Plastic Tank problems: Discussion thread, see info thread sticky for updates

[CDawg]

Getting my replacement tank today.  Self-paid for Caswell.  Will keep everyone posted.

[duccarlos]

Tiz, what cn be done about dealers like Ducati SoHo? Not all people are on the forum or actually do research. This is a case of a dealer obviously providing incorrect information. Can DNA step in and do something about it?

[ducatiz]

Tiz, what cn be done about dealers like Ducati SoHo? Not all people are on the forum or actually do research. This is a case of a dealer obviously providing incorrect information. Can DNA step in and do something about it?

I brought it up with them previously, I don't know what they did with the information.  Other than people calling up Ducati NA in California and saying they are taking their business elsewhere, DucSoho has a franchise contract or some similar arrangement.  Ducati NA doesn't lose business if you go to another Ducati dealer.

The best thing to do is call Ducati NA directly, they have a good cust service line I have found and so far people are getting good info from them.

[mjk778]

You are the 3rd or 4th person sold that line of BS from Ducati Soho. 

Ducati NA is replacing every tank that is showing deformation.  There is no "fuel must be leaking" rule, and I have that in an email directly from DNA.  Take it to another dealer, and with it, the rest of your business.

Im going to call Rockwell cycles on Tuesday.  If I do get the tank replaced I would like have it coated with Caswell's liner as to avoid issues in the future. Anyone know if this will be done by the dealer or can I request to do this myself prior to putting the tank on?

[ducatiz]

Im going to call Rockwell cycles on Tuesday.  If I do get the tank replaced I would like have it coated with Caswell's liner as to avoid issues in the future. Anyone know if this will be done by the dealer or can I request to do this myself prior to putting the tank on?

Most likely they can do it, I have read of multiple dealers around the country even offering it as part of the tank replacement (but you gotta pay).. A kit is about $40 and figure 2 hours labor typical.   

There are about a half dozen multistrada guys I have talked to who have had the coating running now well over a year and zero issues.

[duccarlos]

I talked to my dealer yesterday. I'm going to pay for the kit and bring it in. We will coat my tank and their personal tanks as well. If it works out I'm hoping they will also start coating the tanks for the additional fee. $40 is a small price to pay to get at least 1 dealer to do the right thing.

Can anyone post a link to the Caswell site so that I can order the kit?

[ducpainter]

I talked to my dealer yesterday. I'm going to pay for the kit and bring it in. We will coat my tank and their personal tanks as well. If it works out I'm hoping they will also start coating the tanks for the additional fee. $40 is a small price to pay to get at least 1 dealer to do the right thing.

Can anyone post a link to the Caswell site so that I can order the kit?

Dood...

Is google broken there? 

http://www.caswellplating.com/aids/epoxygas.htm

[duccarlos]

Too lazy and I was confident that my neighborhood humorless painter would reply.

BTW, in the same conversation I had with the dealer he explained that there are laws in Florida where I dealer can not refuse to do warranty work. Are there similar laws in NY?

[ducatiz]

Too lazy and I was confident that my neighborhood humorless painter would reply.

BTW, in the same conversation I had with the dealer he explained that there are laws in Florida where I dealer can not refuse to do warranty work. Are there similar laws in NY?

that's interesting, i'd like to see the statute in Florida.  I am aware of nothing in NY that requires the >dealer< to do the work, but of course there are state laws which affect a >manufacturer< who sells a warranted good in NY.

[ducpainter]

Most manufacturers, or distributors, have clauses in the franchise agreement that requires that dealers perform warranty work.

[duccarlos]

But from what we see in this situation, DNA is not forcing their dealers to do the warranty work. When he told me I first thought it was under the lemon law, but it's something separate.

[IamSMC]

Most manufacturers, or distributors, have clauses in the franchise agreement that requires that dealers perform warranty work.

I assume the clauses involves reimbursement to the dealer from Ducati NA for work performed at the dealer for the warranty work.

But with Ducati Soho Manhattan, are these bozos just avoiding dealing with the reimbursement process with Ducati NA? (Assuming IF there is a issue with reimbursement.)

I find the excuse, "it has to be leaking", to refuse warranty replacement seems at odds with safety issue.

When I asked the service manager , the one that refused to submit a warranty claim on my tank, why would Ducati NA wait for fuel to drip onto the engine and involve other related issues with leaking fuel, or even a fire hazard, he was silent on the inquiry...

[mjk778]

I brought it up with them previously, I don't know what they did with the information.  Other than people calling up Ducati NA in California and saying they are taking their business elsewhere, DucSoho has a franchise contract or some similar arrangement.  Ducati NA doesn't lose business if you go to another Ducati dealer.

The best thing to do is call Ducati NA directly, they have a good cust service line I have found and so far people are getting good info from them.

Just called Ducati NA to inform them of the issues with the tank swelling, as well as Ducati SOHO misinforming me that the tank needs to be leaking.  Ducati NA rep was aware of SOHO giving incorrect information to customers, documented our conversation, and told me to bring it up to Nick at Rockwell cycles.  I'm going to make the appointment tomorrow.

[ducpainter]

But from what we see in this situation, DNA is not forcing their dealers to do the warranty work. When he told me I first thought it was under the lemon law, but it's something separate.

We don't know what goes on behind the scenes.

If my dealer told me no and I knew they had their heads wedged, I'd thank DNA for pointing me in a better direction. If you were a distributor of a product and you had multiple dealers in a metro area would you force the dealer to do the work, probably piss off the customer, or worse have a bunch of pissed off people force federal involvement...

or find a dealer that understands they make money when they do warranty work and even more from happy customers?

It seems, to me at least, that some people are trying to vilify DNA.

I think they're doing a pretty good job in a sucky situation.

[duccarlos]

I think this whole thread has shown that DNA has been doing the right thing.

In South Florida there was a dealer that completely sucked. DNA had been trying for years to kill that relationship, but it wasn't until the dealer went under that they were able to get away from the situation. Like you said DP, it might be that DNA is not happy with SoHo for many reasons and they're doing their best to point people to the better dealer.