1st Service

[flyingscotsman]

What's the deal with the cost of your new pride & joy's 1st service.It used to be free not so long ago. My mate bought a bike (ex demonstrator Honda VTR 250) from a local dealer. He reckons he was told when he bought it that the 1st service was free. 1000kms later and he books it in. When he went back to collect the bike after the service the workshop guy said that the parts are free but the workshop time is chargeable. (or was it the other way around??)A bit miffed he went to pay but got charged the whole parts and labour cost. After a bit of argy bargy he paid the lot and went home pissed off and vowing never to deal with them again. Sounds pretty dodgy however I believe that somewhere in your new bike warranty fine print it says you've got to have the bike serviced by the dealer or some other "reputable business" to maintain the validity of your new bike warranty. Sounds like they've got us by the short & curlies. Anyone else had similar experience ?

[cowpoos]

i've never heard of a free first service on a bike....but....was it writen down?

[deathstar]

yeah sounds slightly odd i never trust anything unless it's down in writing

[Firefight]

used to be common for the first service to be free, But have to say that the last few Hondas I bought, only the filter and oil was free, had to pay for labour.

Now days when you buy a new bike, its up to you to haggle for anything free, but get it written down.

F/F

[Biff]

My Hondas have always had a free first service. But I'm sure I had to pay for oil n filters - while Honda picked up the labour costs.

[Flyingpony]

Strange ... Back in 2001, each service was free for my bike while under warranty. Only thing I had to pay for were extra's I asked for.
Now I try to DIY as much as possible.

[SimJen]

Don't deal with them again. Ideally he should have checked with them at the time of booking in to avoid dissapointment.
Just service it yourself

[Lou Girardin]

I've just paid to have my bike serviced for the first time in many years - it hurt.

[Aiolos]

I've just paid to have my bike serviced for the first time in many years - it hurt.

Was that for the McDonnell Douglas or the Messerschmitt?

[boomer]

yup had to pay for my first service, i tried to haggle at the time of buying her, but no go.

And the 2nd service is due too..

[Swoop]

"A verbal agreement isn't worth the paper it's written on..."

[Lou Girardin]

Was that for the McDonnell Douglas or the Messerschmitt?

The yada yada.

[Fatjim]

What's the deal with the cost of your new pride & joy's 1st service.It used to be free not so long ago. My mate bought a bike (ex demonstrator Honda VTR 250) from a local dealer. He reckons he was told when he bought it that the 1st service was free. 1000kms later and he books it in. When he went back to collect the bike after the service the workshop guy said that the parts are free but the workshop time is chargeable. (or was it the other way around??)A bit miffed he went to pay but got charged the whole parts and labour cost. After a bit of argy bargy he paid the lot and went home pissed off and vowing never to deal with them again. Sounds pretty dodgy however I believe that somewhere in your new bike warranty fine print it says you've got to have the bike serviced by the dealer or some other "reputable business" to maintain the validity of your new bike warranty. Sounds like they've got us by the short & curlies. Anyone else had similar experience ?

Look in the service book. It was written in mine that the labour is free on the first service. When I bought the VTR they tried to chage me for the labour, smucks, and they're the local DEALER, and they didn't know this. No wonder your pissed off.

If your service book says above, go back and talk to the manager and let him know. Whats the point in being a dealer if they know squat.

[White trash]

It's funny the difference between what the customer is "told" and what they "hear". I had a number of customers tell the service desk theyheard me tell them the 1st service on their bike was free when it never has been for Suzukis or Harleys or Triumphs.

One old guy with a new GN just smiled when I put him straight and said, "Well maybe that's not what you said, but that's what I heard."