Haldane's, Auckland - any comments?

[Henk]

Was in there about 4 months ago and the large sales chap tried telling me that they were discontinuing the SV650 for the 08 model year so if I wanted the one they had on the shop floor I'd better be in quick. When I asked him if he was sure as I had been told by another AK bike shop that the 1000 was going to end but the 650 was to carry on he replied in the affirmative so I walked out and didn't go back, don't like being lied to.

[McJim]

Any salesperson who asks 'why' you want to put an aftermarket exhaust on a bike .

... and have also have the why do you want to change the exaust talk....

I've heard stock Ducati pipes...my question is "Why WOULDN'T you change the pipes?"

But really weird how some people have had such mixed reports from the same shop. there are Auckland bike shops I just won't go to coz of poor service, overpricing etc. And the ones I don't like are the ones that the KB connoscienti think are the bees knees. Odd.

[rustycharm]

I've heard stock Ducati pipes...my question is "Why WOULDN'T you change the pipes?"

McJim - you 're a bit of a Duc aficionado - whats the verdict on coring the standard can vs shelling out heaps for a system?

[McJim]

McJim - you 're a bit of a Duc aficionado - whats the verdict on coring the standard can vs shelling out heaps for a system?

My opinion (in light of possible legislation) is instead of debaffling and rebaffling you're probably better to get aftermarket cans and keep the old ones for WOF purposes.

I've got the stock can but with aftermarket innards but then I can't actually afford an aftermarket can. I would probably fit a Termignoni if I had the money though.

[rustycharm]

I would probably fit a Termignoni if I had the money though.

Wouldn't we all.... any one want to buy a slightly used left testicle?? good working order with 3 successful offspring?.....

[McJim]

Wouldn't we all.... any one want to buy a slightly used left testicle?? good working order with 3 successful offspring?.....

I can't even offer that! Aftermarket mods made to my testicles mean I fire blanks now

[popelli]

Used to use Haldanes for tyres

excellent shop and never had any problems

Only reason I stopped going there was I left nz otherwise I would still be going there

[Max Preload]

If you get Chris on a good day - he's pretty awesome but the sales staff seem to be pretty condescending and stand offish.

As far as I'm concerned, if you're in retail sales, every day better be a fucking good day as far as the customer knows, or you should get the hell out of it.

I've found Tony helpful but he does attempt to be somewhat condescending, which I basically ignore. After all he only works in a shop... he has no right or reason to be condescending to pretty much anyone.

[rustycharm]

If you're going to bully someone at school, you must also kill them - otherwise they will grow up to be IRD or council workers... (or ginga Rodney cops...)

Nice quote - like it

[PrincessBandit]

Don't like their new location though. The old Mt Eden store was much more convenient.

Hahaha, I like their new location - much more convenient for me!
We bought both the bandit and burgman from them - so they've had repeat custom from us, which they wouldn't have got if we'd not been happy. Found them friendly and helpful but not pushy.
Generally if I feel I'm being ignored (in any shop where I want service) my response depends somewhat on my mood at the time - either walk out letting them know I'm pissed off (that's the bad mood response) or just go up and outright ask for what I want.

[Balu]

Thumbs up from me.

[howdamnhard]

Always had my bike serviced at Haldanes.Ramon who runs the workshop is a good guy.Only gripe is that sometimes they could take a little more care ,even though it is only just a GN.The salesman is Ok,doesn't pressure you but they don't seem to do test rides (on new bikes anyway) like Colemans does.

[Forest]

I forgot to add that they had a Desmosedici RR in the workshop being prepared for delivery last week.

It was nice to see one in the flesh.

[PeteJ]

Well, it's 40 years now and something over 100 bikes of all sorts, so I have a pretty wide basis for comparison here and overseas.

I always buy my tyres from Haldanes, and recently bought a new bike there.

They're sometimes not the cheapest, but they give me the best value because the staff do actually know what they are talking about. As with any place, you'll do better if you put some effort into learning what you're talking about, too.