Waiting for parts (how long is too long?)

[rustyrobot]

Got a surprise bit of cash so I booked my Aprilia Tuono in for the super deluxe service (valve clearances, deep-tissue massage etc) at a European Bike shop in Wellington. Needed a warrant at the same time, so got it done through them even though I usually go to VTNZ. The day before, my speedo had gone wacko while on a ride and sure enough speed sensor needs replacing for the warrant. Still no surprises. Bike shop calls to say they can get the part by the end of the week and I'll be back on the road.

Hadn't heard anything by Friday so called them again, only to find out that the part is now going to take 4 weeks via [parts supplier] in Auckland. I'm not particularly confident it will be ready then. I've subsequently done a little reading online and realise I could get the speedo sensor delivered from the states in 5 days, and would be able to replace the part myself with no hassle. Problem is that my bike is in the shop, waiting on the part for warrant, and they say that I'm now committed to getting the part through them as they have ordered it from the supplier.

I know there have been discussions here before about the poor service from the Aprilia parts supplier, and that the bike shop are stuck working through them if they want to be an official distributor. How long should I have to wait though? What if it turns out to be two months, three months? All the while I know I can get the part directly.

I don't want to mess around the bike shop, but this isn't the first time this has happened - I ordered a mirror recently that was supposed to be a month away. Almost 2 months later no show and I cancelled the order (unhappy bike shop) after I found someone I knew had a old one spare in their shed (saving me $200).

For the future: Clearly going through the official distributor means going through the official parts supplier, so more delays are likely. This makes it a real incentive to look at other options for servicing. Which is a bummer for the shop.

Am I obligated (other than morally) to purchase this part through the shop? Is there some sort of limit on how long I can be kept waiting?

[Gremlin]

I know there have been discussions here before about the poor service from the Aprilia parts supplier, and that the bike shop are stuck working through them if they want to be an official distributor. How long should I have to wait though? What if it turns out to be two months, three months? All the while I know I can get the part directly.

Unless you have a crystal ball, the ETA is completely unknown. Could be a couple of weeks, could be half a year, no-one actually knows (going by previous performance).

I'd advise the shop, and if possible, cancel the order, ship it in yourself, let the shop finish the work. Well within your rights to supply parts for the work.

[dogsnbikes]

my speedo had gone wacko while on a ride and sure enough speed sensor needs replacing for the warrant. Still no surprises. Bike shop calls to say they can get the part by the end of the week and I'll be back on the road.



I know there have been discussions here before about the poor service from the Aprilia parts supplier, and that the bike shop are stuck working through them if they want to be an official distributor. How long should I have to wait though? What if it turns out to be two months, three months? All the while I know I can get the part directly.



For the future: Clearly going through the official distributor means going through the official parts supplier, so more delays are likely. This makes it a real incentive to look at other options for servicing. Which is a bummer for the shop.

First time I needed a speedo sensor for the triumph it took 3 months......when it went again l looked else where and had one in over night..... I no longer get parts through the official supplier and repairs are alot quicker

Time is money and guessing you don't have a wof until sensor arrives,unless you doctor something up...

[Tazz]

To long. Unacceptable. Sounds like they are using seafreight?!?! You are not committed to buy it unless they said from the beginning 'it is going to take 4 weeks' and you said 'sweet as' and have now changed your mind after looking online.
If the time got pushed out and they ordered anyway without checking with you first it is their own fault/risk to be fair.

Get your own part in, do it yourself.

[R650R]

I'd rush out and buy the cheapest nastiest aftermarket electronic speedo (lots to choose from) and bung it on the top for warrant.
That's rude service, they could rig something up for you like above.
Going by all the other Aprilia stories on here I wouldn't wait around...

[rustyrobot]

You are not committed to buy it unless they said from the beginning 'it is going to take 4 weeks' and you said 'sweet as' and have now changed your mind after looking online.
If the time got pushed out and they ordered anyway without checking with you first it is their own fault/risk to be fair.

Is that really the case though? I guess what I'm worried about is that they have my bike in the workshop at the moment - could they refuse to release it unless I pay for this part? I haven't paid for the service or the warrant yet either, I will when I pick the bike up.

I agreed for them to order, but with the understanding that it was going to be there within 4 days, it was only when I phoned back (after hearing nothing) that they said it would now be four weeks+.

It's not the speedo cluster, just a sensor, which I didn't know when I took it in. A pretty simple change by the look of it. Fark - I'd even be happy for them to do it, I just don't want to wait half the summer to get my bike back because someone can't get their act together to get a <1kg part in a bag and on a plane to NZ.

[DrunkenMistake]

The thing with parts sales for anything boils down to two things,

Is it from an OEM supplier,

Are you throwing money at it or been tight?

If it is an OEM supplier they generally ship next business day, if its just a generic supplier who stocks those parts then they may not be in a rush to send them if they have someone else lined up to buy it as well,

if you throw money at it, it shouldn't take longer than 3-4 days,
If you are been tight, expect it on the slowest cheapest freight option available.

I guess when it comes to bike shops they would want to bang it on a cheaper flight rather than sea freight so they dont scare you off with the price,
Although at the same time it could possibly be a supplier problem,

I would be stirring the pot though,
Have you already paid for the part?
If no, then refuse to pay as you were quoted 4 days, or demand some sort of discount I guess, balls in your park.

[mossy1200]

Part price? If its a small amount order one for yourself and keep the spare when it arrives.

I spent $520 on a reflash that didn't work and the company I paid said I likely had a dud motor. In the end decided to buy my own tuning tools rather than send it back to be checked as the post would have taken 4weeks for a return trip and no ECU equals no ride the bike.
Turned out the original flash wasn't good. $520 lost. That's life. The company that didn't do the job properly sent me this.



............

Now that you have the ability to tune your own ECU with your W.....h unit, you should be able to figure out all of your mysteries. Unfortunately, since we do not sell or support these units, we will not be able to provide any additional assistance here at B......s P..........e.



Please also note: Because you have entered the ECU electronically, you will no longer have any Flash upgrade or product support available from G...l.



We wish you the best of luck in your performance quest!


TOSS3RS. Was in the process of buying a few more performance parts with a B....s ohlins damper kit being next. That's not happening now. Wanted lowering strap and drag shock also. Bought a pcV from them that was already in freight which idd rather have got elsewhere.

[Hitcher]

Armagard, it's another Aprilia New Zealand parts supply story. Not that I have any personal experience with that, you must understand.

If you need OEM Aprilia parts, get them through AF1 Racing (http://www.af1racing.com/), the biggest Aprilia dealer in the USA. They'll be delivered usually within the week. Outstanding service from a team of great blokes, more than what usually can be said about what calls itself Aprilia New Zealand Limited.

[Tazz]

Is that really the case though? I guess what I'm worried about is that they have my bike in the workshop at the moment - could they refuse to release it unless I pay for this part? I haven't paid for the service or the warrant yet either, I will when I pick the bike up.

I agreed for them to order, but with the understanding that it was going to be there within 4 days, it was only when I phoned back (after hearing nothing) that they said it would now be four weeks+.

It's not the speedo cluster, just a sensor, which I didn't know when I took it in. A pretty simple change by the look of it. Fark - I'd even be happy for them to do it, I just don't want to wait half the summer to get my bike back because someone can't get their act together to get a <1kg part in a bag and on a plane to NZ.

Yeah mate, there is no 'contract' there in the sense they promised 4 days and haven't delivered. When they found out it was going to be 4 weeks they should have given you the option.
They can just get grumpy, but if they are professional they won't. I worked in parts for a while and only put orders through once something had been paid for or if it went on account (them were the rules).

I'd go pick up your bike and pay for the services they have already done, but not for the part on the way. If you can see it heading south just say you will pay when it lands and fit it then, then later once your bike is back in your possession just ring up and cancel it, or if they were real dicks about it just burn the bridge and ignore them. Would be pretty funny to rock back before the part has shown up through them for a WOF recheck with a working speedo though haha

2 things to remember, firstly it's not your fault, your paying for their service and they are not delivering, and secondly, it might just be the one dude there that is hopeless, not everyone in the workshop/parts department, so don't be to quick to jump at everyone (until they give you a reason to) or it can just make things harder.

That's just my opinion anyway, I'm a bit of a softy =P Some people just bowl on in guns blazing and get shit sorted all the same.

[Dave-]

Order the part from Aprilia NZ.

Aprilia NZ send through orders maybe once a week, maybe daily.

Aprilia in Italy probably only read orders from NZ every 2 or 3 weeks.

Aprilia will only order speed sensors from their supplier once enough are needed, if it's an ongoing part or common maybe they stock it and send it out right away.

Worst case the supplier is out of stock, so now you've got to wait for enough orders to come through for the supplier to bother manufacturing it.

manufacture + shipping + handling + paperwork + shipping to NZ + handling + the shop entering it into their system....4 weeks+ seems reasonable to me worst case scenario.

You bought an Italian bike because you want to be a bit different, well there you go!

[jasonu]

Is that really the case though? I guess what I'm worried about is that they have my bike in the workshop at the moment - could they refuse to release it unless I pay for this part? I haven't paid for the service or the warrant yet either, I will when I pick the bike up.

I agreed for them to order, but with the understanding that it was going to be there within 4 days, it was only when I phoned back (after hearing nothing) that they said it would now be four weeks+.

It's not the speedo cluster, just a sensor, which I didn't know when I took it in. A pretty simple change by the look of it. Fark - I'd even be happy for them to do it, I just don't want to wait half the summer to get my bike back because someone can't get their act together to get a <1kg part in a bag and on a plane to NZ.

Stop being soft. Get your arse down there and cause a huge stink if they won't release your bike. Call the cops if you have to although I doubt it will come to that if you make enough noise. It is still YOUR bike after all.

[nzspokes]

Take Hitchers advice, get the part yourself. Neither the importer or the shop cares that much about you riding your bike.

While your at it get the manual and service it yourself. Save money and have fun.

[Sable]

Triumph NZ handles the Piaggio group in NZ, including Aprilia. A month's wait is very typical for something they do not have in stock. At least you don't have a Honda Lead, the factory is in India and it takes 2 months to get anything.

[ruaphu]

Sounds like you have a decent relationship with the bike shop. From my perspective, I always take the time to talk with my local shop when issues crop up. They will typically be understanding we typically work through issues to keep everyone happy, hence why I keep going back (this is their goal, repeat business) The fact they are bikers too helps.

Go talk to them and see how things can be worked, your the customer and they do want you back after all. IF they cannot communicate with you, time to change shops bud. I did, my old Suzuki was serviced at the Honda agent cos they understand customer service, communication and viewpoint. Our new kawasaki will also be serviced there too.

BTW don't expect stuff off the net to get here quicker too. I regularly get bits from the states and it is hit and miss with delievery times, can be very frustrating.