Another HD Dealer Rant
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
In my area it seems to be a systemic thing. I bought my 07FXDC, and I told the salesman I wanted different bars to seal the deal. Of course he agreed and we set up an appointment. A week later I bring the bike back (60 miles-pretty far for a new rider on his first harley), and waited 8 hours in their lounge (they said it'd be 2-3 hours). After the 8 hours the guy tells me they ordered the wrong cables or some crud.
The rented me a Heritage Softail for free, rode home, waited three more days, and finally rode back and got my bike back. That was my first experience with how they handle their garage. At least they didn't screw-up the 1k service at the other HD dealer I went to. This thread reminds me I should find an indy.
Any recommendations for Austin, Texas????
The rented me a Heritage Softail for free, rode home, waited three more days, and finally rode back and got my bike back. That was my first experience with how they handle their garage. At least they didn't screw-up the 1k service at the other HD dealer I went to. This thread reminds me I should find an indy.
Any recommendations for Austin, Texas????
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Morgan City Louisiana
dat ok last week i went to my harley dealer and over the last 3 months i spent about 10k cash) i was there and went into service department to get them to check the air in my tires and they acted like it was too much. talk bout have me raising hell i got the air checked but wont let them do it again
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 173
From: Watertown, CT
To all: Why not post the name of the good dealerships when and if you run into them?
A local dealer here ( Yankee HD) (CT) never seems to have the part you need , everything has to be ordered. I order online instead
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,707
Likes: 4
From: Newtown, PA
Remember guys, except for the Master Technician, the rest of the guys working on your Harley at a dealership are $8 - $10 an hour installers. Harley dealerships don't pay enough to keep good mechanics so when a good mechanic gets married, has a kid or wants to buy a house, he can't do it on $30k a year so he leaves. This is why there is so much turn over and why such simple things as putting the correct level of oil in the bike or air in the tires or not scratching up the bike are done incorrectly. And the parts guys, they are non-technicians and they are getting a flat $8-$9 an hour at best. The key, just like for cars, is to find an independent shop or mechanic that you can trust. As was mentioned above, a good indy, for bike or car, is worth gold.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,384
Likes: 12
From: Out on Deranged
Wait did you say " got the wrong part" and they wouldn't take it back? Sheesh what a crew 1 That makes no sense at all , Re-stock did you actually leave the store ?......just nutz man!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Club Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 14,564
Likes: 9,223
From: the 50s & the 60s
I just need to tell someone other than my wife what I think of the Harley dealerships in my area. Their customer service sucks out loud. You would think with sales and revenues falling they would at least become more customer friendly. But no they still have the same pissy attitude they always have had. I have spent a huge amount of money on parts over the last year and two of them being very pricey. I will admit that one is an electronic part and
it said on the receipt that they didn't allow returns on electronics,
but it would take about 6 whole minutes to test this part to determine if it was good or not. I know they are busy, oh wait there was not a single customer in the store, 4 guys standing behind the counter, doing nothing. The other was
a handlebar I ordered
paid for up front and waited 10 days to get it and when it came I realized immediately that it was the wrong part. They charged me a 10% restocking fee. Come on what the hell. So I go on the HD web site to express my displeasure and guess what, they don't have a friggin customer service email. I hope they survive as a company but also hope they change their attitude. Thanks I feel much better now.
it said on the receipt that they didn't allow returns on electronics,
but it would take about 6 whole minutes to test this part to determine if it was good or not. I know they are busy, oh wait there was not a single customer in the store, 4 guys standing behind the counter, doing nothing. The other was
a handlebar I ordered
paid for up front and waited 10 days to get it and when it came I realized immediately that it was the wrong part. They charged me a 10% restocking fee. Come on what the hell. So I go on the HD web site to express my displeasure and guess what, they don't have a friggin customer service email. I hope they survive as a company but also hope they change their attitude. Thanks I feel much better now.
George, with all due respect, not anyone I know of takes electronics in return.
And, a Special Order handlebar is just that. They ordered it specially for you.
10% restock seems reasonable
to put the item on their shelf and count it at inventory time.
mud
.