Ripped off how many times ?

[Crazy Steve]

Part one..

How many times are Kiwi's ripped off everyday ? ?

So I was wondering on the way home from work today how many times Kiwi's are ripped off ? ?

It all started this weekend just gone, The missus had been complaining and complaining to me about getting the Cambelt replaced on the Car now done 200kms and the prevoius Cambelt was replaced at 90kms in Hamilton New Zealand...

I was reluctent to take it to the shop...Reasons will be mentioned later..

Anyways, I ended up asking a Very Nice Kiwi Biker if he would help me to replace the Cambelt...Which he agreed to do...(I should also mention this Kb member is a very very skilled rider and a very Good looking man...) Thanks again......:laugh:

So I needed parts, Ie Cambelt/Waterpump/Cambelt tensoner/2x Vee belts and some anti freeze..

My 1st call was to Repco $155 for the Waterpump and Cambelt only...(Im guessing all the parts from this company would have been $300plus)
My 2nd call was to Segadens $65 for Waterpump and Cambelt (Im guessing all the parts from this company would have been $150max)...NOT BAD AYE !!!!!
Then someone else makes a call and finds a Cambelt/Waterpump/Cambelt Tentioner/2x Vee belts and some Anti freeze for a Grand total of $127.....Wowers THAT MAKE REPCO a MASSIVE RIP OFF ! ! ! !

Later the next day the old Cambelt was removed.....When all belts were removed they were inspected for wear and tear...Then we noticed that the Cambelt had Japanese markings on it...(It look like it was the origanal Cambelt) But hang on it was replaced but at 90kms...OR WAS IT ? ?
We also noticed that the Cambelt tentioner had Made in Japan marks on it to....Looks like that part may have been on since new as well....

Anyway the job is now complete and the old parts are kepted for proof that they have been replaced....

Part two....

Now im at work today and the ER6N needs its 18km service.....And after this weekends events finding the hugley different prices for Car parts and the fact the prevoius Cambelt work that was paid to be replaced WAS NEVER DONE....I am being very carefull NOT TO GET RIPPED OFF

So I ring the shop and ask for time to be done..

They say Wednesday is fine.....And I ask HOW MUCH ? ?

There reply is $240....Im thinking here we fcking goooo again.... ! ! !

So whats included in the $240 I ask...He replies Oil/Filter and 2hrs labour..

WTF Kawasakis service book says the Oil/Filter dosn't need to be done at 18kms...And infact according to the service manual there are just the Fluids to be checked at 18kms.....So again I ask where dose that $240 come from? ?

I know times are tuff , But if shops are that hard up to make money maybe they should sell more bike and stop trying to rip us/me off for servicing..

So let me highlight the rip offs....

1, Repco's Prices.
2, The prevoius Cambelt replacment that was paid for and by the looks of it never done ! !
3, The bike shop wanting $240 for the 18km service on a Fckin 650cc twin...

Very Very angry Crazy Steve...

Yes I know I can't spell or write propely either, The good lord did not bless me with good looks, nor did he even bless me with a Fully functional brain....

Crazy Steve..

[Edbear]

Interesting post!

For any servicing there are only two garages I trust and would recommend. One is my Bro-in-LAw in Wellsford - Quik Auto Services, and the other is a KB'r, Tim, (Classic Z), at Hibiscus Coast Service Centre in Whangaparaoa.

Bikes or cars, I know I'll be charged a fair price and the work will be done once and done right.

[Mom]

Anyways, I ended up asking a Very Nice Kiwi Biker if he would help me to replace the Cambelt...Which he agreed to do...(I should also mention this Kb member is a very very skilled rider and a very Good looking man...) Thanks again......:laugh:


Greaser :laugh:

There are probably more rip offs that happen everyday that you could ever document. We, generally speaking, are non complainers mate, we take it and we get done. I have a slightly different outlook on these things after our recent dealings with GE Money. Speak out, loud and clear is my advice. Shop around seems to be good advice also.

Gee, lucky that cam belt held together for you :yes:

[Dragon]

I'm still iffy about the last service I did on my car the guy did however use the oil I wanted used however there where some things I noticed that where on the list that wasn't done but he did clean my engine bay which wasn't.

I guess its just finding somewhere that you trust in the end. Also I am a loyal person if one place goes the extra mile for me or treats me well I go back.

However if they screw with me I badmouth them to everyone and give them a peice of my mind.

[Jeaves]

They may have used genuine parts which would have japanese/ made in japan over them.

[Taz]

Use an Emgo filter and re-refined oil on the 650. It'll be heaps cheaper.

[pete376403]

When I worked in the trade way back in the 70s it was s.o.p to put any removed parts in the boot of the car for the customer to see. The only exception to this was when the part was replaced under warranty, and had to go back to Todd Motors. (But of course then the customer wasn't paying for the part)
If you have any doubts, when you collect the vehicle, ask to see the parts that were replaced. You paid for them, you own them.
There is (should be) a factory "flat rate manual", that lists the allowable time for just about every imaginable job - this is the time the factory will pay for a warranty repair.
s for Repco and other suppliers - no one makes you pay their prices. Ring around. However what you are paying for is the convenience of being able to go there on a Sunday afternoon when the wholesalers are closed. A bit of advance planning can save you a lot.

[Mully]

Our cage mechanic always keeps our parts which he changes. Oil changes, etc, I do, so I know they are done.

[merv]

What on earth is a service if they don't do oil and filter? Sounds like Kawasaki are pulling your tit having such a service listed in the book, it makes it sound more like paying to do the sort of checks you should be doing yourself. What else really needs doing between oil changes?

[JATZ]

R.E.P.C.O.

rip every poor cunt off

but I still buy stuff there 'cause it's handy on a sunday afternoon when every body else is shut and with the work discount it's not too bad pricewise

[Brett]

Part one..

How many times are Kiwi's ripped off everyday ? ?

So I was wondering on the way home from work today how many times Kiwi's are ripped off ? ?

It all started this weekend just gone, The missus had been complaining and complaining to me about getting the Cambelt replaced on the Car now done 200kms and the prevoius Cambelt was replaced at 90kms in Hamilton New Zealand...

I was reluctent to take it to the shop...Reasons will be mentioned later..

Anyways, I ended up asking a Very Nice Kiwi Biker if he would help me to replace the Cambelt...Which he agreed to do...(I should also mention this Kb member is a very very skilled rider and a very Good looking man...) Thanks again......:laugh:

So I needed parts, Ie Cambelt/Waterpump/Cambelt tensoner/2x Vee belts and some anti freeze..

My 1st call was to Repco $155 for the Waterpump and Cambelt only...(Im guessing all the parts from this company would have been $300plus)
My 2nd call was to Segadens $65 for Waterpump and Cambelt (Im guessing all the parts from this company would have been $150max)...NOT BAD AYE !!!!!
Then someone else makes a call and finds a Cambelt/Waterpump/Cambelt Tentioner/2x Vee belts and some Anti freeze for a Grand total of $127.....Wowers THAT MAKE REPCO a MASSIVE RIP OFF ! ! ! !

Later the next day the old Cambelt was removed.....When all belts were removed they were inspected for wear and tear...Then we noticed that the Cambelt had Japanese markings on it...(It look like it was the origanal Cambelt) But hang on it was replaced but at 90kms...OR WAS IT ? ?
We also noticed that the Cambelt tentioner had Made in Japan marks on it to....Looks like that part may have been on since new as well....

Anyway the job is now complete and the old parts are kepted for proof that they have been replaced....

Part two....

Now im at work today and the ER6N needs its 18km service.....And after this weekends events finding the hugley different prices for Car parts and the fact the prevoius Cambelt work that was paid to be replaced WAS NEVER DONE....I am being very carefull NOT TO GET RIPPED OFF

So I ring the shop and ask for time to be done..

They say Wednesday is fine.....And I ask HOW MUCH ? ?

There reply is $240....Im thinking here we fcking goooo again.... ! ! !

So whats included in the $240 I ask...He replies Oil/Filter and 2hrs labour..

WTF Kawasakis service book says the Oil/Filter dosn't need to be done at 18kms...And infact according to the service manual there are just the Fluids to be checked at 18kms.....So again I ask where dose that $240 come from? ?

I know times are tuff , But if shops are that hard up to make money maybe they should sell more bike and stop trying to rip us/me off for servicing..

So let me highlight the rip offs....

1, Repco's Prices.
2, The prevoius Cambelt replacment that was paid for and by the looks of it never done ! !
3, The bike shop wanting $240 for the 18km service on a Fckin 650cc twin...

Very Very angry Crazy Steve...

Yes I know I can't spell or write propely either, The good lord did not bless me with good looks, nor did he even bless me with a Fully functional brain....

Crazy Steve..

Yeah, they automotive scene in general runs on very high labor rates and a high margin on parts. Some of the stuff at Repco works on about a 900% margin. Then again, Dick Smith Eletronics works the same way......

Was nice to see you on Saturday at the airshow Steve.

[Brian d marge]

anyone who uses txt mail.... that is pure profit to the carrier ...... according to Stuff.co.nz

Stephen

[Beemer]

Yup, bought a second-hand Mitsubishi from Mexted Motors in Tawa and took it there for its first service as it was still under the original warranty. As I pulled into their car park a bird crapped right in the middle of the windscreen so I left it there, assuming they would clean it off (cars have always been handed over cleaned outside from other dealers). They gave me a courtesy car but the fuel light came on 200m down the road. When I collected our car the bird shit was still there and yet on the service record of what they did they say they had checked the operation of the windscreen wipers and wiper fluid pump. How? If they had, the bird shit would have at least been smeared, if not removed.

They also claimed they had changed the air filter but my husband checked and said it had not been changed. It certainly made us wary of what else they said they had changed or checked and we have NEVER taken the car there again.

Mind you, had the cam belt replaced by the Mitsubishi dealer in Palmerston North and six months later the car died. The auto electrician said something had come loose and there was a problem with the cam belt (can't recall the exact details) so my husband rang the dealer to ask about what could have caused this. He was told it would have definitely happened when the cam belt was changed and that obviously whoever did it had not done it properly. When he said they had done it the guy immediately changed his tune and said if there had been a problem it would have occurred within the first month so it wasn't their fault six months later. Suffice to say, the car won't be going back there again either.

[MarkH]

They may have used genuine parts which would have japanese/ made in japan over them.

That was what I was thinking. If not then 200K on the original was pretty damn good!

[FROSTY]

For the record. Factory cambelts often have jap wrighting on em.
Also depending on what was asked for first time they might have done as requested and replaced the BELT

[Crazy Steve]

Honestly $240 for an 18km service ? ?

They are fcking kidding right...

Please someone look at the ER6N Periodic Maintenance attachment and tell me what they think it should cost....

Im guessing $100 including GST MAX ! !

Crazy Steve..

[Crazy Steve]

Greaser :laugh:

There are probably more rip offs that happen everyday that you could ever document. We, generally speaking, are non complainers mate, we take it and we get done. I have a slightly different outlook on these things after our recent dealings with GE Money. Speak out, loud and clear is my advice. Shop around seems to be good advice also.

Gee, lucky that cam belt held together for you :yes:

We were both Fery lucky...

Crazy Steve.

[Crazy Steve]

They may have used genuine parts which would have japanese/ made in japan over them.

Problem with that is Kiwis don't read Japanese....So how do we know what it says or fits ? ?

Crazy Steve...

[Crazy Steve]

Use an Emgo filter and re-refined oil on the 650. It'll be heaps cheaper.

Thanks for that...

Crazy Steve..

[Crazy Steve]

What on earth is a service if they don't do oil and filter? Sounds like Kawasaki are pulling your tit having such a service listed in the book, it makes it sound more like paying to do the sort of checks you should be doing yourself. What else really needs doing between oil changes?

Have a look at the attachment Merv..

[Crazy Steve]

Yeah, they automotive scene in general runs on very high labor rates and a high margin on parts. Some of the stuff at Repco works on about a 900% margin. Then again, Dick Smith Eletronics works the same way......

Was nice to see you on Saturday at the airshow Steve.

I hear ya Brett, and it good seeing you tooooooooooooo :laugh:

Crazy Steve:laugh:

[piston broke]

i thought you had sold the er6n,
or is this a newer model?

[Jeaves]

Problem with that is Kiwis don't read Japanese....So how do we know what it says or fits ? ?

Crazy Steve...

What it says? Prob something like do not crimp / face this way out etc

What it fits is subject to the part # on it. ie MD322641 or 195YU32 or both.

[Disco Dan]

Repco are notoriously expensive.

Slave drum brake cylinder for my cage:

Repco - $45
Specialist mini mechanic - $25

Air filter:

Repco - $30
Specialist mini mechanic - $20

That is the lowest price he can do as he buys them from the uk and has to add a bit to cover freight!

Considering Repco buys in bulk and this guy only brings in half a dozen units each time..... BIG RIP OFF.

[MarkH]

Please someone look at the ER6N Periodic Maintenance attachment and tell me what they think it should cost....

Honestly - I can't see anything at 18,000 kms that warrents taking the bike into a shop. I would take a quick gander at the brake lines, no signs of leaks and I would wait 6,000 kms more then take it in.

[merv]

Have a look at the attachment Merv..

Yeah looks like a bit of a dopey schedule really to have some of those things checked on the in-between kms and basically it only seems to be inspection of brake related bits. Enough to make you go crazy Steve. I'd say do those ones yourself or have them checked at WOF time to save being ripped off, or are they demanding it be done for warranty purposes? Those seven things they should be able to check with you just riding by and dropping in for 5 mins, which surely they should be able to do for free as they are nothing but "inspect" items.

[awayatc]

Re rippoff's....
i buy quite often little "projects'....and wonder about the honesty off some mechanics..
Few years ago bought a Saab from a schoolteacher.
Car had never missed a service since new (all documented),
but "The Mechanic" had said it needed a new headgasket...and quoted $2500 for the job.
Guy however decided to sell the Saab instead.
I bought it for $600 and found it only needed a $53rockercovergasket ....
I did notify the old owner that there was nothing wrong with the headgasket, just with his workshop.
50.000 kms later Saab still going strong....
Mechanic misjudged how much he could squeeze out of this particular owner..
Can tell you at least a couple a dozen more similar horor stories....

[gammaguy]

Use an Emgo filter and re-refined oil on the 650. It'll be heaps cheaper.

no problem with the emgo filter,but re refined oil??a semi synthetic as i use in my workshop is $12/litre.thats a dam sight cheaper than a new engine....

[Forest]

I took a Lexus LS430 in to the dealer yesterday to get the gas struts replaced in the boot lid.

Since it was going in to the official service agent, I asked them how much it would cost to repair a broken plastic catch that normally holds the map pocket closed on the driver's door.

The price to repair the broken 50 cent plastic catch? Only $8,500 plus labour.

Seems that the only way to fix the catch is to replace the entire door! Great.

Fortunately a 10 cent bolt does a more than adequate job at holding it closed...

[Taz]

no problem with the emgo filter,but re refined oil??a semi synthetic as i use in my workshop is $12/litre.thats a dam sight cheaper than a new engine....


Ah but the re refined car oil will be cheaper surely?? <_<

[Brian d marge]

Problem with that is Kiwis don't read Japanese....So how do we know what it says or fits ? ?

Crazy Steve...

I can ..and I piss myself laughing when read on a part , " for the New Zealand Market only "

made by Brazilian, in Japan , for NZ ...hheehhe

Stephen :calm: