Advice on unsatisfactory service standard

Hi All,

I recently picked up brand new sv650s k7 and love the bike, absolutely brilliant and a real joy to ride.

How ever I have experienced some problems with the garage I bought it from and would value some opinions from any with a bit more knowledge than myself.

Basically the problem is after picking up the bike the day I got it I started to have a power related problem as the bike had no juice but after giving the bike a shake, it started and all was well for a few days (a few more instance of having no power but shaking got it going). The alarm went wrong shortly before the run in service and is now inaudible and has gone off a few times while riding along.

When I booked the run in service, I mentioned the problems I had been having and mentioned them again when I dropped the bike off. I was told that I would have to drop the bike off at one of the other garages to get the alarm fixed (annoying!) but the service was performed. The next day I went to this other garage to book the bike in for the alarm but on my way back the bike lost all power and died. So my pillion and I jump off and start scratching our heads. After checking the fuses and everything under the rear seat we removed the front seat to discover the negative battery lead was only been held on my a loose bolt which was not screwed into the nut at all so had disconnected.

I contacted the garage I bought it from and stated how annoyed I was that the service had not been performed properly (I know we are all human and therefore make mistakes but after mentioning the problems I have had I would expect things like that to have been checked and especially seeing it was the run in service also). The bike cutting out could have caused a very serious accident from a number of reasons and the alarm going wrong on top and the generally crap customer service I have received as a result of trying to get this issue resolved.

So the other garage that can fix the alarm is going to fully inspect the bike also (with me watching because I now do not trust them). I am also pushing for some form of compensation for the inconvenienced caused and the dangerous incompetence of the service so have asked for £200 off a new lid on top of the inspection and rectification of the alarm.

If anybody could offer some advice on the subject or if I am being unreasonable.

Sorry about the length of the post and cheers in advance,
Pix

i think your well within in your rights pix.

200 of a lid is nothing for the uncertainty they have caused you! Id ask for a new lid.

Yes i realsie garages and in fact any business can make mistakes but leaving leads of batteries is god dam dangerous! What if u were at speed on a motorway?

If it is a bigger chain , complain upwards! Dont let them treat another cutomer with the same manner. They obviuosly need a lesson in people skills!

Cheers Blueto, I am trying to speak to more senior management but its like wading through treacle at the moment but I am awaiting the response from the business manager so hopefully he will come back with a satisfactory resolution but failing that I will take it up with other agencies like Suzuki (the garage I purchased the bike from is supposed to be one of their premium dealers), the dvla and trading standards as it was a dangerous fault but after all it would a real shame as the bike itself is loverly but I need to have confidence in it as its my primary form of transport as well as my favorite leisure activity.

I would be very surprised if they gave you ?200 off a lid, although i am a pessimist.

I imagine they will try and swerve and avoid shouldering the blame. You will then have to prove that they are at fault.

Ring Consumer Direct - they will give you good advice (free), they may even pass your case to the local trading standards.

Well I want be dealing with this particular garage again to say the least (theres another "premium" dealer about the same distance away so I shall take my bike there in future to be serviced.

I realise that they will blame dodge but I will pester them until they give in because I need to know my bike is safe (as my riding style is fast road and if it gave out during an overtake at speed it could end badly) and I want to be recompensated for my time and inconvenience.

Cheers mogs, will try them if the outcome is unsatisfactory.

TBH I wouldn't hold out much hope of getting masses of freebies.
Compensation for what "could" have happened is a shady area.
I would ask for a refund against your last service as you have actually paid for something which you did not get.
This is something which you may well have to put down to experience and take your custom elsewhere.
Good luck with getting something back but be sensible in what you ask for. Put yourself in their position and then ask yourself what you deem to be reasonable.

Originally Posted by Furry Ginger One

TBH I wouldn't hold out much hope of getting masses of freebies.
Compensation for what "could" have happened is a shady area.
I would ask for a refund against your last service as you have actually paid for something which you did not get.
This is something which you may well have to put down to experience and take your custom elsewhere.
Good luck with getting something back but be sensible in what you ask for. Put yourself in their position and then ask yourself what you deem to be reasonable.

That is a good call.

You could also name and shame the garage you had a bad experience with. If you are prepared to stick by your view point I believe there is no problem doing so on a public based forum (mods, please advise if I am wrong...).