Mechanical workshop and repair services

[ludo]

Every time I take my bike in for repairs or servicing I always feel like I've been dicked around, lied to and ripped off.

Anyone else get this feeling?

[Mazztah]

NO never had that feeling when bike is concerned.

Car on the other hand all the time.

[BigAl]

No not at all, I'm really happy with my local shop.

It might pay to do some research into shops before requesting work.

[nodrog]

Hold onto your vaginas folks, I suspect a whingatholon is about to start.

[bogan]

Yeh the cunt I go to always takes ages, starts way late in the day, never stocks any parts, keeps my bank account near rock bottom, always lying about the time-frame and is shit about answering the phone; the alternate vehicle I get is an absolute shitter too.

Still, DIY servicing does means I got no complaints about the quality :2thumbsup

[ludo]

OK, well change tack then...

Who can recommend an honest service dept in Wellington that will do a good job at a fair price??

[GTRMAN]

OK, well change tack then...

Who can recommend an honest service dept in Wellington that will do a good job at a fair price??

Define a fair price?

[Flip]

Every time I take my bike in for repairs or servicing I always feel like I've been dicked around, lied to and ripped off.

Anyone else get this feeling?

No its just you.

It's perfectly normal paranoia, everybody who can't fix their own bike suffers from this.

[yevjenko]

I can recommend Garth at independent motorcycles. Top bloke, good mechanic and pretty fair on pricing. I have had work done on both my bandit and the Aprilia there and have been more than happy with the results and costs. http://www.independentmotorcycles.co.nz

[ludo]

Bought my '99 Intruder at Wellington Motorcycles a year ago. Older bike, sure, but in tidy condition. 7 months in it wouldn't start, was making a funny sound like the starter motor was gone. Called Wgtn Motorcycles and had them pick it up from the car park it was in when this problem happened. They collected the next day but called me and said they were booked out for 2 weeks and can't look at til then. 2 weeks later they phone me again and advise the regulator failed, new part $350, have to wait 10 working days for the part to come from Japan. Easter holidays fell in that 10 day period so could be lot longer they tell me. Stuck with no bike, I tell them go ahead.
That evening, becoming concerned about cost of part, I search online for a wrecker who might have the part. Instead I find non-OEM part, brand new and available off the shelf in NZ at $85. I call Wgtn Motorcycles first thing next morning and ask if I can supply the part and they install. Too late, part already on order they tell me, possible could cancel but cancellation fee will apply. I am told a whole bunch of bogus sounding reasons why only genuine parts are recommended. I agreed to go with the OEM part and wait the 10 (or more) working days.
But feeling not entirely happy, I went back onlinle and looked at the non OEM part again. Surely it should be ok. We have a Consumer Guarantees Act in NZ don't we? How can a supplier sell something that won't work? It's a non moving part. I clicked around and discovered the Wellington distributor of this non-OEM part was.... Wellington Motorcycles!!
Rang them back, was reassured once again genuine Suzuki parts only way to go. I asked directly how come they distribute non-OEM parts then. Felt like the guy completely evaded the question.
Had to take the bus for three and a half weeks. I fucking hate the bus. Eventually genuine part arrived and was installed at great cost. Last week, this genuine part failed.
This is the latest of my experiences with bike workshops. I always feel I get ripped off. Every. Fucking. Time.

[speeding_ant]

I can recommend Garth at independent motorcycles. Top bloke, good mechanic and pretty fair on pricing. I have had work done on both my bandit and the Aprilia there and have been more than happy with the results and costs. http://www.independentmotorcycles.co.nz

I second this. Garth is awesome.

[Flip]

Sounds to me like there might be a intermittant fault with the generator.

I have had a few faults like this from time to time. Keep in mind that bike mechanics are not electronic engineers. Most can do basic electrical repairs and plug a analiser into an ECU but thats about it.

[nodrog]

I told you.

[Crasherfromwayback]

. I fucking hate the bus. .

So do I! Sorry to read this, as I sold you the bike. If you have issues like this, you should either come see me, or give me a call. I always like to get involved and see what I can do for you seeing as you were good enough to purchase it off us/me. I'll look into this now and see hat's going on.

Pete

[ludo]

I told you.

And how is one post describing what happened a 'whingeathon'??

[nodrog]

And how is one post describing what happened a 'whingeathon'??

I dont know how, but you succeeded.

[jasonu]

[]
Bought my '99 Intruder at Wellington Motorcycles a year ago. Older bike, sure, but in tidy condition. 7 months in it wouldn't start, was making a funny sound like the starter motor was gone. Called Wgtn Motorcycles and had them pick it up from the car park it was in when this problem happened. They collected the next day but called me and said they were booked out for 2 weeks and can't look at til then. 2 weeks later they phone me again and advise the regulator failed, new part $350, have to wait 10 working days for the part to come from Japan. Easter holidays fell in that 10 day period so could be lot longer they tell me. Stuck with no bike, I tell them go ahead.
That evening, becoming concerned about cost of part, I search online for a wrecker who might have the part. Instead I find non-OEM part, brand new and available off the shelf in NZ at $85. I call Wgtn Motorcycles first thing next morning and ask if I can supply the part and they install. Too late, part already on order they tell me, possible could cancel but cancellation fee will apply. I am told a whole bunch of bogus sounding reasons why only genuine parts are recommended. I agreed to go with the OEM part and wait the 10 (or more) working days.
But feeling not entirely happy, I went back onlinle and looked at the non OEM part again. Surely it should be ok. We have a Consumer Guarantees Act in NZ don't we? How can a supplier sell something that won't work? It's a non moving part. I clicked around and discovered the Wellington distributor of this non-OEM part was.... Wellington Motorcycles!!
Rang them back, was reassured once again genuine Suzuki parts only way to go. I asked directly how come they distribute non-OEM parts then. Felt like the guy completely evaded the question.
Had to take the bus for three and a half weeks. I fucking hate the bus. Eventually genuine part arrived and was installed at great cost. Last week, this genuine part failed.
This is the latest of my experiences with bike workshops. I always feel I get ripped off. Every. Fucking. Time.

I couldn't have made up a more entertaining story!!!!!

[bogan]

Bought my '99 Intruder at Wellington Motorcycles a year ago. Older bike, sure, but in tidy condition. 7 months in it wouldn't start, was making a funny sound like the starter motor was gone. Called Wgtn Motorcycles and had them pick it up from the car park it was in when this problem happened. They collected the next day but called me and said they were booked out for 2 weeks and can't look at til then. 2 weeks later they phone me again and advise the regulator failed, new part $350, have to wait 10 working days for the part to come from Japan. Easter holidays fell in that 10 day period so could be lot longer they tell me. Stuck with no bike, I tell them go ahead.
That evening, becoming concerned about cost of part, I search online for a wrecker who might have the part. Instead I find non-OEM part, brand new and available off the shelf in NZ at $85. I call Wgtn Motorcycles first thing next morning and ask if I can supply the part and they install. Too late, part already on order they tell me, possible could cancel but cancellation fee will apply. I am told a whole bunch of bogus sounding reasons why only genuine parts are recommended. I agreed to go with the OEM part and wait the 10 (or more) working days.
But feeling not entirely happy, I went back onlinle and looked at the non OEM part again. Surely it should be ok. We have a Consumer Guarantees Act in NZ don't we? How can a supplier sell something that won't work? It's a non moving part. I clicked around and discovered the Wellington distributor of this non-OEM part was.... Wellington Motorcycles!!
Rang them back, was reassured once again genuine Suzuki parts only way to go. I asked directly how come they distribute non-OEM parts then. Felt like the guy completely evaded the question.
Had to take the bus for three and a half weeks. I fucking hate the bus. Eventually genuine part arrived and was installed at great cost. Last week, this genuine part failed.
This is the latest of my experiences with bike workshops. I always feel I get ripped off. Every. Fucking. Time.

Sounds like owning a bike shop is like a license to print money eh!

Imo, most of the is par for the course, though being the stockist for non-oem part does seem a bit irregular. The mark of the shop is now what they will do about the part they recently installing failing so quickly.

[Crasherfromwayback]

The mark of the shop is now what they will do about the part they recently installing failing so quickly.

I'm working on that mate. But it seems no one here has so far been made aware that the rec has failed...so makes things a bit tricky to put it right if we don't know.

[Sable]

Just because you're listed as a distributor for something doesn't actually mean you agreed to be listed as such, and it's always preferable to use the OEM part over dodgy Chinese shit, a - because it theoretically will last a lot longer and be a direct fit with a manufacturer warranty, and b - because if the Chinese part fails prematurely whingy cunts like you always go running back shouting that it's the shop's fault even if the problem is unrelated. The 2 week lead time and Easter holidays sounds pretty bloody normal and you could have enquired about this over the phone. If you don't like it go and work on your own shit. :baby:

[Flip]

I'm working on that mate. But it seems no one here has so far been made aware that the rec has failed...so makes things a bit tricky to put it right if we don't know.

There you go.

[yevjenko]

Sounds to me like there might be a intermittant fault with the generator.

I have had a few faults like this from time to time. Keep in mind that bike mechanics are not electronic engineers. Most can do basic electrical repairs and plug a analiser into an ECU but thats about it.

True, although Garth actually knows more about electrics and electronics than most car or bike mechanics i have met.

[caseye]

Ludo, have you made any attempt to contact Pete at WMC's.
I hope you have because coming here and complaining without doing so is pretty damn silly.
As you can see He is interested enough to tell you he's looking into it but without any notification that there is a problem it is pretty hard to do anything for you.
I've had my share of dodgy bike repairers but in my humble opinion WMC isn't one of them, in fact all the stories I've ever heard from my friends are good ones of things being done on weekends and after hours for their clients.
Perhaps you'd like to start this post again, maybe with an apology to Pete for immediately slagging off WMC without giving them or Pete the chance to do something about your problem and then with a request for recompense if that's what you think this case deserves.

[FJRider]

I'm working on that mate. But it seems no one here has so far been made aware that the rec has failed...so makes things a bit tricky to put it right if we don't know.

Does the Wellington Polytechnic not do a mind reading course nowdays .. ?? :scratch:

I'm sure they used to .. :blank:

[Crasherfromwayback]

Ludo, have you made any attempt to contact Pete at WMC's.
I hope you have because coming here and complaining without doing so is pretty damn silly.
As you can see He is interested enough to tell you he's looking into it but without any notification that there is a problem it is pretty hard to do anything for you.
I've had my share of dodgy bike repairers but in my humble opinion WMC isn't one of them, in fact all the stories I've ever heard from my friends are good ones of things being done on weekends and after hours for their clients.
Perhaps you'd like to start this post again, maybe with an apology to Pete for immediately slagging off WMC without giving them or Pete the chance to do something about your problem and then with a request for recompense if that's what you think this case deserves.

No no. No need for an apology from the op. Far from it. He's emailed me directly now and we're gonna try and get our hands on his motorsickle to see what's going on with it. To be fair...he has had a bit of a bad run with some stuff. Some of it is communication related...don't think he's been talked through various things properly, and we can all do better there. He's been a good customer and has had enough. Fair enough, We just want to get on and get him sorted asap. I'm sure we will.

[nzspokes]

Sounds like it will be a good outcome. :cool:

[madbikeboy]

It was clear from the start that the OP is quite mad. He bought a motorcycle that was named for a lonely housewife's favourite toy.

Learn to fix your own bike. That way it's your responsibility to check its done properly, and you won't ever go for a slide down the street because some muppet was too stoned to tighten all the bolts.