Hi all, just been told by a mate at work that Marshall Honda Bikes in P'boro have stopped trading? A quick google search came up with a comment on a VFR forum confirming it? Anyone know if its correct and if so why?
Maybe. I called them this morning and left a message on Dave's (service dept) direct line to book my bike in for its service this month and have not had any reply, which is very unlike him. I will try and find out in the morning. I called just called Adi's direct line, one of the sales guys and it went to answer machine as I expected given its past trading hours but left a message asking him to call me back in the morning. Lets see. Maybe Mr B can shine some light.
I Can confirm that marshall Honda has closed, there are finishing off work that was all ready booked in, it is in the process of being cleared out, used bikes will be going to grantham Honda, Wheels have taken on the franchise and should be open by the end of the month, they closed last Friday with no notice or warning
Oh dear that is sad news. Nice enough guys at wheels, ok for Kawasaki, Suzuki and aprilia but not Honda! I suspect Grantham will pick up a little more business?
I concur, spoken to one of the guys this morning and it’s exactly as Dan stated above, some of the staff are being taken on my Wheels but I don't know who as yet. When I find out I will revert. Not sure I want to have to go up to Grantham to get a service but who knows maybe Carl will kindly make me a cuppa while I wait.
Sad news whatever happened, a big name like Marshalls closing a dealership? The guys I dealt with there were good blokes,always helpful and had a laugh. I do visit Wheels but have yet to buy anything other than chain lube and a hardcore chain. What are they like for bike sales / px prices and after sales service?
I can’t comment on bike price, px or aftersales but I purchased both my 1 piece Alpine star suit and S-Max plus boots from them, both times I paid quite a bit less than the ticket price after a little persuasive negotiation.
I purchased my pervious RR5 from them, I was happy with the deal, professionally dealt with etc. they offer a lifetime guarantee on used bike but its not worth the paper it's written on. The bike I bought was great, no problems. I still use them as a regular stop off for a brew. However, Honda main dealer, No not for me. They will always be a great used bike dealer that sells the odd new bike, but then everyone has to start somewhere and the best of luck to them.
I wouldn't take my bike there for a service David, just because they have satisfied the franchise protocol it doesn't change their second hand ethics overnight. Maybe I'm being a little hard, they are nice chaps, but that's my current opinion.
My best mate was the mechanic at marshalls, hes not been told about moving to wheels yet, if he does not go I will either take my bike to BSD or Grantham Honda to get serviced as there is something I just don't like about wheels and its past history,
Come to Grantham Dan, just off the a1 you don't even have to come into town. Or take the Sleaford road to Bourne Corby Glen Bitchfield Grantham, great ride
The no notice aspect intrigues me. Do you know why they closed, was it Marshalls pulling the plug due to bikes not making or being a drain on the overall contribution to the Marshall Group’s bottom line or Honda. I somehow doubt it was Honda as from personal experience I have had nothing but professional, friendly and fair service both with regard to buying new bikes and aftersales. Bit pissed off about it if I am honest as it means I am going to have to travel much further for services etc.
I have no idea David and know no one that works there to find out? I was once told by someone who appeared to be a little more than a sales man that they struggle to compete with Grantham on new sales, I think Grantham are proactive with open days, limited addition paint etc. Grantham sell a lot of bikes and think outside the box, marshall's were fair and professional but not as proactive as the could be perhaps. It's a shame but in business you have to work at it these days?
Now you mention that Carl, you are right, they didn’t drive the deal on either of the new bikes I brought from them, or come up with any out of the box thinking to close the deal. Each time it was me driving hard for what I wanted, when I brought my current blade they had a couple of opportunities to close me and I would have agreed, but instead gave me the option to push harder to see if I could get a better deal, which I did. I am guessing the guy you are talking about is David the DP (well was the DP) he once told me over a cup of coffee that he was struggling to compete with the deals Wheels offered on used but I don’t recall him mentioning new. Nice enough guy though. Whatever they all end up doing in the future I wish them all the best.
I got a letter from Marshall's yesterday informing me of the closure, stating a re structure of their Peterborough businesses. It also quotes the Honda dealer finder web link. Oh, and a final sales pitch for their Honda car dealership. So now we know the reason.
Its not down to a restructure, they were forced out buy high rent and bills being split 3 ways with the other 2 larger units, Despite marshalls owning the unit they were charging the motorbike franchise sky high rent, They were not allowed an advertising or open event budget so they could only do a few displays at cheaper venues, with large over heads and slow sales they had to cut the cord. After a chat with a mate ill be heading down to Grantham for servicing as he is moving to there. I wont be trusting Wheels with my bike.
I popped into Wheels this morning, David the DP from Marshalls Honda is now there working as a salesman, at least he's working. He tells me the 2 technicians have gone there and Stu from the parts desk is there or starting there. Ady is selling fish for a living so if he knocks on your door ask him what fish is the fastest and can he do 0% finance! I always got on well with the guys at Marshalls, Ady was a nice chap and sold me my last blade.... I am in the market for another blade, NON ABS this time as my 2012 HRC knocked my confidence big time when the lever met the bars. (especially now the current wife rides pillion - and seems to enjoy it )
Thanks for that Mr H, like you I rate those guys and glad to hear that they have found gainful employment. I can't imagine Ad selling fish though. Good luck to them.
