Dealership Rant

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Apr 8, 2012 | 07:13 AM

#31

badwhine

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 2,874

Likes: 8

From: Earth

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportrider79

Sorry guys and gals but I need to vent about repairs I would of had. I own a 2000 883 Sporty with 24k miles on it. Not well taken care of by the previous owner but for the price I got it for I can't complain. One of the first things I did was change all the oils. Come to find out on one hand it was a bad Idea. The old oil all over the back of the engine should of been a clue. well the new oil "washed" parts off and opened a clot in the lifter block gasket so I was no pissing oil all over. Took it to a Nothern WI dealership and they were super friendly. They told me this should be a easy fix ($200 or so) Now I am good with mechanics so I could of figured it out myself but since they were gonna work on it they would go through everything else on the bike too, in my eyes it definatly needed a gentle touch so I gave the ok. They call me up today (4/7) and tell me now we have to put a conversion kit in or tear the block down just to change 1 gasket ( now we are talking $400-$500) I know this in not right. (remember I do know a thing or 2 since my Dad just retired from HD R&D department after 30+ years) He asks me why did you take it there anyway. (My dad already had future plans this year to bore it out to a 1200 over the fall) I told him you want to do enough so I wanted to take care of this myself. My dad already provided a new carb ($500) and acessories ($1,000) for nothing because he is proud of me but now I was ready to let loose on the dealership. This is my first Harley after not riding for about 10 years so he knows how excited I am to ride again. Now its gonna cost me more money then its worth, I know my dad will just end up taking the bike and doing everything he wants to it but I feel bad this is happening either way when I should be able to take care of things myself. Guess our whole family is a little hard headed or stubborn. Are there any honest dealerships anymore?

So what are you saying? Your local dealer has a stubborn customer?

Apr 8, 2012 | 07:36 AM

#32

1flhtk4me

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 10,675

Likes: 95

From: Billings,Mt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FroggyFatBoy

Working at a car dealer myself,

Heres a story....My sons ex-coworker at a Chevy dealership got a work order from the ripoff SW.He went and told the young woman that the dealer was ripping her off and that she could get the work done cheaper down the street!The girl had some kind of breakdown and called her dad who called the GM.
The tech was fired on the spot.
The tech did this because the new owner who bought the dealership screwed all of the employees.The tech was the only original employee left after the new ownership,everyone else had quit.It's been a revolving door since.

Apr 8, 2012 | 10:36 AM

#33

Prodriverdon

Road Master

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 971

Likes: 1

From: Chicago/Arlington Heights

This has to be the wost post I have ever read. F-OFF? Come on grow up. If you need help this is the best place to get real answers. Good luck in finding help now.

Last edited by Prodriverdon; Apr 8, 2012 at 10:40 AM.

Apr 8, 2012 | 10:58 AM

#34

Markymannn

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 2,086

Likes: 154

From: Buffalo, NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by dothedoo

I think you forgot a few periods here. lol

No I think the OP is having HIS monthly period LOL

I called my local dealer and told them my father is Willie G and I would be coming down to pick up a CVO to ride around for the day. They too told be to "F off". Another bad dealer experience.................

Apr 8, 2012 | 11:50 AM

#35

tehan2

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2011

Posts: 2,719

Likes: 6,009

From: Boston suburbs

Do people really still bring their bikes to the dealer for service?

Once it's out of warranty, there's really no reason to go to the service dept. A lot of the "service" to bikes can be done in your garage at home, for those that are above your mechanical capability, every town has an independent shop.

These shops usually have ex factory techs that have lower service rates and they don't charge "book rate" for work.

Apr 8, 2012 | 12:37 PM

#36

Clbybee

Stage I

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

From: Estacada, OR.

HD repair shop in Estacada, OR.

Iv'e only lived in Estacada/Eagle Creek area for about a year and a half. We are about 20 miles or so from the nearest HD shop and I am a believer in using local merchants. There is a small shop callled Estacada Motor Sports, they repair all brands of bikes, atv's and snow sleds. I have used them 3 times now for services and repairs. The mechanic there is very reasonable and sticks to his quote. They have been able to match prices on parts and supplies on tires etc. Living in Oregon during this time of year we don't have alot of great day's to ride. I drive truck over the road and needed to drop the bike off for a quick repair on Wed. the weather was going to be real nice on the weekend. When I droped the bike off they had 7 jobs ahead of mine and said it would be about a week and a half. On friday I stopped by and he said that if he gets to a spot where he was waiting on parts he would try to get to mine. 2 hours later he called and said come get your bike.. So I'm giving this shout out to Estacada Motor Sports for job well done, thanks..

Apr 8, 2012 | 02:17 PM

#37

garand

Road Master

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 1,212

Likes: 4

From: From Illinois; Currently Belgium

My dad's a machinist at international paper so I figured I could tell what a good weld looked like on a salvaged bike...WTF does your dad have to do with anything? How do you know a thing or two because of your dad's job?

Apr 8, 2012 | 03:52 PM

#38

sjef

Road Captain

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 720

Likes: 6

From: South Jersey

It always amazes me how R&D guys want to tell the techs how to do the job. Maybe daddy should spend more time teaching junior how play nicely with others.