Good/Bad experiences with AMPS

**Riff Raff** · 9th January 2006, 11:21

I had really good service from the parts department there. Have been in a few times browsing and the staff were all really friendly.

**Ixion** · 9th January 2006, 11:58

Had nothing to do with them since they've been AMPS. No reason, just never gotten there. But back when they were Auckland Motorcycles I dealt with them a bit. Never any probs, but that was a good few years back I guess (I hope it was them that Auckland MC turned into, otherwise, I'm a prat)

Any shop can have a bad day, I guess.

**Waylander** · 9th January 2006, 12:14

My only beef with them was they didn't hire me, despite being told by the guy interviewing me that I was more qualified than any of the other applicants at the time.

**onearmedbandit** · 9th January 2006, 12:24

Originally Posted by Ixion

Any shop can have a bad day, I guess.

Exactly. No-one goes into business to be successful by providing poor service. I run a car yard, we are the worst of the worst apparently (not us, car yards in general!) yet our intention is not to provide bad service or rip people off. We sell to sell again (we get a lot of referrals) and go above what's required as far as after sales service goes. Unless the customer is a complete asshole, in which case they get the bare minimum, even so more often than not we go a bit further to get to the root of their problem and see if we can sort it out. It is worth it to us to spend $200 or whatever to sort even the most arrogant fuckwit out as it usually brings them back to earth and they leave happy.

Having never dealt with AMPS I can not give an opinion on them, but I'm almost 100% certain what I said above rings true for them as well. But we are all only human, prone to suffering from brain fade, exhaustion, and emotions so just don't always expect us to be perfect.

**terbang** · 9th January 2006, 12:35

Never been there but I have heard friends complaining about the staff especially in sales.Thats all..

**Motu** · 9th January 2006, 13:27

Originally Posted by Ixion

(I hope it was them that Auckland MC turned into, otherwise, I'm a prat)

Any shop can have a bad day, I guess.

No,Ray is the Pratt,Universal Motorcycles was his Company and they combined with Shafts...a funny marriage.I think Ray would be held in higher esteme by his longtime customers than the owners of every other motorcycle business in the country combined.I've been dealing with him since he first started in the basement in Stoddard rd,and he was on the scene long before that,he's done the hard yards and stuck to looking after his customer base.

Shafts on the other hand was started by a couple of car sharks and they were never to be trusted,many a shady deal done in the early days....I know.They had a gormless apprentice who walked around all day with his mouth open....ended up quite a good rider.

Auckland Motorcycles ended up in the hands of John and Caroline Gurney,and John had to finaly fold it in the late 80s.

**vifferman** · 9th January 2006, 13:58

I switched to buying Honda parts through AMPS rather than "that other outfit" and I've been very pleased with their service. Haven't bought anything from Lou yet, but he's been very helpful, and I would've bought a suit but the accountant vetoed the purchase.
Bikes? I've been in several times and browsed the bikes, and the salesman have always left me alone. I'm not sure whether that's a good thing or not; I hate people leaping out at me, but on the other hand I was hoping they'd offer me a demo ride, as that's why I went in. Can't blame them, as I didn't approach them and say, "I'm very interested in the Sprint ST - howsaboutaride?"
Overall, I like going to AMPS, I'll keep going there, and I'd consider buying my next bike there if they had what I was interested in.

**Yokai** · 9th January 2006, 15:26

I like AMPS - they've treated me very well and I don't spend much unfortunately... don't have the money to spend. Lou knows that I will get my Bonne and then my Thruxton from him... Unless something happens to stop that happening in the next 2 years or so....

Heh

**Lou Girardin** · 9th January 2006, 16:26

Thanks all. I know we're not perfect. But we try to be. As Cibby said, sometimes we don't get it right.
If someone has a legitimate gripe they should take it up with the owner.
At least he works here and isn't some faceless entity as you get with car franchises.

**WINJA** · 9th January 2006, 16:31

i only dealt with steve elgar who might be one of the most honest straight up guys in the industry , good rider too , and mark w who honoured a huge warranty for me , this was a long time ago , im happy to go back , we may all have different experiences with bike shops but i put a lot of weight on how they handle things when it all goes wrong and theyd get an a+

**Gremlin** · 9th January 2006, 17:47

I ain't got the money to deal with sales or parts, so from my point of view, Lou is AMPS, and it ain't a bad view at all. Even let the boss (I think) know on BD's request, much to the puzzlement of Lou the next day I believe

Lou is awesome, plenty of help, advice, bought a few bits and bobs from them, and Lou was a massive help... dunno how to say it really, just nice to have someone with the access and knowledge on your side, not the dollar side.

**geoffm** · 9th January 2006, 18:50

AMPS supplied the battery for the Beamer (same as some Guzzi) for $30 less than Motomail (and $20 less than Red Baron)- and had it in stock. They don't sell Beamer Bits (and they are cheaper from germany anyway) so haven't got much else from them, and I can't afford any new toys. No problems otherwise
Geoff