Help dealer dropped my baby after new tires!

[Snaredrummer]

Hi my fellow buell friends

I'm new here and wish my first post could be for a happier topic but well... here comes a long story! About two weeks ago I traded in my CBR250R to a dealer in the Boston area (not ready to put there name out there yet.. Hopping the right thing is done by them)- for a 2009 Buell xb9sx with only 3400 miles on it and mint amazing condition! other then the translucent red airbox cover but I buffed most of that out. So I took delivery at my house for the bike and was vary happy other then the tires. After riding it for two weeks I realized the tires need to be changed ASAP and that the bike should have had new tires put on before they delivered it as it still had the 4 year old dried out and squared off scorpions on it. So I called and said I'm looking for tires how much and I just got the bike 2 weeks ago can we work something out a little discount maybe. I was told "it would be 530$ total and come on down I'm sure we can work something out".... Mind you I live 2 hours away. So I get there they take the bike put the new tires on and I come back about 4 hours later. This is where it gets good! I go to pay and now it's 598$ and they won't do anything to help me out even though they said they would. So as I'm working though all this I here a big bang out side and some kid comes running by me yelling " oh shit oh shit they just dropped that Buell"....Fml... So it fell on right side (foot and hand brake side) and damaged the wind deflector, mirror, front hand brake, rear brake, swing arm and took off the rider peg as well as thankfully only hurting the frame puck. The dealer just wanted to slap a different peg on there and send me on my way and that would have been ok with me.... If they didn't still want the 600$ or at least all of it, for the tires and mounting because I could use that to get the parts to make her look nice again. So I said no if I'm still paying for the tries and all then I want you to make the bike look how I dropped it off and all the dealer is offering to do is get the right peg and put it on because the other damage is minor. The damage is minor to be honest just cosmetic and all of it can be replaced easily other then the swing arm but still I feel like I'm being taken advantage of here. I'm a 21 year old collage student living in MA and its only my 2nd bike but I put 6000 miles on the CBR last year and know my way around bikes fairly well but this is all new because I had no problems last year at all. Any advice on what my next steps should be??

Thanks

 

[buellxb9rs]

Make them fix it. That's total bullshit and because you're young they are taking advantage of you. If one of those assholes took their bike/car somewhere and got it back damaged they would expect it fixed as would anybody.

 

[neilrl79]

The bike was in their possession when it was damaged, they are liable for all of the damage.

 

[Cecilsan]

Ya, either they fix the bike to how it was and you pay for the tire service or they comp you the tires (or damage equivelant) and you take it as is.

Side note, in the future:

1. Get the quote in writing ahead of time for work that is flat labor (eg stuff where troubleshooting doesn't have to be done and the exact labor is known). Otherwise it's he said/she said

2. Never take your bike to the dealer for this or most times ever. Buy your tires online and find a shop that will mount cheap. I pay $25 a tire to mount mine (off bike)

I know this was a diff situation but your pocket book will thank you. Harley is a rip off for service. Only thing we need them for is parts

 

[konarider94]

tell them they need to fix it.

your first mistake is paying $600 for tires though. [confused]

 

[PaulPud]

Anyone on here an attorney and can make a phone call for him and scare them into doing the right thing? or at least played an attorney on tv and can act?

 

[CrazyTexan]

Do not let them get away with that. The threads inthe tail tthat hold the passenger pegs could have easily been damaged as well and not holding them tight and can be very dangerous if you ever ride with a passenger . Look at it close. Happened to me. I would be on their ass about getting it properly fixed. Or some sort of claim. Shit happens... But that is 100% on them.

 

[SilveradoTX]

Better Business Bureau... If the dealer won't budge, then file a complaint with the BBB. If it was one of their customers nice chromed out shiny new Sportster, V-Rod or Fatwhatever, I'm pretty sure they'd get it fixed in a hurry.

I agree with the rest, they still had possession of the bike and they damaged it, therefor, they should fix it. That's on them. I also agree with the comments about taking the bike to an HD dealer. I took mine in for the 10k service... I may never set foot in an HD dealer again, especially for service. I could have had a buddy who is HD/Buell Cert. (as well as other brand cert.) do the service for half the price. Sometimes lessons do get learned the hard way, and sometime it's expensive.

 

[SilveradoTX]

Oh, and welcome to the forum. [up]

 

[Internet Annoyance]

BBB is a waste of time other than venting,. BBB Charges a pot of money to be a member and will pressure their members to preserve their rep. But few Biz are members now, and they have NO legal recourse to make a dealer or shop do anything.
this sucks, but many shops are aggressive A-Holes and will bend you over if they can. Demand their insurance info. file a full claim. They will hate this, and you. I generally DONT suggest that, and dont believe Insurance is an income opportunity. But in this case, they are compelled to do right.
Take pix, dont sign anything. all else fails take them to court. In my state, small claims everyone starts there. But if over $750 they can request circuit court and that likely means lawyers and can be expensive as well as if you lose for some reason you pay all costs and their counterclaims.
You can consider what you would settle for. All damages fixed (by some other shop) to preloss condition, or a sizable cash settlement,
In the future, ONLY ever commision work with a full work order with all parts and labor, sign it and keep YOUR copy, If something comes up and its more or less, SIGN a NEW Wok order and keep your copy.
Never EVER do a word of mouth deal ever with a shop, If they are legit and you arent a dick about the W.O. they will agree as it protects them as well,. If they wont,. walk, no run away.
I used to have my own shop as well as worked in others. My Dad was also an attorney, I used to do my own small claims cases for rental propertys and occasionally shops. Its rare to go to court, and most people have no real idea how it actually works. and too many people say "Court" when they shouldnt. But ive been on both sides. There are psycho abusive customers as well as shops. good luck

 

[snrusnak]

They are liable for the damages. They are required to give you the bike back in the same condition it was left. Make them fix it. If they beat around the bush too much and waste your time then you need to take the next step. I don't necessarily know what that is(attorney letter, a call to HD headquarters, speak to the manager, etc.)

 

[davidwick]

I am sorry to hear of your troubles what they are offering you is garbage. Make them make it right again. I love my bike and would have hated to start out owning it with a problem like that. Businesses that operate like that just piss me off. keep us posted on what happens. Oh and welcome to the forum.

 

[user_deleted]

i don't know if it's the nasty weather, the crappy roads, the extraordinarily high taxes, the kennedys.....or what it is but this is the essence of why i avoid anyone and anything from the Boston area at all costs. owning a small dealership i can't imagine trying to pull a stunt like this with a customer. this dealer is required by MA law to have liability insurance and your fiasco is covered under that policy. pursue it for any and all damages. they will pay.

 

[rchuff]

Bottom line they screwed it up they fix it up! (NO QUESTIONS ASKED)

 

[davidwick]

The fact they would have sent you off with a foot peg and 2 broken brake controls says a lot about them...... make em pay!

 

[Snaredrummer]

Hey all sorry should have added that it is not an HD dealer. I called my local buell and HD dealer and they wanted 750$ total. so I went with the place I got the bike from its a large dealer that has about 3 to 4 stores owned by the same guy they sell mostly sport ( I think Honda and kawasaki and a lot of BMW) but anyway thanks for the advice you all are great! I called again today and made an appointment to run down tomorrow to talk with the (managers??) I guess more then one. I think they are going to try to Intimidate me. So I'm meeting my Secret weapon, my father who has been riding for 30+ years and seen it all and is going to go in there with me. Ill keep you all updated!

Thanks again

 

[MotoX6]

Legally they rendered services and need to meet their agreement. Most likely they will say that they are not liable for accidents..here's the deal: the parts to fix it will be less then you'll pay for a lawyer or court costs. Ask then nicely, explain it's their fault and they need to fix it like you said. If they refuse, talk to the highest hancho, and if nothing-never go back.

Another tip-ask them for a customer service agreement or service department agreement, read it and see what your eligible for. (Fine print)

Also, 600 for tires and mounting is alot..hopefully they work well! Good luck!

 

[Restlessrustler]

Good luck, there are a few "sport bike" shops around NJ/PA like that. Make them pay!

 

[nemoxb]

I worked at a H-D dealer for about 9 years and now lead tech in an after market shop for 3. Lets start with shit happens, but fixing shit that you mess up is part of the deal. I almost feel like when your paying $80hr to get your bike worked on is more of an insurance policy than anything.... Depending on who works on your bike. Your A paying for a great job getting done correctly and professionally once or B paying to let them fix it 2 or 3 times till its correct. But in your case C fix it when they crash it. Were they riding it when it was dropped? If so maybe next time they will remember sport bike tires are slick when new or maybe don't use that can of silicone spray to lube the tire for mounting. But in the end it should be fixed to the way it came into the shop. Not half assed back together.

 

[Dave A]

That is truly Bull Shit. You need a God Father. An Italian One!