free website stats program What would you guys do? Very bad dealer experience | Page 3 | Harley Davidson Forums

What would you guys do? Very bad dealer experience

It's a darn shame to think that an authorized HD dealer would let a bike go out the shop in the condition you described. I would first, let them have 1 chance to make it right, the mechanic may have had a bad day. If you don't get satisfaction, I would start with the ownwer and complain, contact HD and complain, take my business elsewhere. It's unfortunate that there are some people that just don't give a darn about their quality of work. Good Luck!
 
Hoople said:
Sad story indeed but somehow it does not surprise me. Taking non-HD parts to a HD dealership was not the best thing to do. I probably would have looked for an local Indy where I could talk face to face with the guy who actually does the work. Dealerships have too many rules (service writers, glass windows, insurance signs) to keep customers out of direct contact with the mechanics.

As Glider says, best thing would be getting as much money back and going elsewhere.
Click to expand...

Please do not consider this flaming....I just agree with the statement in bold! The dealership was probably wrong to accept non HD parts for any install to begin with. Think about it.....what if I walked into a Ford dealer with Midas parts asking them to do an install? They would have every right to send me on my may.....however.....they accepted the job and should never have sent the bike out with the improper spacing and the tire rubbing!
 
whacko said:
...however.....they accepted the job and should never have sent the bike out with the improper spacing and the tire rubbing!
Click to expand...

I have known "mechanics" that will follow a series of steps even when there is a printed mistake in the written steps. They don't really understand what they are doing even though they are good at following instructions or steps. They also can not think through a problem that may come up. As long as nothing goes wrong, they are fine. They can not even recognize when a mistake was made. If the book says to do it "this way" they do it regardless of the outcome.

So you do make a good point. But the mechanic sees the tire rubbing and says "it must be right" because he has done it that way for years and it has worked in the past. No matter where that guy works, (Indy or HD dealership) he will continue to turn out work like that.
At an Indy you can at least talk to the mechanic and get a feeling for him.
 
Hoople said:
I have known "mechanics" that will follow a series of steps even when there is a printed mistake in the written steps. They don't really understand what they are doing even though they are good at following instructions or steps. They also can not think through a problem that may come up. As long as nothing goes wrong, they are fine. They can not even recognize when a mistake was made. If the book says to do it "this way" they do it regardless of the outcome.

So you do make a good point. But the mechanic sees the tire rubbing and says "it must be right" because he has done it that way for years and it has worked in the past. No matter where that guy works, (Indy or HD dealership) he will continue to turn out work like that.
At an Indy you can at least talk to the mechanic and get a feeling for him.
Click to expand...

My uncle is an auto mechanic and ownes his own independant shop......your comment about the guys that just follow the instructions are the guys my uncle calls "parts replacement specialists" and not real mechanics. Most of those guys can't even diagnose the problem....just hang a part after their boss tells them what to replace. Real mechanics are getting harder to find......you know.....the guys who actually know an engine inside and out and can actually fix something......not just hang a new part!
 
Here I go. A lot of this is caused by apathy, plain and simple. Back in the day a man/woman was proud of their work and the owner/boss was proud of his people. Nowadays the young people just don't care and the owner's settle for the inadaquecies of their employees. Then there is the issue of money...."It's all about the money" too frequently. Get the most for the bike, give the least you can get away with, avoid warranty ( doesn't pay enough ) Don't spend any time making it right ( that takes time which equals money ) I believe in the " golden rule". I do powder coat at home for friends and brothers/sisters and just spent 3 hrs at my own expense to correct a oil tank I did that I buggered up. I couldn't, in good conscience, let it go that way. Part of the cost of doing business. I don't do a lot of work but my customers go away happy. OK, I'm off my soapbox now. Just wish people would take more pride in what they do and not worry so much about the "money". If you do the proper job the money will take care of itself. The prosecution rests.
 
whacko said:
My uncle is an auto mechanic and ownes his own independant shop......your comment about the guys that just follow the instructions are the guys my uncle calls "parts replacement specialists" and not real mechanics. Most of those guys can't even diagnose the problem....just hang a part after their boss tells them what to replace. Real mechanics are getting harder to find......you know.....the guys who actually know an engine inside and out and can actually fix something......not just hang a new part!
Click to expand...

Well said Whacko, we are a dying breed, I still improvise adapt and over come and make it fit and when all else fails I will use my skills and rebuild it:s
 
Jdsmitty10 said:
Ya they FINALLY got it right. Rode it home today, everything seems good to go. I will be checking the torque and stuff since I have a hard time trusting their work now. Sent a letter to the owners. If they don't do anything, MOCO will be contacted.

Thanks everyone for the input.
WAP.gif
Click to expand...

JDSmitty, if you have a hard time trusting their work, I have a hard time riding that bike! What else did they screw up? It's not worth the risk, man. If you don't trust them, have someone else look at it. Just my $0.02
 
Got a response to the letter I wrote. Sincere apologies and a refund check will be mailed. Plus free inspections for life(which I probably won't use anyway, don't want them even looking at my bike again)
WAP.gif
 
Jdsmitty10 said:
Got a response to the letter I wrote. Sincere apologies and a refund check will be mailed. Plus free inspections for life(which I probably won't use anyway, don't want them even looking at my bike again)
WAP.gif
Click to expand...

JD I think you should send a copy of the letter to HD also! To get this dealer on record with them. :(JMO
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top