Why I won't use the dealer for servicing!

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by flymo

I think that dealers (in fact any garage) that carries out servicing should complete a tick list or itemise the tasks that have been completed.

I put my Transit in for its service not long ago and the guy behind the desk couldnt even tell me what tasks would be carried out for the money.

I genuinely beleive that in most cases the majority of things dont get checked. Would love to get one of these 'cowboy builder' type programmes out there checking what really happens.

Yes, but any trained monkey can tick a check list. You've got to check they've done it, so you need to use the Tippex method or something visual that shows they've undone a nut or opened an airbox

Originally Posted by Baph

No, by his own admission, the price is cheap for the service. He's paid for what he's got. Cut out some of the work, and drop the price.

As already said in the thread, dropping the price of services by only doing what's actually required, not what's written in the book will see more happy customers - especially in a recession.

Charge a customer less, make them happy, they're more likely to give you money again.

Report them to suzuki then. Get someone else to go to the garage and see if the same thing happens as this is where faults occur. Imagine putting in your bike for valve clearances and not getting them done and your engine goes bang. Or a slight leak on the brake fluid which is missed and next thing you know your in the back of a cage.

Duty of Care and all that pain in the ar$e.

Originally Posted by thefallenangel

Report them to suzuki then. Get someone else to go to the garage and see if the same thing happens as this is where faults occur. Imagine putting in your bike for valve clearances and not getting them done and your engine goes bang. Or a slight leak on the brake fluid which is missed and next thing you know your in the back of a cage.

Duty of Care and all that pain in the ar$e.

Again, as has been said in the thread (or at least hinted at)...

What if they took the plugs out (that takes what? 2mins), had a look, and decided they didn't need doing. So didn't charge for plugs.

It takes 30 seconds to attach a CarbTune (or similar) to the TB nipples. Then leave it there. Next time you fire the engine, look at the gauge. If it doesn't need doing, disconnect & put the caps back. I'd be miffed if I was charged for a throttle body balance if that's all they'd done!

EDIT: Just because it hasn't been charged for doesn't mean it hasn't been checked.

[flymo]

Originally Posted by maviczap

Yes, but any trained monkey can tick a check list. You've got to check they've done it, so you need to use the Tippex method or something visual that shows they've undone a nut or opened an airbox

The difference is though that if they tick something they have said that they did it, wether it actually happened or not.

Technically, if you carry out a specific service as a dealer for a particular bike then you are implying that all the steps that Suzuki say should happen, have happened.

The best service I had was for a caravan last year, they did a checklist for every item and included comments for each where necessary showing me that they did indeed properly look at each item.

Originally Posted by Baph

Again, as has been said in the thread (or at least hinted at)...

What if they took the plugs out (that takes what? 2mins), had a look, and decided they didn't need doing. So didn't charge for plugs.

It takes 30 seconds to attach a CarbTune (or similar) to the TB nipples. Then leave it there. Next time you fire the engine, look at the gauge. If it doesn't need doing, disconnect & put the caps back. I'd be miffed if I was charged for a throttle body balance if that's all they'd done!

EDIT: Just because it hasn't been charged for doesn't mean it hasn't been checked.

Doesn't matter what they think, they're all trained to suzuki standard and the service book should be their bible. I'm not doubting it takes 2 minutes to check. The only way to eliminate cowboys is to report them.

Originally Posted by thefallenangel

Doesn't matter what they think, they're all trained to suzuki standard and the service book should be their bible. I'm not doubting it takes 2 minutes to check. The only way to eliminate cowboys is to report them.

Personal preference, but I'd prefer someone to look at my bike intelligently & actually know what they're doing, rather than blindly following a manual.

So far, I've only met one bike mechanic that I trust to work like that, and sadly, he wasn't exactly close to me before; and he's now relocated even further away!

Therefore, I do the work myself. Funnily enough, I was out getting a shop to fit my new chain & sprockets today, and having a chinwag with the mechanic whilst he was doing it. That's when someone else that works there walked over, had a sniff around the bike and said:

You can always tell the bikes that come in here after being used every day, but this one has been well looked after!

He didn't realise it was my bike, and almost had a fit due to shock when I said it's 30months old and done 37k miles!

[Dave20046]

I can't afford to go to the dealers. Nevermind the fact my mates have often caught them out pulling similar stuff and I've caught out car dealers. If there's something I can't do on a bike or car I take it to one bloke I get on with. He does my bikes and my cars, properly, and for F all. MOT £23? bargain. Last time I went he gave me 4 litres of new oil for free cause I was having difficulty with my gears. I love local shops


To avoid this in the future; something my mate does is mark stuff with touch up pens so he knows if it's been touched. He bought a brand new bike and he sent it back 3 times to complete the free service they guaranteed him upon purchase because they just weren't doing it. Serverd 'em right bearing in mind they had to pick it up from sheffield and deliver it back (they're in notts).

Originally Posted by Baph

Personal preference, but I'd prefer someone to look at my bike intelligently & actually know what they're doing, rather than blindly following a manual.

So far, I've only met one bike mechanic that I trust to work like that, and sadly, he wasn't exactly close to me before; and he's now relocated even further away!

Therefore, I do the work myself. Funnily enough, I was out getting a shop to fit my new chain & sprockets today, and having a chinwag with the mechanic whilst he was doing it. That's when someone else that works there walked over, had a sniff around the bike and said:



He didn't realise it was my bike, and almost had a fit due to shock when I said it's 30months old and done 37k miles!

Quick Question if you don't mind me asking. Why did you trust someone then to do your C+S rather than yourself and how did you decide on the guy you used?

Originally Posted by thefallenangel

Quick Question if you don't mind me asking. Why did you trust someone then to do your C+S rather than yourself and how did you decide on the guy you used?

The shop that did the C+S I always use for tyres. Given the distance I've done, it's pretty clear I've changed tyres a little bit.

I trust them implicitly as far as tyres are concerned, but I still stand and watch/have a chat. All other work I'm more careful about.

To get to that shop today, I had to ride 1h 15mins, passing at least 4 other bike dealerships - one of which I called off at on the way home & bought some new gloves from.

Besides that, it's a little difficult to do C+S without a chain splitter.

Am I too picky?

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Baph

What if they took the plugs out (that takes what? 2mins), had a look, and decided they didn't need doing. So didn't charge for plugs.

Had that twice now with Liz's SV, mechanic checked them and didnt change them because he said they didnt need changing. So saved us a few quid...

As for you home servicing advocates, its fine to do it IMHO but you need to remember a few things

1. If you dont know what you're doing you may well make things worse
2. Not everybody has time to spend a couple of hours doing a home service, time is precious to me and I'd rather take it somewhere and get it done than spend that time getting oily, dirty and cold on a weekend.
3. When my GSXR was last done, I got advisory's on a clutch cable being at is maximum adjustment and that I had 1500 miles of life left in my front brake pads. Now this is stuff I wouldnt have noticed myself as I'm not that technical, so getting somebody else to cast an eye over my bike that is gives me piece of mind that everything on the bike is kept in tip top condition as thats how I like things to be.