Shocking Eldon but I can well believe it mate! A mate of mine was an MOT tester for one of the large chains that sell tyres, exhausts, shocks & braking components etc. As well as doing MOT's (i.e. the likes of Kwik-Fit etc) He regularly got a b#llocking for NOT pulling stunts like you mentioned!
Run this by you all,true story, Last year my mate and I (he is an ex Navy Marine engineer) fitted Oxford heated grips to my Bonneville America which caused the engine warning light to come on. Panic stations! what have we done wrong? We checked out everything then in desperation phoned the Triumph dealer (Chester) for advice to be told you should bring the bike in to be checked out before any damage was caused. I explained that I didn't like the idea of riding the bike with the engine warning light lit he said that they could collect the bike but there would be a charge (90 quid). I won't bore you with the distances,grief involved in doing this then having to get a lift to pick up the bike, so I searched the forum to try and find a solution. It took me about two minutes to find out that all I needed to do was to run the motor to temperature then let it cool down back to cold 3 times (thanks Dill and Dozers dad) bingo job done. At no time did the dealer suggest trying this first! Good for thought hey.
Standard practice if you make any changes. It takes the management system three cycles to complete its diagnostics. It's what we at Woburn tell folk who phone in worried, or if they don't want to do that we tell them to bring the bike in and we'll plug it in and turn it off for then foc as part of duty of care. It's taking the piss otherwise if the customer tells you they've merely fitted grips, or changed a light bulb etc.
Funny old thing servicing. I do my own oil filter and brakes. Bulldog are happy with this and stamp the book. Even when I changed my exhaust the light came up so I phoned them and sure enough they confirmed to me to start the bike and run to tempeture. They did say it may take up to three try's and it would rectify its self. So I recon it depends on the dealer. And I never found Bulldog over expensive. Ride Safe Joe.
Hi Rich, That is genuinely great to hear mate I wouldn't mind betting that that kinda open/honest customer service pays dividends in the long run. BTW... I didn't get an EML when I fitted my T100's heated grips last November. I would say "Gis a job Mr" Trouble is, I'm way too slow/methodical. Plus I give a f#ck about the job & the end result!
Yes what's this admin fee bollox that's creeping in? Noticed a few dealers placing this in their small print, surely if your doing a px it cuts both ways!!!! Or is that my Yorkshire man streak coming out?
Possibly, but it takes a lot of time and effort to set up a business and run it alongside doing the bit you actually like doing (the spannering). The admin, cash handling, banking, accounts, VAT, setting up and maintaining premises, bills, advertising, staff if you get big enough, dealing with never happy customers who want it all done for free.... Not surprised most are happy to be employed and let someone else take care of all that to be honest, and I take my hat off to those that take the plunge.
I agree with your comments, a business has to make money to survive...often not easy when some customers have totally unrealistic expectations. The whole main dealer issue is complex, the profit margin on new bike's is small so dealers must make margin in other ways: Servicing and extras etc,often it's the way they try to do this that causes contention ,i.e. "administration fees" On the question on competence of mechanics, l feel that training is a factor here, l did a full five year indentured apprenticeship in engineering and mechanics used to do something similar, today they do a "modern apprenticeship" which consists a few years on the job training together with nvq's, this in my opinion, debases the word apprenticeship. Common result? Fault diagnosis using the substitution method with the customer paying for all the components weather required or not..... Sorry for the rant.....just waiting for the howls of indignation now!
Know what you mean Speeder - some "mechanics" today are essentially well trained fitters. You will always get some who are way better than others of course and they're the ones you always want to find and have working on your bike.
Some not so well trained..... I think the appropriate title for some establishments is Hands-on Salesman.
My local dealer are wanting £240 for its 6k service or they’ll do it for £218 with free uplift and delivery in their winter servicing deal....considering much of this work I do regularly anyway whilst cleaning, it’s basically a £240 oil change and autoscan for the sake of a warranty. Are these prices normal for main dealer servicing?
Doesn't seem good value for oil change ! maybe ask them for a break-down of costs and see if they squirm !
It's even more expensive as l think that is the valve clearance check service . Again, not particularly difficult if you have reasonable spannering skills.
It's about standard for an annual/6k service. That said we're a bit cheaper in Woburn and Wellingborough. Check your handbook and you'll see all the checks that go in to an annual/6k service in addition to the electronic health check. It's a two hour job.
There should be a break down of costs on the invoice, oil, oil filter, washer, oil disposal (obligated environmental charge) plus labour.
The Triumph Apprenticeship scheme is comprehensive. And you're correct about small margins in selling bikes. There's not much in servicing either. That's why bike shops are rarely as well staffed or appointed as car dealerships.
I'm starting to look at cars to replace one of my current Fords. So far all of the car dealers I have visited are staffed by a few teenagers who haven't got a clue which engine is in what model. Thank goodness for the internet. I seriously hope bike dealers are better than this but as I change my bike every ten years or so normally I'm a bit out of touch.
