View Full Version : A Poor Dealer Experience.
A warning to all motorcyclists in the Xxxxxxxxx area. Never ever in your natural life take your bike to be serviced at Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx.
Went in for my first service, came out with these problems:
-two chips in my petrol tank
-clips holding the undertray to the fairing are gone
-clip holding the seat unit together at the rear seat is gone
-Side panel bolt is cross threaded, fell out as I stopped at the lights
-fuel tank screws were finger tight
-handle bars were adjusted extremely high (dunno why the hell they even touched them)
-Bolt holding the seat on, was changed for a completely different one.
I am not making this up, they really are this bad. And to make things worse, when the guy brought it in for the test ride, he redlined it for no reason while sitting still and was locking the back wheel and sliding to make the bike stop. They're a bunch of stupid *******s and I honestly don't know how they manage to generate business with service like this.
EDIT: For Razor's question, they are located in Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx. Just leave the bomb on their forecourt, best place for it imo. :)
fizzwheel
06-07-06, 08:06 PM
Have you been back and talked to them. It might not be a good idea to name and shame just yet. Give them a chance put the stuff right on your bike.
Hmm, wasn't a thread just like this for another dealer deleted by the mods cos it's libel. Have you discussed these issues with the dealer and get some compensation?
I don't care if they haven't had a chance to sort it. The fact is they ****ed up my bike and didn't tell me about it. No apology, no admittance, nothing.
I'm going in tomorrow and having a nice lare.
The fact of the matter is, when you take your bike in for a service, you expect it to come back in a BETTER condition than when you gave it to them. They can fix everything and they're still not being forgiven. It is terrible service and they should face up to it.
dirtydog
06-07-06, 08:17 PM
and i presumed you complained at the time about the bloke locking the back up and red lining it? If i saw someone doing that to my bike i'd have decked him on the spot!!! :evil: :evil:
Did you not check the bike over when you picked it up? cos once you've gone away they can say "how do we know you didn't damage it yourself?"
Didn't complain, didn't check the bike over because I had to get to work. By the time I'd checked the bike, they were shut.
If they try that ignorance ********, I'm gonna go mad. I've got someone coming with me who is going to put a pretty strong case forward, so I'll just have to see what they say.
Oh and about the mechanic, he was still fixing it and I thought it would be a bad idea to **** him off while working on the bike. Looks like that didn't work. :evil:
dirtydog
06-07-06, 08:30 PM
would've taken just a few minutes to check it over and would've saved a lot of hassle.
So how do you know the damage wasn't done while you were at work?
I'm no mechanic but I cant think of anything that needs you to redline the bike at stand still or lock the back wheel up :?: :?:
TBH I don't think it'll matter who you take along with you, don't think it'll make the slightest difference
Hmm, wasn't a thread just like this for another dealer deleted?
Why yes it was....
fizzwheel
06-07-06, 08:32 PM
I know you are p*ssed off, I know damn well I would be. But seriously going in the dealership and ranting at them about it isnt going to get you anywhere. If you go in shouting and screaming all they are going to do is say that the bike wasnt like that when you took it away and you've damaged it yourself once you took the bike of their property.
I used to work in retail I was more inclined to help people who were reasonable than those that shouted and swore at me, whether my company was in the wrong or not.
Go in and ask to talk to the manager explain what you found when you checked the bike over and what you saw the mechnic doing and ask him what he is going to do to make you a satisfied customer again.
Hope you get it sorted. Remember you are the person who has been wronged here there's no need for things to get nasty.
As didn't explain the redline thing properly. He redlined it randomly while sitting on it and locked the wheel up when coming in from the test ride to slide it into the garage bay.
As for the not checking it over, its a lesson learned and I won't be so foolish next time. I just hope they sort it out for me, because this sort of thing just isn't on.
Edit: I know exatly what you mean, I know that shouting gets you nowhere, but I'm going with the firm, but fair approach.
i'm not about to go kicking their doors down and screaming random profanities at the manager. :)
dirtydog
06-07-06, 08:37 PM
As didn't explain the redline thing properly. He redlined it randomly while sitting on it and locked the wheel up when coming in from the test ride to slide it into the garage bay.
I still would have complained on the spot about that, it's just not on that sort of thing.
As fizz said don't go in there ranting at them it really wont help to convince them to sort something out
Yeah, point taken, thanks for the helpful info. :thumbsup:
I'll just have to see what happens, hopefully it will all work out, but to be honest they've been *******s to me from day one. Probably because I'm still young and not a very assertive person. (If they leave me waiting while they read a magazine, I'll wait) :p
fizzwheel
06-07-06, 08:43 PM
Good man. Firm but fair is the approach that you want to take. Be the voice of total reasonableness and dont let them get you riled.
Go and see what they say, if you still are not happy after talking to the manager. Explain that you still are not satisfied and then leave the dealer.
Go to CAB or PM "Ed" from this site and get some proper legal advice about what you can do next.
dirtydog
06-07-06, 08:44 PM
hope you get it sorted mate
My very firm advice is not to make comments of the sort in the first post.
You have no evidence at all except your own say so. How can you prove that they did the tank chips? - etc etc. You make some very serious allegations and if I were the dealer I'd be mighty ****ed off. Like Fizz says, address the matter in a reasonable way, throwing the toys out the pram will get you nowhere except maybe escorted off the premises.
My very firm advice is not to make comments of the sort in the first post.
You have no evidence at all except your own say so. How can you prove that they did the tank chips? - etc etc. You make some very serious allegations and if I were the dealer I'd be mighty p*ssed off. Like Fizz says, address the matter in a reasonable way, throwing the toys out the pram will get you nowhere except maybe escorted off the premises.
Listen to the solicitor.... :wink: :P
Edited following edit of first post.
Biker Biggles
07-07-06, 12:55 PM
now that we have got this subject on an "even keel"can we have an update of what happened?No names of course,but it would be good to hear what the dealer response was.
Captain Nemo
07-07-06, 02:03 PM
have i missed something here?
have we now gone down the route of not even being able to name a company that an individual feels has given bad service or product?
sad day if we have.
i realise that theres a diiference between a complaint and a grudge though, but is this how its gonna be?
Peter Henry
07-07-06, 02:04 PM
Based on the mentioned "banned" thread and now this one. Should we all not adopt the practise of carefully running over any defects we know are present on our machines when checking them in for any service or repair at the dealer or garage?
Maybe taking along your own drafted form and getting them to sign it before allowing them to lay a spanner on your pride and joy? He could make notes on your form of things maybe you have not spotted and he could initialise them in your presence? I know this could have some problems but could prevent a lot of situations similar to these happening?
Wot u reckon? :?
sharriso74
07-07-06, 03:22 PM
That's a good idea but why should we as the customer go to the extra trouble. I'm supprised how many of these Mickey Mouse outfits exist. They seem to rely on peoples ignorance of things mechanical so they can just abuse you.
Peter Henry
07-07-06, 03:49 PM
SH...Purely for the points raised relating to the problem? That, I suggest makes it worth the trouble. Otherwise your right back to one's word against the other. I would call it insurance. :wink:
have i missed something here?
have we now gone down the route of not even being able to name a company that an individual feels has given bad service or product?
sad day if we have.
i realise that theres a diiference between a complaint and a grudge though, but is this how its gonna be?
I couldn't agree more.
'Sorry boys and girls, but if you suffer a terrible service from someone you can't post about it and warn other people from maybe suffering the same 'cos someone might get upset that you're revealing their crap attitude and incompetence to other people'
Whatever happened to Biker's sticking together?
RIGHT. Went down to see a certain place today with a mate (who is a mechanic) to just question them about the damage caused.
The conversation wnet like this:
My mate (Stephen): Chips in the tank, bolts missing, disgraceful service frankly
knob: Well we had that all noted down as happening before the bike was brought in.
Stephen: And why were the bolts on the tank loose?
Knob: We do not touch the tank for the first service.
Stephen: So how exactly did you grease the cables hidden under the tank?
Knob: As I said before, we have all this damage noted down before the service took place.
Stephen: Can we see this documentation?
Knob: Well we don't actually write it down anymore.
Stephen: So you're basically calling this boy a liar?
Knob: No.
Stephen: That's what it boils down to. He's worked to get this bike, its his pride and joy and doesn't expect to see it abused.
Knob: I completely understand but the fact of the matter is that our mechanics know the consequences for treating a bike this way.
Stephen: Let me speak to him.
Knob: I'm telling you they did no such thing.
Stephen: let me speak to him.
Knob: They know the consequences.
Stephen: let me speak to him then.
Knob: I am not the head of this establishment so I cannot do anything about this situation. I can advise you to come in and see the head another day.
Stephen: Oh, we will.
Knob: He's not here tomorrow or the next day, come back monday.
Stephen: We'll be here. This place has just gotten worse, how can you expect to treat people like this?
Knob: Well don't lose total confidence in us just yet.
Stephen: (laughs)
I was just left there thinking, what utter *******s. The sad thing is I know I'm not getting anything from this, I'm just going to get fobbed off again. I can only warn you to never go to this place for a service OR EVER and make a note off all scratches before taking a bike in for a service. Mine had none and came back with two chips. Good of them wasn't it? :evil:
If you want the details of the dealer, please feel free to send me a message.
lukemillar
07-07-06, 05:09 PM
Based on the mentioned "banned" thread and now this one. Should we all not adopt the practise of carefully running over any defects we know are present on our machines when checking them in for any service or repair at the dealer or garage?
Maybe taking along your own drafted form and getting them to sign it before allowing them to lay a spanner on your pride and joy? He could make notes on your form of things maybe you have not spotted and he could initialise them in your presence? I know this could have some problems but could prevent a lot of situations similar to these happening?
Wot u reckon? :?
I would have thought following on from the previous threads on similar topics, people would be doing that sort of thing. Shame really.
Based on the mentioned "banned" thread and now this one. Should we all not adopt the practise of carefully running over any defects we know are present on our machines when checking them in for any service or repair at the dealer or garage?
Maybe taking along your own drafted form and getting them to sign it before allowing them to lay a spanner on your pride and joy? He could make notes on your form of things maybe you have not spotted and he could initialise them in your presence? I know this could have some problems but could prevent a lot of situations similar to these happening?
Wot u reckon? :?
I would have thought following on from the previous threads on similar topics, people would be doing that sort of thing. Shame really.
Um, no, that's not the shame. The SHAME is that people are suffering at the hands of incompetent, careless, down-right unscrupulous dealers and mechanics, and NOTHING is being done about it. We pay our hard-earned money to these people and the very least we should expect is a decent, honest, professional job in return.
Biker Biggles
07-07-06, 05:27 PM
That is quite disgraceful.Interesting that the knob contradicted himself by saying the damage had been noted down on arrival but later said they did'nt write it down!
If they had noted any damage,surely they would have pointed it out to you?Also,apart from the issue of looking at the cables under the tank,I thought all services involved checking bolts for tightness,so the tank bolts should not have been loose.other bolts should not have been cross threaded,missing or the wrong ones,or if they were it should have been pointed out to you on collection in case you wanted the faults corrected.If you can show a series of small inconsistancies and the odd untruth in what they say,it adds wieght to your overall case that they are a bunch of cowboys.Are you in the AA or RAC,as I think a bit of legal advise might be needed.
Peter Henry
07-07-06, 06:06 PM
I completely agree with Lissa's thinking as to the shame,but it is two fold..first shame if any garage is responsible for shoddy workmanship on anyone's bike. Secondly that it does appear to be an unfortunate topic that keeps coming up, to the pain of people like David.
My suggestion though no guarantee is a sure way of seeing them take a little more care and to do the job that they are being paid good money to carry out...properly. :?
Yeah, the whole experience left me a bit dumbfounded really. I just couldn't believe the way I was being treated. And they're no small business either! I bought the bike from them and after that they didn't want to know me.
The knob was obviously getting rattled by his uncorroborating answers, which just sets my ******** meter right off. They shouldn't have even touched my handle bars, I had them in a good position and the fact that the tank bolts were loose was a bit worrying. What if it had been my brake calipers?
Also if you don't want to get stung by a dealer, take out one of your rear brake pads or a headlight, and when the service comes and they say they have checked everything, mention the lack of said brake pad/headlight and the *******s won't be able to lie their way out of it then!
Either that or get rogue traders in on it. Bring the w*ankers down!
I think whether you name and shame is a matter of fact and degree. Surely it's best to get the matter sorted with the dealer first. If they refuse to listen or fob you off then fine, name and shame away. Nobody's saying you can't criticise people: there's no censorship (well I don't think so, anyhow) and if you can justify what you say, all well and good. But the power of forums such as this to damage someone's business is pretty high and the danger is to fire from the hip.
I understand what you're saying, but you weren't there. Its not just the fact that they damaged my bike, and I know they did, due to the magical scratches that miracalousy appeared after my service, but its their entire attitude towards me and my satisfaction as a customer.
Pay a trip up there asking to buy something and you get all smiles and bunnies, but say something is broken and suddenly the crisis squad needs calling out.
I understand what you're saying, but you weren't there.
True.
Can I just ask how many bolts should hold the top radiator on? I've had a look and it appears that the one on the left hand side where the hose is, is missing. I'm starting to feel worried about riding this bike around. :evil:
Red ones
07-07-06, 07:18 PM
Amongst my experiences of bike shops - of which one is well documented on another thread I can't be bothered to look for or create the link to...
another experience is of a bike I placed on sale or return at a dealership. I popped in after a week to find the bike not on display. I thought this odd and asked where it was. They told me it rattled on start up and it sounded possibly serious, so they had stripped the engine to investigate the cause. I argued that the bike was for display, not experimentation and that they had gone against the agreement we had, and therefore had broken their contract. I demanded the bike to be put back together in no less than the original state immediately and that I would pick it up in 24 hours.
It was a nasty trick they were pulling, but I got my own back...
When I went to collect it they were shut following a robbery that night, a load of red bikes had been nicked, the copper in teh shop said it had happened at 5am. (What they didn't know was the fact that I had stopped by on the way to work to see if there was any sign a complete bike waiting for me to collect...there was a helmet by the back door and the keys in the door - the time 5am - took me a few seconds to consider telling the copper that the times coincided and that the door was opened using the keys....) I got my bike back and the dealer closed for good! (And I hope his insurance company caught him)
Can you find this link red? I'm interested to hear what happended, good move with spotting the thieving git though! :thumbsup:
Edit: Anyone got the info about the radiator? Cheers. :)
Peter Henry
07-07-06, 07:54 PM
David...You might want to mention your membership on a Suzuki biased forum at a crucial stage of ongoing discussions. You might also feel it only fair to advise them that you might feel compelled to mention your treatment on all manner of Uk based bike forums also.(Before he threatens libel....tell him that it could be done in a way where direct names are not mentioned but people would certainly get the message)
Before doing any of that though, wait to speak to the head honcho and tell him that if need be, you will take the matter to Suzuki GB if necessary.
If they have any sense they might want to make a little more effort to satisfy your concerns. :wink:
Can I just ask how many bolts should hold the top radiator on? I've had a look and it appears that the one on the left hand side where the hose is, is missing. I'm starting to feel worried about riding this bike around. :evil:
Davido,
Two bolts secure the radiator on the Pointy bikes, and they're both on the right hand side of the bike, not the left. One bolts to the frame behind the head stock, the other secures the bottom of the radiator to the front cylinder head.
There's a mounting lug on the left side of the bike for the left of the radiator - again just behind the head stock - no bolt required.
Your issue with this dealer, I think you don't stand a chance. It really is your word against theirs. You didn't check the bike after the service upon collection, so you can't know for sure what caused the chips on your tank - it can happen in so many ways, not just at the hands of a mechanic with a spanner!
I also assume it was the 4000 mile service. This isn't a big one, it's oil and filter, and maybe a bit of clutch adjustment. Entirely possible, indeed probable that they didn't go near your tank or your need to remove your seat. Now yes, that probably means that you can get better service elsewhere...
Ultimately, we've been here before, and I must echo the advice of others. Takeyour argument with the dealer before ranting and raving on this forum. It will only make matters worse, even if the names have been blanked to protect the innocent.
First service, apparantly they had to lift the tank to grease the cables, but later claimed that the tank didn't need to be lifted. Which brings up the loose screw arguement and the fact that they should have checked it.
I know that I'm not getting anything from this, but I want to say my piece. I know for a FACT that these chips did not happen while the bike was in my posession. They were right next to the petrol cap, a place where you're pretty much never going to experience stone chips. Oh and no, I didn't do it with a petrol hose either.
And I personally go over this bike with a fine tooth comb every morning to check for scratches. The bike sits in a garage that nobody has access to but me, so there is no way that I or anyone in my family made the scratches. And if I had, I would have noticed, the only reason I didn't notice at the dealer was because I was in a hurry and didn't expect to see my beloved bike being scratched by some clumsy mechanic. :evil:
And I think the word innocent is very poorly used in this case.
As I said to ED earlier, you didn't experience this first hand, so please don't comment on my right to criticise.
Good news on the radiator, just a few minor issues to address with them. But I'm not letting this one slide away without a few toys being thrown and some kicking and screaming.
busasean
07-07-06, 09:26 PM
davido, can i suggest you contact ride magazine and speak to them! i had a few issues with micron yrs back and was being treated like a **** and lied to. i phoned ride explained the problem and didnt really give it much more thought untill the MD of micron phoned me and sorted it himself! got to be worth a try along with a letter to MCN. dont put up with it!
Thanks for the ideas mate! I'll drop them an e-mail after I've been to see them monday. I'll give them one more chance to sort things out and then its all guns blazing. :twisted:
And I think the word innocent is very poorly used in this case.
In this country, the accused is innocent, until proven guilty. That applies in a court, it applies on a public forum where your comments could be construed as libelous, even without names.
As I said to ED earlier, you didn't experience this first hand, so please don't comment on my right to criticise.
Yes, we all have a right to criticise, but once again you raised your grievance here, publicly, before raising it with the dealership, they were not able to defend themselves, or even able to try and remedy the situation.
But I'm not letting this one slide away without a few toys being thrown and some kicking and screaming.
Direct contradiction to your comments previously. This attitude will guarantee that you will fail to resolve this issue, and will most probably make matters worse. It's all over when you're barred from the shop, and the staff are instructed not to talk to you, as all contact will be through their solicitors - that's where you're going with this.
Hey I tried the calm approach, I'm going to try again monday. Then if they still refuse to do anything, then I may as well get some satisfaction from it.
I'm not saying I'm going to storm in there and just yell for ages, that doesn't work. I work in retail (till person :p) and know that when someone just yells, you blank them out until they go away. It never solves anything.
Well they currently have no knowledge of this thread, so basing on the reaction I got from them today, I see no reason as to why I should show even an ounce of respect to them.
I know at the end of the day they are doing their job, but it still annoys me that they can be so uncaring.
The fact of the matter is, I paid them out of my hard earned money to do the service stated in the reciept, not to abuse and mistreat my bike. Its just not on.
I know you're probably thinking I'm some kind of stupid kid just whingeing, and your posts come across as being quite patronising actually, which isn't really helping.
As I've said before, I'm not going to just shout at them and expect them to take action, I'm going to find out if they have any plans to try and fix anything. If not, then its a lesson learned, I'll be annoyed, but they've lost a customer for life.
Thank you for the comments, I'll let you know how it goes monday. But out of interest, does anyone know where i can get a touch up pen from in the pearl candy red? Thanks. :)
Red ones
08-07-06, 05:44 AM
"Calm down, calm down, calm down" says Red Ones in a fuzzy wig and shell suit.
Was this the 4,000 mile service? If so, then I would tackle the dealer on the lack of inspection under the tank for a start. I would ask them, calmly, how they don't need to lift the tank to inspect the plugs and air filter. It would also be interesting how they can inpect the fuel line too.
All 3 items are on the service schedule (actually they are on EVERY service for the SV). If they have signed off the book as complete and they did not lift the tank then they have completed the paperwork without completing the service. You could then claim that were you to sell the bike you would be misleading the buyer as to the history of the machine.
I am not surprised, personally, that a bolt was replaced. There is a school of thought that says they always should be - but no-one does as it makes the whole task too expensive. Only the F1 and motoGP teams do it and thats 'cos they have loads of money.
First service, 500 mile one.
They should have greased the cables under the tank and checked ALL bolts for tightness. Which they didn't do either off according to them. So you can see why I'm a little suspicious as to their claims.
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