Moto Guzzi Survey

[Moparnut72]

I received a request in my email to complete a survey. It was from a private company commissioned by Moto Guzzi. I purchased a V7lll this past summer so I assume that was the reason for the survey. The survey was interesting and reading beteen the lines it looks like MG is evaluating their existing ways of selling and servicing their bikes. It appears that the company is also exploring new ways of doing this. It was a pretty lenghty survey so I will illustrate some of the things that were covered, I don't remember everything.

1. They wanted to know why I chose MG. The answers included all of the obvious, such as recommendation, magazine ads etc. They never asked if I had already owned one or still do, which was strange. Also how did I first hear about the brand. It was so long ago I don't remember.

2. They wanted to know why I chose the brand and if I considered others. I did not as I already owned one and really didn't want anything else. I did king of looked at the RE when I was in the dealership but only passively. They wanted to know if I test rode it before I bought it. I didn`t, j ust loaded it on a trailer and took it home.

3. There were quite a few questions regarding the dealership experience including sales and service. I was pretty middle of the roadd on this. I didn't give the dealer high marks but not the lowest either. I was coerced into paying for the first service which is supposed to include a discount on parts and accessories. I added that the dealership network is terrible with the aftersale. I bought both of my Guzzis from the same company, different dealers, it took four months to get my registrations for both bikes. I had to contact the finance companies myself.

4.The previous brings me to the next two area they covered. The first was would I take my bike to an independent shop for service if it was certified by the company. I of course said I would. They also wanted to know if I would buy a bike on line. Hell yes, anything to keep me out of the dealerships.

In conclusion it looks to me that the company is looking at other ways to market and service their products. We always hear about how badly Piaggio treats their dealers. Maybe it is a two way street. Maybe they are looking at ways to sell more bikes and create a  way to service owner's bikes in a way that they would be more likely to trust. If nothing else they are definately looking at some other options. I will sum it up at least for me, if I could buy a bike on line have it shipped to my local shop for setup and first service I am all in. What do you all think? Have you gotten similar survey?

Also I just need to add that I am not trashing all dealers but the two I have dealt with have not provided a very pleasant experience. I know that there are a few that are highly regarded on this site but I think they are the exception.
kk

[oldbike54]

 Considering that the mothership pays for warranty work in parts that never get sold it is amazing that anyone would be a dealer or a service center .

 Dusty

[bad Chad]

I too got the survey too.    It was done by the Nealson company, same company that monitors tv ratings in the US, I believe.

The grammar was a little off in some places, thus I suspect it came out of Italy.

[Travlr]

Buying a vehicle online and having it serviced at an independent service shop is a business model a lot of car manufacturers are looking at.  It cuts out the middleman.

My neighbor just bought and sold a car and never left his house.  He sold his car to Carvana who came by with a truck and picked it up.  He then bought a different car online.  They brought it to his house to test drive.  Then returned a few days later with the car and the paperwork.  The warranty is valid at most independent service shops.

Mike

[elrealistico]

I got the same survey also, from buying an 18 V7III Special. Was  leftover from a dealer that dropped Guzzi, but kept Aprilia and Vespa, they do move a lot of those scooters. I answered the questions in much the same way, with some diff--

1. In my case it was because I wanted a standard type bike with modern conveniences like EFI, ABS and shaft drive, and am too cheap to buy a BMW. Also drive by the place a couple times a day. Was aware of Guzzi for many years, and knew a few owners in the past and were happy and devoted to the brand.

2. I looked at the Triumphs, I have a 78 Bonneville I will never part with, and was considering a New Bonnie. But they were way more money and since they are the choice du jour for a lot of hipsters these days, there were no deals to be had.

3. Dealership--they were quite open about saying good riddance to the MG brand. There were 3 MGs left there, from 2018, all V7IIIs. Were waiting on a truck to be sent to them to ship back to Piaggio/MG. They never got or ordered 19s apparently. They can and will service them they say, but no warranty work. Another dealer has picked up MG in my area, but I have not visited them yet.

4. I bought mine, fully expecting to do all routine servicing and eventually major work myself. I would consider a local shop, even the place I bought it from, to do some work like mounting and balancing tires, machine work or stuff that requires special tools. My experience with motorcycle "mechanics" that inhabit most dealerships has been less than stellar over the years, I am no expert, but it's my bike and butt on the line.

Guess we'll see what comes out of it, if something like direct sales to buyers like Carvana that was mentioned with service handled by folks who have no dealership obligations and can take or leave the service work. If they treat those folks as badly as they supposedly treat their dealers, they will rapidly run out of anyone willing to touch them for warranty work unless the owner pays up front and then has to deal with Piaggio on their own.

I received a request in my email to complete a survey. It was from a private company commissioned by Moto Guzzi. I purchased a V7lll this past summer so I assume that was the reason for the survey. The survey was interesting and reading beteen the lines it looks like MG is evaluating their existing ways of selling and servicing their bikes. It appears that the company is also exploring new ways of doing this. It was a pretty lenghty survey so I will illustrate some of the things that were covered, I don't remember everything.

1. They wanted to know why I chose MG. The answers included all of the obvious, such as recommendation, magazine ads etc. They never asked if I had already owned one or still do, which was strange. Also how did I first hear about the brand. It was so long ago I don't remember.

2. They wanted to know why I chose the brand and if I considered others. I did not as I already owned one and really didn't want anything else. I did king of looked at the RE when I was in the dealership but only passively. They wanted to know if I test rode it before I bought it. I didn`t, j ust loaded it on a trailer and took it home.

3. There were quite a few questions regarding the dealership experience including sales and service. I was pretty middle of the roadd on this. I didn't give the dealer high marks but not the lowest either. I was coerced into paying for the first service which is supposed to include a discount on parts and accessories. I added that the dealership network is terrible with the aftersale. I bought both of my Guzzis from the same company, different dealers, it took four months to get my registrations for both bikes. I had to contact the finance companies myself.

4.The previous brings me to the next two area they covered. The first was would I take my bike to an independent shop for service if it was certified by the company. I of course said I would. They also wanted to know if I would buy a bike on line. Hell yes, anything to keep me out of the dealerships.

In conclusion it looks to me that the company is looking at other ways to market and service their products. We always hear about how badly Piaggio treats their dealers. Maybe it is a two way street. Maybe they are looking at ways to sell more bikes and create a  way to service owner's bikes in a way that they would be more likely to trust. If nothing else they are definately looking at some other options. I will sum it up at least for me, if I could buy a bike on line have it shipped to my local shop for setup and first service I am all in. What do you all think? Have you gotten similar survey?

Also I just need to add that I am not trashing all dealers but the two I have dealt with have not provided a very pleasant experience. I know that there are a few that are highly regarded on this site but I think they are the exception.
kk

[Huzo]

I too got the survey too. 
The grammar was a little off in some places, thus I suspect it came out of Italy.

Ummmmm.....Or Wild Guzzi..

[bad Chad]

Carbs a doesn’t sell new vehicles.

[Dimitri_Harkov]

In Austria, the Piaggio importer runs an online shop for all brands of the company.

But it works in cooperation with the individual dealers instead of cutting them out.
The main advantage from their point of view seems to be that you can't bargain over the price online - while you can save loads of money when buying at a dealership in person.

I don't know if that system was implemented at Piaggio's suggestion or was a local initiative.

Cheers,
D.

[moto-uno]

 Replying to the remark concerning paying for warranty with parts , that's pretty much standard fare.
  H-D did it for decades while I was employed at the dealerships , haven't worked at one for a while
  now , so maybe it's changes ( I doubt it ) . Peter

[Rough Edge racing]

 Paying the dealer for warranty claims with parts is what  Triumph did in the early 70's ...It simply worsened the allready poor dealer/ factory relationship. A desperate measure because Triumph had no money. ..Besides the Harley and Guzzi story above I have no clue if this practice is widespread.

[wrbix]

Buying a vehicle online and having it serviced at an independent service shop is a business model a lot of car manufacturers are looking at.  It cuts out the middleman.

Mike

CSC is using this sales/service model to sell their Chinese made motorcycles and seem to be doing quite well with it. Certainly able to undercut pricing for comparable models.

[bad Chad]

CSC has a great on line support for their bikes, lots of "how to video tutorials and so on.  But they don't offer service at any place other than their location in CA, it's not like you can take it to a CSC authorized shop for service.