They need to stop messing with Harley owners, all of us have some screw loose in our heads.

 

I do not purchase extended warranties as a rule, but the extended warranty I purchased with my 33K mile 2001 FXD has paid for itself twice over...

Soapbox rant...It is easy to paint all dealerships with a broad bush but the reality is that there are always a few bad apples in every bushel basket but the rest of them are good and will do whatever it takes to keep their customers coming back. I believe that if you own a Harley and use a dealer service center, you are going to be less than pleased on occasion. But to label them all as, "stealerships," only shows a naive lack of understanding of how the customer service business operates. Over the past two years, I have had two satisfactory HD service center experiences with a terrible experience in between. Because of the bad experience, I had decided to never go back. I was at this same dealership with my son when I was approached by the sales manager and asked to share my bad experience with the GM and Service Manager. I figured what the hell and met with them. It was a good meeting and I was asked to give them another opportunity to make it right. I thought about it long and hard and finally decided that if I were in their position (and I have been), I would jump on an opportunity to make it right. I did and they did.

Trust once lost is difficult to regain. I still do not entirely trust them to give me their best effort every time but I do respect they did right by me when they realized how bad they screwed up.

I do not know why your dealer service center decided to deny your warranty claim. Only they and you know that reason, and even then, you both may have different interpretations of the facts. To me, it sounds like they totally dropped the ball resulting in lost future business and positive referrals to friends and fellow riders. However, it really sounds like they have accepted responsibility for their screw up and are taking the steps to make it right. Nothing defends their prior action but stepping up to the plate to fix it is worth something...

You fought for what was right and you got a new battery. Find a new dealer service center and move forward.

And, ride it like you stole it!

 

Personally I don't like OEM batteries on any vehicle because it is usually the cheapest they can get. So as soon as my OEM took a dump I just opted for a Shorai LFX Lithium battery. Pricy yes but they are bullet proof and the company stands behind them period.
Bob

 

I agree with what has been said, I dont know why they denied my claim to be honest. My bike is 100% stock and trying to tell me that it was not covered because it was a ware item like tires is just false. and then if it was warranted it was from the manufacturing date, so they streight-up lied and I feel that they know it. I feel that they only made it right because they had corporate calling them. They said it was a mistake and blamed it on the dude who picked up the bike saying that he didnt put down that it was a new bike (even though I explained that VERY CLEARLY several times) I am getting my bike delivered back and dont plan on setting foot in that dealer again. Case closed, all is well (when I get my bike back at least). Looking for an honest dealer in socal. thanks everyone for the support.

 

That it took a call from corporate to get it resolved and that they continue to deny responsibility (playing the blame-game, and they had documented the history of that bike before ever putting a wrench on it so they knew it was a new sale).

Check back with them from time to time...my guess is that they have a moron in their service department management staff who is not long for the position because more complaints will inevitably arise as was the case with my situation. If this dealership is going to survive, they will be forced to make adjustments to address this kind of incompetence and you are in line for some kind of compensation for the aggravation they caused you.

 

they have his bike for a week, for a battery!

 

If there is one thing all dealerships have in common is people. There are some good dealerships out there just like there are good mechanics, service writers, parts people, salesman, etc. I have been in car dealerships most of my life most of them as a parts man. In that 35 years I have worked at a few and had to deal with a lot of different personalities. ******** abound, no doubt. For that ******* to tell you that, in your situation, the battery was not covered is bullshit. Either he made the decision on his own or he was trained that way. If that was his decision he needs to be re-schooled in a big way because he is hurting the business. You need to talk to his manager. If he was trained that way and his manager is at fault, you need to work your way up the chain. Also, lower level managers can and will keep stuff like this hidden from the owners. At least let ownership know about what happened. If they care about their business they will want answers.

 

Don't think he can help himself, seems like most of is responses make him sound like a condescending jerk. There is no "other side" the bike is under warranty, period. I've lived in multiple states and been to lots of dealers and the only one I every felt comfortable that they weren't trying to bend me over was the one I bought the bike from in FL.

 

There is ALWAYS another side to the story...just as there is another side to the story behind why you feel like you are getting porked any time you go to a HD dealer...

 

My LR is my first Harley. Before I bought it I asked around about dealers at local Motorcycle clubs. They are an invaluable source of information. The various members had strong opinions on which dealer to avoid and which are good. It is easy to become connected to clubs, just try online meet-up groups and simply go to Motorcycle rallys and swap meets and be sociable, people love to share their experiences. I got a lot of spot on advice from these members both about dealerships themselves and also about the bikes, accessories and modifications. The dealership in Wayne County is a ways from my house as it is the next county away but was strongly recommended and they were right.These folks have reasonable prices and do very good work. The dealership in Batavia was also highly recommended but is just too far away.