Damn Dealer
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 312
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver BC
MY husband and I get all our tires on line and have them installed by our local dealer. We did buy 4 bikes from them over the years.
I mentioned to our dealer about the "other" local dealer who would not install tires bought elsewhere. His response was it's all about service and we want your business and everybody else's.
He said word gets around and that kind of service pays off in spades. It's not like we aren't getting $90.00 an hour to do the swap and if youre happy you'll tell everyone about it.
Mountainview HD - Chilliwack BC
I mentioned to our dealer about the "other" local dealer who would not install tires bought elsewhere. His response was it's all about service and we want your business and everybody else's.
He said word gets around and that kind of service pays off in spades. It's not like we aren't getting $90.00 an hour to do the swap and if youre happy you'll tell everyone about it.
Mountainview HD - Chilliwack BC
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 2,896
From: Oklahoma
Folks are debating the policy and that is fine. I wonder if this is the first time the OP tried to do this because the policy which gave him heart burn is very common, and with a little knowledge, he should have asked first. If this is his first try, log it to experience.
When people ask about tires in a forum, I try to caution them to be careful about the load rating, not all tires of the same size will safely carry the same load. The dealer insisting on installing only his tires can make sure the load rating is adequate. What sort of heat would have been generated if the bead had broken on that new tire because it wasn't compatible with the rim or if it didn't seal properly. How about if the tech came out and said the sealing lip on your tire tore when we tried to install it? That starts the accusation that they destroyed my tire because they wanted to sell their own and now you have to pay for 2 tires.
Bless those willing to install outside parts but I can't blame those who choose not to. Check first and save aggravation and time.
When people ask about tires in a forum, I try to caution them to be careful about the load rating, not all tires of the same size will safely carry the same load. The dealer insisting on installing only his tires can make sure the load rating is adequate. What sort of heat would have been generated if the bead had broken on that new tire because it wasn't compatible with the rim or if it didn't seal properly. How about if the tech came out and said the sealing lip on your tire tore when we tried to install it? That starts the accusation that they destroyed my tire because they wanted to sell their own and now you have to pay for 2 tires.
Bless those willing to install outside parts but I can't blame those who choose not to. Check first and save aggravation and time.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 205
Likes: 6
From: Blacksburg, VA
Duh. I can't believe you thought that you could just go buy something off the internet and then get a dealer to install it for you. They are not independent mechanics. They are a dealer. The "we only install what we sell" is not unique to your dealer nor unique to Harley, nor unique to motorcycles. If you want to have someone else install stuff you buy at a discount off the internet, find an indy.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
Ok I'll chime in too:
I always ask my service writer first before I bring it in, if I buy something elsewhere if they will install it.
I would never assume to tell them how they should do business.
Where are all these great indy shops, everybody is going to?
We've had two in my town and both went broke and closed up.
....and quite frankly I wouldn't have used them anyway. Just because a guy calls himself a mechanic doesn't mean he is.
I've bought tires over the internet a few times and gotten good deals and saved a $100 a tire.
Usually they are great tires, but once I got a tire that in no time at all started having cracks in the sidewall.
So buyer beware, some of these big factory suppliers are selling old tires.
I always ask my service writer first before I bring it in, if I buy something elsewhere if they will install it.
I would never assume to tell them how they should do business.
Where are all these great indy shops, everybody is going to?
We've had two in my town and both went broke and closed up.
....and quite frankly I wouldn't have used them anyway. Just because a guy calls himself a mechanic doesn't mean he is.
I've bought tires over the internet a few times and gotten good deals and saved a $100 a tire.
Usually they are great tires, but once I got a tire that in no time at all started having cracks in the sidewall.
So buyer beware, some of these big factory suppliers are selling old tires.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 447
Likes: 3
From: North TX
There are 3 dealers close to me and none of them will mount a tire you bring in. I take the wheels off myself and take them to an indy that will do the mount and balance for $20 per tire. For $3 disposal fee he'll even get rid of the old ones.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,735
Likes: 9,244
From: Snow Hill, NC
Did he offer some K9 Jelly before he tried to bend you over...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,735
Likes: 9,244
From: Snow Hill, NC
That's what i do as well... they appreciate the money... Even gave them a 12 pack of Miller lite this year for Christmas...
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,074
Likes: 153
From: Snow Mexico
I agree. If dealers didn't try to gouge customers for every last nickel then people would buy more stuff from them.
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