reports of not quite favourable customer relations from the shops, to the point where it seems they were only worried about selling bikes and not with aftercare. I

I had only problems with them, about which I complained with Ducati UK without any news ...

My only problem now is that I have a part of my bike with them, how to I get it back ???

Cheers,
Morphi

**Brian** · 13 Oct 05, 06:11 PM

Welcome to the site morphi you will have to post this on the intro section of the site just so everyone knows your around

As for Central london Ducati having a part of your bike

if it was me i would be trying to get hold of them as soon as and get my bit back, Failing that i would go for a spinn down there and see if there is anyone around that can help you out