Haldane's, Auckland - any comments?

[Auntie Podes]

Hello all,

Well I'm finally here in New Zealand and itching to get my new bike. I had to sell my VFR as it wouldn't fit in the container and to be honest, it just wasn't worth shipping it. So, I am on the brink of ordering a 2007 GSX 1400 from Haldane's and was interested to know if anyone has any comments about them, good or bad. I did read some earlier threads about servicing but I am interested in any recent experiences.
Thanks. :)

[Auntie Podes]

Thanks, I wouldn't mind seeing the details, if it's no trouble.

[Devil]

I can only say i've been ignored everytime i've been in there.
I can recommend Holeshot in Takapuna for a suzuki (and Triumph and Aprilia) dealer however. I get awesome service there.

[McJim]

Haven't bought a bike from them but I have bought a left indicator and a speedo cable from them.

They smiled, took my money and gave me what I wanted at a price I liked - which is 10 out of 10 in my book.

I also had to have a bit of work done to my Ducati there and they stuck to their quote and the bike hasn't farted and shit itself since so again 10 out of 10.

[rainman]

So, I am on the brink of ordering a 2007 GSX 1400 from Haldane's and was interested to know if anyone has any comments about them, good or bad. I did read some earlier threads about servicing but I am interested in any recent experiences.
Thanks. :)

I bought the wee GN from them a while ago and was quite happy about the experience - they paid me a bit of attention but didn't pressure me (although I reckon they and everyone else sell heaps of GNs so there isn't a huge amount of need to be too hard-sell). First service there was fine, as were the other times I've been in to buy stuff or just kick tyres - second service they'd just moved so dropped the ball with communications and didnt get back to me, so I went to Colemans (who were great too).

I hate it when sales staff completely ignore me, even when I've been very obviously interested in something. I've had good service and sales attention from Colemans, Haldanes, and Red Baron, less good but probably still adequate from Holeshot and Cyclespot, and absolutely f'ing nothing from them lot on the North Shore off Constellation. Can't even remember the name of the place, but not bothering to go back, chequebook in hand or not. But like all things it probably depends on the day and the mood of the person involved - I'm sure everyone will have different views. My service experience in NZ is limited to Haldanes and Colemans, and I'd rate Colemans a smidgin ahead, but both quite fine.

I've spoken to Richard at Haldanes recently about an upgrade and the same approach seems to be in place - no hard sell. I have a lot of respect for that, but YMMV. Now if he can just do me a decent deal, I may remain a happy customer.... :)

[Swoop]

Get a new VFR!!!
The price is disgustingly cheap in NZ Roubles, so not worth bothering about any other bikes...:yes: :yes:
:rockon:

[White trash]

Haldanes support a number of KBers in their racing ventures and Chris and Tony have always been helpfull with advice when I've needed it.

Good enough for me.

[MVnut]

Happy Haldane's customer since 1972.....goodgoodgood:rockon: :yes:

[Chisanga]

I've been in there twice, been ignored twice, so my experience ain't so positive.... but in their defence - they probably saw me ride up on a Honda :)

[Rizla]

Was a little dissapointed. Went in to look at buying the K6 1000 at the time. Salesman wasnt very helpfull. Informed him I was interested in one of these and could I take one for a ride. He said that they didnt have any demos and I was out of luck. He then continued with the work he was doing without paying me anymore attention. I then said "so theres nothing you can do for me". He said "NO", so as I walked out the door, I said, O well, its your loss and I went and bought one that day from Colemans. This is just my experience. You would think he would have at least made an affort as he makes his commision from selling.

[Nicksta]

Chris is a good bloke, Squid (Richard) is the best you'll find in the workshop....
they are good people.... and actually talk to me unlike other shops... plus they have a chick working there and she is always friendly!

[Keystone19]

I find their workshop service excellent and have had all my suzuki's serviced there. Tony in parts probably knows more about ducati and suzuki parts than anyone else in the country.

They support me in my racing and a number of others although I've been taking my bikes to them longer than I've been racing and have always had good service.

[Edbear]

While I can't speak for Haldanes except to say the couple of times I went there in their previous shop, I was treated very nicely even though I was "tyre-kicking".

Bought my bike from Bikesport in Helensville and got a very sharp price and good service from Matthew and the team. They may have a late model 1400 in as there was a couple guys in there testing the new 109 and one of them looked like he was going to trade his 1400 on it. He'd bought the 1400 from them originally.

[Auntie Podes]

Sweet guys!!

Very impressed by the swift response.

I have been out on a beer crawl and return to loads of info!

Thanks again.

[daaatomic]

tony is fantastic for advice and parts. and ricky in the workshop(is he still there?haven't been in for a while) knows more about suzuki's than anyone. my katana was like a new bike after he had dealt to it.

[90s]

Used to walk home from work by them when I lived in Mt Eden and often had a browse - all were very friendly, interested, no pressure. Always spoke with Richard (I think) in the showroom (not Squid richard).
Before I got back onto 2 wheels I tested several bikes and they were happy for me to take them out for a while, lent me gear etc.
Didn't get a bike from them, but had two bikes serviced there in the last year by squid and ricky and they did a great job.
If I was buying a new bike I'd certainly check them out.
I would also check out the usual suspect, inc. the new Wild West Honda where the people seem very friendly (getting bike serviced there next week so will post an update), but avoid Colemans as every time I have been in there service was poor and people were quite rude.
Also they said they would not service my GSX as it is 19 years old anymore, even though they had serviced it over much of its life before I got it (I've got the paperwork). Seriously unimpressed with that, and esp. when they said they could change the oil but that's all on a bike "that old".

[FROSTY]

Top blokes<top service --
nuff said??

[Sanx]

Out of the dealers I've dealt with in Auckland, they're the only ones that have pulled a fast one on me. Nothing serious, and nothing that cost me too much money - but it still left a nasty taste.

However, it's probably horses for courses. I've always gone back to Cyclespot, as they've always treated me well, given me good deals, and done what they promised when they promised. 99 times out of 100, I think you'll find most major dealers are exactly the same.

[boomer]

They're robbing bastards.

[Swoop]

They're robbing bastards.
Examples???

Just askin' that's all.

[Patch]

They're robbing bastards.
I found them fuckin useless as well.

Am still waiting for the parts I ordered 6 months ago. I got fed up waiting after a week and went somewhere else. The old fart salesperson gave me the impression he'd rather carry on reading the paper rather than help me sort a leather suit.

I went elsewhere never been back.

[boomer]

Examples???

Just askin' that's all.

i asked for a price on a 1,000k service. I was given an 'approximately 160 to 220' figure. I laughed and said so why would it be 220.

The answer, 'In case we need to spend more time on it'. So in she goes and the next day i rang 'em up and asked 'how much?'

the answer.... "oh.. how much did we quote you? 160 to 220 wasn't it?... yeah..in that case its 220! "

i laughed and said " How the F*ck did i know that was coming? I'll speak to you when i come to pick teh bike up"

When i picked it up, the guy said 'oh, ive dropped it to 200 for ya!' I laughed out loud ... LOL and asked 'WHY? and why was it 220 in teh first place?' 'Oh.. we checked the throttle bodies'.


its a 1000k service and ALL THE CHECKS ARE LISTED ON TEH SERVICE SCHEDULE.. NO MORE NO LESS...... EVERY other Suzuki dealer in Auckand, upon inquiry, charged 160 for the first service. ( assuming obviously nothing other than teh checks are needed.. as was teh case with my bike )


so.. i told him, you tried to rob me and only on me challenging you do you drop the price, had i not challenged you.. you would have happily taken my money!!!

THIEVING C*NTS ! for 60 NZ dollars they lost my custom and i bad mouth the priks every chance i get.

since then ive only been back once, and that was to total teh Monster... :woohoo:

[Swoop]

yikes!
Bummer. 1k service should be free if ya bought a new bike.:blip:

[BLazeD]

I can only say i've been ignored everytime i've been in there.

Same here.

[Squiggles]

Tony is awesome for parts and advice, never bought a bike from them so cant comment on that, but they've treated me better than other dealers :) After being fobbed by many others for presumably being young, and done over by a couple of shit jobs from the same, they're first call...

[outlawtorn]

The guys at the accessories desk at Haldenes could be a bit more clued up, and yes I have been ignored there too. I woyld highly recommend Coleman's Suzuki, the guys there are good and take care of you.

Shop around and see what places give you what kind of specials/discounts. If you are buying a new bike then you want free shit thrown in, so shop around!
Happy shopping!

[McJim]

I needeed a couple of parts for my Ducati the other week. 'Phoned them. They had them. They were cheap. They sent them to Invercargill. I had them the next day.

Sweet.

[Forest]

Haldanes have been good to me.

Don't like their new location though. The old Mt Eden store was much more convenient.

[rustycharm]

If you get Chris on a good day - he's pretty awesome but the sales staff seem to be pretty condescending and stand offish.
Parts also seem to be a bit on the pricey side too. Have priced a couple of tricky bits for the Duc and ended up getting them from Ebay faster and cheaper. On the whole tho - no worse or better than most of the shops in Auckland.
Any salesperson who asks 'why' you want to put an aftermarket exhaust on a bike needs to be fired and shot (in no particular order) in my book....

[Vtwo Fiend]

Cant say that i have ever shoped there, but i know what its like being ignored by shop staff at other bike shops, and have also have the why do you want to change the exaust talk, you would think that they would just ok give me your money very frustrating. Maybe all bike shops employ the same type of staff good some days but when they are off they realy are off?

[Henk]

Was in there about 4 months ago and the large sales chap tried telling me that they were discontinuing the SV650 for the 08 model year so if I wanted the one they had on the shop floor I'd better be in quick. When I asked him if he was sure as I had been told by another AK bike shop that the 1000 was going to end but the 650 was to carry on he replied in the affirmative so I walked out and didn't go back, don't like being lied to.

[McJim]

Any salesperson who asks 'why' you want to put an aftermarket exhaust on a bike .


... and have also have the why do you want to change the exaust talk....

I've heard stock Ducati pipes...my question is "Why WOULDN'T you change the pipes?":rofl:

But really weird how some people have had such mixed reports from the same shop. there are Auckland bike shops I just won't go to coz of poor service, overpricing etc. And the ones I don't like are the ones that the KB connoscienti think are the bees knees. Odd.

[rustycharm]

I've heard stock Ducati pipes...my question is "Why WOULDN'T you change the pipes?":rofl:

McJim - you 're a bit of a Duc aficionado - whats the verdict on coring the standard can vs shelling out heaps for a system?

[McJim]

McJim - you 're a bit of a Duc aficionado - whats the verdict on coring the standard can vs shelling out heaps for a system?
My opinion (in light of possible legislation) is instead of debaffling and rebaffling you're probably better to get aftermarket cans and keep the old ones for WOF purposes.

I've got the stock can but with aftermarket innards but then I can't actually afford an aftermarket can. I would probably fit a Termignoni if I had the money though.

[rustycharm]

I would probably fit a Termignoni if I had the money though.

Wouldn't we all.... any one want to buy a slightly used left testicle?? good working order with 3 successful offspring?.....

[McJim]

Wouldn't we all.... any one want to buy a slightly used left testicle?? good working order with 3 successful offspring?.....
I can't even offer that! Aftermarket mods made to my testicles mean I fire blanks now :rofl:

[popelli]

Used to use Haldanes for tyres

excellent shop and never had any problems

Only reason I stopped going there was I left nz otherwise I would still be going there

[Max Preload]

If you get Chris on a good day - he's pretty awesome but the sales staff seem to be pretty condescending and stand offish.

As far as I'm concerned, if you're in retail sales, every day better be a fucking good day as far as the customer knows, or you should get the hell out of it.

I've found Tony helpful but he does attempt to be somewhat condescending, which I basically ignore. After all he only works in a shop... he has no right or reason to be condescending to pretty much anyone.

[rustycharm]

If you're going to bully someone at school, you must also kill them - otherwise they will grow up to be IRD or council workers... (or ginga Rodney cops...)

Nice quote - like it

[PrincessBandit]

Don't like their new location though. The old Mt Eden store was much more convenient.

Hahaha, I like their new location - much more convenient for me! :lol:
We bought both the bandit and burgman from them - so they've had repeat custom from us, which they wouldn't have got if we'd not been happy. Found them friendly and helpful but not pushy.
Generally if I feel I'm being ignored (in any shop where I want service) my response depends somewhat on my mood at the time - either walk out letting them know I'm pissed off (that's the bad mood response) or just go up and outright ask for what I want.

[Balu]

Thumbs up from me.

[howdamnhard]

Always had my bike serviced at Haldanes.Ramon who runs the workshop is a good guy.Only gripe is that sometimes they could take a little more care ,even though it is only just a GN.The salesman is Ok,doesn't pressure you but they don't seem to do test rides (on new bikes anyway) like Colemans does.

[Forest]

I forgot to add that they had a Desmosedici RR in the workshop being prepared for delivery last week.

It was nice to see one in the flesh.

[PeteJ]

Well, it's 40 years now and something over 100 bikes of all sorts, so I have a pretty wide basis for comparison here and overseas.

I always buy my tyres from Haldanes, and recently bought a new bike there.

They're sometimes not the cheapest, but they give me the best value because the staff do actually know what they are talking about. As with any place, you'll do better if you put some effort into learning what you're talking about, too.