Mate I totally agree with you. But to be fair if you manage to stay in work, it's tough but not as bad as it could be. We have it very well in the good times and not as bad as others in the shite (I'm talking genrally - obviously I don't know your situation) My mrs is half Italian, some of her lot out there are struggling so bad it's terrible. It's going to be a moody couple of years yet but it will get better eventually.
what recession . i have just cancelled my repsol blade after being totally messed around by a dealer for the last month, i rang the dealer to say i wanted to buy the bike but no one was available to take the order at that time , so i said ok get someone to ring me. anyway after nobody ccould be bothered ringing me , i rang them back,and left a £250 deposit to have the bike as it stood ,with the aftermarket exhaust . i rung back a week later as nobody had bothered to contact me again ,only to find that some idiot had taken the exhaust off and sold it. they said they would get me another exhaust,and they came back saying they would get me a leo vinci one ,which i agreed to. i rang back 3 times to be told that the can hadnt arrived yet. i rang back today to find out what was happening ,only to be told that the can was still on order with BLUE FLAME, "hang on a minute" i said ," i was promised a leo vinci" the salesman went and checked and said it was definatley a blue flame that was on order. so i have now asked for my deposit back, as if they cant be arsed to take my money or communicate with me when i have not even got the bike, there is no way i would trust them to sort out any problems that might have arisen after i had taken delivery of the bike. not bloody impressed.
To be fair there's two ways to look at this, the first is as most are saying 'how bad it is for George whites and most of all it's staff ' The latter part I agree with whole hearted, HOWEVER with a business model that's obviously worked solely on low margins to gain market share & rapid expansion you've also gotta wonder what damage they've done with that to all the other dealers locally to they're 'megastores' nationwide. All they've done is screwed the prices so low that it's no doubt effected all dealers within a certain catchment area to them and obviously not put enough coffers away or invested in assets of any worth. How many dealers have been screwed over by cut throat business along the way....a fair few I'd presume. Let's hope the staff get a break and find employment at the very least.
Pretty bad for the entire industry. I wonder how much revenue they contributed to MCN/Bauer Media every week with their 4 page ads? And don't they sponsor BSB?
thats bad news. took the family to london last weekend and stopped in the swindon branch on way up as never been in there. loads of bikes there along with 6 new repsols all in a line at 11300 a pop. the clothing outlet was huge and i couldnt believe how cheap some stuff was. frank thomas textile jackets from £20 was just 1 bargain. was going to make a day of it next time on way to silverstone but thats off now. i feel for them i really do. this government always finds money to help other countries out but the uk is in a mess too!!
Hi new here, Really sad about this, just bought my repsol Honda 1000rr with akrapovic exhaust etc literally last week from the Swindon branch. Great deal, great people to deal with and this was my third bike from georgewhite. I hope something can save the branches and people from the brink. This recession blows.
The UK sucks imo, I looked at new venue to start up a new idea not so long ago near Farnham, they want £60,000.00 a year rates alone! No wonder places go pop, never right imo!
Bought my repsol from Swindon, yes based on better deal than from my local dealership was well pleased with customer service, sales etc......... its a shame all those guys have lost their jobs.....but is nt there different factors to George White ?, thought the Honda side was seperate business from Yam, Suz & Kawa.... plus they have car sales at Swindon....
Welcome Thorpy, great to have another local on here. Please say hi n the newbie thread. And agree with you n this
More detail about George White motorcyles. George White motorcycle dealership goes into administration | This is Plymouth
At least he is sorting people out unlike the tragic end of Midlands Superbikes where people lost bikes, money and even life after the owner jumped from beachy head!
Just reading about another chap on another forum I am on... (ducati) and he has a new/s-hand GSXR1000 K5 from GW but had some problems with the clutch so took it in to be sorted, they gave him a new GSR demo bike while work was done, now in Admin.. and still has the demo bike but his GSXR is still in bits in the workshop and they will not release it until the demo is back... catch 22! Quotes:- a) Brought a GSXR1000K5 from the Pymouth branch just before Christmas. The bike is currently in for some warranty work I do have there brand new GSR demo bike, which is a bit more reassuring. Just tried phoning the branch but no joy............how would I stand on getting the completed? Also took out the 12months warranty (Which I believe is Black Horse S%$te) which I presume is still valid? Any ideas or suggestions welcome. b) Just been up to George C&%ts and the GSXR is sat there negative clutch (In bits) so I will have to find out how to put that back together and put the rest of the bike together. Administrator doesn't give a honda (Surprise) so going to return there demo bike in the same state......negative clutch. Not a happy Bear. c) There is no one from GW there only administrator who won't release my bike unless demo bike is returned (He has no clue about bikes). My bike currently has the clutch pack out and relevant body work, I believe its just replace plates, hub, springs and then gasket & cover (In basic terms, there several bolts with gaskets, torque etc) then body work. He stated the demo bike belongs to Suzuki, they have no intention to repair my bike (No spares are being delivered/ordered) all the mechanics have been laid off. How do I stand if a Suzuki Rep comes to collect the Demo? I have no legal rights to hold the bike. Which in turn is the same rule for GW and my bike (Except there garage is like a fortress). I had thought of taking the clutch out of the GSR wheel it up to GW and trailer my bike back, I'm on a bit of a no win. Bugger!
Whilst that's not a funny post I can't help but chuckle as I don't even need to check which ducati forum that is with the 'Honda' word replacement
