Vespas B gone...

One month ago, the new owner of Camp Motorsports told us to spread the word that the dealership "was fully committed to the Vespa line," that they'd work to improve customer sales and service, that they'd just stashed the bikes in the back temporarily, that 2007 machines were on their way, that they were absolutely interested in helping promote the brand and ridership here in Spokane, Washington.

Today, it seems none of that holds true. Maybe it never did. Did something happen in four weeks' time to change it all? If so, we'd love to know. Unfortunately, staff there today had no interest in elaborating, or in giving any clue, assurance, or explaination; hate to say it, but "shove off" seemed to be the words between the lines of what little we could get out of them. The loss of a dealership is an injury, and these guys added insult. Sad.

Even the signboard out front was wrong. Zero bikes on the floor. Any in back were supposedly due to be picked up and trucked off Monday morning.

We'll stop the rant right here, and pronounce this dealership offically dead.

Vespa's a world-class brand, and commands a pricetag to match. But premium price means premium product, and - this is key - the Vespa brand implies top-notch dealer service, too. Let's just hope that Vespa, and whomever they allow to represent them here in the future, will keep that in mind.

Time to move on.

Postscript: At 8:00 am on Sunday, March 18, notice appeared on Spokane Craigslist, saying "We are liquidating all our 2006 Vespa scooters! Come see us at Dollar Rent-a-Car on North Division...at dealer cost!" Interested? Here's the listing .

Later that day, someone posted this in response to the listing: Warning