RIP George White
 

Went to George Whites in Plymouth today to follow up my Guarantee claim for my cush drives. To my surprise all the barriers were up and i couldn't drive in. After walking to the doors a member of staff informed me that the company has gone into administration as from today.
Shame, i got some cracking deals on bikes there over the years, looks like too cracking.
Back to Damerells? I don't think so.

Rob

http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/Geor...ail/story.html

That's a bit of surprise, there didn't seem to be a shortage of cash in November at the NEC, they had a big old pitch? Worryingly, this could be an early sign of worse things to come in dealerland...

We could all end up riding miles to get to dealers. My brother's local Harley dealers in Leeds went under last summer (so did Manchester and Doncaster branches) and his nearest is now Newcastle (he lives in Harrogate)! I had the same problem with my GS, bought it from Lind in Norwich in 2003 and they shut 4 months later (I had no idea they were in trouble) to be left with a 150 mile round trip to Peterborough to get the 9 (yes 9!) warranty jobs done! So I sold it. 6 months after I sold it a BMW dealers magically appeared in Norwich again!!

It's a real shame, they were a good company.

Were they victim of expanding stores too quick? I went in the store in Bolton just before crimbo they had a mixture of good kit and junk. They did used to be able to order in some good stuff though I remember it was them doing silly deal on akrapovic only a month ago. Just goes to show who will be next

As Keith says, sign of the times.

Never used them, because I tend to stay away from anyone who discounts heavily, I like my suppliers to be there when I need them, and companies that don't make profits or add value are only ever a few bad weeks away from the trouble.

I lost my local Yamaha dealership 6 months ago, they gave it up because of many things but mainly because Yamaha's didn't make financial sense to sell (low margins and high investment). The dealers now sell Ducati and Kawasaki like there is no tomorrow, and make good money on it. A prudent move on their part. They also ventured into the Chinese market, god they are crap bikes, but cheap and the 125's sell very well.

You've got be dynamic these days.

I'll be interested to see what appears in the press,complete tosh no doubt,George White was just an ego trip.

Well heavy discounts apply to most shops these days only today the news stated that sales were up yr to yr in retail BUT this was because every company discounted like no fashion.
I'd say there going to be plenty more companies that go under

If you reckon heavy discounts apply try buying a non Japanese bike from a franchised shop and you'll find that ain't true,and anyone that does, gets reported to the importer and soon gets jumped on,hence why it doesn't happen,except with the end of line models.

George White was an ego trip between 2 mates,the problem being punters beleaved it was true and as people have found out it ain't!!!!

Another reason why Japanese rules :-)

indeed and there plenty of shops still to fall i'd say... the high street will change a lot in the medium term