Had my EGlide into Gator Harley in Leesburg, Fl for the $277, 15K service. That price didn't bother me but they called and said one of my tourbag lights was out and a muffler rubber mount needed replacing. They wanted $58 plus parts to replace these two items. Of course I said no thank you.

At home, I found that the tourbag light bulb was not bad. The holder had merely slipped from its socket. And the rubber mount took me about 3 minutes to change. I have spent my last dollar there and at Stormy Hill Harley.

 

I am picking up my 2010 RK in Dec. and cancled the extended warranty last week after reading all the problems with the HD dealers. Not just on this forum but from friends that have had problems.

 

I felt good about the deal financially because:

a) I got a discount on a '10 model when it first hit the floor, and a discount on freight and setup (set up charge being a bullsh** revenue booster anyway)
b) Only two dealers within 100 miles actually take trade-ins, and this dealer gave me $1500 over book value (on a bike with really rough chrome, it grew up in San Diego and it was all hazy)
c) The GM took care of my $475 service in an effort to recover their relationship with me.

Overall, financially, it was a decent deal. Just a royal pain in the *** to deal with.

 

You might want to re-think that one. The warranty is honored at any dealer.

 

Good to hear you finally got a service department that works like it's suppose to.

As far as you dealer saying "I always wondered why I could leave my key fob in the kitchen, the farthest room from my garage, and go start my bike. It's 50' and through walls. I asked the dealer at my 1k service, and they told me that was normal " I can relate. It pisses me off but I can relate.

I told my service manager that my 09 shocks were leaking air. I had to put air in every week and that my 08 would never loose air. It could go for months and still be the same pressure. His answer was: "Some do, some don't" WTF ???? He no longer works there but for some other reasons.

 

The bottom line is, it's hard to find good help these days. I can see an employee making that statement, but the Service Manager?? WTF ? The fact that he's not there anymore, tells you alot. Maybe the owner understands customer service? Maybe ...

 

yep I guess most all of us have had a problem with dealers.
I had a huge one that took 2 years to resolve, but I finally did win and got all my money spent back.
what I can't understand is, why are the crappy ones still in business?
If we band together as owners and riders, we can make changes.
Never take any crap sitting down. fight for your rights.
Never let a bad dealer do even your warranty work. Go to one someone recommends.
Get together with others in your area and hear their experiences with a dealer.
Band together and agree not to utilize known bad dealers.
find a good one with good techs, let that dealer know in writing that he is doing good and the name of the tech. This helps the tech stay employed and even get raises.
Let HD factory know of the good dealers and techs and why. Also in same letter let them know of the bad ones.
HD doesn't REALLY care, but if they get enough bad complaints, they will investigate.
But it takes all of us to praise and criticize, in writing to the ones who make the decisions.

 

I told my service manager that my 09 shocks were leaking air. I had to put air in every week and that my 08 would never loose air. It could go for months and still be the same pressure. His answer was: "Some do, some don't" WTF ???? He no longer works there but for some other reasons.[/QUOTE]

TFB,
Exact same line for me at a WI dealer on the leaky 09 shocks. No possible resolution, no ideas to research, nothing. I walked out the door mumbling "WTF". And have not been back.

 

Hey . how is everyone . i just read some rants on a local dealership here in my hometown of Rockford . and if i can give out any kind of good advice . it would be to never let their service department Touch anything . there is only two guys in that shop that even own harley davidson's . let alone like em . Trust someone that Quit from there Because of all the Bull . that went on in that place . I mean c mon charging people extra for Something that cost 2 cents to make . and maybe took 5 mins to do . i myself always go the extra mile . to make sure a customer is happy . and it got me in trouble . i don't see the big deal throwing on a little wax n shine after a wash . makes the bikes look bad *** . and isn't that what we all want is for our baby's to look awesome . Run awesome , sound awesome ... Im just saying . there are other reputable . Dealerships around the area . Like woodstock , Kutter , Monroe just to name a few ... that atleast the guys working on the bike's themselve's actually own and Love the Brand . the tradition . In Rockford there is alot of grab *** going on people not paying attention . to detail . forgetting **** . Never dyno tuning them . Never test riding them . and talk about . hi jacking hard earned dollars . your not gonna squeeze a drop of anything extra outta them people . The owners are so damn tight with Money that they wont even Buy Kerosene for the power washer . to make the water hot enough to get the bugs off the bike . and their main guy .. So called head tech there . He's a Bmx guy doesnt even own a motorcycle and when asked . if he would ever own a harley says hell No . id rather be riding then having worked on . which is not funny to me at all . I grew up a Biker it is in my Blood . i didn't have mommy and daddys money to put me into a tech school because i thought it would get me chicks . I was Born with Harley in my Blood , so do yourself's ... a Favor ... Cherish your Ride and give it the respect it deserves Not to take ... it To Rockford ... take it from someone that worked there ... and left there Because of only half of what im saying to ya ... Thanks for listening .... i Really appreciate the chance to express .

 

Guy at work just told me the oldest family owned dealership in Rockford wouldn't let him have his bike back with the rear tire as worn as it was. Charged him over $400 for a service then pulled that crap. Unfortunately he didn't stand up for himself and rolled out pn a new tire and over $800 total lighter in the wallet.
I will never give them a dime even if they have the lowest price on an item I'm looking for (highly unlikely ).