Originally Posted by John Bernard

Thanks again for all of the replies to this thread. Yes, this was about numerous failures on Harley's part to deliver my bike on any of the four times that they promised that I would have it. Since I finally do have it in my possession, I feel a little safer about sharing more details of the situation. In a nutshell, I was told by the dealer that they found a firefighter special edition bike exactly like I was looking for already built and ready to ship. They said that the original owner pulled out of the purchase contract, so the bike became available to the first qualified buyer. I was trading in two bikes, both of which they wanted to see before they put my name on the new firefighter Fat Boy. Understandable. First I brought my Honda in, left it there, signed the papers, and promised to bring my other Harley in the next day. However, I told them that I would not be leaving my old Harley until my new bike came in, because I wanted to take some things off of it and restore it back to stock. They said no problem.

The next day they call me and say that they need me to bring my Harley in and leave it. They also said they cannot secure the new Fat Boy into my name until they have both bikes, and that the new one was ready to ship and should be there by mid week if we get this done today. So I brought my Harley in and left it, and was expecting to get a call around Wednesday at the latest saying that my Fat Boy was in.

Wednesday came, no call. So I phoned the dealer, and they said that the delivery date was changed until Friday... no explanation as to why. Friday came, and no call. I phoned and was told that the bike would be here on Monday or Tuesday of next week, and they could call me when it arrives. Tuesday comes, no call. I phone the dealer and for the third time ask to speak to the people that are directly involved in shipping my bike. They said they cannot give that information. I then phone customer service, and get the same run around. Eventually CS tells me that they got ahold of the woman who is in charge of the police and firefighter bikes, and she said that she has made the shipping of my bike a top priority. She told CS that she was going to do her best to get the bike shipped out that day, and would call the dealer by the end of the day to confirm. I phoned the dealer and they said there was no call. The next day I phoned customer service and insisted that somebody give me an actual date that my bike will for sure be here. They phoned the woman, and she told them that she promises that the bike will be shipped out SOMETIME NEXT WEEK. I asked how I was supposed to believe this, when she has already failed on every promise that had been made to me the last three times. I insisted on talking to this woman directly, or her supervisor, but was again refused. I also asked how any company can take a customer's money, promise a delivery date on multiple occasions, reneg on the promises, and not even give me a live person to speak to that has the power to make sure that they will get the product into their hands.

Customer Service then talks to the woman again and is told that they loaded my bike onto the truck, but could not say when the truck would actually leave to make the delivery. She said she would call the dealer as soon as it does, and they anticipated that would be the same day (Wednesday) or Thursday at the latest. By Thursday I hadn't heard from the dealer, so I phoned them on Friday. They checked the computer and found out that the bike had been shipped and was actually only about a half hour away, but the bike was routed to be dropped off at another dealer three hours away. The bike would then need to be shipped from there to my dealer, which would mean more delay. The dealer was successful at getting them to drop off the bike at their present location, and the dealer drove out there to pick it up and bring it back here where I could pick it up. I picked it up the next day.

The point of this whole thing is that Harley really needs to be more accountable to their customers. They take their money and make promises that they do not follow through on, and do not seem to care that this is bad business or that the customer is not going to just lie down and take it. I can honestly say that I have never seen such a major corporation operate this way, and am amazed at how they can continue to do so year after year. I love their product, but don't they realize that service is half of the reason for a business's success?

My latest situation is trying to install a set of passing lights with relocated turn signals on my new bike. The wiring is now internal on the new Fat Boys, and it is tied together with the switches, etc. I phoned Harley to ask them if there is an easier way to separate the wires without having to take the handlebars out, pull the entire harness out, re-fish the wires through, etc. They asked me what dealer is doing the install, and I told them I was doing it myself. They said that they only have the resources to advise the dealers with install problems, but not the owners. I said "Are you kidding me? I just spent $20.000.00 on a new bike, and another $400.00 on an accessory, and I can't even speak to someone that I bought the bike and product from about an installation question"???

Unbelievable!

Anyway, thanks again for the helpful responses that were posted on this thread.

Originally Posted by jgsmithjr

Let's cut him a little slack. Sounds like a young guy that still feels like the world owes him something. We've all been there at one time or another. He will grow old soon enough and wise up to the ways things really are and what to expect. And, who doesn't get overly anxious when getting a new Harley.

Originally Posted by frog13

Here's my thoughts, short and sweet, like anyone cares.

Delivery - Wasn't that bad, **** happens. Ever order a new car that isn't in stock? Delivery dates are usually just estimates of time, not a firm commitment.

Install help - Totally unrealistic, it's what they are in business to do and you're trying to take away from their business. Now, if you want to chat with a tech at their hourly rate, they can probably arrange that.

My suggestion is you get past this quickly or you will never be happy with the bike or the MOCO.