Saltire Motorcycles closed
Discussion
Saltire in Edinburgh have closed the business and appointed administrators. Facebook statement reflected on their website.
Really sad to see another bike dealer gone. In Scotland alone in the last few years we have lost Portmans, Mickey Oates, Ecosse and now Saltire.
Saltire Motorcycles
Really sad to see another bike dealer gone. In Scotland alone in the last few years we have lost Portmans, Mickey Oates, Ecosse and now Saltire.
Saltire Motorcycles
A proper shame for the staff. It is a very big and varied dealer by scottish standards which made it a great place to wander round waiting on your bike being seen.
I'm not happy personally, since I bought a vitpilen portmans in glasgow closed and now this. Think there's one KTM dealer left in Perth. I was already miffed at having to go to edinburgh.
I'm not happy personally, since I bought a vitpilen portmans in glasgow closed and now this. Think there's one KTM dealer left in Perth. I was already miffed at having to go to edinburgh.
KTMsm said:
We've lost several dealers near me in Warwickshire too
Everyone seems to think they're making a fortune, yet it's clearly not enough to survive
Motor trade margins are pitiful but especially so on small and mid weight bikes whilst overheads are horrendous. Everyone seems to think they're making a fortune, yet it's clearly not enough to survive
Biggest issue is cashflow. The stock is shipped wholesale and either ties up huge sums or is interest bearing on a funding line at dealers cost.
Saltire we're one of the more proactive dealers with good facilities and CRM investment, I'm quite surprised to see them go. I'd never have gone to Portmans but I was thinking about going to Edinburgh for a look at an SDGT next year. A friend has a Norden needing a service, facing a schlep up to Perth now.
We've lost Triumph and Ducati Glasgow since the pandemic too, although the franchises found new homes, and some of the staff.
Getting awkward to buy a new bike around here unless you fit into certain demographics.
We've lost Triumph and Ducati Glasgow since the pandemic too, although the franchises found new homes, and some of the staff.
Getting awkward to buy a new bike around here unless you fit into certain demographics.
BuzzBravado said:
Overheads might have gotten away from them, considering they expanded really fast with new buildings and an ever increasing portfolio of manufacturers. Once their attention moved to selling Indians and haircuts it held no appeal to me.
That's kind of it for me too. To be honest though I mostly used to pop in as a mate worked in the clothing section but I haven't been in much since he left a few years back. What's the story with haircuts though, on site barbers?Shame as they seemed to have a good motoring school going on. I expect it won't be long before that building is transformed into student accommodation.
Not a new phenomenon. First bike I bought was a ZX6R from a Kawasaki dealer in Letchworth. Went belly up the year after I bought it. Unfortunately my bike was in their workshop when it went bust, which was painful as I had to wait for the receivers to sell the business before the new owners would start working on it and give the bike back.
Skeptisk said:
Not a new phenomenon. First bike I bought was a ZX6R from a Kawasaki dealer in Letchworth. Went belly up the year after I bought it. Unfortunately my bike was in their workshop when it went bust, which was painful as I had to wait for the receivers to sell the business before the new owners would start working on it and give the bike back.
Must have been a nightmare. Funnily enough, I was in there about a fortnight ago for the first time in years and years and years.
Very disappointing how poorly stocked it was, not at all what I remember from when they had Suzuki, Harley and Ducati, I spent about 25 minutes there and not one member of staff attempted to engage with me in that time.
Absolutely rubbish.
A few days later I was chatting to the service manager at Motorad (where I also hadn't been in years) and recognised him from at least ten years previously when he was the very young service manager at Saltire.
He was telling me that Saltire actually went bust a few years previously, lost all the major manufacturers and were now very budget in everything they did (well, a BMW man would say that anyway, but he wasn't far wrong).
Sorry to hear of anywhere going out of business, but I can't say I'm surprised really given my last experience.
Very disappointing how poorly stocked it was, not at all what I remember from when they had Suzuki, Harley and Ducati, I spent about 25 minutes there and not one member of staff attempted to engage with me in that time.
Absolutely rubbish.
A few days later I was chatting to the service manager at Motorad (where I also hadn't been in years) and recognised him from at least ten years previously when he was the very young service manager at Saltire.
He was telling me that Saltire actually went bust a few years previously, lost all the major manufacturers and were now very budget in everything they did (well, a BMW man would say that anyway, but he wasn't far wrong).
Sorry to hear of anywhere going out of business, but I can't say I'm surprised really given my last experience.
I'm kinda f
ked, they scratched my tank doing the rocker cover gasket, promised me a new one and now they've went bust so god knows where my tank is. I contacted the Perth KTM but they never registered it on the system. So I've no idea what to do now. Add to that, they promised me money off my next service from the sheer st show they provided when bikes were in for a service.
I'd been in about eight times since Christmas time, the amount of bikes on display had dramatically decreased. The salesman were stood about doing nothing. The summer up here I fear has killed them. The only part that seemed busy was the service and repair section.
It's obviously st for folk that were working there and it was a decent setup.
As for portmans I got my Mrs bike from there, it was an utter ste hole, they were s once you bought from them, I'm not in the least bit sorry to see it go.
ked, they scratched my tank doing the rocker cover gasket, promised me a new one and now they've went bust so god knows where my tank is. I contacted the Perth KTM but they never registered it on the system. So I've no idea what to do now. Add to that, they promised me money off my next service from the sheer st show they provided when bikes were in for a service. I'd been in about eight times since Christmas time, the amount of bikes on display had dramatically decreased. The salesman were stood about doing nothing. The summer up here I fear has killed them. The only part that seemed busy was the service and repair section.
It's obviously s
t for folk that were working there and it was a decent setup. As for portmans I got my Mrs bike from there, it was an utter s
te hole, they were s once you bought from them, I'm not in the least bit sorry to see it go. moanthebairns said:
I'm kinda fked, they scratched my tank doing the rocker cover gasket, promised me a new one and now they've went bust so god knows where my tank is. I contacted the Perth KTM but they never registered it on the system. So I've no idea what to do now. Add to that, they promised me money off my next service from the sheer st show they provided when bikes were in for a service.
I'd been in about eight times since Christmas time, the amount of bikes on display had dramatically decreased. The salesman were stood about doing nothing. The summer up here I fear has killed them. The only part that seemed busy was the service and repair section.
It's obviously st for folk that were working there and it was a decent setup.
As for portmans I got my Mrs bike from there, it was an utter ste hole, they were s once you bought from them, I'm not in the least bit sorry to see it go.
If you paid for the service with a credit card, speak to your provider, you might be covered in some way. ked, they scratched my tank doing the rocker cover gasket, promised me a new one and now they've went bust so god knows where my tank is. I contacted the Perth KTM but they never registered it on the system. So I've no idea what to do now. Add to that, they promised me money off my next service from the sheer st show they provided when bikes were in for a service. I'd been in about eight times since Christmas time, the amount of bikes on display had dramatically decreased. The salesman were stood about doing nothing. The summer up here I fear has killed them. The only part that seemed busy was the service and repair section.
It's obviously s
t for folk that were working there and it was a decent setup. As for portmans I got my Mrs bike from there, it was an utter s
te hole, they were s once you bought from them, I'm not in the least bit sorry to see it go. Like you say, our crap summer and everyone feeling a financial squeeze, then you can understand how dealers are struggling. Especially if they are not providing a top service
Sad to hear about another motorcycle dealer going out of business. I live in East central Scotland and there aren't that many dealers left. Two wheels in Edinburgh for Triumph and Honda; Cupar Motorcycles for Suzuki; Harley Davidson in Edinburgh; and Kawasaki dealers in Kirkcaldy and Edinburgh. Hopefully there is enough demand to keep these dealerships open.
Ecosseven said:
Sad to hear about another motorcycle dealer going out of business. I live in East central Scotland and there aren't that many dealers left. Two wheels in Edinburgh for Triumph and Honda; Cupar Motorcycles for Suzuki; Harley Davidson in Edinburgh; and Kawasaki dealers in Kirkcaldy and Edinburgh. Hopefully there is enough demand to keep these dealerships open.
They really need a rethink about how they deal with customers though... or maybe it's just me..Saltire didn't want to deal with me after I had the "f
king nerve" to call them out after they tried to charge me for work they hadn't done. They also had my mates KTM in no less than 6 times as they "didn't know what was wrong".. great dealer! Kawasaki Edinburgh wouldn't let me have a demo ride on their demo bike as "they were trying to sell it"... I am a 25 year Kawasaki rider, and current have 2 of them... so not like I was messing them around..
Just last week, I was in both Kawasaki and Harley Edinburgh (same owners??) and not once was I approached by ANYONE to ask if I needed anything, was looking for anything... they all just sat and hit behind their desks...
Strange places and they all give zero f
ks as far as I can see... Hell mend them. I was out in the car last week and popped into Alan Duffus in Kirkcaldy. Not to but anything but just for a look as I’ve gone past it dozens of times.
I got asked if I needed any help by the salesman, explained my position and was told just to have a wander about. Then Alan himself came across and asked the same. We ended up having a good chat about his racing career.
It makes such a difference if you have a good first experience.
moanthebairns said:
I'm kinda fked, they scratched my tank doing the rocker cover gasket, promised me a new one and now they've went bust so god knows where my tank is. I contacted the Perth KTM but they never registered it on the system. So I've no idea what to do now. Add to that, they promised me money off my next service from the sheer st show they provided when bikes were in for a service.
I'd been in about eight times since Christmas time, the amount of bikes on display had dramatically decreased. The salesman were stood about doing nothing. The summer up here I fear has killed them. The only part that seemed busy was the service and repair section.
It's obviously st for folk that were working there and it was a decent setup.
As for portmans I got my Mrs bike from there, it was an utter ste hole, they were s once you bought from them, I'm not in the least bit sorry to see it go.
Worth trying the KTM Contact Form on their website. Hopefully they will be "Sensitive" to customer issues in the area when there is no representation.ked, they scratched my tank doing the rocker cover gasket, promised me a new one and now they've went bust so god knows where my tank is. I contacted the Perth KTM but they never registered it on the system. So I've no idea what to do now. Add to that, they promised me money off my next service from the sheer st show they provided when bikes were in for a service. I'd been in about eight times since Christmas time, the amount of bikes on display had dramatically decreased. The salesman were stood about doing nothing. The summer up here I fear has killed them. The only part that seemed busy was the service and repair section.
It's obviously s
t for folk that were working there and it was a decent setup. As for portmans I got my Mrs bike from there, it was an utter s
te hole, they were s once you bought from them, I'm not in the least bit sorry to see it go. Quite sad about this as I've bought numerous bikes from them over the years and it was a bit of a hub for my biking. I always received good service but could see a dip over the last year. The rented premises is very shabby and tbh I was expecting the company to split up with maybe Indian and Royal Enfield going one way and KTM another.
Taking the Husqvarna to Perth for service won't be too bad but the closest Indian dealer is now Carlisle with a dealer I have no knowledge about. However first world problems when so many good people have lost their jobs
Taking the Husqvarna to Perth for service won't be too bad but the closest Indian dealer is now Carlisle with a dealer I have no knowledge about. However first world problems when so many good people have lost their jobs
papa3 said:
moanthebairns said:
I'm kinda fked, they scratched my tank doing the rocker cover gasket, promised me a new one and now they've went bust so god knows where my tank is. I contacted the Perth KTM but they never registered it on the system. So I've no idea what to do now. Add to that, they promised me money off my next service from the sheer st show they provided when bikes were in for a service.
I'd been in about eight times since Christmas time, the amount of bikes on display had dramatically decreased. The salesman were stood about doing nothing. The summer up here I fear has killed them. The only part that seemed busy was the service and repair section.
It's obviously st for folk that were working there and it was a decent setup.
As for portmans I got my Mrs bike from there, it was an utter ste hole, they were s once you bought from them, I'm not in the least bit sorry to see it go.
Worth trying the KTM Contact Form on their website. Hopefully they will be "Sensitive" to customer issues in the area when there is no representation.ked, they scratched my tank doing the rocker cover gasket, promised me a new one and now they've went bust so god knows where my tank is. I contacted the Perth KTM but they never registered it on the system. So I've no idea what to do now. Add to that, they promised me money off my next service from the sheer st show they provided when bikes were in for a service. I'd been in about eight times since Christmas time, the amount of bikes on display had dramatically decreased. The salesman were stood about doing nothing. The summer up here I fear has killed them. The only part that seemed busy was the service and repair section.
It's obviously s
t for folk that were working there and it was a decent setup. As for portmans I got my Mrs bike from there, it was an utter s
te hole, they were s once you bought from them, I'm not in the least bit sorry to see it go. Drawweight said:
I was out in the car last week and popped into Alan Duffus in Kirkcaldy. Not to but anything but just for a look as I’ve gone past it dozens of times.
I got asked if I needed any help by the salesman, explained my position and was told just to have a wander about. Then Alan himself came across and asked the same. We ended up having a good chat about his racing career.
I remember reading something about Mr Duffus being banned from driving. Stuck in my mind as one time it was for 10 years I got asked if I needed any help by the salesman, explained my position and was told just to have a wander about. Then Alan himself came across and asked the same. We ended up having a good chat about his racing career.
RSstuff said:
Drawweight said:
I was out in the car last week and popped into Alan Duffus in Kirkcaldy. Not to but anything but just for a look as I’ve gone past it dozens of times.
I got asked if I needed any help by the salesman, explained my position and was told just to have a wander about. Then Alan himself came across and asked the same. We ended up having a good chat about his racing career.
I remember reading something about Mr Duffus being banned from driving. Stuck in my mind as one time it was for 10 years I got asked if I needed any help by the salesman, explained my position and was told just to have a wander about. Then Alan himself came across and asked the same. We ended up having a good chat about his racing career.
https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/crime/former-moto...
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