Fowlers

[BaP]

Has anyone had any experience with Fowlers when buying a bike from new?

As was mentioned to me, any dealer can shift boxes - it's the quality of the service that counts. So, has anyone had a good or bad experience with them?

Thanks, Ben.

[_Stretchie_]

Uh oh

[Wideboy]

Uh oh

Lol

and they're called fowlups

[squirrel_hunter]

I have a pretty low opinion of Fowlers.

Put it this way I wouldn't put one of my bikes anywhere near their workshop. Their sales staff are in desperate need of some personality transplants. Their parts staff are in desperate need of some intelligence. Everything about them defines what is wrong in retail today.

However, they usually have the parts in stock, they have a good size range of clothing, and they have a good number of manufacturers represented. They may be able to offer a better deal on a bike because of their size but stay away from any package that offers free servicing or things like that. Oh and shop around, there are plenty of other smaller main dealers that will offer a far better service then Fowlers ever will.

In summary, they are a necessary evil in the biking world. In terms of service, set your expectations low and you will still be disappointed.

[BaP]

That's the info I was after. Same question and enquiry of George White if possible please.

I've not ever been there but was given their number by Bristol Kawasaki.

Thanks for your help

[gruntygiggles]

That's the info I was after. Same question and enquiry of George White if possible please.

I've not ever been there but was given their number by Bristol Kawasaki.

Thanks for your help


That's because Bristol Kawasaki, especially Paula actually care about the peeps that go in to even just look at bikes, let alone sit on them. I've known Paula through going in there for about 6 years now and she's the best out there. If it was her that gave you the number for George Whites, then that says all I would need to know about the place.

I've been there twice I think and seemed much nicer and more professional than fowlups, but not bought a bike there, so can't comment on that.

What time are you able to get to ours tonight?

[Jayneflakes]

I have relatives that work there and have shopped there a little bit. Mind you when you are related to the sales staff, they treat you differently (read as more rudely!) to real customers.

If I had to go to a big place, I would be damn sure that I had looked around at the smaller dealerships first. The little guys often go out of their way to be better all round than a big place, that imports and sells gear to other shops around the country too.

As with all of these things, there is nothing like a bad experience to taint an otherwise good store and it would seem that a lot of folk have had a bad experience there. I do like the cafe though.

[squirrel_hunter]

I don't have a great opinion of George Whites either, but they are far better than Fowlers.

But put it this way I wouldn't put one of my bikes anywhere near their workshop. Their sales staff are not very friendly. But they have a couple of good guys on the parts desk and a good range of budget clothing.

They have a good number of manufacturers represented. They may be able to offer a better deal on a bike because of their size but stay away from any package that offers free servicing or things like that. Oh and shop around, there are plenty of other smaller main dealers that will offer a better service then a big franchise.

In summary, the big shops offer a big range. The smaller shops offer a more personal service.

[BaP]

Recommendations for smaller dealers please?

GW won't give me a test ride because you need to be 24, which I am not.

Fowlups won't give me a test ride because I haven't had my licence for 1 year, which I haven't - although they were more helpful in trying to contact their insurers and pull strings; the result of which I am still unaware.

[_Stretchie_]

What you need is a little 400

[gruntygiggles]

What you need is a little 400

And maybe some mates that will let you ride theirs for a few free test rides;)

[_Stretchie_]

I possibly meant THEIRS

; )

[suzsv650]

Fowlers = Rubbish! Over priced, sales staff will make up crap just to shift the bikes

+1 million for Bristol Kawaski

[Talan]

Whilst I like my bike, bought from Fowlers, they did manage to stick the front wheel on the wrong way around when they put new tires on it. Not the greatest checking procedure I can imagine! Whilst I know you can run your tires both ways, it does smack a bit of 'doh'.

[Stig]

Lisa took the baby Ninja for it's first service there (GW) and they over filled the engine with oil to the extent when the bike was upright you couldn't see any air in the sighting window what so ever. In fact It was nearly back on the side stand before I could see the oil level.

[Sheepeh]

I have only one experience with Fowlers, not wanting to beat up on them, but they seem to claim that Blue was never an option for the SK4 SV. Which is strange as there's one sat on my driveway. Yellow was though strangely :/

Do love the accents though :D

[kwak zzr]

when i purchased my zzr from Fowler's cannock (now cmc) they give me the bike untaxed, i noticed when cleaning it that the tax was out of date so i called DVLA to see if it was taxed or not, they told me it hadn't been taxed since id owned it :( this ment id been riding round with no insurance either :(
later on on another occasion they did some work on the bike and drained the fuel tank to remove it, when they replaced it they never put fuel back in it!! i never noticed and ran out on the way home!!

**** whits!!

[woody82]

I got my bike from fowlers earlier this year, wouldn't recommend them sadly and I certainly won't be going back. Had a right fiasco was glad when finally got bike and was able ton ride away. Wasvgutted never got sent a customer service questionnaire in the post!!!

[cloudsurferuk]

I bought my SV from fowlers and to be honest, service was Adequate. Salesman was friendly enough right until the point they took the money then it was a bit "here's your bike now f**k off" I did get £200 worth of Vouchers with the bike which I spent there but probably wouldnt buy much with my own cash. Accessories & clothing can be on the pricey side. Cant comment on the servicing side as havent used them but parts is, erm.. well kindest thing to say is parts are well stocked. (unlike the parts peoples brains)

[fizzwheel]

Mixed for me. I used to find them very good a few years ago for clothing and choice of clothing ranges, never bought a bike from them though. They have I think gone down hill recently.

Popped in there Tuesday just gone and TBH the salesman was pretty knowledgable and friendly and nattered away to me whilst I was paying for what I had bought.

For us a bit of a ride and then a walk around of a weekend coupled with the fact that IMHO the cafe does a decent fry up so not so bad for a something to do of a weekend.

Prices of 2nd hand bikes seems ridiculously high though.