Took my new Kawasaki Nomad in to dealer for 600-mile required checkup. When I got it back I took a ride to Oklahoma city and back. (300+ miles) Next morning I notice grease all over the back end. Upon inspection, which requires removing the left saddlebag, I find the mechanic failed to tighten the filler cap on the final drive unit. I could turn it with my fingers. Had this popped out and coated the rear wheel with slime, it could have caused "catastrophic traction loss" (spilling my guts on the freeway). Also, I managed to drop one of the saddlebags on the garage floor, therefore, I won't have to worry about that first scratch anymore.
In my opinion, letting work like this outta the shop is inexcusable... what's your take on this?
2007-10-23 04:15:40 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
As an add-on, I wrote a formal letter of complaint to the owner of the dealership, and emailed it to him. So far, he's just kind of blown it off. Also, I've bought my last five new bikes there...y'know, there's another dealer about 11 miles closer to my house...hmmm...
2007-10-23 13:30:38 · update #1
As an add-on, I wrote a formal letter of complaint to the owner of the dealership, and emailed it to him. So far, he's just kind of blown it off. Also, I've bought my last five new bikes there...y'know, there's another dealer about 11 miles closer to my house...hmmm...
2007-10-23 13:31:13 · update #2
Yep, it would. Take care of it.
Tell them about it. Everything that happened(except the bag, they won't care about that).
The next time (if there is one) you take your bike there, inspect everything. Everything.
If anything does not check out when you pick it up, get another mechanic.
2007-10-23 12:20:22 · answer #1 · answered by Firecracker . 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You've got every right to be p*ssed.
Sure, everyone makes mistakes - but this kind of this should have been checked and re-checked. Then, if the unthinkable did happen, it's the job of the owner to make the customer happy. Sounds like this dealership has three strikes!
You're taking a step in the right direction by contacting the owner. I'd also send a letter by registered mail to him - along with copies of the complaint you send to the BBB http://welcome.bbb.org/ and Kawasaki of America http://www.labbb.org/BBBWeb/Forms/Business/CompanyReportPage_Expository.aspx?CompanyID=27000824.
Be sure you tell them what you want for compensation in the letter (fix or replace saddlebag, etc). Also, be sure to mention that the only reason you're escalating the complaint is because the owner failed to respond!
2007-10-23 16:53:48 · answer #2 · answered by ducatisti 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's what happens when you allow any motorcycle dealer touch ur bike, leaving the oil cap loose was a simple mistake, i know a HD owner that wrecked his bike cause the rear wheel locked up just 1 mile away from the dealer after the dealer installed new rear brakes.
dealers will also rob good parts from ur bike and sell them as new to another customer at the same time telling you they replaced that same part on ur bike.
When you go back to the dealer to complain, he won't care, he will deny that his mechanic even had the filler cap off and he will say how does he know you didn't have it off yourself and you failed to tighten it up?
2007-10-23 11:22:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes - I'd be VERY pissed.
Sad truth is this - if the owner/manager of this shop wants to be an @$$hole, he can deny everything. In a case like this, it would have been better to take pictures. One way you might be able to 'coax' them into REALLY feeling your pain is to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, or to contact your local news station if they try and blow you off, then you'll REALLY get the word out about how much they suck.
2007-10-23 08:43:46 · answer #4 · answered by Mister 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wanted to feel for you until I read the post above me ...It is your life and your responsibility....Assuming someone else cares could be fatal....It's like telling someone that you have the right of way after they run you down....It doesn't really help it's after the fact ...Mistakes happen and they aren't responsible for what didn't happen and you can't be totally bent outta shape over possibilities or might haves..I'd talk to the owner face to face and tell him he has a problem and see what he's gonna do for you ...If nothing...Then I'd go somewhere else ....Sorry to here about your experience but ..I think it's good to have it brought up for consideration ....certainly something to think about when you're having your bike worked on...
2007-10-26 03:57:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm with you 100%, I have taken my bikes to some of the most expensive shops in the area only to be dissappointed.
I assume it's because when we wrench on our own ***We Actually Care About The Bike!***. When we take it to a "Pro" our bike is just another hunk of meat.
I know my bikes well enough that I may never take them to a shop again, I'd rather let them sit untill I've got the time to do it my self.
2007-10-23 05:51:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
I think you should go back & tell them!! I had a friend here just lose her husband when a tire blew on their scoot! So, anything like a loose oil filler cap would've caused a big problem! That's just not good mechanic work!
2007-10-23 08:03:09 · answer #7 · answered by vulcan ryder 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i recommend u go over the entire bike top to bottom before u even pull it off the lot just in case something like this happens. had this happened to me, if that service manager gave me any lip, they woulda been wearing my size 11 boots upside their head. while ur at it, contact the motor company and report this dealer for shoddy work.
2007-10-23 14:27:39 · answer #8 · answered by forktail_devil 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You ever wonder why Rambo always packs his own ammo clips? Surely such a menial task is beneath the worlds greatest living soldier.
It's because if he doesn't do it himself, there's no way to be sure they're a) properly packed b) with the right ammo.
No sympathy for you. Your bike, your responsibility.
2007-10-24 09:50:52 · answer #9 · answered by supafly_fresh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is inexcusable. Like you said, if that oil got on the rear wheel, who knows what could have happened.
Let the owner of the shop know about this.
2007-10-23 04:24:19 · answer #10 · answered by Quilting Mildred 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋