Dealers
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 1
From: (UK)
Dealers
My experience May 2005
You spend the equivelant of $25,800 on a new bike.
You go and pick it up all full of excitement with the adrenalin flowing
You ride it home and this is what I found:-
(1) Steering Head nut finger tight it should be between 10.8 & 13.6Nm
(2) Handle bars nearly 2" off centre
(3) Less than half a tank of Fuel when they said it was full
(4) Only road taxed for 6 months when they said it would be 12 months (Just got them to pay for extra six months)
(5) No free membership for one year to local chapter as promissed
(6) Fuel gauge Faulty (Common on most Harley's these days)
What ever happened to the pre-deliver inspection that we are charged for? any way to cut a long story short I now have Gap & Tyre insurance worth nearly $700 free of charge after a rant at the dealer.
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Administrator Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,704
Likes: 252
From: Walker Basin, CA
RE: Dealers
Dealers are independent. They are only as good as they want to be beyond what they have to be to get your money. I have been to dealers where you can't get the time of day without looking at the wall clock. Others have been extremely helpful and courteous. Guess which ones get my money.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 0
From: The dream that woke you up in tears.
RE: Dealers
Well, you just experienced the fact that regardless of the product, its success or significance you still encounter the animal known as a human.
Sucks that it had to be that way but bravo for you standing your ground.
When I went to pick up my LowRider I immediately began going over her with a fine tooth comb. Why?....because people are idiots and I think that no one will treat something important to me as I myself would treat it.
Guess what?.....somehow either in shipping, assembly or whatever....there had been some sort of ratchet strap/tie down strap placed around my triple tree.....it had an abrasive effect on it and the damagewas sticking out like a sore thumb.
When I complained the dealers reply was "Well, we can order you another one and it should take about a week to come in".
I asked if they had one in stock......They said they did but that it was the full chrome version.....AND? I asked them......
Well I guess we could put that one on instead was the response from the guy behind the counter.
I said, Yeah......that sounds like a wise thing to do.
I got a new chrome triple tree.....that day!
It happens......other than a few top-notch dealers, nobody cares, there is not enough concern for customer happiness and there is no eye for detail on a product that people are spending $10-30K on.
You done good.
Sucks that it had to be that way but bravo for you standing your ground.
When I went to pick up my LowRider I immediately began going over her with a fine tooth comb. Why?....because people are idiots and I think that no one will treat something important to me as I myself would treat it.
Guess what?.....somehow either in shipping, assembly or whatever....there had been some sort of ratchet strap/tie down strap placed around my triple tree.....it had an abrasive effect on it and the damagewas sticking out like a sore thumb.
When I complained the dealers reply was "Well, we can order you another one and it should take about a week to come in".
I asked if they had one in stock......They said they did but that it was the full chrome version.....AND? I asked them......
Well I guess we could put that one on instead was the response from the guy behind the counter.
I said, Yeah......that sounds like a wise thing to do.
I got a new chrome triple tree.....that day!
It happens......other than a few top-notch dealers, nobody cares, there is not enough concern for customer happiness and there is no eye for detail on a product that people are spending $10-30K on.
You done good.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 3
From: Southeast Wisconsin
RE: Dealers
Sorry to hear about your troubles! Some of that is dealer stuff and some is straight from the factory. I think the factory employees are starting to forget about how bad things used to be when the MOCO had the "AMF reputation" and the final drive inspectors seem to be missing a lot of silly stuff..probably from being bored into numbness from the non-stop production schedule. As far as the dealer issues: some are good and some just plain suck. Try to give your money to another dealer if you can.
Say you're in England correct? American Chopper did an episode there and toured the Triumph plant...pretty sharp looking facility!
Say you're in England correct? American Chopper did an episode there and toured the Triumph plant...pretty sharp looking facility!
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 1
From: (UK)
RE: Dealers
I live just 3.5 miles from the Triumph plant and yes they are getting their act together. It was rescued by a Builder called John Bloor who was passionate over motorcycles and most of the dealers seem very good. The impression I get from H-D Dealers over here is if you want one then were else are you going ! this is the deal take it or leave it because there is a growing demand for HD bikes with people of my age (50) due to their disposable income being larger now that the kids are grown up and the bikes sell themselves.
I dont want to mention the dealers name as it could open up all sorts of legalities but I have narrowed down two dealers who are both around 50 miles away who seem to want the business and seem passionate about customer service so I will mak my mind up when the next service is due. One thing is a fact the dealer who supplied the bike initially will not see it again because the other two dealers are more than willing to cover any warranty work that may arise.
This is the only dealer who's carpark seems empty on sunday afternoons so it speaks for itself
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 3
From: Southeast Wisconsin
RE: Dealers
I found it interesting that the employees on the assembly line don't just work on one model or one type of bike...whatever is coming down the line is the next bike they put together. That probably helps keep them from getting bored. Triumph is very respected here in the states...even by employees from the MOCO. They are often referred to as "European Harleys", "British Harleys", or "Metric Harleys".
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Dealers
Ive used both Sycamore and Robin Hood and found them both to be OK although they dont tend to stock parts for an old Buell like mine (2001 X1) I now use an independant Buell mechanic based in Manchester as he has a fantastic knowledge of the marque, and all parts in stock for most jobs ( the local Harley dealership often send people to him when they cant fix a problem on a bike) It is cheaper for me to hire a van for a day( if the bike isnt rideable) and drive up there from Lincs, as his labour charges are a fraction of what a dealership charge. I also got a little dissillusioned when all the dealerships within 70 miles of me (4) were unable to supply OIL!!! in the summer.
There are a couple of independant Harley dealers in our area, have you heard of them? Northant V-Twin and LeRock in Nottingham ( run by Kev French ex Big Rock Harley) who Ive heard good things about. And with the EU ruling that using independants doesnt effect your warranty, it might be worth a visit.
Lev
There are a couple of independant Harley dealers in our area, have you heard of them? Northant V-Twin and LeRock in Nottingham ( run by Kev French ex Big Rock Harley) who Ive heard good things about. And with the EU ruling that using independants doesnt effect your warranty, it might be worth a visit.
Lev