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I have worked as a service advisor in car dealerships for the past 13 or so years. I can't say I haven't made inacurate statements to my customers though inacurate information given to me, but I learned a long time ago that you NEVER lie to a customer. Tell them the truth, they deserve it, not matter what. I have had a really bad experience from my selling HD dealer in west Knoxville, TN. I was told that parts had to be ordered for my bike and "I will call you when the parts come in." I called after 10 or 12 days to find out that parts hadn't even been ordered. "They forgot to order them." I understand we are all human, we all make screw up. No big deal. Parts were ordered again... Two weeks later still nothing on order for my bike. Service advisor said he personally ordered parts this time. It has been over 6 weeks now and not a word from "my" dealer. Fortunately, the one part I wanted was less than $5.00 retail. I BOUGHT it from the local dealer here in Chattanooga, Tn. Knoxville Harley Davidson lost a few customers for good over a $5.00 part.
My 2 cents of course I will not mention the dealers names!
last December bought an 08 Dresser, excellent price. Got it from my home dealer that could never sell me a bike because the prices he quoted we out of this word to put it nicely!! Bought it there anyways caught him at a good time. Picked up the bike in April cruise didnt work went back they checked it dealer said I needed to leave it with em. Left for 2 days only to find dealer never loaded software when they installed cruise they fixed it. Got the bike home and saddlebeg scratched under chrome guards!! Called dealer took it back they buffed it out about 85% claiming they werent going to admit to doing it!! No pre inspection my fault!! So now I make appt for 1K service at the same dealer talk to Sales aManager that sold me the bike, told him about saddlebag issue says let me make it up to ya Ill put my best guy on it. Service writer said bull SSSS Ill put someone else on it after all "Its only a Service" burned rubber out of there never went back.
Fuel filter recall another dealer did it he scratched the tank really a mark, buffed out 100%
Is it me or am I missing something here??
Now my 5K is coming up I know you guys are gonna jump on me and say "Do It yourself' !! Get the manal, I got it but Ill let a dealer do it so now Im on the nunt for a reputable service customer oriented dealer in Jersey anyone?? Thanks Bill
Last edited by daharleyrdr; Aug 18, 2008 at 10:36 AM.
Update on my problem with the service department...they made everything right....I am happy, again.
WHAT?!?!?!?! That's it?!?!?!? You march your azz right back down there and kick somebody's azz right now!!! I want to see some blood for pete's sake!!!
Been there done that. I only take the Putt in to the Dealer if it's a warranty issue because I know I'll be stroked to death to get it back in a week. For anything else I go to a Indy or in most cases do it my self.
I agree 90% of Harley service dept. are worthless. There are a few good ones ya 10%. I would love to drug test most dealers. It would be a ghost town. One example. Sir who is doing your maintance ? I am why ?Well your trans fluid is over filled. Oh really show me. Well service writer the bike is supposed to be level. And the dip stick is supposed to be touching the top of the treads on the trans. not screwed in and take a reading idiot. nuff said.
I have always found the right tech at the dealer and insisted he and only he work on my bike. This came after learning the hard way after a loose axle nut and improperly assembled brake caliper issues. I did let the owner know about it however and that is why they have never questioned my specifying who works on my bike.
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Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
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