Dealer mechanic demanding bike is collected immediately
Discussion
I have my bike in for a service which turned into a sprag clutch repair with an official dealer who has had it for over a month. I have been chasing every week and trying to move things faster but there has been no urgency from them - until today.
I finally complained to the manufacturer this morning and I suspect they have tipped off the dealer who suddenly contacted me saying if I don't collect my bike in a few days they will start charging me £20 per day for storage and that they refuse to do any more work on the bike (this is after I've spent close to £1000 with them and all I have to show for it is a service and several incorrect diagnoses).
The problem is the bike is a non-runner at the moment and I can't collect it myself as I'm on day one of a two week holiday.
The part is also one that only an official dealer can fit because it requires an ECU upgrade which only official dealers have access to.
Legally, can the dealer spring a storage cost up on me with no notice?
If they hold my bike to ransom when I go to collect for not paying the storage cost, what are my options?
I finally complained to the manufacturer this morning and I suspect they have tipped off the dealer who suddenly contacted me saying if I don't collect my bike in a few days they will start charging me £20 per day for storage and that they refuse to do any more work on the bike (this is after I've spent close to £1000 with them and all I have to show for it is a service and several incorrect diagnoses).
The problem is the bike is a non-runner at the moment and I can't collect it myself as I'm on day one of a two week holiday.
The part is also one that only an official dealer can fit because it requires an ECU upgrade which only official dealers have access to.
Legally, can the dealer spring a storage cost up on me with no notice?
If they hold my bike to ransom when I go to collect for not paying the storage cost, what are my options?
Thanks I will try giving the manufacturer in Italy a call. They already know about the dealer's beahviour so far because I emailed them to tell them and ask that they get the bike shipped to another dealer of theirs. The only thing they might not know is his refusing to do any further work and demanding I collect the bike or start paying for storage.
They are a small Italian manufacturer who make some beautiful bikes - that's why I bought one in the first place.
The dealer I have taken the bike to is an official (franchised?) dealer listed as the local dealer on the manufacturer's website which is why I'm even more surprised at his childish behaviour.
They are a small Italian manufacturer who make some beautiful bikes - that's why I bought one in the first place.
The dealer I have taken the bike to is an official (franchised?) dealer listed as the local dealer on the manufacturer's website which is why I'm even more surprised at his childish behaviour.
Edited by .blue on Thursday 11th August 17:20
.blue said:
Thanks I will try giving the manufacturer in Italy a call. They already know about the dealer's beahviour so far because I emailed them to tell them and ask that they get the bike shipped to another dealer of theirs. The only thing they might not know is his refusing to do any further work and demanding I collect the bike or start paying for storage.
They are a small Italian manufacturer who make some beautiful bikes - that's why I bought one in the first place.
The dealer I have taken the bike to is an official (franchised?) dealer listed as the local dealer on the manufacturer's website which is why I'm even more surprised at his childish behaviour.
Is this dealer in South London by any chance?They are a small Italian manufacturer who make some beautiful bikes - that's why I bought one in the first place.
The dealer I have taken the bike to is an official (franchised?) dealer listed as the local dealer on the manufacturer's website which is why I'm even more surprised at his childish behaviour.
Edited by .blue on Thursday 11th August 17:20
Take it to the dealer in South Yorkshire…
Mine lives in Surrey and it goes up there in a bike courier’s van for all its work.
When I needed a sprag clutch, as far as a price estimate was concerned, a more local dealer told me they’d have to put it on the bench and charge me by the hour. But they’ve only done a few, so while they’re getting quicker they didn’t know how long it’d take, but the last one took a day! They didn’t get why I wasn’t keen on funding them getting some practice in.
The South Yorkshire dealer does it all the time, does it for a fixed price, and because they’re so proficient/quick, I saved money even paying for the courier. Ditto servicing, it costs me literally a few quid more to send it up there, and back, than get it done in the south east.
Speak to them on Monday, they have a guy who they work with, who I bet would pick it up from where it is now and take it to Barnsley for a very fair price. And then your bike is in the best hands in the UK…
Mine lives in Surrey and it goes up there in a bike courier’s van for all its work.
When I needed a sprag clutch, as far as a price estimate was concerned, a more local dealer told me they’d have to put it on the bench and charge me by the hour. But they’ve only done a few, so while they’re getting quicker they didn’t know how long it’d take, but the last one took a day! They didn’t get why I wasn’t keen on funding them getting some practice in.
The South Yorkshire dealer does it all the time, does it for a fixed price, and because they’re so proficient/quick, I saved money even paying for the courier. Ditto servicing, it costs me literally a few quid more to send it up there, and back, than get it done in the south east.
Speak to them on Monday, they have a guy who they work with, who I bet would pick it up from where it is now and take it to Barnsley for a very fair price. And then your bike is in the best hands in the UK…
.blue said:
Legally, can the dealer spring a storage cost up on me with no notice?
In my experience, this would be viewed as unreasonable.If you are going to levy storage charges, you need to give a reasonable amount of notice. Depending on what's being stored and where; 2-4 weeks minimum.
I have warned people on many occasions about the perils of Italian bikes on here. But I’m usually flamed by every one who purchased one for daring to say how there ‘top end ‘ ‘premium brand’ super desirable bike lobbed together with China parts will inevitably cack itself spectacularly.
No doubt the dealer has the hump with your constant calls and total lack of assistance from the manufacturer, and just wants rid of the time/money sink that your bike has become. Losing one customer sometimes I more preferable than sinking several thousand pounds and weeks of labour into a lemon, and receiving a few hundred from Italy as warranty payment.
Sorry if that’s blunt , but this is the reality of a fairly high proportion of Italian bikes(and probably cars too) In my experience.
Not saying it doesn’t happen with jap bikes, it just happens a hell of a lot less.
Hope it gets sorted. Best of luck.
No doubt the dealer has the hump with your constant calls and total lack of assistance from the manufacturer, and just wants rid of the time/money sink that your bike has become. Losing one customer sometimes I more preferable than sinking several thousand pounds and weeks of labour into a lemon, and receiving a few hundred from Italy as warranty payment.
Sorry if that’s blunt , but this is the reality of a fairly high proportion of Italian bikes(and probably cars too) In my experience.
Not saying it doesn’t happen with jap bikes, it just happens a hell of a lot less.
Hope it gets sorted. Best of luck.
Edited by fred bloggs on Friday 19th August 08:28
Edited by fred bloggs on Friday 19th August 08:36
fred bloggs said:
I have warned people on many occasions about the perils of Italian bikes on here. But I’m usually flamed by every one who purchased one for daring to say how there ‘top end ‘ ‘premium brand’ super desirable bike lobbed together with China parts will inevitably cack itself spectacularly.
Who supplies the Japanese with their parts?Genuine question.
Only my undertsanding is, with notable exceptions, everything is built in Thailand/India from Chinese parts.
fred bloggs said:
I have warned people on many occasions about the perils of Italian bikes on here. But I’m usually flamed by every one who purchased one for daring to say how there ‘top end ‘ ‘premium brand’ super desirable bike lobbed together with China parts will inevitably cack itself spectacularly.
No doubt the dealer has the hump with your constant calls and total lack of assistance from the manufacturer, and just wants rid of the time/money sink that your bike has become. Losing one customer sometimes I more preferable than sinking several thousand pounds and weeks of labour into a lemon, and receiving a few hundred from Italy as warranty payment.
Sorry if that’s blunt , but this is the reality of a fairly high proportion of Italian bikes(and probably cars too) In my experience.
Not saying it doesn’t happen with jap bikes, it just happens a hell of a lot less.
Hope it gets sorted. Best of luck.
Probably shouldn't sign himself up to fix warranty claims if he doesn't know what he's doing.No doubt the dealer has the hump with your constant calls and total lack of assistance from the manufacturer, and just wants rid of the time/money sink that your bike has become. Losing one customer sometimes I more preferable than sinking several thousand pounds and weeks of labour into a lemon, and receiving a few hundred from Italy as warranty payment.
Sorry if that’s blunt , but this is the reality of a fairly high proportion of Italian bikes(and probably cars too) In my experience.
Not saying it doesn’t happen with jap bikes, it just happens a hell of a lot less.
Hope it gets sorted. Best of luck.
Edited by fred bloggs on Friday 19th August 08:28
Edited by fred bloggs on Friday 19th August 08:36
Sounds like a dealer that's not coping well, maybe lack of skilled staff or little support from manufacturer, or quite possibly a dispute between the pair of them given how quickly the manufacturer told the dealer about your issue. All very unprofessional and you're probably much better off being shot of them and finding a better dealer.
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