Kiwi Biker censored? [Archive]

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cowboyz

2nd February 2007, 19:07

Now I am wondering. Does Kiwibiker employ a sensor scheme where it becomes inappropriate to post negative experiences with various aspects of owning a bike except if it involves a "cage"?

I have been a member of Kiwibiker since August 2005 and generally speak my mind. Some threads I read and think "what a dumbarse" and move on. Some I think "what a dumbarse" and add something to the thread and move on. And of course, there is a world of helpful knowledge and the facility to organize enjoyable rides very quickly. All in all, I think of posting on kiwibiker the equivilent of as if the others posters/readers of the thread were sitting across the table sharing a beer.

Recently there seems to be an increase of "unhappy with bike shop" threads.
Personally I don't see anything wrong with an "unhappy with bike shop" thread as it simply comes into the same fashion as if a person brought a chocolate bar and didn't think it tasted nice they could be sitting down enjoying a beer and the conversation popping up "hey, I brought this chocolate bar the other day and it tasted like shit. " Someone else might say "You dumbarse, I love those bars, eat them all the time" If more people thought the chocolate bar tasted like shit than tasted good then the chocolate bar in question would be deemed crapTM. If the opposite happened to be true then the guy who didn't particularly like the chocolate bar would have to accept that that bar was just not for him.

Is it my imagination or is there a stigma attached to posting negative experiences with bike shops?

Doesn't seem to be alot of complaints about the threads that rave about certain bike shops or recommend a certain bike shop or brand?

Now I have a story to tell. Of course it would be told as I experienced it. I think I am good at putting facts together but without doubt that my experiences and recollection of events will be as I saw it. I also have, what I thought to be quite a shocking, MP3 of a voicemail that was left on my phone by the other party in question. Should the story be told? or buried amongst the "Please do not upset the bike shops" banner?

The Stranger

2nd February 2007, 19:15

Now I have a story to tell. Of course it would be told as I experienced it. I think I am good at putting facts together but without doubt that my experiences and recollection of events will be as I saw it. I also have, what I thought to be quite a shocking, MP3 of a voicemail that was left on my phone by the other party in question. Should the story be told? or buried amongst the "Please do not upset the bike shops" banner?

Do tell, do tell.

sunhuntin

2nd February 2007, 19:21

i wanna hear it too!

Pumba

2nd February 2007, 19:25

Yeah go on tell us all man, we need to be warned of these dodgy bike shops..

Bets on who it is?

3:2 Red Baron
3:1 The Honda shop on Barrys point
4:1 AMPS
5:2 Haldanes
5:1 Holeshot
5:1 Colemans
6:1 Mt Eden

Bets start at $10

I bet none of the above for $10, as hes not in Auckland:yes:

Mr. Peanut

2nd February 2007, 19:27

Oh and the word is Censored.

Censored.. to suppress or control something that may offend or harm others.

Sensor (Sensored is not a word) ..a device capable of detecting and responding to physical stimuli such as movement, light, or heat

I sensored a disturbance in the force.

Storm

2nd February 2007, 19:27

As they say in interrogation rooms everywhere:

Spill ya guts

Motu

2nd February 2007, 19:28

Hershey bars are shit....Mars Bars are ok,but I like Kit Kats.

Storm

2nd February 2007, 19:28

Your not the only KB'er in Palmy, so other might want a heads up

tl_tub

2nd February 2007, 19:32

Baycity motorcycles and MotoGB in Tauranga. Awesome shops!!!!

Chisanga

2nd February 2007, 19:37

I love the smell of controversy in the evening :shutup:

doc

2nd February 2007, 19:50

I bet none of the above for $10, as hes not in Auckland:yes:
Your one of those clever that pricks is able comprehend what they are reading not jump to conclussions before they have got to the end of the story types aren't you. I was trying to think of another Auck bike shop to add to the list.

chanceyy

2nd February 2007, 19:52

well i am not quite in palmy north .. but i sure wanna know who to avoid ;)

Pumba

2nd February 2007, 19:59

Your one of those clever that pricks is able comprehend what they are reading not jump to conclussions before they have got to the end of the story types aren't you. I was trying to think of another Auck bike shop to add to the list.

Not sure if that is a compliment but im not a picky man so im goin to take what I can get.:sunny:

_Gina_

2nd February 2007, 20:01

It is funny really, your analogy with the chocolate bar sums it up quite nicely.

Unfortunately, some of these threads can be viewed by others as a reason why not to use a business or service, when in fact they may have 'loved those bars' even though yours 'tasted like shit'.

In saying that;
I think you should have the ability to speak your mind and air your perception and experiences both good and bad.

Haven't seen where these sort of threads are being censored on KB though.....please enlighten me.....?

G

cowboyz

2nd February 2007, 20:08

ok. Ill tell the story. But for all those taking bets you have some time cause I dont type real fast. (and cant spell censor) More to come.

Pumba

2nd February 2007, 20:13

This will be good

Chisanga

2nd February 2007, 20:19

This will be good

Or very, very bad :)

Which one are you hoping for?

Kendog

2nd February 2007, 20:21

Telling people about bad service is fine with me. I want to know where to avoid.

Telling people in a public place like this is also fine I reckon, they may see this stuff and realise they need to sharpen up.

doc

2nd February 2007, 20:35

Not sure if that is a compliment but im not a picky man so im goin to take what I can get.:sunny:
it's a compliment...Don't want to hear anymore bitchin about it ok.

Pumba

2nd February 2007, 20:43

Which one are you hoping for?

look at the top of the page im not a picky man

McJim

2nd February 2007, 20:47

I have a theory which I admit may be wide of the mark but is interesting nonetheless.

When you criticise a shop's service the people that spring to it's defence are actually licking shop arse in order that they can get discounts or faster service.

This while we wait for the tome that reveals the identity and the offence that started the whole thread off.

Pixie

2nd February 2007, 20:54

Hershey bars are shit....Mars Bars are ok,but I like Kit Kats.

I thought the thread was about coprophagia

Motu

2nd February 2007, 21:05

Storm

2nd February 2007, 21:10

Cant "expose" you when you freely admit it at a shout from the rooftops :bleh:

LXS

2nd February 2007, 21:15

Pumba

2nd February 2007, 21:18

Maybe Bike Store 1 is pathetic, go in and see for yourself.

I would if more people named names:dodge:

doc

2nd February 2007, 21:24

I'm just dying for a ''mystery shopper'' to come into my workshop and then start a thread about what a useless abusive bastard I am.Come on guys,here's an open invitation to expose the biggest arsehole in the trade on the internet.

Now,who's going to be first?
I saw that "Target" episode and we will never let a Tradesman into our house when we are not there again. Why do they always wash my bike after they have "serviced it". Can I have a CCTV in place when you work on my vehicle if I bring it in. Fairs fair.

cowboyz

2nd February 2007, 21:29

August last year I got a chance to ride a ZX9R. Fantanstic bike. AFC had it in their shop so I thought I would have a crack at buying it. Went to town and they wanted $8500 for it. Not bad I thought. I gave them my ageing 1991 GSX600F to look at for a tradein. Neil in the workshop took it for a small ride round out back and had a look over it. Came back saying it was an ageing bike but motor was in pretty good condition. Wheel bearings could do with replacement but $1000 trade in would be suitable. I did the numbers and me being me I never buy anything off the cuff so I went away and had a think about it. I really like my old bike alot. Worked it out that if they want $8500 for a ZX9R and my bike was worth $1000 then that means the 9R would have to be eight and a half times better than my bike. Then I thought about what I use my bike for. It didn't work out so I decided to keep my bike and not buy the 9R.

A couple of months go by and there comes a point where I require a new rear tyre. i price up a couple of shops and AFC come in at $210 + $30 fitting for a pirelli sport demon. Bruce in the parts department was very helpful actually suggesting a couple of choices for rear tyre but definitely recommending the sport demon over the Bridgestone BT45. I thought that being as they were going to have to take the wheel off anyway they could do the wheel bearings while they were there. These were priced at $17. Between the ordering of the tyre and getting everything together the poor gsx developed an oil leak. I spoke to Neil about this and he suggested that if I take the fairings off then that will save some labour cost and make the oil leak easier to find. Sounds like a plan. I assumed (big mistake and totally uncharastic of me) that the oil leak would be minor. They were also going to do the warrent.
So I took all the fairings off the bike and dropped it into the shop in the morning before work and get a workmate to pick me up on the way past at about 8am.
Returned that evening just before 5pm and a *young guy* (this point is seriously in dispute) The guy I spoke to who was still working on the bike was young. He said he had not been working at AFC long and I chatted to him about incidentals for 20 mins before finding the bad news. First up they could not do the warrent because with the fairings missing so were the indicators and mirrors. Oversight by me so acceptable. ok. Besides. It would have failed the warrent anyway because of a range of things from no reflector light to a left hand handgrip needing to be glued. Front rotors were under the service limit too. Bugger.
The good news was that he had found the oil leak which turned out to be the gear change lever seal and managed to fit another seal without too much trouble. great. I asked for the bill but was told that the bill was not prepared as they were very busy. They would sort the bill out later in the week.

Jumped on the bike and headed for home. 14km of open road riding to commute. bike felt great with new tyres on (dont ya just love new tyres). Just before heading into my street there is a 130 degree corner that you turn into coming off an 80 km/hr area. As I come up to the corner I am looking through the corner and lining up the bike I grab the front brake to slow down and tap the rear brake for the first time. The rear brake pedal goes down a little and then alot and all I could hear is grinding. I wasn't sure what the hell had happened but it didn't sound good. My first reaction was to stand the bike up. Then I remember I was surposed to be turning a corner so all got a little confusing for a bit. Instinct took over and the bike found it's way home. Jumped off the bike and looked round the back. Something had broken and I was buggered if I could work out what. Inpection of the rear rotor showed that there were bits of metal welded all round it and the disc was rough as hell. I couldn't figure what had called this. Had me buggered so I thought I would call in on Mr boy scout himself and called over to bonez place. 3 seconds looking at the bike and he tells me the rear brake pads are in back to front with metal on metal and the meat of the pads facing outwards. WTF?? I never thought that was even possible but apparently it is.

Following day off to AFC. Rode the bike striaght into the workshop and the guy who was working on my bike the day before met me at the door. he questioned why I was there and I said "There is trouble with the rear brake" and pointed at the disc. I was being really nice and figured they wound repair it. The poor guy was actually quite distraught. he kept saying things like "I cant believe I did that!" And "unbelieveable, I don't know what I was thinking?" Ok. Mistakes happen. Simple job and a little mind wonder and shit happens. I can't remember now but I think they gave me a RF900R to get to work. Jezz that was a sezy bike if ever i have seen one.

Went to work and returned that afternoon and my bike was all go again. The bill was also prepared. I opened the bill and was shell shocked at $500+ for the work that had been done. I paid the bill without question as I felt it was partly my fault for not researching the cost of the job properly even though I was expecting about $350 for the work they had carried out. Bit of a bitter taste in my mouth but at least the bike was sorted and off I go again.

Well a couple of weeks late the rear brakes started to grind again. First port of call was to look at the pads which were completely gone. Couldn't believe it. I thought now was a good time to speak to the manager. I called a meeting between brendon and myself to discuss a resoultion. The meeting went ok. I sat there thinking "Shit this guy is good." He said everything I wanted to hear and my bike would be repaired. i had also discovered that my bike was still leaking oil. Brendon pointed out that my bike was an old bike and had many km on the clock and it could be that there was 2 oil leaks and the mechanic only found one of them. I also questioned why I was being charged $70+ (? cant remember the exact figure now) per hours for an apprentice to work on my bike as the guy I had spoken to and who had admitted to me about making the orgininal mistake seemed "apprentise-like". I don't actually know if he is doing an apprentiseship or not. Brendon told me that the guy who did the job was a mechanic they poached off Phil Turnballs and had 20 years experience (hence the dispute above) and everyone makes mistakes now and then. I actually found myself wondering how someone with this much experience could make such a mistake. It didn't seem neither here nor there at this stage as I was only looking for my bike to be repaired. I asked Brendon directly for an assurance that this time my bike would be repaired properly but it could not be done for a couple of days. I accepted this and brought the bike back in a few days later.

A few weeks later and the brake pads had gone again. The "assurance" that Brendon had given me now meant nothing. I am one who works on results. And the results showed that an assurance from Brendon didn't get the job done any better.

I took the bike back again and Neil was outside of the shop. I am sure he knew exactly why I was there. I hopped off the bike and said "the rear brakes are in need of repair". He said something like "Rear brakes are imporant yes, umm. bring it in next week and we will have another look.

i am fairly pissed by now. I hopped back on the bike and left. Returned the following week on the Monday and they tell me that it will take a few days to get it sorted. i ask for a replacement bike and I got the Volty 250. On first look I wasn't impressed but hey. Needed to get to work. There is a thread about me and the Volty. The ashhurst boys thought it was quite funny but I don't think that anyone around me actually appreciated how pissed off I was at this point. I guess I am one of those guys that by the time you know I am pissed off I am REALLY pissed off.

So couple of days go by and I phone afc to see how the bike is coming along. Pleased to hear that it is all repaired. This time there is a new rear rotor on the bike. New pads and it all looks sweet. All done but still got this foul taste in my mouth with AFC, Brendon and the general look of the place.

Even now there is only 1 of 2 things that happened.

1. They were trying to save money and not do the job properly by doing a half arsed job. OR
2. They are inadequate.

So the story probably should have ended there yes? Not quite,.

Klown posted a thread about AFC and a shock.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=43047

I still feeling alot pissed posted this.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=917399&postcount=16

I get a phone mesasge on my phone this morning. File attached (I really hope I remember to attach it)

Now i did call on Brendon this afternoon but he was out of the office so I never did get the chance to discuss his phone message with him. I did leave a message with one of his staff to say I would call on him Monday afternoon.

Fuck my fingers are sore.

I hope that worked. I couldn't upload an mp3 so packed it. Should be alright.

cowboyz

2nd February 2007, 21:34

Mr One says Choc Bar 1 tastes like shit & recommends Choc Bar 2, Mr Two says Choc Bar 1 tastes great & reckons Choc Bar 2 tastes awful.
Following?

Yes, I've had good & bad experiences at bike shops, what I've found is you have to go on your own experience.
Ie. Adam goes into Bike Store 1 to buy a brand new Suzuki, he is ignored, the air conditioning isn't working & the sales people don't know a thing.
Adam gets frustrated & goes to Bike Store 2, where the service is magic, he rides out on a new Suzuki.
Bob goes into Bike Store 1 to buy a brand new Kawasaki, service is magic, air conditioning is working, sales people welcoming & knowledgeable, he rides out on a new ZX10.

Apologies for the Dr Phil talk, but if Bike Store 1 is so bad why are they still trading? Maybe Bike Store 1 is pathetic, go in and see for yourself.

I hear what your saying and thats why like to make up my mind.. but when dealing with hundreds (or in some cases thousands) of dollars worth of machinery you can narrow the odds by if 1000 people say bike store 1 is crap and 10 people say bike store 2 is crap.

i don't particularly like dark chocolate. Never buy it myself because I don't like it. Am I saying you should not eat dark chocolate? No. Just saying I don't like it.

The Stranger

2nd February 2007, 21:48

So yeah, sounds like they fucked your bike up, that happens. Sure get pissed off about that, but the phone call doesn't sound that bad to me, hey - buy a Honda and you will hear your bike called a lot worse.

LXS

2nd February 2007, 21:50

I hear what your saying and thats why like to make up my mind.. but when dealing with hundreds (or in some cases thousands) of dollars worth of machinery you can narrow the odds by if 1000 people say bike store 1 is crap and 10 people say bike store 2 is crap.

i don't particularly like dark chocolate. Never buy it myself because I don't like it. Am I saying you should not eat dark chocolate? No. Just saying I don't like it.

I agree, if I had a $5000 bike I'd want it to be looked after, I'd hop on KB & ask wheres the best place to my brakes bled etc..
Should have said in my first post, I was leaning more towards the "non-mechanical" side of bike shops (the stories you here about on here), i.e. went into Bike Store 1 for a fibreglass repair they quoted $200, Bike Store 2 quoted me $180..bla bla bla etc..

Chisanga

2nd February 2007, 21:54

Yeah the guy on the phone did have a point, however he needs to remember; "The customer is NOT always right, but he/she is ALWAYS the customer" :)

A bit of respect goes a long way.

cowboyz

2nd February 2007, 21:58

Hmmmm, the guy on the phone was right, up to the point where he said your bike was a pile of shit. Looks like a visit in person is in order.

funny enough I actually agree. They guy has a problem with me posting on kiwibiker. Doesn't like me calling him a PR god but then goes on to say he would like to think he is a PR god. The big question is who is this guy who did the work in the first place. One of us is mistaken. If it is me and this guy is alot older than he looks then so be it. If it is him and he doesn't actually know who did the work does this question how much control he has over his business? Right up to the point of him telling me my bike is a piece of shit was fine really. The guy has a problem and trying to deal with it. Fine. But I am allowed to call my bike a piece of shit. The ashhurst boys are allowed to call my bike a piece of shit. He is not.

McJim

2nd February 2007, 22:11

He can't be a PR guru - he wouldn't have called your bike a heap of shit if he was.

It shows you though - many bike shops have got access to the latest and greatest bikes which means they will place very little value on your beloved bike - reading between the lines the shoddy workmanship you have received is possibly because the person working on the bike thought it worth little attention as he would rather be tweaking a 2006 bike.

As he says though - he done right by you, fucked up your brakes several times so they don't work any more and has charged you money for it - s'not PR - that's fraud!

These comments are based on the facts posted which may or may not be true - I'm sure the other fella will be along shortly to give another side to the events.:jerry:

McJim

2nd February 2007, 22:16

And I forgot to say - he works in a customer service industry - therefore he will make it difficult for people to complain to him properly - little negotiation tecniques etc. to belittle you and make you feel uncomfortable about making a fuss.

If someone decides that their career takes them to shop work or dealing with the public then having your name dragged through the mud behind your back is part and parcel of the job - if he can't handle that then he should find another career and not whinge about it on the 'phone.

cowboyz

2nd February 2007, 22:21

You are a wise lad McJim. I encourage to read everything as it was written. I Believe in fairness above all else. Mean what you say and say what you mean. I don't play secret squirrel. just not my style. I have put great effort into stating fact as I saw things from my side of the fence rather than emotion but I am sure that even though I tried to write up as unbiased as I could it still came from my hand so there is still some biased to it. Feeling a whole lot better just putting the whole story out in type and will rest assured that I acting with intergity throughout the deal.

cowboyz

2nd February 2007, 22:25

Just to clarify. I never did anything behind AFC or Brendons back. I am well aware he reads kiwibiker. He knows who I am, my address and my phone numbers. Cowboyz is a nickname I got while farming. it is not difficult to find out who I am if you really want to but for a long time there if I was talked about as Lance then not alot of people actually put a name to the face. I was always known as the cowboy.

Skunk

2nd February 2007, 22:32

Funny; I was thinking the shop had done all right, if a little slowly, and the guys phone call was ok and everything could be sorted. The way I took it was they had done the right thing but you were a little sour on them because of the way it went down. Based on what you wrote I'd still go see them. His phone call to you was fine; expressing some concerns about your posts.

Then he calls your bike a piece of shit! Bad move fella. Everybody's bike is their gem.

Paul in NZ

2nd February 2007, 22:33

I like Kit Kats.

More a dog guy myself but I've never assembled one

KLOWN

2nd February 2007, 22:36

Well that sounds like a bad time was had by all.

I think the difference between talking to a couple of mates at the pub and posting on an internet forum means thousands of people see the post as opposed to two or three people you may tell in person, And there is always 2 sides to the story.

Afc got on to my shock as soon as they read my post so it MAY have been a mix up at the work shop and I appreciate that they got on to it after finding out BUT I did plan on calling them and saying it to them in person so I feel a little foolish with them finding out on the internet, I like saying things to peoples faces.

In your case cowboy sounds like everyone had a bad day.

on a side note I enjoyed the ride I joined you on and you are an easy going and cool guy we need to go for another ride when I get my bike sorted, I may even be able to keep up now that I have a 400cc

edit: when I say "I like saying things to peoples faces" I am NOT saying you went behind his back because you obviously talked to him first.
2nd edit: i believe in second chances for all, with the exception of rapists, murders, kiddy fiddlers and animal cruelty

Bonez

4th February 2007, 09:27

Then he calls your bike a piece of shit! Bad move fella. Everybody's bike is their gem. Just to throw the cat amounst the pidgeons. Cowboyz bike is a peice of shit :dodge: which happens to be a quite capable bike in the right hands. Owning a couple of shitters myself I do consider myself an expert on this subject. Brendon probably should have said it to Cowboyz face not over the phone though. Maybe over a couple of beers in a pub even.

The oil leak was tracked down to a crack in an engine casing and this should have been picked up. Nothing a bit of areldite couldn't fix. The brake pad thing should never have happened. The work should have been supervised, or at least inspected, as I'm sure an experianced mechanic wouldn't have done this even on a bad day. Could be wrong.

I'm sure things will settle down. It's possible a few of us have had bad expreriences from bike shops at one point. One reason I prefer to do most of my servicing was due to a similar set of events some time ago.

Oh and I like Milky Ways. The lightly whipped chocolate flavoured centre coated in smooth milk chocolate does it for me every time..............

Edit- I should add the bike shops I had issues with no longer exist.

Meanie

4th February 2007, 13:30

He he he he I have to agree bonez cowboyz bike is a piece of shit :gob: however in his defence a very reliable and worthy bike that is on its second time around the clock and realy only needs a good paint job to bring her back to her former glory , i just hope the mean streak runs as well after that many ks
He did the 4 points rally with myself and mouse and it never missed a beat or gave any trouble
Now at the risk of everyone thinking i am sucking up and wanting my work at AFC done any quicker :dodge: i feel i have to put my ten cents worth in
The clash of personalities
Cowboyz, who everyone who knows him, knows he can be very arrogant, something he freely admits too and is not ashamed of, Good for you :2thumbsup But all in all a bloody good guy "And in the other corner"
Brendon who is rightfully so, defending his buisness that does provide good service IMO anyway
I have brought three bikes off AFC now and had them serviced there and have not had any problems they have always done what they said they would do and charged appropriatly
When all is said and done AFC did replace the disc on his bike and the brake pads so they did do what any good bike shop would do
When was the last time you took your cage to the machanic and they gave you a car to use while they had your one, it does happen but not often and there is normaly a charge for it
When i take my bike there they always give me a loaner which saves a hell of a lot of pissing around with getting lifts or trailors
I know cowboyz has a few gripes with AFC and some of them are founded but i dont think we should slam AFC for one slip of the tounge left on the answer phone, something i am sure Brendon is regretting about now or one mistake made by an (apprentice?) mechanic
I run my own buisness and know how important it is to keep your customers happy which is something i strive very hard to acheive. I am also aware that my guys make mistakes and it is up to me to make sure they are put right immediatly with no question if i want to see that customer return
In my experience AFC is a reputable bike shop that like all shops makes the occasioal mistake but in the words of Mr LV Martin "puts it right"
I can honestly see now why the powers to be on KBer discourage dissing bike shops on the forum, however entertaining it may be

limbimtimwim

4th February 2007, 16:17

I could hear the anger in the guys voice in the message, and I was wondering when he was going to let rip. He was saying the right things and he probably didn't intend on saying your bike was shit when he picked up the phone, but his anger got the better off him.

I think KB needs a 'Hall of fame' of some kind. I think the phone message is a worthy contribution :) :)

cowboyz

4th February 2007, 17:55

Just to throw the cat amounst the pidgeons. Cowboyz bike is a peice of shit :dodge:

Right! That does it. I not buying you a christmas card now. I know I have never brought you one in the past but now I got an excuse.

which happens to be a quite capable bike in the right hands.

It is even quite capable in my hands too!

Owning a couple of shitters myself I do consider myself an expert on this subject. Brendon probably should have said it to Cowboyz face not over the phone though. Maybe over a couple of beers in a pub even.
A couple? Which of the 7948 bikes in your garage are the good ones?

The oil leak was tracked down to a crack in an engine casing and this should have been picked up. Nothing a bit of areldite couldn't fix. The brake pad thing should never have happened. The work should have been supervised, or at least inspected, as I'm sure an experianced mechanic wouldn't have done this even on a bad day. Could be wrong.

Could br wrong... but I doubt it.

I'm sure things will settle down. It's possible a few of us have had bad expreriences from bike shops at one point. One reason I prefer to do most of my servicing was due to a similar set of events some time ago.
Life moves along pretty fast. Problems come and go

Oh and I like Milky Ways. The lightly whipped chocolate flavoured centre coated in smooth milk chocolate does it for me every time..............
Just like your head.

He he he he I have to agree bonez cowboyz bike is a piece of shit :gob:
Gonna be a really short christmas card list this year

however in his defence a very reliable and worthy bike that is on its second time around the clock and realy only needs a good paint job to bring her back to her former glory , i just hope the mean streak runs as well after that many ks
Doesn't seem likely at the rate things fall off it.

He did the 4 points rally with myself and mouse and it never missed a beat or gave any trouble
Still have memories of how fantastic that ride was

Now at the risk of everyone thinking i am sucking up and wanting my work at AFC done any quicker :dodge: i feel i have to put my ten cents worth in

Your charging too much.

The clash of personalities
Cowboyz, who everyone who knows him, knows he can be very arrogant, something he freely admits too and is not ashamed of, Good for you :2thumbsup But all in all a bloody good guy
Arrogant? Me? Doesn't seem likely?

"And in the other corner"
Brendon who is rightfully so, defending his buisness that does provide good service IMO anyway
I have brought three bikes off AFC now and had them serviced there and have not had any problems they have always done what they said they would do and charged appropriatly

defending? Or just got a bee in his bonnet?

When all is said and done AFC did replace the disc on his bike and the brake pads so they did do what any good bike shop would do
When was the last time you took your cage to the machanic and they gave you a car to use while they had your one, it does happen but not often and there is normaly a charge for it
When i take my bike there they always give me a loaner which saves a hell of a lot of pissing around with getting lifts or trailors

Yes. Eventually they got it right. And I never posted an AFC is crap thread through the ordeal. Big problem came with his attitude and it comes down to how you wish to be treated.

I know cowboyz has a few gripes with AFC and some of them are founded but i dont think we should slam AFC for one slip of the tounge left on the answer phone, something i am sure Brendon is regretting about now or one mistake made by an (apprentice?) mechanic
I run my own buisness and know how important it is to keep your customers happy which is something i strive very hard to acheive. I am also aware that my guys make mistakes and it is up to me to make sure they are put right immediatly with no question if i want to see that customer return
In my experience AFC is a reputable bike shop that like all shops makes the occasioal mistake but in the words of Mr LV Martin "puts it right"
yes. Slip of the toungue. The funny thing about words is you can't un-say something.

I can honestly see now why the powers to be on KBer discourage dissing bike shops on the forum, however entertaining it may be
Disagree completely. Put info up there. Mix it with opioion if you must, and if you wish to have your bike worked on by a company that has a bad rep and don't have trouble then fine. If you wish to have your bike worked on by a company with a bad rep and get burnt then too fucking bad. Speaking of which... why has KB got a rep scheme where you can judge what some random guy said but no credit is put to other riders experience with shops?

I could hear the anger in the guys voice in the message, and I was wondering when he was going to let rip. He was saying the right things and he probably didn't intend on saying your bike was shit when he picked up the phone, but his anger got the better off him.

I think KB needs a 'Hall of fame' of some kind. I think the phone message is a worthy contribution :) :)

Yeah, I got under his skin. Hall of fame? bring it on. I can't be the only one with a story like this.

Meanie

4th February 2007, 18:28

Owning a couple of shitters myself I do consider myself an expert on this subject. Brendon probably should have said it to Cowboyz face not over the phone though. Maybe over a couple of beers in a pub even.
A couple? Which of the 7948 bikes in your garage are the good ones?

The oil leak was tracked down to a crack in an engine casing and this should have been picked up. Nothing a bit of areldite couldn't fix. The brake pad thing should never have happened. The work should have been supervised, or at least inspected, as I'm sure an experianced mechanic wouldn't have done this even on a bad day. Could be wrong.

Could br wrong... but I doubt it.

I'm sure things will settle down. It's possible a few of us have had bad expreriences from bike shops at one point. One reason I prefer to do most of my servicing was due to a similar set of events some time ago.
Life moves along pretty fast. Problems come and go

Just like your head.

Gonna be a really short christmas card list this year

Doesn't seem likely at the rate things fall off it.

Still have memories of how fantastic that ride was

Your charging too much.

Arrogant? Me? Doesn't seem likely?

defending? Or just got a bee in his bonnet?

Yes. Eventually they got it right. And I never posted an AFC is crap thread through the ordeal. Big problem came with his attitude and it comes down to how you wish to be treated.

yes. Slip of the toungue. The funny thing about words is you can't un-say something.

Disagree completely. Put info up there. Mix it with opioion if you must, and if you wish to have your bike worked on by a company that has a bad rep and don't have trouble then fine. If you wish to have your bike worked on by a company with a bad rep and get burnt then too fucking bad. Speaking of which... why has KB got a rep scheme where you can judge what some random guy said but no credit is put to other riders experience with shops?

Yeah, I got under his skin. Hall of fame? bring it on. I can't be the only one with a story like this.[/QUOTE]

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Like a dog with a bone

Bonez

4th February 2007, 19:25

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Like a dog with a bone
chiwawa with a wish bone?

Storm

5th February 2007, 07:39

BTW, I wasnt going to say it first even though I had the chance but:
your bike's a piece of shit.
There, now I feel like one of the lads.That said I cant catch you on it, nor can I catch Bonez-the older and rougher looking the bike, the faster he goes,never mind the pencil thin rear tyre- and I have to work bloody hard to get in front of the big cruiser rider who always says " I'm not here to go fast" then proceeds to sit on a 100 + gst, even on the hills
My bike's still shiny and cooler than cowboyz :bleh:

chanceyy

5th February 2007, 07:42

laffing cowboyz .. love your sense of humor ..

being a female that is not entirely mechanically minded (I kinda do ok) I rely on the experience of those in the know to steer me straight .. without ripping me off or putting me wrong..

Kinda reminds me of all the white collar crime when you trusted accountant to handle your money & then they embezzled it, & its your fault for trusting someone who is supose to have the expertise to do a better job than yourself ..

as far as the attitude of brendon, well having been in customer service related industry for 25+ yrs .. your should never have a knee jerk reaction & respond to someone when your still angry .. cause as cowboyz has stated your can not un-say something once said.

we do live in a modern age & its even more necessary to show some dignity & restraint esp with the internet opening up a vast world of consumer information.

One does understand cowboyz frustration at the treatment both he & his bike have recieved, & rightly so .. regardles of its state (trying to stay on the xmas card list here) it is still a bike that needs work, & the fact does remain that the job was not done correctly, yes AFC did correct it .. but given the attitude in regards to this would I trust them with my 24 yr old bike to fix .. umm sorry prob not now ... I value my life & want to be able to trust the service that i get is of a high standard .. after all if i could do the work myself I would ..

Bonez

5th February 2007, 11:05

BTW, I wasnt going to say it first even though I had the chance but:
your bike's a piece of shit.
There, now I feel like one of the lads.That said I cant catch you on it, nor can I catch Bonez-the older and rougher looking the bike, the faster he goes,never mind the pencil thin rear tyre- and I have to work bloody hard to get in front of the big cruiser rider who always says " I'm not here to go fast" then proceeds to sit on a 100 + gst, even on the hills
Cut that out. We've all mallowed a bit. Benj's off on the last group ride was certainly a wake up for me.

Fatjim

5th February 2007, 15:36

This is the first time I've ever said this. It's like saying you're mates missus is a slapper, it's just not done. But I'm gonna have to make an exception.

Your bike is a piece of shit, but I'll let you off cause you're a good bloke.

No selfrespecting bike shop should have to work on that thing :). You just tripled it's value by putting a new tyre on it.

I'll give you $300 for it.

imdying

5th February 2007, 17:30

Excuse my southern ignorance, but who exactly are AFC?

cowboyz

5th February 2007, 17:35

cowboyz

5th February 2007, 17:36

Excuse my southern ignorance, but who exactly are AFC?

bike shop in palmerston north

Meanie

5th February 2007, 17:37

Excuse my southern ignorance, but who exactly are AFC?

one of our local bike shops

cowboyz

5th February 2007, 17:54

Have to swallow some humble pie here for a bit.

There some a big issue about the age of the mechanic who put the brake pads in back to front in the first place. I said he was a 20-something and accused Brendon of lying about the guys age and experience. I went back into AFC to discuss the recent events and Brendon introduced me to the guy properly. He looks young but the original mechanic who did the work is in fact 35 years old with 20 years experience in the industry.

So my apologies to AFC and Brendon for saying he is a PR god and lies through his teeth and saying that they let a 20 something damage my bike when in fact, it was an experienced mechnanic.

Brendon and I have agreed that I will no longer talk/type about AFC on the internet and any future business between us is not conceivable. We shook hands on it and I said I would set the story straight in this thread so that is that.

To clarify.

Brendon never lied to me about my bike or who worked on it.

AFCs mechanic is not a 20-something. He is 35 with 20 years experience.

Bonez

5th February 2007, 18:13

one of our local bike shopsI think the initials are of the original guys who set it up. Remember ol Ash? Haven't seen him out and about for ages.

Storm

5th February 2007, 20:38

Onya cowboyz for putting both sides on the story up for all to see.

Most impressed that you are taking all the shite slung at your bike so well.-arent we doing it properly

Edbear

6th February 2007, 08:59

terbang

6th February 2007, 09:25

Looks like the workshop screwed up your brakes and the PR guy called your bike a piece of shit. Go elsewhere and, as you already have, use the power of the internet. If they continue in this fashion then market competition will take it's natural course.

terbang

6th February 2007, 09:34

Brendon and I have agreed that I will no longer talk/type about AFC on the internet and any future business between us is not conceivable. We shook hands on it and I said I would set the story straight in this thread so that is that.

He's just in damage control mode. I listened to the telephone message and he lost his rag. Not a good trait to have for a PR guy..

chanceyy

6th February 2007, 09:37

He's just in damage control mode. I listened to the telephone message and he lost his rag. Not a good trait to have for a PR guy..

i agree, Also then when you have no faith & know what they think of ya bike really do you want them working on it ... as i said previously I would think twice about taking my 23yr old bike to them to work on ....

McJim

6th February 2007, 09:44

Brendon and I have agreed that I will no longer talk/type about AFC on the internet and any future business between us is not conceivable. We shook hands on it and I said I would set the story straight in this thread so that is that.

Sounds a bit weird - if there's no further concievable business relationship then why would you have to agree to no further discussion on KB - THAT sounds farken sinister to me.:gob:

This is the worst possible outcome for the shop in my opinion - what I wanted to see was "We are all reconciled - there was a misunderstanding and they have repaired the damage they caused to the brakes free of charge".

My job will concievably take me all round New Zealand over the next decade - that's another bike shop scratched off my list anyway.

KLOWN

6th February 2007, 10:03

Sounds a bit weird - if there's no further concievable business relationship then why would you have to agree to no further discussion on KB - THAT sounds farken sinister to me.:gob:

This is the worst possible outcome for the shop in my opinion - what I wanted to see was "We are all reconciled - there was a misunderstanding and they have repaired the damage they caused to the brakes free of charge".

My job will concievably take me all round New Zealand over the next decade - that's another bike shop scratched off my list anyway.

they already fixed everything they messed up. They did so before all this went on. He says in the telephone message that he thought he did 'right' by lance in replaceing the disk and the pads for free.

imdying

6th February 2007, 14:58

Did right by you? More like he kept his arse out of court for negligence.

cowboyz

6th February 2007, 17:10

my official position is.

No comment.

Pex Adams

7th February 2007, 12:12

Fatjim

7th February 2007, 12:51

Na, you're not a mate! And she's far too good for you.

Your bike is several pieces of shit too.