Opening a Ducati Dealership? - Upstate NY - Ducati.ms

zipporaid · May 16th, 2006, 8:35 pm

Hey all, I've been lurking for a while - this seems to be an awesome community!

I haven't bought a Ducati yet, but I've definitely got the bug...

Does anyone know how much Ducati charges for a dealership? I talked to someone at Aprilia, and they don't, also MV Agusta seems approachable - but I'm pretty much in the dark on Ducati.

Are there a minimum number of bikes you have to stock?

Do you know anything at all about opening a dealer?

I know lots of this is pretty vague, but I see a huge lack of foreign (but not japanese) sport bikes in my area. I'm not too knowledgable in the whole vehicle-selling deal, but I do have some cash saved up, and I'm starting to learn as much as I can about it.

I guess I'm trying to find out if it's economically feasible at all to pursue this.

I LOVE these bikes, and hope to capitalize on this in the next year or so.
THANKS SOOO MUCH for any input ANYONE has, and please, if you have anything at all, comments, criticisms, etc - LET ME KNOW!

also, I don't want to hear from just people working with dealers - If you guys have any gripes about dealerships, I'd like to hear those as well, to make the best damn dealership around. more aftermarket stuff in stock? better selection of clothes? Better pricing on expendables? what would bring you back to a dealer?

PookaDog · May 16th, 2006, 11:39 pm

Hey there,

Good luck with your venture. If you have good techs on your staff who know their stuff and you have good all round customer service, you'll do ok.

Stop by BCM in Laconia, NH, and you'll see a good example of how to do it right.

I think there's a shortage of "good" dealers, regardless of marque. I hope it works out for you. Keep us posted.

Oh - and check out the financials for Ducati that bkbducst3 just posted. You should find it of interest.

**Chuckracer** · May 17th, 2006, 12:05 am

Your location would be a big help here. There used to be a Ducati dealership in Watertown, but that folded. Not suprised...upstate NY is NOT a hotbed of motorcycling activity. Trust me, I know.

There is a dealer outside Buffalo, but it's real small. Freds in Syracuse is a Duc dealer, but everything there is list price.

**scott** · May 17th, 2006, 12:25 am

I would be happy to give you the phone number of the Ducati North America sales rep if your truly interested. You can contact me via PM or email.

copperhead · May 17th, 2006, 7:14 pm

I worked at what many would say was successful MC dealership (non-ducati). I would say good techs are high on the priority list. Find skilled people who know their bikes. Service can make or break a business.

zipporaid · May 17th, 2006, 8:26 pm

UGH! Why'd you have to go and have me look at the financial thread!!!?!?!

I guess it's good to know this stuff, and I would have looked at the financials at some point, but man - things aren't looking that great for the company I guess.

I would definitely have to carry more than one brand, and I suppose I would go with MV (Brutale is sick!) and possibly Triumph, maybe Aprilia (tho there is a dealer here).

If I do get this started, all you listers in upstate (spec. Rochester) have to promise to buy everything from me!

I'm sure service has to be high on the list, as my friends have pointed out,
but I think getting a top notch mechanic is most likely easier than getting a nice location and capital loans.

Chuck; I totally am aware of the lack of MC in upstate, that's why I want to do this! I see TONS of HD's and Jap bikes - it's not like people don't ride...

I suppose I'm just hoping to create a market niche here, as I rarely see any foreign bikes in town.

Maybe the whole thing is just a pipe dream, but I'm sick to death of making other people rich! I'd rather work for peanuts by myself than line somebody's pockets anymore. Thanks to all you guys who posted, and keep the info coming! hopefully I can open shop just as Ducati pulls the plug.

It's funny how I even came to realize that there wasn't a dealer in Rochester - I have wanted a monster since 9X's, and just got the urge to go check them out this spring - alas, no F!@#!@ing dealer!

wouldn't want to drive to buffalo for service either...

solution: Build dealership.

**Chuckracer** · May 17th, 2006, 9:27 pm

I would think in order to stay alive in upstate NY you would need to do the snowmobile/atv thing as well. Perhaps Victory/Polaris/KTM/Ducati...that would be a cool store!

Look up Williamsville Competition if you haven't already.

http://www.worldbikes.com/wcompetition/

zooom · May 17th, 2006, 10:09 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by zipporaid

I would definitely have to carry more than one brand, and I suppose I would go with...... maybe Aprilia

Aprilia has some great things coming on the nearby horizon...I would also seriously consider KTM...and to meet 4 wheeler needs...Kawasaki's line of Mule's are awesome sellers!

kaos · May 17th, 2006, 10:14 pm

if your leery of ducatis future,you best not look into mv agusta or aprilla,although most here love them, most would not buy any italian bike stock shares(other than conversation pieces)

wad · May 18th, 2006, 4:49 am

ducati+hyosung+royal enfield and ural would make and awesome dealer the 3 last ones would be pretty cheap to add.

i know from a guy i know who owns a ktm etc dirt only dealer. that most want you to carry the entire line. can take alot of floor space. they give you floor credit only for so long. meaning you get the bikes on credit for a while but if you dont sell them quickly enough you have to start paying for them.

i have found that dealers either sell bikes cheap or parts/acc. cheap but not both.