Mt Eden Motorcycles - Not going there again

[Crasherfromwayback]

Indeed, "So many" is perhaps a poor choice of words, But quite possibly an effective choice of words. Exaggeration works wonders when making a point.

I'll revise it to "A few"

That's the story! We in sales are never allowed to exaggerate.

[kwaka_crasher]

I know of quite a number of car shops that have a flat rate charge for 'oil change and service'. Same $$ no matter what car. They go a bit over on some, amke it up on others.

There are also quite a few bikes that I would want more than an hour and a half to do an oil change. Some require fairing removal, some even require the headers to be removed. I also suspect that the 'oil change' is 'oil change and service' , which covers a few other (admittedly minor) points. Go over on some, recover on others.

Yeah, that's essentially what I was going to say when I brought up the Flat Rates Manual. Back in the day, it was what we used, although only usually on things we didn't do day in and day out, like oil changes.

Midas, Pitstop & those other shitbox franchises make a living largely from people's fear of the unknown with their menu system for various services.

If the public just fucking well asked what the cost was going to be first though, much of the problems of invoice tampering would be avoided. But they don't - they just leave it with the mechanic and pray!

[kwaka_crasher]

Here's three: usually a motorbike has the crank, gearbox and clutch in the same oil, so it picks up a lot more crap than a car does.
motorbikes stress their oil more because typically they have a higher rev limit, higher horsepowers per litre, and less oil volume to absorb those loads

You forgot the combined engine/gearbox too which puts a lot of stress on the oil, particularly it's anti-foaming properties.

[Bikemad]

I've been thinking on this whole "give the dealer a chance to put things right" scenario for a while. I have come to the conclusion that the time for them to show themselves at their best is as the customer is contemplating doing business with them. The time for actually doing their best is when they are providing the service for which they have been contracted to provide. That is their opportunity to get it right. If they intend on just practicing, then they should do it for amateur $$. If they are charging top dollar then they need to provide top service.
I remember some business (can't remember who) used to advertise that "It's the putting right that counts". I always thought that was the most ridiculous slogan - I'd rather deal with someone that gets it right the first time.
The OP paid his money, settled his account and is now perfectly free to voice his opinion of the deal done. If the business doesn't like it, they can contact him, or sort their act out.

yep you got it in one smiffffy............hows the saying go.......Quality endures long after the price is forgotten..........and as a tradesman you are only as good as your last job

[Jonno.]

I find it of even more interest that so many in the industry blame the customers for problems within the industry

Who from the industry is doing that here regarding this sort of stuff?

You for one.

[caseye]

OK so where is Mt Eden MC's in all of this, we haven't seen em and by now I'm sure they know about this thread.
I'll say I've had nothing but good?great dealings with Mt Eden MC's, parts and sourcing wise only, haven't had any work done there, but their counter staff were bloody brilliant.
We all have had bad experiences somewhere, we didn't always have the ready acess to the interwobble and the ability to simply post away with out wondering where it might end up.
I'd have asked to see the manager and asked for a comprehensive break down of the acount to accompany the in person by the attending mechanic report on the bikes problems and his remedies.
Come on Mt Eden MC's lets be having your side to this little episode.
Stop leaving ol Robert out there in the cold defending the seemingly indefensible.

[Crasherfromwayback]

You for one.

Show me one single example of anywhere I blame customers for these such issues?

[sidecar bob]

Show me one single example of anywhere I blame customers for these such issues?

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!!

[Crasherfromwayback]

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 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.

No way. Without customers I'd be broke and looking for work! There's always gonna be mistakes, fuckups...misunderstandings...whatever you wanna call them. You can only ever do your best. Sometimes that's simply not enough.

[DMNTD:Me]

OK so where is Mt Eden MC's in all of this, we haven't seen em and by now I'm sure they know about this thread.

Yep...I saw this thread yesterday mate.

I have already spoken to the person 'concerned' and heard the 'other side'.
It really is something between the customer and the workshop manager, who freely admits he made a mistake and who also remedied the mistake on the spot.
For what it's worth, he's apologetic.

In my PERSONAL opinion....when I have an issue with someone or something, I use the set of balls I was born with to 'sort it out' on the spot instead of coming online and bitching.

[kwaka_crasher]

It really is something between the customer and the workshop manager, who freely admits he made a mistake and who also remedied the mistake on the spot.

Fair enough on the oil filter.

Any comment on the 1½ hours to change the oil that some people posting in here other than the OP don't much like the sound of. Is that a standard charge from a flat rates manual or just what they think they can extort the gullible for or perhaps something else entirely that hasn't been considered?

[Quasievil]

in my personal opinion....when i have an issue with someone or something, i use the set of balls i was born with to 'sort it out' on the spot instead of coming online and bitching.

fuck yeah brutha !!!

[DMNTD:Me]

Any comment on the 1½ hours to change the oil that some people posting in here other than the OP don't much like the sound of. Is that a standard charge from a flat rates manual or just what they think they can extort the gullible for or perhaps something else entirely that hasn't been considered?

No comment at this stage as I'm one of the big mouth buggers up stairs too busy catering to those that would like to buy bikes and gear.
I am, however, more than happy to find out plus I will also do some of my own research...

[kwaka_crasher]

fuck yeah brutha !!!

To be honest, to me, that reeks of "we've been caught out trying it on and want the chance to hush it up so the next victim... umm customer isn't forewarned".

But that's just my opinion.

[sidecar bob]

No way. Without customers I'd be broke and looking for work! There's always gonna be mistakes, fuckups...misunderstandings...whatever you wanna call them. You can only ever do your best. Sometimes that's simply not enough.

I have three requirments of my clients which i started enforcing a number of years ago. 1) A reasonable personality, which means, no drugs, no anger no gang connections & no being a wanker basically.
2) a reasonable vehicle that is worth repairing, that they want repaired. (if they fail a W.O.F on a tyre & want to bleat about it the may as well fuck off now)
3) Reasonable means of payment, which may include an account that they keep up to date.
If one or more of those things is apparently missing i actively & politely encourage the prospective punter to fuck off.
As a result, my working day is far more plesant.
I would suggest its not a bad idea for bike shops to consider a similar policy.