I have to complain, sorry!!!!!

S

Say I Am You

New member
I am in the process of shipping my Euro Spec bike to the US, due to " A reduction in US Army European support needs," and this is how I have been treated so far.


The man I spoke to at Ducati North America advised me, "It is not worth it to ship the bike. We cannot and will not help you with the process, You have to sell it and buy a new one in the US."

That's funny since when I called Ducati S.P.A in Italy, they told me it is no problem, and They will make a letter stating the conversions that have to be made. I am waiting on the letter still, but the lady I spoke with was very nice, and very helpful.

Ducati North America is worthless, and I have complained to my dealer here that they were of no help at all. Luckily my dealer has been selling Duc's since 1994, and is friends the Director that is over all the International companies. He said he will call in a complaint to them.

I can't believe Ducati of N.A. would advise people to sell their bikes and buy an new one there. I understand they want to sell bikes, but from my point of view, This is MY Ducati, the one I have worked on, the one I have spent thousands of dollars to make it the way I want it, the one I broke in carefully, and slowly. I only have 2000 kilometers om my 848. That is around 1,200 miles. If I were to sell my bike I would take a HUGE Loss, and would be lucky to sell it for what I bought it for ($14,000) with all the mods I have done to it.



OKOKOKOKOKOK Woo sah..... Woo sah

Just had to get that out to some people who understand the bond between a person, and their Ducati
 
Everyone is, including me now. But to give someone bad advise to help boost numbers is wrong, no matter how you look at it. This is not my first Ducati, and it will not be my last, but I dont know if I will buy a new one from Ducati N.A, I'll wait till i can get one slightly used...
 
DNA has no intentions on helping anybody with anything. They're in business to make money, thats all. There is no "passion" for the product like in Italy. Its so depressing because Italians have such great passion for things and Americans in general, don't have that same charisma.

If I ever move to Europe, I'm anxious to see what real Ducati is like.
 
When I told my Dealer what DNA said, he could not believe it. He told me that at every meeting he has to go to they express Performance, Passion, and FAMILY. He said that since DNA is so far away, they don't get the same influence from Ducati S.P.A. He pretty much said that DNA is a small group of Ducati employees that do everything they can to generate the numbers they want. This would not even be an issue if it were not for DNA.

Before, you could order a U.S. spec bike straight from Italy. All Ducati did was take one from the production line and send it where ever it was ordered to.
DNA complained that it was taking bikes from their inventory, and reducing their sales so Ducati stopped doing it.

When I purchased my bike I had 2 options. Purchase from the U.S. for 14 to 15,000 ship it to the Germany for 1,500 to 2,000. and then ship it back when I moved back. Or by one here for 14,000, pay to convert it ($150 to $300) and ship it home that is a savings of 1,000 to 1,500. My dealer said he had helped people in the past with the conversion, and it is not an issue.. He is right, but he expected DNA to provide the required documents, DNA has refused, and now we have to file for a special permit from Ducati S.P.A to get the paperwork straight.

Ducati (Italy) does not care what, where, or how you bought the bike. They care that you are happy with what you have. DNA cares only about numbers..... Just pisses me off... A process that could have taken 15 min, is taking days to complete, All because of a few people's greed.
 
Ducati dealer in the US gets up to $2,400 on each Ducati sold so their advise means only detriment to your hard earned money, investment, and your commendable attachment. I'd consider a lawyer to write to them on your behalf. People bring cars all the time from Europe. Read the warranty contract in detail also.

These huge commissions given by Ducati is not an industry wide norm.
 
Here is the original email Ducati sent me.... Check out the parts in red.....




Dear Mr. Hammitt,

Thank you for taking the time to contact Ducati. The motorcycle you are interested in importing is built to a different specification than a U.S. model. Below you will find some guidelines for importation.

Ducati North America is the sole importer and distributor of Ducati motorcycles and products sold in North America. As such all Ducati motorcycles imported by Ducati North America have been built to meet the requirements and standards set forth by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the federal Department of Transportation. Any motorcycle brought into the USA/Canada that have been purchased outside of the USA and Canada DO NOT meet the requirements and specifications of the US EPA and the federal DOT and must be brought up to meet these requirements and specifications in order to be registered and operated on public roads. Each individual model Ducati motorcycle, relative to the model year must obviously be brought up to these specifications. The issue is that each individual model Ducati motorcycle, relative to the model year that are sold outside of the USA/Canada may/may not have to have parts or systems changed to meet these requirements (Ducati motorcycles sold in Germany may require different upgrades than those sold in Italy. Each model year may have different upgrade requirements.). Therefore Ducati North America has no way to inspect or verify each motorcycle that individuals wish to bring to the USA/Canada to determine what the motorcycle will/will not need to meet these requirements.

It is the Owners responsibility to both determine what his bike needs to meet US EPA and DOT specifications and apply these upgrades.

The following information has been taken from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration web site and is considered current and valid. Please reference this web site for more information regarding importation into the USA.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

Vehicle Importation Guidelines (Imported From a Country Other Than Canada)

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/graymarket_RI_list5108.pdf

Vehicle Importation Guidelines (Imported From Canada)

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/VIG_Canada01192007.htm


The complexity of full compliance with all governmental requirements in such a process, and the potential liabilities for a minor error on the part of Ducati, one of our dealers, or an individual mechanic, is simply too great.

Ducati North America Inc. does not recommend the importation of non-conforming vehicles into the U.S. It is strongly recommended that if you are relocating to the U.S. that you sell your vehicle in its country of origin and purchase a new vehicle in your destination country.

If you still wish to pursue importing a non-conforming vehicle into the U.S. you may contact U.S. Customs at www.customs.ustreas.gov and the EPA and DOT at www.nhtsa.dot.gov for further assistance.

Best regards,

Customer Service
DUCATI North America
10443 Bandley Drive
Cupertino, CA 95014
www.ducatiusa.com
Tel: (408) 253-0499 x4411
Fax: (408)253-4099
 
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