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Buell Forum » 1125R Superbike Board » Archives 001 » Archive through April 28, 2010 » Dealer charged $80 to install ECM flash. Should it have been warranty? « Previous Next »

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Thefleshrocket
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 01:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My '08 R had the buez0dp0 flash and it would buck and surge belo 4000rpm. I called the dealer and made an appt to have the most recent flash applied. They took care of it this morning but they told me it was $80 for the flash. I told them I thought it was covered under warranty due to the rideability issues and they said that the flash was free but not the labor to install it. I was an hour from home and the bike was my transportation so I paid the $80. Should this have been done for free under warranty?
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Froggy
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 01:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yes the part is non chargeable, but the labor is. $80 is ridiculous, I would of put up a stink and had them bill it to warranty. I had mine done, they only charged $20 for 15 min of labor for it. I didn't feel like making a big deal out of $20 so I let it slide.
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Freezerburn840
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 01:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

That dealer sucks balls. Flash is warranty the whole way.
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Jackgraves
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 01:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

They upgraded me to the 062 flash here in tampa FL for free.
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Ccryder
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 02:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My Dealer does mine for $0.0 all 4 times.
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D_adams
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 02:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mine have all been free so far also. You should have rode the extra hour and came up here to Gateway. I could have met you with one of the RT 3's to hear.

(Message edited by d_adams on April 22, 2010)
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Stirz007
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 02:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mine were free - matter of fact, when my harness developed a short the dealer replaced harness, updated flash, replaced front header with the newer, better one, rerouted front brake line, and threw in an oil and filter change because I had been 'inconvenienced' by the harness failure. Total cost to me = $0.00 Zero, Nada, nuthin.
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T_man
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 03:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

They wanted $300 to flash mine, but its got a salvage title - still I think to charge anything over $20 is ridiculous.
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Froggy
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 03:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

$300 should include a new ECM!
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T_man
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 03:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I have pretty much written off my local HD dealership. While some of the parts guys have been helpful, their dyno operators customer service is ABSOLUTELY appalling. I virtually choked on the condescending attitude spewing from them when I enquired about running my 1125R on their dyno. And then mid conversation the guy walked out on me. Literally - mid conversation - just walked away. Disgusting and infuriating were two adjectives that can safely be applied here.

This was after they told me they wanted $300 to re-flash my bike (because Harley alledgedly charges them $200 to administer the flash). Consequently I kept my old flash (Dec '07 vintage!) and tuned it myself. Recently I ordered a EBR Ecm. Finally my hard earned money going to the appropriate agency. God help HD because I sure won't be.
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Stirz007
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 03:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

T Man -

That really sucks and I just don't get it. Unless you went in there with a stinky attitude and PO'd someone, there really is no reason to treat a customer poorly. (Not saying you did, but that's the only, albeit thin, reason to not treat a customer with respect - which you apparently did not receive). If it were me, I would call the manager, explain what happened and ask if that is how they run their business - that usually gets immediate and good results. If not, then good riddance. A satisfied customer tells 2 or 3 other people. A dissatisfied customer tells between 11 and 20. Pissing off a customer is usually bad business - meaning it hurts the bottom line.

I digress, but the flip side is true with me. If I am treated fairly, it gains enormous customer loyalty. South Valley HD in SLC has always treated me well, no matter what my needs were. If they couldn't help me, they pointed me in the right direction. EBR (once you contact someone - they get busy sometimes) is absolutely great on the customer service side. I will continue to use both vendors for the forseeable future.

Good luck - there's bound to be someone out there who both wants your business and wants to treat you fairly.
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Eweaver
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 05:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I have never paid a dime for a flash.
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Boogiman1981
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 07:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

good customer relations dictate the labor is gratis on something like that
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Thefleshrocket
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 08:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks for the comments, everyone. Dean, next time I will go to Gateway and give them a shot. Seeing your RT3 in person and saving $80 would have been worth it.

So, if this should have been warranty, is there anybody (Harley corporate perhaps) that I can call regarding this issue to try to get authorization to get my money back?
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D_adams
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 09:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'd ask Court first, but (just my opinion here) I think you're probably out of luck on getting any $$ back.
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Mr_incognito
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 09:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yea id be complaining to your dealer man. Thats stupid, to charge someone the labor on a warranty. Ive had my bike reflashed about 100 times and theyve never charged me a penny. I even had them reflash the reflash they just did, because I thought it felt like it ran funny and they didnt charge me anything.
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Rockstarblast1
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 10:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Wow that sucks I love my dealer!!! Western reserve hd/buell!!! 2 weeks ago I called up talked to jim at about noon and he told me to make it in an hr before they close and they would do it... in out and free..
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Dmhines
Posted on Friday, April 23, 2010 - 08:36 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The dealer I bought my bike from did it for free. Is the dealer that charged you the same one you bought it from?
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Thefleshrocket
Posted on Friday, April 23, 2010 - 12:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Dmhines, I bought my bike from Ukes in Wisconsin and had it shipped to me--I'm about 400 miles from them, so going back there for service isn't feasible.
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Mrrickbo
Posted on Friday, April 23, 2010 - 04:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

If it is covered under warranty of the parts, it is covered under warranty for the labor to the tech as well! I have had E.C.M. flash, turn signal, and even a rare leaking frame replacement. Then a frame re-painting! All covered under warranty, labor to the tech included under warranty! So the Dealer charging for the work is B-S! They just got paid twice! H-D pays them for warranty work, I guess that is what I'm trying to say! lol
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Philp
Posted on Saturday, April 24, 2010 - 11:56 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Not to hijack... How do you find out which flash you have? Mine bucks a lot but I don't feel like going to my dealer and being billed for him to tell me I have the latest flash.

BTW, $80.00 is ridiculous for a few minutes work but I think I could end up in the same boat, hence my inquiry above.

(Message edited by philp on April 24, 2010)
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Lastonetherebuys
Posted on Saturday, April 24, 2010 - 02:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

i cant remember what it costs but if i want just a reflash they will charge me but if its in their shop they will add a line to the ro and check and update the flash for free. got to remember it does tie a tech up for a little while.
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Thefleshrocket
Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2010 - 11:14 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I don't think that the flash should be done for free--obviously it does take the tech at least a little bit of time to do it. But if this is a warranty (rideability) issue, I'd think that Harley should foot the bill, not me.

(Message edited by thefleshrocket on April 25, 2010)
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Mrrickbo
Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2010 - 02:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm telling y'all from my experience. Hearing this from the dealer where I got my bike from, and the instructors at M.M.I. who have all work at dealerships. Some of whom, with one to be in particular who was the tech doing the work and is know an instructor. If it's an drive-ability issue, then it is cover under warranty. The dealership would charge it to H-D. The service writer/advisor can do/check the update and it takes no more than 5 minutes after plugging it in. So it shouldn't be charged to you, it should go to H-D.
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Thefleshrocket
Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 01:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I just called Harley's customer service to ask what the official standpoint on the issue was. (Their number is 414-343-4056.) I told them that I had called up the dealership, told them that I had a rideability problem, and asked them to install the most recent flash on my Buell. They made an appointment and when I arrived, they pulled the bike into the back and applied the flash.

The Harley representative put me on hold to check with the warranty department. When she returned, she said that it would not be a warranty issue, but that was due how the repair was requested. She said that if I had brought the bike to the dealership and asked them to troubleshoot a rideability issue and they had decided that applying an updated flash would likely solve the problem, then it would be covered under warranty. Apparently doing my own diagnostic work backfired.

I am going to call the dealership and explain to them what the Harley rep told me and ask them if they would be willing to submit this service as a warranty issue, since Harley will apparently cover it if the dealership tells them that they thought that applying the update would fix a rideability issue.

Also, the Harley rep sounded surprised that I was charged an hour of labor since she said that connecting the bike to the computer system takes "a matter of seconds".

In addition to the $74 for an hour of labor that I was charged, the dealership charged me $5.51 for shop supplies. I have no idea what sort of shop supplies would have been required so I'm going to ask about that as well.
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Thefleshrocket
Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 02:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I just called the dealer and spoke to the service manager. I explained the issue to him and told him what Harley customer service had said. He said he would submit the ticket as a warranty item to Harley, and if they approve it, then the dealership would refund the service charge. They said it would take a week to 10 days to get a response. So the good news is that the dealership is trying to work with me on this. I'll keep this thread updated when I get more information.
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Reducati
Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 04:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"In addition to the $74 for an hour of labor that I was charged, the dealership charged me $5.51 for shop supplies. I have no idea what sort of shop supplies would have been required so I'm going to ask about that as well" ...... Often times when a Buell rolls into a h.d. shop, the dust goes a flyin, and id say they used the $5.51 to cover the papertowels to re polish the chrome on the bikes on the showroom floor....
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Freezerburn840
Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 05:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

How about when its a HD shop and they all run inside and hide from the Buell Guy.
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