George White Doesn't Want My Money

[squirrel_hunter]

Times are hard they say but not to hard for George White apparently. I need a bit of work done to my bike, the choke isn't working properly and I wanted a brake rebuild. I've used their workshop a few years back when they were at the old site so I thought I'd go to them again this time, particularly because I want a courtesy bike while they work on mine.

Apparently they need 2 weeks notice for the weekday and are fully booked until next year for the weekends. All of the courtesy bikes are being taken off the road to be sold. And as they charge £50 an hour labor because my bike is a '99 with 30,000 on the clock it "might not be worth it as it could take some time".

I just got the distinct impression that just because I'm not booking in a two month old RR-SP-K9-S for an oil change they aren't interested. Yes I can quite imagine that they deal with alot of low millage bikes in the summer, but some of us ride in the winter. And those of us who do are the ones that are still putting money though the till on those dark grey days.

I've been riding for years and usually use a small mechanics in Bristol who have alway been very good to me. But I would have to wait until the weekend for them due to work and they don't have courtesy bikes at all. But as I know them well I always chat to them and know that every bike shop is quiet in the winter and will always want workshop trade as the bills still have to be paid. But it appears George White does not, I won't be troubling their workshop again as I'm clearly not welcome.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by squirrel_hunter

George White Doesn't Want My Money

i'll have it...

[yorkie_chris]

There's a guy local to me, he's self employed but used to be workshop manager for a main dealer. He said he wouldn't work for a dealer again because he couldn't stand the attitude of just getting people in to rip them off.

What's 30k anyway? And why would you want to use them? £50 an hour, and you know the "fitters" at most main dealer would be inclined to replace everything at massive cost.

"It's an older bike so might not be worth it as it could take some time" ... obviously it'd make FAR more sense to chuck it away and buy a new one from them at 20%APR deal with the fat commission agreement...

Can you tell I really love dealers...

[/rant]


Yeah I'll be happy to take your money off you too, but it's £15 an hour normally rather than 70 and I won't fit parts you don't need!

As you're in Swindon you could try Steve Lynham, although I am not sure what the situation would be regarding a loan bike with them as they are a small business.

http://www.stevelynhammotorcycles.co.uk/

Problem with Whites is they are mostly interested in selling bikes rather than servicing, they have a bigger workshop and less mechanics which pretty much explains there logic. I visited there the other day (Swindon HQ) and I still feel the same as I did when I went to them all those years ago!

Try Artdeans, very friendly and experienced people.

Originally Posted by Dangerous Dave

Problem with Whites is they are mostly interested in selling bikes rather than servicing, they have a bigger workshop and less mechanics which pretty much explains there logic. I visited there the other day (Swindon HQ) and I still feel the same as I did when I went to them all those years ago!

Try Artdeans, very friendly and experienced people.

more interested in servicing bikes they have recently sold...

guy that i take mine to left a honda dealership for these sorts of reasons.
as a for instance - minor service they would charge you hour and half labour (i think) even if it only took 45 mins...

works for me cos now i get his skills at a 1/3 of the price. or do it meself. i can not understand why i used to pay so much money for someone to undo a couple of bolts pour some liquid in and then do the bolts back up!

[G]

Its winter...everyone is servcing there bikes to A) put them away for winter...B) to sell them

Hammonds in Cirencester ain't far from you, proper bike shop where the staff wear oily jeans not pinstripe suits

Seriously they've done most of my servicing and whilst they could be pulling a fast one on me for all I know they seem honest, competent and reasonably priced.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

There's a guy local to me, he's self employed but used to be workshop manager for a main dealer. He said he wouldn't work for a dealer again because he couldn't stand the attitude of just getting people in to rip them off.

What's 30k anyway? And why would you want to use them? £50 an hour, and you know the "fitters" at most main dealer would be inclined to replace everything at massive cost.

"It's an older bike so might not be worth it as it could take some time" ... obviously it'd make FAR more sense to chuck it away and buy a new one from them at 20%APR deal with the fat commission agreement...

Can you tell I really love dealers...

[/rant]


Yeah I'll be happy to take your money off you too, but it's £15 an hour normally rather than 70 and I won't fit parts you don't need!

Chris are you a mechanic, or just a keen home spanner twirler?

[yorkie_chris]

Home spanner twirler + skint student...