Dealer treatment
#11
09-17-2005 | 04:43 AM
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 7,901
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
RE: Dealer treatment
My dealer started out good......untill I needed warranty work. My bike developed lifter noise[ one bad lifter I beleave]. I live near Twin City Harley[not dealer that I bought from] and had them listen to it and they said they have seen some bad lifters. I thanked them and thought I would bring it back to my selling dealer for repair....well that's wear things have gone down hill. They listened to noise and told me I would need to make appointment and earliest was 2 weeks out. Ok I made appointment brought bike in at scheduled time. The bike sat in there shop for week, when I called to check on, the service writer said he had no idea what was being done the tech does not keep him in the loop. I kept my cool and said ok call me when ready. Four days later when I called again to check on he said it was ready. I picked up bike and was told that they had fixed a shift seal leak. I asked about engine noise and was told oh, it's okay. I get bike home and it sounds like lifter is ready to come out of side of block. I call them right back and am told that I would have to again make an appointment that they are busy for the next 2 weeks. [I am getting real pissed, but agree.] I told them I would bring bike right back because it is not rideable as is. I brought bike back and it sitts there now waiting for appointment. I would of brought bike to Twin City Harley except they say oh I see you have Screamin Eagle heads and we can not warranty for you. Selling dealer installed heads. Twin City has been fantastic dealer to deal with otherwise and give great deals on parts etc. I wish I would of bought bike there. The reason I didn't was other dealer raved about how great there service department was when I was shopping for bike. When I get bike back I will tell all who selling dealer is. [ south of Twin City metro]
I am just about soured on Harley....and may trade it for Honda Rune when I get it back. My last bike was 1800VTX and was trouble free and any dealer would work on without hassle.
I work in the automotive industry now and I know if car dealers treated their customer like this they would be out of business in no time!! You spend over $20k on a Harley and the dealer doesn't give a rats ***. So much for repeat customers.
I am just about soured on Harley....and may trade it for Honda Rune when I get it back. My last bike was 1800VTX and was trouble free and any dealer would work on without hassle.
I work in the automotive industry now and I know if car dealers treated their customer like this they would be out of business in no time!! You spend over $20k on a Harley and the dealer doesn't give a rats ***. So much for repeat customers.
#13
09-18-2005 | 01:28 AM
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 7,901
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
#14
09-18-2005 | 01:38 PM
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 726
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
RE: Dealer treatment
ORIGINAL: harris48cars
Why can't they all be like that? You sound like a good guy so I'm going the give you some advice. As long as you own a Harley, DO NOT move to Virginia. Of 6 dealers in the area, nobody comes close to what you describe. May I ask what state you live in. I might want another bike soon (I'm very serious) and if not too far from Va., well you never know. A dealer near Columbus, Ohio did offer me a WG, black, out the door for $16,495, $800 for race tuner and pipes installed. I would have to pay Va. tax (about $550). Not a great deal but good I guess for a Harley dealer.
Gary
Why can't they all be like that? You sound like a good guy so I'm going the give you some advice. As long as you own a Harley, DO NOT move to Virginia. Of 6 dealers in the area, nobody comes close to what you describe. May I ask what state you live in. I might want another bike soon (I'm very serious) and if not too far from Va., well you never know. A dealer near Columbus, Ohio did offer me a WG, black, out the door for $16,495, $800 for race tuner and pipes installed. I would have to pay Va. tax (about $550). Not a great deal but good I guess for a Harley dealer.
Gary
#15
09-18-2005 | 07:38 PM
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 0
From: Central Ontario, Canada
RE: Dealer treatment
I've had limited experience getting work done. The first time I called it was 2 1/2 weeks to get in. I found a back yard guy. Licensed mechanic who rides a RK and builds old Indians. He looked after me in 1-1/2 hours at 1/3 the cost.
I find the dealers friendly when you're dropping some cash but I haven't had to test the shop yet.
I find the dealers friendly when you're dropping some cash but I haven't had to test the shop yet.
#16
09-19-2005 | 12:25 AM
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 0
From: Front Royal, Virginia
RE: Dealer treatment
Do they give any kind of discount? BTW, the Cubs have broken my heart again
Gary
Gary
ORIGINAL: Rhinohd
Gary I live in IL. I bought the bike at Chicago Harley. Good luck with a new bike.
ORIGINAL: harris48cars
Why can't they all be like that? You sound like a good guy so I'm going the give you some advice. As long as you own a Harley, DO NOT move to Virginia. Of 6 dealers in the area, nobody comes close to what you describe. May I ask what state you live in. I might want another bike soon (I'm very serious) and if not too far from Va., well you never know. A dealer near Columbus, Ohio did offer me a WG, black, out the door for $16,495, $800 for race tuner and pipes installed. I would have to pay Va. tax (about $550). Not a great deal but good I guess for a Harley dealer.
Gary
Why can't they all be like that? You sound like a good guy so I'm going the give you some advice. As long as you own a Harley, DO NOT move to Virginia. Of 6 dealers in the area, nobody comes close to what you describe. May I ask what state you live in. I might want another bike soon (I'm very serious) and if not too far from Va., well you never know. A dealer near Columbus, Ohio did offer me a WG, black, out the door for $16,495, $800 for race tuner and pipes installed. I would have to pay Va. tax (about $550). Not a great deal but good I guess for a Harley dealer.
Gary
#17
09-19-2005 | 03:54 AM
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 726
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
RE: Dealer treatment
Hey Gary,
We bought two bikes from them. They waived the setup fee, gave us removable backrests of our choices, audible alarms and their instalation. So the bikes were MSRP but everyone else around here is over MSRP for the SG and one even wanted $998 for setup! Closest price around here OTD was almost 2g's more. There sales staff is NOT commision as well. As far as the cubs go I am not a baseball fan but I hear about how them at work all day! Funny thing is my brother inlaw is a die hard SOXS fan and when the cubs do win, it makes me happy!
We bought two bikes from them. They waived the setup fee, gave us removable backrests of our choices, audible alarms and their instalation. So the bikes were MSRP but everyone else around here is over MSRP for the SG and one even wanted $998 for setup! Closest price around here OTD was almost 2g's more. There sales staff is NOT commision as well. As far as the cubs go I am not a baseball fan but I hear about how them at work all day! Funny thing is my brother inlaw is a die hard SOXS fan and when the cubs do win, it makes me happy!
#18
09-20-2005 | 09:35 AM
Cruiser
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: St. Johns, MI USA
RE: Dealer treatment
ORIGINAL: jeepster09
My dealer started out good......untill I needed warranty work. My bike developed lifter noise[ one bad lifter I beleave]. I live near Twin City Harley[not dealer that I bought from] and had them listen to it and they said they have seen some bad lifters. I thanked them and thought I would bring it back to my selling dealer for repair....well that's wear things have gone down hill. They listened to noise and told me I would need to make appointment and earliest was 2 weeks out. Ok I made appointment brought bike in at scheduled time. The bike sat in there shop for week, when I called to check on, the service writer said he had no idea what was being done the tech does not keep him in the loop. I kept my cool and said ok call me when ready. Four days later when I called again to check on he said it was ready. I picked up bike and was told that they had fixed a shift seal leak. I asked about engine noise and was told oh, it's okay. I get bike home and it sounds like lifter is ready to come out of side of block. I call them right back and am told that I would have to again make an appointment that they are busy for the next 2 weeks. [I am getting real pissed, but agree.] I told them I would bring bike right back because it is not rideable as is. I brought bike back and it sitts there now waiting for appointment. I would of brought bike to Twin City Harley except they say oh I see you have Screamin Eagle heads and we can not warranty for you. Selling dealer installed heads. Twin City has been fantastic dealer to deal with otherwise and give great deals on parts etc. I wish I would of bought bike there. The reason I didn't was other dealer raved about how great there service department was when I was shopping for bike. When I get bike back I will tell all who selling dealer is. [ south of Twin City metro]
I am just about soured on Harley....and may trade it for Honda Rune when I get it back. My last bike was 1800VTX and was trouble free and any dealer would work on without hassle.
I work in the automotive industry now and I know if car dealers treated their customer like this they would be out of business in no time!! You spend over $20k on a Harley and the dealer doesn't give a rats ***. So much for repeat customers.
My dealer started out good......untill I needed warranty work. My bike developed lifter noise[ one bad lifter I beleave]. I live near Twin City Harley[not dealer that I bought from] and had them listen to it and they said they have seen some bad lifters. I thanked them and thought I would bring it back to my selling dealer for repair....well that's wear things have gone down hill. They listened to noise and told me I would need to make appointment and earliest was 2 weeks out. Ok I made appointment brought bike in at scheduled time. The bike sat in there shop for week, when I called to check on, the service writer said he had no idea what was being done the tech does not keep him in the loop. I kept my cool and said ok call me when ready. Four days later when I called again to check on he said it was ready. I picked up bike and was told that they had fixed a shift seal leak. I asked about engine noise and was told oh, it's okay. I get bike home and it sounds like lifter is ready to come out of side of block. I call them right back and am told that I would have to again make an appointment that they are busy for the next 2 weeks. [I am getting real pissed, but agree.] I told them I would bring bike right back because it is not rideable as is. I brought bike back and it sitts there now waiting for appointment. I would of brought bike to Twin City Harley except they say oh I see you have Screamin Eagle heads and we can not warranty for you. Selling dealer installed heads. Twin City has been fantastic dealer to deal with otherwise and give great deals on parts etc. I wish I would of bought bike there. The reason I didn't was other dealer raved about how great there service department was when I was shopping for bike. When I get bike back I will tell all who selling dealer is. [ south of Twin City metro]
I am just about soured on Harley....and may trade it for Honda Rune when I get it back. My last bike was 1800VTX and was trouble free and any dealer would work on without hassle.
I work in the automotive industry now and I know if car dealers treated their customer like this they would be out of business in no time!! You spend over $20k on a Harley and the dealer doesn't give a rats ***. So much for repeat customers.
jeepster09
I agree with you completely, I also work in the automotive industry "GM" and they would not dare to treat customers like Harley does. I also would like to check out Honda's warranty and customer satisfaction. Check out my post I just started
BAD! Harley Warranty lesson learned
I didn't see this post.
Ed
#19
09-20-2005 | 10:41 PM
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 350
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
RE: Dealer treatment
My wife and I stopped in at the local dealership in Effingham, IL this past Saturday (Chrome coming) We walked in the door and one of the new owners was walking past. I raised my hand, waived and said hello. The guy stared at us as he just kept walking. The *** never said a word.
#20
09-20-2005 | 11:13 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,167
Likes: 6
From: FL & SoCal
RE: Dealer treatment
I've had a lot of success with my dealer. Thus far, they have treated me with a lot of respect and have not yet tried to rip me off. Keep in mind, Harley's parts prices arent cheap either. They have 20% off sales every few months and this is when I buy my higher priced parts. They don't really discount service but the charge about $52 an hr. Many of the other HD dealerships around my area charge over $55-$60 an hour. Generally, I try to do my own work. lol. I have returned some parts I purchased in the past and was not charged a restocking fee. I think that is ridiculous to charge someone that kind of a fee. But guess what, even stores like Best Buy has a restocking fee on many of the items they sell. Go figure. It's really kind of sad about the rip off dealerships Ive been reading about because it does nothing good for Harleys reputation whatsoever. I think competition really determines how good a dealership is. Where I live, we have 4 HD dealerships within 25 miles of each other, several Honda dealerships, a few Yamaha dealerships and two Victory dealers. I guess with this heavy competition they offer better service.
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