Mt Eden Motorcycles - Not going there again

[Quasievil]

I conveyed my perception of the thread based on posts by you, sidcar bob, crasher and Quasi. It should have served as a warning that the industry reps are alienating their clientèle. Again, I would like to know if I were doing this to my clients. I would love the opportunity for client to say "look mate, you're fucking me off big time, if things don't change we're going to another supplier".



Dont tarnish my business just cause you got a shitty attitude in the middle of the night Noel hahahaha.
My message on this entire thread was that the customer empowered with a keyboard shouldn't post issues if he cant sort it out face to face in the first instance, this sort of crap ticks me off big time as EVERY bike industry business Im aware strive on Customer service because if they dont they DIE, cause every fucker who owns a bike is a fucking importer.

Why am I anti this sort of behaviour ? the reason is I was a target of an unfair campaign by a customer a few months back that encompassed KB, Face book, Trademe, as well as a massive email slander thing, the issue was sorted fast and well by us yet we got a real hard time over nothing, the customer basically took us to small claims and naturally lost (BIG TIME) so I certainly feel for a business that gets a bashing on here, and I believe my opinion is very accurate, settle the situation in person in the first instance.

I cant see why you would think my opinion is an alienation towards my customers

[The Pastor]

Back on topic, mt eden are a crap stealership, the quality of bikes in there are way below the other stores.

Just basic things, like keeping them clean and free of rust would go a long way!

[Blew]

A Wise Man Once Told Me Never Put Anything In Writing, As At Some Point Someone Will Use It Against YOU !

[Quasievil]

Back on topic, mt eden are a crap stealership,



RM youre a dick

[The Stranger]

Dont tarnish my business just cause you got a shitty attitude in the middle of the night Noel.
My message on this entire thread was that the customer shouldn't post crap if he cant sort it out face to face in the first instance, this sort of crap ticks me off big time as EVERY bike industry business Im aware strive on Customer service because if they dont they DIE, cause every fucker who owns a bike is a fucking importer.

Sorry Quasi, you got the part about me tarnishing your business 100% wrong. You guys are successfully tarnishing your own businesses by carping on about all the bad customers eg lets have a consumer show about all the bad customers (there must be sooo many if we're going to start a show about it) etc etc etc.
I'm doing the decent thing and pointing it out because it appears you guys are oblivious.

Sure he should take it up with the manager of the place as a first step, no question, but he didn't, he posted here. Politely pointing this out to him is all that was required - then leave it to DMNTD to sort.

I've had my say, I'm out of here you guys can either listen to customer feedback or not. It's your businesses and your choices. God knows some companies spend millions researching how their customers feel. You get it for free and you get pissed off. Go figure.

[westie]

I like the mt eden guys/girls and their service (especially the girls).

I do have beef with another completely different shop for selling me a near new bike with many defects. So bad that I would never want to let them touch the bike again.
So after fixing the bike myself am happy with it.
Put the fuck up down to experience and moved on.

[vifferman]

I don't mind when someone makes a cockup or overlooks something. The thing that pisses me off is when they know they've done so, know that you know, yet don't give a crap or get hostile when you bring it up. That is unacceptable if their income depends on customer service. Some examples: I had my bike repaired on one side, and when I went to pick it up, the decal on one side was red/white and blue, whereas the original (and the one on the other side) was gold, silver and white. When I pointed it out, instead of saying, "Crap! Sorry about that - I cocked it up!", the person concerned (a shop that many people on here have raved about) got angry with me, and said "Well - that's the one the part number came up with!", and told me I had to sort it out with the insurance company. FFS! What's so hard about (a) checking before you put a decal on that it's the right one, and (b) if it's your mistake, then you should be the one to fix it, instead of saying, "I'm not gonna wear the expense of this!" That same person also admitted they'd overcharged me for some repairs, and because it was insurance related, offered me a free rear tyre. I'd just hade one fitted, so said that I'd rather have a tuneup done and the valve clearances checked. I'm pretty sure that the shop didn't do anything to the bike, as there was no signs at all of the engine being touched. They just pocketed the money. No, I didn't take it up with them, because I'm pretty sure it would've just been a shit fight and they would've denied it. I just never ever went back.
Another shop ripped me off, made it quite clear they knew that I knew they were doing so, and didn't give a crap about it. This has cost them over the last five years literally thousands of dollars in lost trade, from servicing, spare parts, accessories, tyres, etc etc. I went from being quite pleased with the shop to never ever spending a cent there. I'm pretty sure that their arrogant attitude meant that if I'd talked to them about it, they would've just laughed in my face and not given a damn.

These two examples are quite a contrast to the many shops I've been to where they've treated me like a valued customer, been genuinely apologetic for cockups or stuff not in stock, and I've been prepared to overlook shortcomings and even pay extra to shop there rather than save a few bucks (or even a lot of bucks) elsewhere.

[avgas]

1 question for the industry guys: If services etc are charged at standard flat rates, why not invoice them as such?
rather than trying to itemise it all out, and then try and come up with a one price fits all end result?

Ok a 2nd question:
If as a scum of the earth rip-off bastard customer, I am prepared to come in and pay whatever the going rate is for labour on an oil change and service (say $60-80 per hour) regardless of the time required, would it not also follow that I perhaps would not then want to use the cheapest oil & filter combo available?
1) because then someone would complain about the bill and then request a break down of costs. I mean people in the supermarket even compare net weights on goods to get the most bang for buck. Something tells me if you received a flat rate bill - you would then ask why it costs so much.
On some of my bills I used to put "Consumables - $10". Because I used a cleaner or solder or paper........no one asked about it. The only thing these guys did was happened to have the word 'filter'. Did they provide service? Yes - well fucking pay for it. If you forever count the pennies on the floor - you will miss the gold bullion in the pocket.
2) If your were the cheapest customer, you would complain about how expensive the hourly rate is, how many hours it took......and the cheapest oil and filter. Hell you would probably get a quote and then complain that the end result was not the quoted price. Or ask for a discount on the quote. Or storm out, go down the road with quote in hand and ask the next guy to do it cheaper.

Did they service the bike? Did they do a good job? Does your bike make you smile when you ride it?
Was it worth the money?
Seriously you sound like one of those knob customers who expect the store to get everything 100% while you pay bottom dollar......I hate to break it down for you princess - but if you cant be fucked doing it yourself, chances are you have to pay for whatever someone else asks to do the job. If they do a good job pay what you would be expected to be paid to do the job and smile about it.
In my experience, semantics will cost you $180+ an hour.

[Katman]

In my experience, semantics will cost you $180+ an hour.

Remind me to never get my Semantic serviced.:shit:

[Mully]

I like the mt eden guys/girls and their service (especially the girls).

I presume you don't mean Chris in a skirt
*shudder*
Some things can't be unseen


Remind me to never get my Semantic serviced.:shit:

Nah, s'alright. Semantics have a longer service interval, so although it costs more, you don't have to have it done as often....

[Katman]

Nah, s'alright. Semantics have a longer service interval, so although it costs more, you don't have to have it done as often....

I bet you're just saying that.

[Smifffy]

1) because then someone would complain about the bill and then request a break down of costs. I mean people in the supermarket even compare net weights on goods to get the most bang for buck. Something tells me if you received a flat rate bill - you would then ask why it costs so much.
On some of my bills I used to put "Consumables - $10". Because I used a cleaner or solder or paper........no one asked about it. The only thing these guys did was happened to have the word 'filter'. Did they provide service? Yes - well fucking pay for it. If you forever count the pennies on the floor - you will miss the gold bullion in the pocket.
2) If your were the cheapest customer, you would complain about how expensive the hourly rate is, how many hours it took......and the cheapest oil and filter. Hell you would probably get a quote and then complain that the end result was not the quoted price. Or ask for a discount on the quote. Or storm out, go down the road with quote in hand and ask the next guy to do it cheaper.

Did they service the bike? Did they do a good job? Does your bike make you smile when you ride it?
Was it worth the money?
Seriously you sound like one of those knob customers who expect the store to get everything 100% while you pay bottom dollar......I hate to break it down for you princess - but if you cant be fucked doing it yourself, chances are you have to pay for whatever someone else asks to do the job. If they do a good job pay what you would be expected to be paid to do the job and smile about it.
In my experience, semantics will cost you $180+ an hour.

I think you have me confused with somebody else.

I have the money to spend, and I choose to spend it in the belief that I am getting work done by a professional, who will not cock it up, the way I just might considering I have little experience in such things. I expect to be able to ride out of a workshop and have no hassles, since that's really what I feel I'm paying for. I'll pay more if I find a good workshop who treats me right and does work to the standard I require. I will return every time, and usually never ask for a quote, perhaps an idea of the cost but not even an estimate. I will reccomend such a place to anyone that cares to listen. When I trust the workshop I don't even bother to look at the invoice, I just pay the bill. My cage garage has eft-pos and they staple the invoice to eft-pos receipt after I pay, which is the first opportunity to even look at it.

If I feel fucked around, ripped off, or taken advantage of then I will start asking people for reccomendations of other places and inform them of why I am dissatisfied. I will also tell anyone who'll listen.

In fact I intend riding an hour and a half to get my next full service done from where I got the bike, cos so far they have treated me ok (failed to deliver on a couple of promises made at sale time but not too dramatic). My expectation is that I should be able to ride out of the workshop, go the long way home, and have no issues. I also plan to get two new WWW tyres fitted, providing they can source the ones I'm after and the price per tyre is within $50 of what I've seen them advertised in Aucks. I will give them a few weeks notice of my tyre requirements. I also have a couple of extra jobs in mind I want done. Hell, I might even ask for a chrome filter ;)

This will be the shop's opportunity to get it right and leave me with a positive customer experience. If my expectations are met, I will continue going there, time is not an issue. If my expectations are not met, and things are not put right quickly, I'll try the Suzuki dealer 20 minutes away, or either one of the two 35 minutes away. I have no idea how much this will all cost me, and it doesn't really matter. What matters is that I leave feeling that I got a good quality job, and paid a fair price. Oh yeah - this visit will also be the one most likely to determine whether I go there looking for my next bike, more so than the original purchase deal.

Sorry if all of this seems unreasonable to you, but it's my reality.

Edit: Ok, since Semantics were brought up, I acknowledge that "Usually never" isn't quite right. Let's just say I can't remember ever asking for a quote.

[Katman]

This will be the shop's opportunity to get it right and leave me with a positive customer experience. If my expectations are met, I will continue going there, time is not an issue. If my expectations are not met, and things are not put right quickly, I'll try the Suzuki dealer 20 minutes away, or either one of the two 35 minutes away. I have no idea how much this will all cost me, and it doesn't really matter. What matters is that I leave feeling that I got a good quality job, and paid a fair price. Oh yeah - this visit will also be the one most likely to determine whether I go there looking for my next bike, more so than the original purchase deal.



Just curious to know why you're only considering dealerships as opposed to smaller independent workshops.

[Smifffy]

Just curious to know why you're only considering dealerships as opposed to smaller independent workshops.

Got the bike relatively low mileage - still fairly early in the prescribed service intervals. Even if it's no longer a warranty issue, I'd like to get the next few services done by dealerships. Like I said if they treat me right I'll keep going back too.

[Mully]

I also plan to get two new WWW tyres fitted, .

You can get the internet on your tyres? That's awesome

Mine don't even have Bluetooth.

[Smifffy]

You can get the internet on your tyres? That's awesome

Mine don't even have Bluetooth.


WiFi, but you need a good firewall.

[Shaun]

At no stage did I suggest anyone was trying to rip anyone off.
Why are you quoting me then spouting bullshit like that?
After 23 years in of success in the industry, perhaps the industry could reward you with some reading comprehension lessons.

Prior to the various industry reps displaying their open disdain for customers in this thread I thought most of them would have valued their clients. What can I say, I was wrong. Ironically had they (yourself, sidecar bob, RT) shut up and left it to DMNTD to deal with, their customers would still be under the delusion that they are valued, not just bunch of scum of the earth rip off bastards. That's my opinion after 40yrs as a consumer and still going strong.



Glad I listened for once! I blaim the medication I am on these days for that

[Crasherfromwayback]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS]I have seen some grandiose statements on KB but that one takes first place.

What's my prize then?

[The Pastor]

RM youre a dick

would you sell a jacket with a rusty zip?

[Shaun]

What's my prize then?

Next thread

Wellington MCyles crushed my bike to get parts money from me????


Great buisness planning Pete

[Robert Taylor]

Surely I wouldn't have dealt with you the next 4 times were I not happy with the service and the result.
I trust that answers that.

The whole bloody thread is about perception isn't it? I have seen a thousand times where perception is more important than the actual service itself.
The OP perceived (rightly or wrongly) that he had been ripped off (to paraphrase).
Assuming the service was good then this is simply another instance where the perception is more important than the service.


I conveyed my perception of the thread based on posts by you, sidcar bob, crasher and Quasi. It should have served as a warning that the industry reps are alienating their clientèle. Again, I would like to know if I were doing this to my clients. I would love the opportunity for client to say "look mate, you're fucking me off big time, if things don't change we're going to another supplier".

Having given my honest opinion crasher chose to berate the messenger (who actually isn't such a bad customer) and you quoted him and noted your support.

Why would you guys (industry reps) choose to alienate your customers?
So may I respectfully suggest that when your customers speak you (i.e. all industry reps) listen.

Actually no matter who is right or who is wrong re this subject and the etiquette or rather lack thereof you are 110% right about the perception thing.

I still maintain to an extent that Mt Eden have been maligned to an extent that is way over the top.

Similarly I apologise for being a little hasty in blanketly and rather too quickly agreeing with one of ''Crashers'' posts. I agree with some but not all of what he has said and disagree largely with the brutal way he has presented it. But Im sure if I was in a pub somewhere with ''Crasher'' and even Headbanger we could all get along fine.

Its always a fine line about alienating customers as it is in reality impossible to please everybody all of the time. But we adhere to the LV Martin mentality. If something isnt to a customers satisfaction we go out of our way to put it right. On that point I think we can for the very greatest part stand proud.

The viewpoints and perceptions that have come up in this thread have certainly been interesting. Ive been in this industry for 33 years and people certainly have changed. So my viewpoints come from that experience in the industry, but of course I am a consumer too of other products.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Next thread

Wellington MCyles crushed my bike to get parts money from me????


Great buisness planning Pete

Wasn't me driving the truck. Honest.

[Shaun]

Wasn't me driving the truck. Honest.



I get a % from the insurance company for that bit or parking

[Crasherfromwayback]

At no stage did I suggest anyone was trying to rip anyone off.
Why are you quoting me then spouting bullshit like that?
After 23 years in of success in the industry, perhaps the industry could reward you with some reading comprehension lessons.

Prior to the various industry reps displaying their open disdain for customers in this thread I thought most of them would have valued their clients. What can I say, I was wrong. Ironically had they (yourself, sidecar bob, RT) shut up and left it to DMNTD to deal with, their customers would still be under the delusion that they are valued, not just bunch of scum of the earth rip off bastards. That's my opinion after 40yrs as a consumer and still going strong.

My mistake re that part, and sorry for that. But I think you've missed my point re customers. I don't treat my customers with disdain...never have. As I've said before, without them, I'd be gone. My point was (and is) you're not one. Lets face it...you no doubt think I'm a dickhead, and wouldn't buy from me. That means you're not a customer of mine and more than likely never will be. As I've also said...I don't see where it says that I can't as CFWB have an opinion here, just like you can, simply because I sell motorycles for a living. You get to call me a dickhead (or whatever else you like), and I get to do likewise. It may come as a huge surprise to you, but a lot of my sales are from either referrals, or repeat business. That doesn't happen because I treat my customer badly or with disrespect. There are plenty of KBers I've sold bikes to that I'm sure (well I hope) are well happy with the deal I did for them, and the treatment they got. But you're not all gonna like me and I fully accept that. It's not gonna stop me for saying what I think. For what's it's worth...I think it's great you gave the same shops repeat business, it's how good working relationships are forged.

Pete

[Crasherfromwayback]

Similarly I apologise for being a little hasty in blanketly and rather too quickly agreeing with one of ''Crashers'' posts. I agree with some but not all of what he has said and disagree largely with the brutal way he has presented it. But Im sure if I was in a pub somewhere with ''Crasher'' and even Headbanger we could all get along fine.



Dunno about that Robert, doubt you'd like my language while I drink. It's the same as I often use here!

[The Pastor]

taking it off topic now.

george from motorcycle doctors is pretty spot on, not perfect but i can feel i can trust him and his knowledge

[Headbanger]

Dunno about that Robert, doubt you'd like my language while I drink. It's the same as I often use here!

I'm awesome when I'm drinking.:innocent::innocent::innocent::shit:

I think I'm funny and I know everything.


So, Its just like when I'm sober, except louder, less coherent, and it always ends badly.

[sidecar bob]

At no stage did I suggest anyone was trying to rip anyone off.
Why are you quoting me then spouting bullshit like that?
After 23 years in of success in the industry, perhaps the industry could reward you with some reading comprehension lessons.

Prior to the various industry reps displaying their open disdain for customers in this thread I thought most of them would have valued their clients. What can I say, I was wrong. Ironically had they (yourself, sidecar bob, RT) shut up and left it to DMNTD to deal with, their customers would still be under the delusion that they are valued, not just bunch of scum of the earth rip off bastards. That's my opinion after 40yrs as a consumer and still going strong.
Hey, i fix cars, not bikes, so i dont count.
The fact is that not all "customers" are doing you a favour.
If somebody comes to your business happily slagging off the last guy (or on the net) you can bet your arse that you will be next, & the best place for that individual to get their work done is somewhere else.
What does it take for some of you people to realise that it takes far more qualities than someone's ability to walk through your front door, for them to be a decent client, heaven forbid that saying that may dent your fragile ego's as some of the world's most awesome & loyal clients.
The client needs to want to do business with the shop, but the shop has the option of not doing business with the client & in my opinion, that right is not excercised anywhere near enough.
You may well have forty years as a customer, (which in actual fact, may only make you no more than an old bastard) but i have had over half that working every day as the proprietor, in which time i have learned how to survive.
The very poster i have quoted is happy to smugly brag about purchasing cheaper stuff on the net, so is no doubt a model bike shop client!!
From what i can gather, Bryce from the bike wreckers in Wellington dosent take shit from dickheads, & neither should he.

[Ixion]

Bike dealers don't occasionally rip people off?.....Dude I doubt there is a single soul in KB land that would believe that; no doubt the dealer calls it "maximizing profit" or some other similar white lie. No doubt a fair degree of cognitive dissonance comes into play, but the effect is still the same-a lie is a lie regardless of whether you choose to ignore it happening

I have seen some grandiose statements on KB but that one takes first place.

In 40+ years of deealing with bike shops, I don't recall any of them intentionally trying to rip me off.
Slack service, yep, lots
Higher prices than i was willing to pay. Sure
Mediocre workmanship, occasionally
Unprofessional attitudes, sometimes
But outright rip off, no. Only time I've encountered that in the motor trade was a car service.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I'm awesome when I'm drinking.:innocent::innocent::innocent::shit:

I think I'm funny and I know everything.


So, Its just like when I'm sober, except louder, less coherent, and it always ends badly.

Me too. 'Cept I am funny and know everything!

[Edbear]

Me too. 'Cept I am funny and know everything!

Can't you leave something for the rest of us..? :bye:

[Crasherfromwayback]

Can't you leave something for the rest of us..? :bye:

I'd say the beer...but I love that too.

[dipshit]

I don't mind when someone makes a cockup or overlooks something. The thing that pisses me off is when they know they've done so, know that you know, yet don't give a crap or get hostile when you bring it up.

That pisses me off too. Had one of the "compulsory" services on a new SV1000 done at a dealer workshop not long ago, and when picking it up noticed the oil was way overfilled. Nothing but solid oil in the sight glass straight after shutting the engine off with the bike vertical.

Checked a couple of times at the side of the road to make sure then rode it back into the workshop. The foreman came over for a look and proceeded to lean the bike waaaay over until we could finally see the top of the oil in the sight glass.

He then without blinking an eye told me I just need to hold the bike level to take the reading properly and sent me on my way again. :blink:

I have come to realise that the lot in the industry couldn't give a shit and that they treat us like we are stupid.

Talk about it online... you bet I fucking will.

[AllanB]

Ive been in this industry for 33 years and people certainly have changed.


Yep - people have much higher expectations of what they are paying for and expect it to be cheaper! Plus they have gotten a lot ruder.

Everyone is 'busy' and in a rush.

[Smifffy]

That pisses me off too. Had one of the "compulsory" services on a new SV1000 done at a dealer workshop not long ago, and when picking it up noticed the oil was way overfilled. Nothing but solid oil in the sight glass straight after shutting the engine off with the bike vertical.

Checked a couple of times at the side of the road to make sure then it rode back into the workshop. The foreman came over for a look and proceeded to lean the bike waaaay over until we could finally see the top of the oil in the sight glass.

He then without blinking an eye told me I just need to hold the bike level to take the reading properly and sent me on my way again. :blink:

I have come to realise that the lot in the industry couldn't give a shit and that they treat us like we are stupid.

Talk about it online... you bet I fucking will.

Lol, yeah I was going to mention this earlier, but didnt, my old man had his new holden ute serviced by the holden dealership in his town, and it came back with the oil overfilled. He rang to see about them putting it right. The snot nosed 'mechanic' said "yeah it will just burn off". My old man was "Like fuck it will, cos I'm coming in tomorrow and you'll be draining it and refilling it to the correct level."

[sidecar bob]

Lol, yeah I was going to mention this earlier, but didnt, my old man had his new holden ute serviced by the holden dealership in his town, and it came back with the oil overfilled. He rang to see about them putting it right. The snot nosed 'mechanic' said "yeah it will just burn off". My old man was "Like fuck it will, cos I'm coming in tomorrow and you'll be draining it and refilling it to the correct level."

Yep, the room for error in this job is virtually nil. People are less aware when the pilot of the 747 they are travelling in makes a wee fuck up than their mechanic, & every bastard is an expert.
Ive had idiots phone me the day after a service to say the automatic transmission is hugely overfilled, i ask, "are you checking it with the engine running"? No?. Well youre a munter then arent you.

[Smifffy]

Then why are there 2 marks on the dipstick and a note in the manual to ensure that the level is between them?

[Smifffy]

Yep, the room for error in this job is virtually nil. People are less aware when the pilot of the 747 they are travelling in makes a wee fuck up than their mechanic, & every bastard is an expert.
Ive had idiots phone me the day after a service to say the automatic transmission is hugely overfilled, i ask, "are you checking it with the engine running"? No?. Well youre a munter then arent you.

From the news it seems when the 747 pilot fucks up, he also blames his mechanic. ;)

And again the perception thing can come into it. The pilot may nearly ditch the thing into the Pacific, and the passengers are oblivious, but the hosty serves up a cold Mrs Mac pie masquerading as "Beef Stroganoff encased in pastry" and the same passenger might not fly on that airline by choice for a good long while.

[Katman]

I've seen it from both sides of the fence.

When I first got into motorcycling I was horrified at the "my shit don't stink" manner displayed at some bike shops.

Since I've been involved in the motorcycle industry from the other side I've been dismayed by the number of motorcyclists who display an arrogance that has to be seen to be believed.

I treat every one of my customers the way that I would like to be treated - but I also expect my customers to treat me the way they would like to be treated.

[kwaka_crasher]

II treat every one of my customers the way that I would like to be treated - but I also expect my customers to treat me the way they would like to be treated.

I'm down with that, so long as you're not a sadomasochist. :shutup:

[Hiflyer]

Couldn't be bothered quoting everyone who said "this shows how businesses view their customers blah blah blah blah"


Shut the fuck up.

I bet that most of you have sat behind whatever desk you work at or whatever, and whenever a customer comes through not knowing shit and needing help, you would have become angry at the incompetent customer. But when the tables are turned you expect to be treated nicely etc.

It's human nature to get pissed off at people that aren't as skilled at what you do every day for a job. So long as you get the goods in hand, for a good price and they are nice to you face to face, what's the problem?

If you go overseas for your goods you'll have some yank processing your payment on eBay calling you a twat behind your back cos you entered in some details wrong

Get over it. It happens.

[Robert Taylor]

Sorry Quasi, you got the part about me tarnishing your business 100% wrong. You guys are successfully tarnishing your own businesses by carping on about all the bad customers eg lets have a consumer show about all the bad customers (there must be sooo many if we're going to start a show about it) etc etc etc.
I'm doing the decent thing and pointing it out because it appears you guys are oblivious.

Sure he should take it up with the manager of the place as a first step, no question, but he didn't, he posted here. Politely pointing this out to him is all that was required - then leave it to DMNTD to sort.

I've had my say, I'm out of here you guys can either listen to customer feedback or not. It's your businesses and your choices. God knows some companies spend millions researching how their customers feel. You get it for free and you get pissed off. Go figure.

The reality is Noel that 95% or more of our customers are great, sincere people, as I would hope 95% of motorcycle dealers are. As in anything its that troublesome 5% or less that captivate a disproportionate amount of your time, the natural reaction is ''why didnt I just tell them to go elsewhere?''

We had a situation very recently that could have and nearly did develop into something like Quasi had to suffer. It was a real insight into human nature and had it gone to a small claims court or other form of litigation the guy would have lost big time. Im semi tempted to post the whole thing as it will blow people away. Things like this cant get you down and you focus on the fact of providing excellent service and making customers very happy. Thats what we do.

Again, I object to the way this customer went about it. Irrespective of who did what and who said what.....

[Robert Taylor]

Dunno about that Robert, doubt you'd like my language while I drink. It's the same as I often use here!

You havent seen the complete character change I go through when I drink then!!!!

[Robert Taylor]

I'm awesome when I'm drinking.:innocent::innocent::innocent::shit:

I think I'm funny and I know everything.


So, Its just like when I'm sober, except louder, less coherent, and it always ends badly.

It sounds then like a good drinking team. Only Im a bit of a panzy because I drink merlot.

[Robert Taylor]

That pisses me off too. Had one of the "compulsory" services on a new SV1000 done at a dealer workshop not long ago, and when picking it up noticed the oil was way overfilled. Nothing but solid oil in the sight glass straight after shutting the engine off with the bike vertical.

Checked a couple of times at the side of the road to make sure then it rode back into the workshop. The foreman came over for a look and proceeded to lean the bike waaaay over until we could finally see the top of the oil in the sight glass.

He then without blinking an eye told me I just need to hold the bike level to take the reading properly and sent me on my way again. :blink:

I have come to realise that the lot in the industry couldn't give a shit and that they treat us like we are stupid.

Talk about it online... you bet I fucking will.

Yes that is unacceptable. I worked in a big dealershipn in London for many years, before I made it to service management I worked with some right idiots and there are more of them over there! Ive seen salesmen fob off customers who noticed similiar scenarios. I also recall saving a fellow ''mechanics'' skin once with a 6 cylinder CBX he had just ''serviced'' The oil drain bolt was only hanging in by 2 threads....
There are a lot of very good mechanics in NZ, also rather a lot that I wouldnt entrust to repair my lawnmower

[Owl]

Has anyone in the bike industry ever linked "Hard to please" customers with any particular occupation? In my industry it's school teachers and air-force personel, though the later seems to be getting better.

[sidecar bob]

Has anyone in the bike industry ever linked "Hard to please" customers with any particular occupation? In my industry it's school teachers and air-force personel, though the later seems to be getting better.

Architects & draughtsmen. Want everything for nothing pedantic broken arsed pretenders.

[Motu]

Has anyone in the bike industry ever linked "Hard to please" customers with any particular occupation? .

IT workers - self professed experts on everything.

[Robert Taylor]

Has anyone in the bike industry ever linked "Hard to please" customers with any particular occupation? In my industry it's school teachers and air-force personel, though the later seems to be getting better.

Perhaps because the once proud RNZAF we had was amputated of several limbs to suit the stupid pacifist ideals of that very ugly bitch we had running the country for 9 long years....

[Robert Taylor]

IT workers - self professed experts on everything.

BTW Im ex RNZAF and dont regret the skills and discipline instilled one iota. My father was ex RNZAF on attachment to the RAF during WW2. We buried him in his full dress officers uniform so there is a real affinity to that service, to the same level as there is utter hatred for what Helen Clark did.

[Owl]

Perhaps because the once proud RNZAF we had was amputated of several limbs to suit the stupid pacifist ideals of that very ugly bitch we had running the country for 9 long years....

Yep, it certainly coincides with the demise of those Merlot drinking fighter pilots:msn-wink:

[Crasherfromwayback]

Has anyone in the bike industry ever linked "Hard to please" customers with any particular occupation? In my industry it's school teachers and air-force personel, though the later seems to be getting better.

Hate to say this...but in my time...I've been lied to by policemen way more than any other 'profession'. I think they think they're above the law and can say whatever the fuck they want.

[Owl]

Hate to say this...but in my time...I've been lied to by policemen way more than any other 'profession'. I think they think they're above the law and can say whatever the fuck they want.

Can't say I've had that issue, but I once got a call from the boss to sort an urgent job for an irate cop. Then received a speeding infringement on the way to the job. Of course I was professional about it.:devil2:

[sinfull]

Can't say I've had that issue, but I once got a call from the boss to sort an urgent job for an irate cop. Then received a speeding infringement on the way to the job. Of course I was professional about it.:devil2:
You say professional like i say i hope a rebel has an oil filter ! Both leave a gritty feeling in the bowles !

[MarkH]

Fuk em, blame them crasher.
The bastards that dont pay, the bastards that flame ya on the net, the bastards that ask "do i owe you anything for that" (no im fuckin Santa cant you see)
The bastards that fuck it up themselves & want the shop to sort it out.
The bastards that try on boots & helmet & then buy them off the net.
The bastards that supply their own parts off the 'net & want the shop to fit them. & all the other munters out there, i could go on for pages.
But woe betide if a customer gets accidentaly charged ten bucks he dosent owe.
Be funny if the shop started a thread naming & shaming assholes that do the above. That would be hilarious!!

I can see some problems on that list.

"The bastards that fuck it up themselves & want the shop to sort it out."

I can't see what is wrong with that - if someone wants to save money by doing their own work then why the fuck shouldn't they? And if they fuck it up and have to pay you to fix it then that is tough titties for them and a chance for you to charge for your time.


"The bastards that supply their own parts off the 'net & want the shop to fit them."

Don't you still make money from your time? If they get their own parts off the net and fit them themselves then you get nothing - if they come to you to get those parts fitted then you make money on doing the work. If one of my customers buys hardware elsewhere and then asks me to set it up, do you know what I do? I go and do the work they want and invoice them for my time!


"The bastards that dont pay"

OK - that's fair. Fuckers shouldn't have work done if they aren't willing to pay for it. You can bet anything you like that they wouldn't be willing to work for free - so they are hypocritical douche bags! Luckily I have had very few customers like that.

[sidecar bob]

That kind of stuff just makes business less profitable. My hourly rate is based on me selling X $ amount of parts per hour. If people supply their own bits then i may as well tell them to fit the parts themselves & head to the beach. It works out the same financially for me.
Now watch someone trot out the old "Customer service" gem.

[kwaka_crasher]

"The bastards that supply their own parts off the 'net & want the shop to fit them."

Don't you still make money from your time? If they get their own parts off the net and fit them themselves then you get nothing - if they come to you to get those parts fitted then you make money on doing the work. If one of my customers buys hardware elsewhere and then asks me to set it up, do you know what I do? I go and do the work they want and invoice them for my time!

Trouble is the margins on part sales are often factored into the running costs so they are losing out. Then there's the issue of split responsibility - if a part you supplied fails who deals with the cost? They only fitted it.

[bogan]

That kind of stuff just makes business less profitable. My hourly rate is based on me selling X $ amount of parts per hour. If people supply their own bits then i may as well tell them to fit the parts themselves & head to the beach. It works out the same financially for me.
Now watch someone trot out the old "Customer service" gem.

I agree its pretty poor form to get your own parts and ask a shop to fit em, and kwaka raises a good point bout responsibility. But if people are able to get parts cheaper from internationally based companies etc, would it not make sense to redistribute the pricing, ie reduce parts price to keep them competitive, and increase labour costs to balance it? Or can shops not match other parts prices and still make a profit?

[sidecar bob]

I agree its pretty poor form to get your own parts and ask a shop to fit em, and kwaka raises a good point bout responsibility. But if people are able to get parts cheaper from internationally based companies etc, would it not make sense to redistribute the pricing, ie reduce parts price to keep them competitive, and increase labour costs to balance it? Or can shops not match other parts prices and still make a profit?

The problem there is that the first question a client asks is, "what is your hourly rate" which is about the least reliable way of working out how much a job will cost.
I was going through a customers service history a few weeks ago & the previous garage had charged them 6.5 hours to do a rear wheel bearing on their 325i BMW, i charge them out at 2.5 hours with a $10 an hour higher hourly rate.

[bogan]

The problem there is that the first question a client asks is, "what is your hourly rate" which is about the least reliable way of working out how much a job will cost.
I was going through a customers service history a few weeks ago & the previous garage had charged them 6.5 hours to do a rear wheel bearing on their 325i BMW, i charge them out at 2.5 hours with a $10 an hour higher hourly rate.

cant you just refuse to answer and give a job estimate instead though?

[sidecar bob]

cant you just refuse to answer and give a job estimate instead though?

Im sure if I did that, somebody would start a thread on kiwibiker saying, "Oooohhh, bob's a dodgy bastard, he wouldnt disclose his hourly rate to me, i bet that rascal is up to no good"!!!
I prefer to back it up with a quote & encourage the punter to get a quote elswhere as well. It usually bodes well for me.

[MarkH]

cant you just refuse to answer and give a job estimate instead though?

What's your hourly rate?
I'm not willing to say!

Yeah, I can't see that working out well - I wouldn't be a customer anywhere that said that.

However I would not be surprised if someone brought there own parts in and got charged 2.5 hours labour on a job that took 2 hours.

[bogan]

yeh, maybe it wouldn't go too well initially, maybe give quotes instead, just seems to me service places are unnecessarily losing business on parts is all

[BoristheBiter]

yeh, maybe it wouldn't go too well initially, maybe give quotes instead, just seems to me service places are unnecessarily losing business on parts is all

Yep, People forget it is the mostly the parts that you make the money on.

We charge a minium of three hours on all work so we can cover cost etc, some don't care, some get us to do other work at the same time, so all in all it works out fine.

[Indiana_Jones]

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/ninearms/miscellaneous/best_thread_ever.jpg">

-Indy

[sidecar bob]

Its hilarious when a bloke buys all the stuff on the net to do the head gasket on his Beemer mainly because he couldnt stand the thought of leaving me to do my job in peace, & when the head is removed it is discovered that he ordered bits for a cast iron block engine & his is alloy block.
He gets to keep all his imported parts & i get to sell him the right ones too because the car needs to be running again immediately.
What an awesome saving
You would be surprised how often that sort of thing happens.

[MarkH]

Its hilarious when a bloke buys all the stuff on the net to do the head gasket on his Beemer mainly because he couldnt stand the thought of leaving me to do my job in peace, & when the head is removed it is discovered that he ordered bits for a cast iron block engine & his is alloy block.
He gets to keep all his imported parts & i get to sell him the right ones too because the car needs to be running again immediately.
What an awesome saving
You would be surprised how often that sort of thing happens.

So, how is it a bad thing for the customer to provide the parts then? You get to make good money and get one hell of a good laugh out of it too! I would be pissing myself laughing if I was in your situation - someone else would have to ring the customer to explain the problem because I wouldn't be able to stop laughing.

[BoristheBiter]

So, how is it a bad thing for the customer to provide the parts then? You get to make good money and get one hell of a good laugh out of it too! I would be pissing myself laughing if I was in your situation - someone else would have to ring the customer to explain the problem because I wouldn't be able to stop laughing.

The best one is when they are like "does the round thing go next to the square thing". I just say i don't quite get that you should bring it in and we'll fix it for you.

[MarkH]

The best one is when they are like "does the round thing go next to the square thing". I just say i don't quite get that you should bring it in and we'll fix it for you.

That's a subtle clue that the person you are talking to shouldn't be doing their own servicing.

[BoristheBiter]

That's a subtle clue that the person you are talking to shouldn't be doing their own servicing.

Doesn't stop them now does it?

[bogan]

Its hilarious when a bloke buys all the stuff on the net to do the head gasket on his Beemer mainly because he couldnt stand the thought of leaving me to do my job in peace, & when the head is removed it is discovered that he ordered bits for a cast iron block engine & his is alloy block.
He gets to keep all his imported parts & i get to sell him the right ones too because the car needs to be running again immediately.
What an awesome saving
You would be surprised how often that sort of thing happens.

Tis the kiwi DIY attitude, surely we've all been there in some form or another (most of us not with a beemer though!), I'll bet all have learned from such cock-ups and and now better DIY'rs cos of it, and you get the original job plus a laugh, tis a all win situation.

[FROSTY]

Guys n gals I'm in an industry where its FACT that customers regularly tell lies to us. -(In fact more often than not)
That simple fact doesn't change regardless of the attitude I have towards them or the respect I treat them with.
Unfortunately bike sales are very closely related industry wise.
It isn't about having a bad attitude its about accepting the fact and carrying on.

[Headbanger]

Yep, People forget it is the mostly the parts that you make the money on.


They forget?, They don't know, they don't care, and how a company structures their prices is not their concern nor any of their business.

I think its excellent if someone is so busy they can turn away peoples money, I just hope they are actually refusing these customers and not just calling them fuckwits on the internet.

I'd suggest shops that are that way inclined put up a prominent sign saying they only fit parts they retail, That will clear up any confusion, Those pesky customers can take their money elsewhere without having the misfortune to have to talk to the staff.

It would certainly save me wasting time on a company that didn't want my money.

[SS90]

Perhaps because the once proud RNZAF we had was amputated of several limbs to suit the stupid pacifist ideals of that very ugly bitch we had running the country for 9 long years....

I don't know about that Robert, with a Father and Mother in the airforce, I was privvy to just how old our aircraft where, I can remember way back to when we got the first 2 Aeromachi, which was at the same time they began to close Wigram, Ohakea was a wasteland already.

I think they got 16 more Aeromachi (the more they got, the more personel they ejected)

God, the Strikemasters and Skyhawkes where ex Korean war!

When did we get them....1975?

The simply started falling out of the sky!

NZ just does not have the budget to have a comprehensive military, anymore than NZ can sustain a massive motorcycle industry.

We need a coast guard.

As my Father told me 15 years ago...give the Army a million dollars, they buy a tank, give the airforce the same, they buy a propeller.

Military budgets only work when you have a national industry to support it (like America), the trillion dollar budget gets spent on American manufacturing (Tanks, aircraft, guns), the money stays in the country (before being "dropped off" in Iraq.)

[jonbuoy]

Guys n gals I'm in an industry where its FACT that customers regularly tell lies to us. -(In fact more often than not)
That simple fact doesn't change regardless of the attitude I have towards them or the respect I treat them with.
Unfortunately bike sales are very closely related industry wise.
It isn't about having a bad attitude its about accepting the fact and carrying on.

I think its pretty much a fact of any industry or workplace, from the service counter at the local new world to the Prime Minister, we all have to deal with it. People shouldn't be bitching on KB unless they've been shafted by the local dealership and its a last resort to warn others. Equally so the dealers bitching about pain in the arse customers - we all work for someone even if your self employed - customers are still technically your employer, without them your on the dole - in this economic climate I would be careful what you wish for.

[Indiana_Jones]

Oh fuck me, there's more?

-Indy

[mnkyboy]

Oh fuck me

Only if you ask nicely



there's more?

KB is like an infomercial: "but wait I know there's more"

[lankyman]

You could have brought the "proper tools" for much less than $150

[Indiana_Jones]

Only if you ask nicely


I'll kiss it if you do.....




KB is like an infomercial: "but wait I know there's more"

OMG no way?! tell me more!

-Indy

[sefer]

Wow, can't believe I actually read through all 20 odd pages of drivel.

Simple sum-up:

Customer spotted an error and brought it to the stores attention. Store clearly didn't resolve it to the customers satisfaction (or else they wouldn't be needing to vent about it).

Now perhaps the store should be taking this as an opportunity to improve their customer service (which clearly for some reason isn't up to scratch in this case), rather than bitch about how the the customer should have "balls" and front up to the manager (why should they have to?) , or how it's so hard dealing with all these customers who want to give them money.

[Headbanger]

Wow, can't believe I actually read through all 20 odd pages of drivel.



Heh....what did you expect to read 20 pages of then?

[DEATH_INC.]

+1 I find it the perfect thing to do a flush with. The detergents clean the clutch plates for you before you put something better in.
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[Mudfart]

i reckon this thread is a reflection of how business practices have changed over the years with the huge world population explosion and multicultural societies etc.
I've been thinking about goodwill lately coz when i was studying accounting, goodwill always went into a business ledger. Nowadays i think goodwill doesnt even come into most business practices, as "there is one born every minute", and "if this guy doesn't buy, the next one will".
I bought my bike from Mt Eden, no worries, and told someone I was going to take it back there to trade up, and they have told me no, don't. Because the dealer who sells you the bike, will offer the least on trade up.
Well, excuse me, I thought that a returning customer and maintaining goodwill was important in a business, I guess the world is changing fast, and in many ways, huh?

[Pixie]

1) because then someone would complain about the bill and then request a break down of costs. I mean people in the supermarket even compare net weights on goods to get the most bang for buck. Something tells me if you received a flat rate bill - you would then ask why it costs so much.
On some of my bills I used to put "Consumables - $10". Because I used a cleaner or solder or paper........no one asked about it. The only thing these guys did was happened to have the word 'filter'. Did they provide service? Yes - well fucking pay for it. If you forever count the pennies on the floor - you will miss the gold bullion in the pocket.

If a business provides an itemised bill the items on it should be factual,not a work of fiction.

[Shaun]

The best one is when they are like "does the round thing go next to the square thing". I just say i don't quite get that you should bring it in and we'll fix it for you.



who do you work for mate, are you a car or bike mechanic????

[KNCTRD]

I had to do the WOF and oil change for my bike and somebody recommended these guys.
All nice and smooth although $150 for a change of oil seemed a bit steep since $90 was just the labor (1.5 hours to drain the oil and put new one. whatever).
I could do it myself but I didn't have the proper tools.

Anyway, the next day I took my wife's bike for an identical operation. She has a '99 Honda Rebel.
Same price. Looked at the invoice: "oil filter - $10".
Since the Rebel doesn't have an oil filter I asked the guy why am I being charged for one. He mumbled something and he called somebody else.
He said and I quote: "Eh, I thought the bike has an oil filter, this is why it's on the invoice but not to worry, I'll make another invoice without the oil filter".

So, if I wasn't aware of this they would have ripped me off. I don't care about the $10, I care about the fact that who knows what else they "think" the bike might have. The gesture, not the money.

I wonder if they really changed the oil or they just thought they did it.

So I'd advise avoiding Mt. Eden Motorcycles if you can.

Anybody can recommend an honest guy that can do simple maintenance on bikes (like oil change) at reasonable prices and maybe also Warrants of Fitness?

Thanks.

Dude, thats crazy!! i looked around to get my bike done and felt most places were too expencive. I used George from http://http://www.motorcycle-doctors.co.nz/ he wasreally professional, came to me on a Sat and did a full service for $250, took his time and did a good job in my book. id recomend him!!

[BoristheBiter]

who do you work for mate, are you a car or bike mechanic????

neither, i work on cranes.

[DEATH_INC.]

There's a term thrown about a lot on this thread that winds me up....'ripped off'. How the hell does one get ripped off? You get a price, agree to pay it, get the job done then pay. Where's the so called 'rip off'?

[DEATH_INC.]

IT workers - self professed experts on everything.
:yes: this is true....

[Maha]

There's a term thrown about a lot on this thread that winds me up....'ripped off'. How the hell does one get ripped off? You get a price, agree to pay it, get the job done then pay. Where's the so called 'rip off'?

That is correct.......A customer asked me the other day (no quote) ''so how much is that''? I said ''$130''...''How much for cash''? I said ''I have a minimum charge of $130 so its $130''.... If I had said...''oh make it $100'' she may have felt I was going to rip her off by charging $130?
If it takes an hour, its alright money any longer and I start to feel ripped off...:innocent:

[breakaway]

Dude, thats crazy!! i looked around to get my bike done and felt most places were too expencive. I used George from http://http://www.motorcycle-doctors.co.nz/ he wasreally professional, came to me on a Sat and did a full service for $250, took his time and did a good job in my book. id recomend him!!

According to the site, a 'full service' comprises a valve check and adjust as well - $250 is a sharp price for that.

[Jonno.]

I don't think someone could do valves that cheap...

[ynot slow]

There's a term thrown about a lot on this thread that winds me up....'ripped off'. How the hell does one get ripped off? You get a price, agree to pay it, get the job done then pay. Where's the so called 'rip off'?

Welcome to the world of sales,same here,years ago our company went computerised for point of sale and invoicing,no worries at all,except after a few invoices had been sent a customer picked up on her flooring account,everything was itemised,i.e carpet,underlay,naplock bars,smoothedge,installation and the TRAVEL,she was quoted say$3500 for complete job and agrred obviously.But when she saw the bill and the TRAVEL($40.00)went spastic as she lived literaaly 800mts(she measured)from our business,was simple I just credited her the fee,but also said you did agree to our quotation,but she said she never had a travel charge for the plumber,which I replied he would have built it in somewhere.

Was a simple fix we were able to itemise the invoice,but suppress the individual costs so the client could see they had xx mts flooring,yy mts install and at the bottom the total price.

[scrivy]

I do a FULL service for a labour charge of 1.5 hours & theres some fat in that too.

Typical!
Leave you alone for 1.5 hours, and you'll put your fat anywhere....................

Sick mother..............

[HenryDorsetCase]

I want to have Wiggles' babies.

At last, a sensible post, on topic, with a definite conclusion, in this topic. Case closed Your Worship.

[Grant`]

I have had my bike serviced at Mt Eden motorcycles twice now since relocating from Tauranga and the costs seem to be comparable to the previous workshop that was looking after my bike. They have also done additional work with changing the factory exhaust out for a after market one and also a fuel controller (both installed while bike has been having service done) and I have had 0 problems with them.

I guess on the flip side it pays to ask for a quote or estimate before you have work done at a shop so you have some inkling of what the cost is going to be when you come back to pay for the service, I have always been under the impression most work shops have a minimum work shop charge i.e 1 hour labour charge.

[scracha]

I guess on the flip side it pays to ask for a quote or estimate before you have work done at a shop so you have some inkling of what the cost is going to be when you come back to pay for the service, I have always been under the impression most work shops have a minimum work shop charge i.e 1 hour labour charge.

Granted but how on Earth could anyone justify 1.5 hours to do an oil and filter? Takes about 10 minutes. I mean, even I....the most cack handed spastically mechanically challenged idiot on the planet, on a bike wot needed its zort and belly pan dropped took less than an hour.

An $60 for oil for a VT250? Cripes, they certainly are factoring selling "X dollars worth of parts per hour".

Personally, I'd have told them to get fucked. Can't fathom why the hell the original poster took his missus' bike there the next day?

As for IT workers being bastard customers....probably true, but then we're responsible for our fuckups and our markup on parts is about 10%, not 300%.


Plenty bike shops with excellent service out there.

[Genie]

poster also had a warrant done with the original oil change , $150.00 - reasonable price for warrant and oil change i'd a thought. He liked them so much he went back the next day so they weren't that bad.
His gripe was the sundry charge of $10 for an oil filter on the other bike which doesn't have an oil filter. We all know oil filters cost more than $10 so i'm presuming the charge was an additional charge they have for oil changes, a wee cleaning charge perhaps?? ....ffs he came on here having a moan over nothing, they rectified the problem straight away and apoligiesed, did he want his arse licked at the same time!!!
and here you all are 24 pages later still having a moan, get on ya bikes and get over it.
It's a business run by people and as we all know people do make mistakes.
Stop with the judgemental complaining and focus on a real issue!

[saltydog]

Be funny if the shop started a thread naming & shaming assholes that do the above. That would be hilarious!!

You angry man, without assholes that come and provide you patronage would be out of a job.

[saltydog]

[QUOTE=scracha;1129715337]. Can't fathom why the hell the original poster took his missus' bike there the next day?[QUOTE]

me too?!

[Kittyhawk]

All I learnt was Big Dave has gone clucky from this thread.

[scracha]

$150.00 - reasonable price for warrant and oil change i'd a thought.
On a fuckin truck mibby. This is a VT250. Oilchange..umm... 10 minutes. WOF...umm....5 minutes. Ok, lets take the $28 WOF out of the equation. $122 for oil change is still a joke. Shit, I paid less in London.



Stop with the judgemental complaining and focus on a real issue!
The real issue is shite service from some bike shops. We're focusing on it.


KB Judgmental? C'mon. As if.

[The Stranger]

It's a business run by people and as we all know people do make mistakes.


"Mistakes" right.
Mistakes are mistakes when they go both ways. Oddly in my relatively short time on this earth I could count on one finger the number of times mistakes have been made in my favour by a business.
Frequently mistakes are made in a businesses favour, but infrequently in the customers (as noted, in my short experience). Why is that?
That's not mistakes sorry.

[specter]

i had a misdemeanor with AFC M/C (palmy) while getting as service that was charged $130 which was fine by me.....
when i received my bike back i started riding home to find my rear sliding out on corners!
i pulled over to find my chain soaked in oil which was dripping all over my tire......

so i took my bike back and asked to speak with the mechanic.... i asked him why my chain was so over oiled, he replied that my chain was quite stiff and needed the oil to free up nicely but he must have forgotten to wipe the excess off, i kindly asked him if he would take it back to have the service completed to a proper standard and as it was a safety issue....

when i received my bike back after 1/2 an hour it was presented to me with a clean chain and the mechanic gave my bike a quick wash and formerly apologized..... i was very happy with the service and the conduct of the staff there, and continue to service my bike with them.

....END OF RANT....

[Cheshire Cat]

I had to do the WOF and oil change for my bike and somebody recommended these guys.
All nice and smooth although $150 for a change of oil seemed a bit steep since $90 was just the labor (1.5 hours to drain the oil and put new one. whatever).
I could do it myself but I didn't have the proper tools.

Anyway, the next day I took my wife's bike for an identical operation. She has a '99 Honda Rebel.
Same price. Looked at the invoice: "oil filter - $10".
Since the Rebel doesn't have an oil filter I asked the guy why am I being charged for one. He mumbled something and he called somebody else.
He said and I quote: "Eh, I thought the bike has an oil filter, this is why it's on the invoice but not to worry, I'll make another invoice without the oil filter".

So, if I wasn't aware of this they would have ripped me off. I don't care about the $10, I care about the fact that who knows what else they "think" the bike might have. The gesture, not the money.

I wonder if they really changed the oil or they just thought they did it.

So I'd advise avoiding Mt. Eden Motorcycles if you can.

Anybody can recommend an honest guy that can do simple maintenance on bikes (like oil change) at reasonable prices and maybe also Warrants of Fitness?

Thanks.

perhaps buy the tools if its such a problem and do it yourself? then you know exactly what has been done and dont have to pay labor(maybe the missus can give you a massage etc. in return ;) )

[scracha]

perhaps buy the tools if its such a problem and do it yourself? then you know exactly what has been done and dont have to pay labor(maybe the missus can give you a massage etc. in return ;) )

But why should the guy have to purchase the tools and learn to do it himself? Maybe he's busy. Maybe he's got better things to do. Do you have all the tools and knowledge to service/repair your household electronics, plumbing, wiring etc etc? Taking your vehicle to a professional mechanic should not result in being ripped off.

[nodrog]

Taking your vehicle to a professional mechanic should not result in being ripped off.

but he didnt get ripped off.

[aff-man]

Motorcycle shop prices have gone up.... $90 is more like an hours labour in some places now..
I couldn't afford it when I was a student so I spent the $60 and bought a hanes manual and learnt to rebuilt everything myself , forks carbs engines etc...
That being said I do get shops to do some work and have had some disputes...
An unnamed motorcycle shop once tried to charge me 3.5 hours to change a chain and front sprocket, spoke to the owner and they gave me an hour off and also got a hanes manual out of it hahahaha
Also got a new tyre put on by a reputable tyre shop 2 weeks ago... they put the tyre on backwards and then after taking it back just switched the wheel around which made my brakes go a bit spungy.... one would think to mark a wheel to keep all the brakes and bearing tolerances down.. oh well it's what I get for not doing the work myself...

[nodrog]

..I couldn't afford it when I was a student so I spent the $60 and bought a hanes manual and learnt to rebuilt everything myself , forks carbs engines etc.....

did you forget to read the brake caliper section? :wari:

[R-Soul]

And suspend all the lil particles in it so they come out instead of sitting on the bottom of ya sump.

Well taht accounts for the first hour then... a trip to Piha and back?

[Cheshire Cat]

But why should the guy have to purchase the tools and learn to do it himself? Maybe he's busy. Maybe he's got better things to do. Do you have all the tools and knowledge to service/repair your household electronics, plumbing, wiring etc etc? Taking your vehicle to a professional mechanic should not result in being ripped off.

I suppose. I guess he just like riding bikes and isn't really an enthusiast.

[Yorkshire Dave]

Blimey, another place to avoid? I'm fast running out of places to take my bike (well, when I get a new one).

Think I'm just going to start doing everything myself :yes:

[Genie]

Blimey, another place to avoid? I'm fast running out of places to take my bike (well, when I get a new one).

Think I'm just going to start doing everything myself :yes:

and you would not go there on the say so of the KB lynch mob....baaaaaaaa

[Yorkshire Dave]

and you would not go there on the say so of the KB lnch mob....baaaaaaaa

Oh no, was just pointing out that all you seem to hear about is complaints about garages. And I've yet to hear a decent thing about one to be honest. Obviously made more sense in my head before it was written down :)

[arash]

yea mate i took the bike to them because my indicators werent flashing (normal to LED) and they charged me 370 bucks!!!!!

[Smiff-ta]

On a fuckin truck mibby. This is a VT250. Oilchange..umm... 10 minutes. WOF...umm....5 minutes. Ok, lets take the $28 WOF out of the equation. $122 for oil change is still a joke. Shit, I paid less in London.


The real issue is shite service from some bike shops. We're focusing on it.


KB Judgmental? C'mon. As if.


Wow that amazing someone could be stupid enough to think a W.O.F takes 5 minutes.
A proper W.O.F inspection should take AT LEAST 30 minutes. Which at $32.00 is probably costing the workshop money. (Based on a standard labour rate of $90 per hour)

A workshop that just dumps the oil and changes the filter is not worth visiting.

When I get my bike serviced, I EXPECT the technician to throughly check/clean/adjust/lube anything and everything at the same time.

If you want someone to dump the oil and write a dodgy W.O.F after a 5 minutes glance you clearly don't have any pride in your bike or value you life.

[The Stranger]

A workshop that just dumps the oil and changes the filter is not worth visiting.

When I get my bike serviced, I EXPECT the technician to throughly check/clean/adjust/lube anything and everything at the same time.

If you want someone to dump the oil and write a dodgy W.O.F after a 5 minutes glance you clearly don't have any pride in your bike or value you life.

The OP wanted an oil change. Why are you rattling on about a service.
2 different things. Sure a service may include an oil change, but then an engine rebuild should too.
If I go in for an oil change I want the oil changed, no need to service the bike, clean or adjust anything else, or re-build my engine either.

[flippi]

I paid the the guy at Kumeu bike shop a bout $100 for a spark plug change. That includes the $22 for a new plug. Its a Honda TTR 250 and it takes me less that 5 min. I told him I had a new plug in it and he could not get it going. It WAS the plug that was faulty.
Only after 3 plugs I realized I bought a lemon from a true Kiwi. Damn bike eats plugs.

Two things Auckland lacks is good service and honest people.

[Quasievil]

I paid the the guy at Kumeu bike shop a bout $100 for a spark plug change.

Okay, I guess thats a good idea ?
bro would take any muppet 5 mins easy:yes:

[Conquiztador]

I paid the the guy at Kumeu bike shop a bout $100 for a spark plug change. That includes the $22 for a new plug. Its a Honda TTR 250 and it takes me less that 5 min. I told him I had a new plug in it and he could not get it going. It WAS the plug that was faulty.
Only after 3 plugs I realized I bought a lemon from a true Kiwi. Damn bike eats plugs.

Two things Auckland lacks is good service and honest people.

Most probably you will need to change to a better quality plug or adjust the plug to suit your bike better. Start with trying a plug that can handle a litte higher temperature. Perhaps also one that can handle a higher voltage/current from the coil.

Good luck.

[Dare]

Two things Auckland lacks is good service and honest people.

I resent that!
My customer service is just fine...

[scracha]

Wow that amazing someone could be stupid enough to think a W.O.F takes 5 minutes.
A proper W.O.F inspection should take AT LEAST 30 minutes. Which at $32.00 is probably costing the workshop money. (Based on a standard labour rate of $90 per hour)





A workshop that just dumps the oil and changes the filter is not worth visiting.

What, are you now gonna tell me your garage uses an engine flush, sends the old oil off to a lab for analysis and puts in a top quality oil that's not got about 300% markup?



If you want someone to dump the oil and write a dodgy W.O.F after a 5 minutes glance you clearly don't have any pride in your bike or value you life.
Oh don't talk claptrap. Scrutineering at any road-race takes about 5 minutes and it's far more comprehensive from a safety point of view than a WOF. Add in a few minutes to cover legal shite, lights and stuff like mirrors and vioala, you have a 10 minute WOF....TOPS.

If your WOF inspector takes 30 minutes to do a bike then he's clearly an idiot, especially from a business point of view.

[rok-the-boat]

I think I have said as much on similar threads in the past - spend your service $$$ on a manual and a good set of tools and go figure it out. Of course, you should have done this on your GN125 hack before buying your fancy Bimota. But in the end - there is not a lot of difference between them. You change the plugs and oil and adjust the chain in the same way. Brake pads, bulbs ... it's all the same really. In fact, it can be quite enjoyable - as long as you have the right tools.

The only time I ever let a bike shop anywhere near my bike is to change tyres - and I even used to do that myself.

[placidfemme]

I also have had an experience in that bike shop.
Free coffee, Free hugs (and one from tammy) the list goes on, though, the coffee did resemble an oil slick but it tasted devine so I cant complain.

lol I am WAY late on this thread... but you can get free hugs anytime!!! You just need to come to Queenstown to get them! Perfect reason for a holiday me thinks! :banana:

[Big Dave]

Where's Wiggles at?

[Maha]

lol I am WAY late on this thread... but you can get free hugs anytime!!! You just need to come to Queenstown to get them! Perfect reason for a holiday me thinks! :banana:

Queenstown?....I dont like the cold Tammy so can you wait till its warmer?...:sunny:
Been tooooooooooooooo long my friend.
Watcha doin' in Queenstown?

[placidfemme]

Where's Wiggles at?

Wiggles is at DMG... or TMG... I think its TMG... he can still have your babies! (I hear he is single now...)

[placidfemme]

Queenstown?....I dont like the cold Tammy so can you wait till its warmer?...:sunny:
Been tooooooooooooooo long my friend.
Watcha doin' in Queenstown?

I'm working for Queenstown Motorcycles :2thumbsup

Just until its warmer... then I'm on the road again! So if you wait until its warm you may be too late! Won't be back in the NI until at least November... And it's not that cold... it's not even snowing!

[DMNTD]

Where's Wiggles at?

TMG in New Market...and loving it the last time I spoke to him

[nodrog]

there is something fishy about this thread

[DMNTD]

there is something fishy about this thread

What's for breakfast?

[nodrog]

What's for breakfast?

pizza, for cat

[robbusa]

.


Get a grip mate.. Rent Wages insurance tax,s Somebody has to pay for the running of a business..Guess what hole. its you.. Do it your self ..or pay for it simple..Tossa


All nice and smooth although $150 for a change of oil seemed a bit steep since $90 was just the labor (1.5 hours to drain the oil and put new one. whatever).
I could do it myself but I didn't have the proper tools.

Anyway, the next day I took my wife's bike for an identical operation. She has a '99 Honda Rebel.
Same price. Looked at the invoice: "oil filter - $10".
Since the Rebel doesn't have an oil filter I asked the guy why am I being charged for one. He mumbled something and he called somebody else.
He said and I quote: "Eh, I thought the bike has an oil filter, this is why it's on the invoice but not to worry, I'll make another invoice without the oil filter".

So, if I wasn't aware of this they would have ripped me off. I don't care about the $10, I care about the fact that who knows what else they "think" the bike might have. The gesture, not the money.

I wonder if they really changed the oil or they just thought they did it.

So I'd advise avoiding Mt. Eden Motorcycles if you can.

Anybody can recommend an honest guy that can do simple maintenance on bikes (like oil change) at reasonable prices and maybe also Warrants of Fitness?

Thanks.[/QUOTE]

Get a grip mate.. Rent Wages insurance tax,s Somebody has to pay for the running of a business..Guess what hole. its you.. Do it your self ..or pay for it simple..Tossa

[Laava]

This thread is over five years old! Great dredge!

[J.A.W.]

Mt Eden Motorcycles rep' goes back decades.. its a long established tradition..

They should have it up in writing somewhere.. "Taking you for a ride, since 1937..."

[Rhys]

Mt Eden Motorcycles rep' goes back decades.. its a long established tradition..

They should have it up in writing somewhere.. "Taking you for a ride, since 1937..."

If they have been in business since 1937? they must be doing something right!

[EJK]

If they have been in business since 1937? they must be doing something right!

Obviously not anymore.

[J.A.W.]

Obviously not anymore.


Not in business anymore?

Or "doing something right"? - Well sure, too easy - if that means living up to their slogan..

[Maha]

.


Get a grip mate.. Rent Wages insurance tax,s Somebody has to pay for the running of a business..Guess what hole. its you.. Do it your self ..or pay for it simple..Tossa


Get a grip mate.. Rent Wages insurance tax,s Somebody has to pay for the running of a business..Guess what hole. its you.. Do it your self ..or pay for it simple..Tossa

What an odd 1st post.

[J.A.W.]

Maybe, he had an agenda?

[Maha]

Maybe has was once the head coffee maker at the now defunct business? it was shit! ;)

[5ive]

Get a grip mate.. Rent Wages insurance tax,s Somebody has to pay for the running of a business..Guess what hole. its you.. Do it your self ..or pay for it simple..Tossa

What the fuck did you just fucking say about me, you little bitch? I’ll have you know I graduated top of my class in the Navy Seals, and I’ve been involved in numerous secret raids on Al-Quaeda, and I have over 300 confirmed kills. I am trained in gorilla warfare and I’m the top sniper in the entire US armed forces. You are nothing to me but just another target. I will wipe you the fuck out with precision the likes of which has never been seen before on this Earth, mark my fucking words. You think you can get away with saying that shit to me over the Internet? Think again, fucker. As we speak I am contacting my secret network of spies across the USA and your IP is being traced right now so you better prepare for the storm, maggot. The storm that wipes out the pathetic little thing you call your life. You’re fucking dead, kid. I can be anywhere, anytime, and I can kill you in over seven hundred ways, and that’s just with my bare hands. Not only am I extensively trained in unarmed combat, but I have access to the entire arsenal of the United States Marine Corps and I will use it to its full extent to wipe your miserable ass off the face of the continent, you little shit. If only you could have known what unholy retribution your little “clever” comment was about to bring down upon you, maybe you would have held your fucking tongue. But you couldn’t, you didn’t, and now you’re paying the price, you goddamn idiot. I will shit fury all over you and you will drown in it. You’re fucking dead, kiddo.

[J.A.W.]

"Gorilla warfare" huh?
Was that a typo, did you mean gorilla welfare, y'know, peelin' bananas, tick pickin', oil changin' & such?

Someone needs to call MT Eden Motorcycles on 09 303 1960, & book in a 'busa..

[jasonu]

"Gorilla warfare" huh?
Was that a typo, did you mean gorilla welfare, y'know, peelin' bananas, tick pickin', oil changin' & such?

..
Butt picking...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swiRQ20HcF0

[J.A.W.]

Anus de-worming? 90mins labour min..

[Voltaire]

"Gorilla warfare" huh?
Was that a typo, did you mean gorilla welfare, y'know, peelin' bananas, tick pickin', oil changin' & such?

Someone needs to call MT Eden Motorcycles on 09 303 1960, & book in a 'busa..

You've been away a while...:msn-wink:

[awa355]

What the fuck did you just fucking say about me, you little bitch? I’ll have you know I graduated top of my class in the Navy Seals, and I’ve been involved in numerous secret raids on Al-Quaeda, and I have over 300 confirmed kills. I am trained in gorilla warfare and I’m the top sniper in the entire US armed forces. You are nothing to me but just another target. I will wipe you the fuck out with precision the likes of which has never been seen before on this Earth, mark my fucking words. You think you can get away with saying that shit to me over the Internet? Think again, fucker. As we speak I am contacting my secret network of spies across the USA and your IP is being traced right now so you better prepare for the storm, maggot. The storm that wipes out the pathetic little thing you call your life. You’re fucking dead, kid. I can be anywhere, anytime, and I can kill you in over seven hundred ways, and that’s just with my bare hands. Not only am I extensively trained in unarmed combat, but I have access to the entire arsenal of the United States Marine Corps and I will use it to its full extent to wipe your miserable ass off the face of the continent, you little shit. If only you could have known what unholy retribution your little “clever” comment was about to bring down upon you, maybe you would have held your fucking tongue. But you couldn’t, you didn’t, and now you’re paying the price, you goddamn idiot. I will shit fury all over you and you will drown in it. You’re fucking dead, kiddo.


http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w420/awa355/Untitled%20picture_16.jpg

Bring it on :ar15::ar15::ar15::ar15::ar15:

[Maha]

"Gorilla warfare" huh?
Was that a typo, did you mean gorilla welfare, y'know, peelin' bananas, tick pickin', oil changin' & such?

Someone needs to call MT Eden Motorcycles on 09 303 1960, & book in a 'busa..

Either he meant Guerilla Warfare or he has a fixation on massive hairy creatures with guns.

[J.A.W.]

Either he meant Guerilla Warfare or he has a fixation on massive hairy creatures with guns.

What - Kiwi sheilas in the armed forces/cops?

Rent-a-violent-superdyke-lezzo? Enough to get even Tarzan hisself - a yellin' - "Get your filthy paws off me - you damned dirty ape! "..

Sick puppy or waht..

[Laava]

he meant massive hairy creatures with guns.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5s5qGg01nE&sns=em

[J.A.W.]

Stupid Yanks.. don't even realize that cows aint male/"he"..