My dealings with Mt Eden Motorcycles! (Not all pleasant!)

**The Joka** · 17th January 2007, 20:06

Finally deciding to sit my learners licence and paying cash for my first bike ever I cruise down to Mt Eden Motorcycles on recommendation from several people and walk out purchasing the BRAND SPANKING NEW Hyosung GT250R that they had in the store.. with 0kms on the clock! Being so proud that I put the 1st kilometre on it…

Being the type of person I am I quickly became a loyal customer of MT Eden Motorcycles and used them exclusively for all my servicing needs. Receiving great service on my 1000km service and my 5000km service I was quite happy with everything and winding the kms over quickly (currently 16,000km after 7mnths).

I had finally plucked up the courage to do a long run to the coromandle by myself (this was after roughly 2 months of riding), feeling like a mouse that could be run over easily I super cautiously proceeded to take the main highways from Auckland to Whiritoa. I arrived in good shape and a damn more confident but worried as the clutch lever was slowly getting further and further out as the kilometres passed by! Upon inspection I found that it stripped the cable just about completely and was holding by one thread! Luckily, I managed to get the bike back to Auckland using the clutch as little as possible and absolutely pooping myself all the way. Returning to Mt Eden Motorcycles who then proceeded to let me know that the clutch was possibly not covered by my warrantee.. WHAT! Credit where credit is due they did fix this for me on warrantee and they did it the same day!

Again back on my pride and joy and a couple of services later again all provided by Mt Eden Motorcycles I decided that the oil was a little low and tried to put some in, well another drama with this (see my previous posts). Again credit where credit is due… Mt Eden replaced this on the spot no charge! They also replaced some screws that had fallen out no charge .. Thanks Sunny you have been awesome!

So on my merry way I go! NOW THIS IS WHERE THE WHEELS FELL OFF SO TO SPEAK…

Approximately 2 months ago Auckland had some huge storms… winds of approximately 150km p/hr and in my miss fortune, I returned to my bike to find it on its side with some bad damage. On a quick inspection it had snapped handle bars, scratched fairing, levers, foot pegs and wing mirrors. So I make my claim with State insurance.. Asking for the bike to be taken to Mt Eden Motorcycles for the repairs and I make them aware that the bike will arrive to their workshop, a choice that I would soon come to regret!

So the bike arrives to them 3 days later due to the weekend. I figured that someone would take charge and sort out the work on the bike and let me know the progress, 2 weeks later when I hadn’t received a call from them I rang and asked if I could come and pick it up! Answer: “We have been waiting for the insurance company to assess the bike” so TWO WEEKS later the repairs haven’t even started… WHAT!

I chase this along and get the insurance company to call the repairer.. and WOW they get the claim number and approval for the repairs – a whole 30 second call later!

So again I leave the repairs in the hands of Mt Eden Motorcycles who had been good until now.. again not receiving any contact at all in any form, I again call and ask when I can pick up the bike… Answer: “We are waiting on the parts” so now 3 weeks later still no action and the repairs still haven’t started!

4 Weeks later the repairs are finally done and I am back on my pride and joy! Woo hoo… NOT!

The exhaust was not de-baffled as it was previously so my nice rumble had now changed to a sound likened to a constipated fart! The clutch cable had more of a wobble then the “Vicar of Dibbly” (forgive spelling) and there is oil leaking form the top of the engine!

So I ring the assessor and advise that the repairs are not to an acceptable standard and that only the cosmetics had been done. I informed him that I would be returning the bike also advising Mt Eden Motorcycles.. Returning the bike two weeks before Christmas I thought I would have plenty of time for the repairs to take place… WRONG AGAIN!

I again rang Mt Eden on the subsequent Friday to see if the repairs had been done and the bike ready to be picked up. Answer “Yes your service has been done and we put some brake pads in for you as they were getting low” I am now losing my temper and it is one week to Christmasm I ask “that’s great what about the repairs that I asked for?” Answer: “What was that?” Now furious I get possibly the only person that I could get any sense out of thank god for Chris in the workshop… He now takes ownership for my repairs!

HOWEVER the repairs were not completed until the Friday after New Years day! So this is approximately 8 weeks later, bearing in mind that I have never received one call.. that’s right not one call! I had to call every time… I am finally getting my baby back in good working order… and with a whole three days to go riding, Right? WRONG!

Not only did Mt Eden try to charge me for the service that didn't ask for but my bike is still in poor condition! WHAT TO DO, WHAT TO DO??? Maybe I just sell it?

I have since taken my bike to East City Motorcycles to double check the work as I said above I still had issues and have had to spend $300 to $400 to repair the faults.. Including carburettors that were clogged (umm thought you serviced it?), the fairings not being repaired correctly and oil being left on the inside (infact still with a part of the fairing broken completely off) and several other problems! State expect another call...

THANK YOU TO EAST CITY MOTORCYCLES in one night you have out performed a long standing service provider! And I have been absolutely stoked with your service (see my previous post) simple customer service and a Mechanic that knows what he is doing have restored my faith… You now have a loyal customer! And I get my bike back tomorrow... WOO HOO CORO LOOP HERE I COME, Have taken the day off!

This is my account of the events and welcome any challenge to this!

**SixPackBack** · 17th January 2007, 20:14

You got shares in East Coast M/C right?

**Steam** · 17th January 2007, 20:17

I think you are a clever marketing ploy. Yes I do.
That's okay though, it was an interesting read.
THanks!

**Motu** · 17th January 2007, 20:18

Don't worry - in a few months I'm sure there will be a thread or two about what a bunch of fucking arseholes East City motorcycles are.

**The Joka** · 17th January 2007, 20:18

Originally Posted by SixPackBack

You got shares in East Coast M/C right?

Nope just giving credit where credit is due!!!

Only been riding for 7 months don't know enough to buy shares in a bike store... but a recruitment company hell yes!

**BarBender** · 17th January 2007, 20:22

**SixPackBack** · 17th January 2007, 20:26

Originally Posted by Motu

Don't worry - in a few months I'm sure there will be a thread or two about what a bunch of fucking arseholes East City motorcycles are.

Thats the truth

**justsomeguy** · 17th January 2007, 20:29

Dealt with them many, many times before. Awesome bunch of guys.

They didn't get to be one of the best reputations in Auckland by fluke.

Mike and Chris run a very good shop - I'm surprised if this was their fault at all.

Insurance companies move very, very slowly and take as long as possible to pay out. Also Mt Edens sometimes get fully booked for a couple of weeks straight, they may not have had time to start work on your bike.

Next time, and I strongly recommend you give them a second chance - deal with only Mike and Chris straight - they make the final decisions. Not that any of the others are bad blokes, 'cept Selby - but he's just mad.

**Motoracer** · 17th January 2007, 20:39

I always liked Mike and Chris.

Had some bad experiences with the workshop years ago in numerous occasions. Then bought a Suzuki. Went to Colemans and never looked back since. I feel kinda bad for never going back, cause Mike really looked after me when I was a n00b. Top bloke that man!

Don't know what the workshop is like ATM so can't comment.

However, about your needed repairs.

1 - Are you aware that the clutch cable needs a bit of flex in it, otherwise they snap?
2 - Did you ask them to debaffle the muffler before hand. Doesn't sound like something that should be in their job unless asked for.

**DMNTD:Me** · 17th January 2007, 20:42

Originally Posted by justsomeguy

Mike and Chris run a very good shop - I'm surprised if this was their fault at all.

Could tell you a story that shows otherwise man.
I chose their shop as it had such a great rep. Once money was received things changed. They made a balls up and they even admitted fault but have yet to make good with reparations despite a number of emails/phone calls etc.
Hey shit happens and I've learnt my lesson but everyone has a story about pretty much every bike shop and how they've been mistreated or shoddy work etc BUT it still doesn't make it ok for them to get away with it does it?

**enigma51** · 17th January 2007, 20:47

The only shop I will not even walk into in Auckland is red baron
I have never used Mt eden (service etc) but they where very helpfull when i was searching for a new machine.

I am a colemans fan (only cause of the gsxr) but even with colemans I have not always had the best customer experience but there is one guy there called Dan and as long as he is there colemans will score high on my board

**Dodgyiti** · 17th January 2007, 20:51

I never use the w/shop D.I.Y for me but, Mike treats me really well ( maybe because I have spent 50+K in the last 3 years there though) and has gone above and beyond the call of aftersales service.

**The_Dover** · 17th January 2007, 20:53

I'm not one to mince my words so I'll be honest here.

I've always liked Mike and his team at Mt Eden, there's been some characters over the years I've been sticking my head in there but what sticks out like a dogs balls to me, compared to ALL other bike shops in Auckland, is that these guys are bollocks out bike nuts. Just like you and me. Mike is a businessman, a bit of a tight cunt if you ask me too, you'd think he had Scottish blood not oirish but he has always been a good cunt too. Hell, he knows that he can make money so he's not gonna give shit away and I respect that. I always try and haggle if I can and Mike is a good foe in that respect. He puts his stick in the sand. Their passion for bikes sets them apart from all the other salesmen and wage earners. Yeah I know all those guys ride too but it's not their life or passion like these guys.

Workshop, pass. I got a Hyoschlong service in there but that was about it. Unremarkable but probably more due to my lack of interest. It goes??? Sweet.

I have no outright loyalty to any shop (except Motostyle) but I always, always take the time to see what Mt Eden can do for me. They are good guys and a pleasure to deal with compared to the sterile stealerships out there. Their informality sets them apart. And Mike always lets me bum a Marlboro of him.

**Hellraiser** · 17th January 2007, 20:54

Good read Joka but unfortunantly most here think the sun shines of Mt Eden's arse but yet if you do a search you will find that there are a few bad threads about them when it comes to insurance work.

Each to their own.