Spot of advice regarding bike servicing?

**Anarkist** · 7th January 2009, 18:52

Hey all.

I have my VTR250 in at Botany Honda to have it's 12,000km service done today. One problem however, the service in question was allegedly done by the previous owner and the one done today wasn't actually needed. The odometer when I bought it on the 23rd of December was approximately 11,200km and is now it is currently 12,800km.

I have the owners manual/service history for the bike, which was last stamped at having it's 6000km service done. It doesn't have the 12,000km service stamped as I believe the previous owner (whom I don't have contact with any more) didn't take the book with him but the 12,000km service already done by him, and the 6,000km service done previous to that (also by him) were all done with the shop in question (Botany Honda).

After dropping it off around 8am I received a phone call from them at 1pm this afternoon saying something to the effect of "Hi there. We've half serviced your bike, but only just realised due to the rather clean looking oil and the newish looking spark plugs the service appears to have already been done. We double checked the service records and that confirmed it. We won't go ahead and do the rest of the service but we'll make a few checks and we'll still require you to pay for what's been done as it wasn't until after we drained the oil and checked the plugs did it become apparent"

Now that had me a little taken back and lost for words. I don't know how far through the service they got or exactly what parts have been replaced due to the fact I go in to pick it up tomorrow morning and won't have the relevant documentation until then, but the amount owing for the service was quoted over the phone at $190.

I personally think it's rather startling that they didn't pick up on this before jumping in and servicing it. When I originally visited the shop before they closed over new year the approximated amount for the cost of the service was $150 but it was mentioned this depended entirely on whether they needed to replace any other parts.

I have a right mind to go in tomorrow and suggest they should drop the labour charges and just charge me parts due to the fact it they should have looked at the bikes history and service record beforehand. Given that I share some of the fault for not knowing, I feel although the charges were avoidable should a 30 second check of records have been done. It would of saved us both a lot time, effort and expense.

I'd be keen to hear peoples thoughts on this. Where do you think I stand? Unreasonable or justified?

Cheers.

**Gubb** · 7th January 2009, 19:05

Your mistake.
You knew the previous owner had said it had been done, if you were unsure, you should have asked them to check their records.

It's only fair that you pay for the work done, and be thankful that they bothered to check at all, and not just carry out the full service.

**popelli** · 7th January 2009, 19:09

Originally Posted by Gubb

Your mistake.
You knew the previous owner had said it had been done, if you were unsure, you should have asked them to check their records.

It's only fair that you pay for the work done, and be thankful that they bothered to check at all, and not just carry out the full service.

agree 100%

you should have checked the service history properly before you bought the bike

if there was a not a 100% documented dealer service history you should have negotiated a substantial discount from the price paid or walked away

**FJRider** · 7th January 2009, 19:11

You told them to do a job. A job you ...the client, told THEM needed done. AFTER starting that job, found it DIDN'T need doing. They could have continued (as per your instructions) but chose to INFORM you of such, should you have any reason why the job HAD to be done. (any number of reasons why)

**Anarkist** · 7th January 2009, 19:19

I see where you're coming. Ignorance isn't often bliss.

It's a hard mouthful to swallow, but lessons learnt I guess.

Shame however that lesson cost me a day of holiday off riding, and the equivalent of around 12 full tanks of gas.

:slap:

**Jantar** · 7th January 2009, 19:24

Originally Posted by Anarkist

...Shame however that lesson cost me a day of holiday off riding, and the equivalent of around 12 full tanks of gas.

:slap:

It also gives you the peace of mind that you're good to go for another 6000km.

**Howsie** · 7th January 2009, 19:24

Originally Posted by FJRider

You told them to do a job. A job you ...the client, told THEM needed done. AFTER starting that job, found it DIDN'T need doing. They could have continued (as per your instructions) but chose to INFORM you of such, should you have any reason why the job HAD to be done. (any number of reasons why)

He told them it needed doing as according to the service manual it hadnt had the 12000km service done. It was "allegedly" done by the previous owner, who could have said that in order to make the sale on the bike.

I do agree that the service history of any vehicle should be checked before any work is carried out.

I would get a complete breakdown of the job done, if they were only halfway through the service then $190 sounds very steep. You can only ask about dropping the labour, i would if it was me and have done myself in the past just to keep the customer happy. 9/10 times they come back anyway

Id go in, apologise for wasting their time and thanks for the effort pc stuff, then negotiate on the grounds that it was a genuine mistake and see if they will budge that way. If they do then i would keep giving them your business, if not, then you can decide of you want to go or stay.

My 2c worth

**Mom** · 7th January 2009, 19:37

You asked for the service to be done. You pay. Lucky for you Botany Honda stopped halfway through.

Maybe asking where the bike had been serviced previously would have helped you here. You could have made a call and checked.

Anyway, good for you making sure the service was done, hope you really enjoy that bike mate!

**The Pastor** · 7th January 2009, 19:51

$190 for half of a $150 service.

What we know is that they put new oil in - $40-50
plugs air filters etc would of been fine

labour charge 1hr max $60

So thats about $100 right there. $90 idiox tax?

**nico** · 7th January 2009, 19:56

Originally Posted by FJRider

You told them to do a job. A job you ...the client, told THEM needed done. AFTER starting that job, found it DIDN'T need doing. They could have continued (as per your instructions) but chose to INFORM you of such, should you have any reason why the job HAD to be done. (any number of reasons why)

my thaughts exactly sucks but your probally gna have to suck this one up alot of places would of probally just completed full without contacting you
chin up at least you know 100% it's done

**Headbanger** · 7th January 2009, 19:58

I would have told them to continue with the service ......

**Soul.Trader** · 7th January 2009, 20:15

Originally Posted by TLDV8

Here is my DR prior to its 12000 km service,if you check your owners manual you will see what has to be done.

Here it is after i finished.

Dude, those are clearly two completely different bikes.

edit: Oh I see what you did there, removing your post.

**Squiggles** · 7th January 2009, 20:57

It aint there job to double check what you've told them to do, and if they had to go through records everytime someone wanted a service it might cost a fair bit more...

**Anarkist** · 8th January 2009, 07:50

Just got home from picking the bike up.

I explained the situation to the manager and he was great. He outlined exactly what had been done and what the charges were made up of. He even met me half way and gave a discount off the final cost.

All in all, lesson learnt. Couldn't have asked for a better outcome though. Botany Honda gets my thumbs up