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Archive through June 06, 2007Buellshyter30 06-06-07  09:39 pm
         

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Lost_in_ohio
Posted on Wednesday, June 06, 2007 - 10:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I don't understand why dealers don't like warranty service. They are getting paid for it right????

Can somebody enlighten me?
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Ft_bstrd
Posted on Wednesday, June 06, 2007 - 10:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The only thing I can think of is that there is some sort of double dipping going on. If you can get the customer to pay for it AND turn it in for warranty.....

I just don't know. I would like to, though.
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Cochise
Posted on Wednesday, June 06, 2007 - 11:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Appleton's (TN) didn't impress me when I visited. I do my business with Bumpus. The owner, Tom Bumpus, is a Buell guy. I've done a couple of track days with him, and he's not just a pencil pusher. He's a real rider who will go above and beyond to help you.

My Stepson lives in Horn Lake, MS, near Memphis. I went into Bumpus when the '04's came out and testrode my first Firebolt 12. I then bought one, but I bought it from Cycle-Connection. I had to wreck my '01 X-1 before I could buy the Firebolt.

(Message edited by cochise on June 06, 2007)
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Gentleman_jon
Posted on Thursday, June 07, 2007 - 07:08 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Fat man,

To explain the warranty situation a bit.

Harley Dealers are independent businesses. They buy warranty coverage from the Motor Company.

The problem is that the Motor Company does not pay very much for warranty claims, much less than the dealers charge for the same work.

Harley dealers are particularly imaginative when it comes to setting charges for service work.

Therefore it is always more profitable for the dealers to charge the customer than the Motor Company for repairs, even when they are obviously warranty items.

This is a wonderful system for everyone but the customer, especially the Buell owner who knows something about his motorcycle, taking his Buell to a dealer that really does not know how to fix it, and feels that the whole Buell thing is a total waste of his time foisted on him by Harley.

It does not seem to big a big problem for the the Harley
"Lifestyle" rider who spends twice as much as the Buell customer, rarely rides his bike, doesn't know anything about it, and believes that being treated like sh*t is an integral part of being a Harley person.

One always has to remember that HD is the most consistently profitable large corporation in the country, so they are not even thinking about changing any element of this system.

Pathetic, isn't it?

PS. Of course not EVERY Buell dealer is like that. There are probably a half a dozen that welcome Buells, are honest, and know how to fix them. Most of them are sponsors of this board.

(Message edited by gentleman_jon on June 07, 2007)
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Daves
Posted on Thursday, June 07, 2007 - 09:05 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

"Hahahahaha. . . welcome DaveS . . . I was waiting for that and had visions of pieces of Andy being scattered all over Cheeseville."


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Blake
Posted on Thursday, June 07, 2007 - 04:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I think there are a lot more than just a half dozen good Buell dealers. Sheesh. Some may not be all that enthusiastic about Buells, but they are good business people with integrity who treat folks fairly.

I'd be talking privately to the owner(s) of that Appleton, TN dealership. I doubt very much that he/she/they support the ludicrous way you have been dis-served by their service department.

It is VERY difficult to find good employees.
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Ft_bstrd
Posted on Thursday, June 07, 2007 - 06:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I bought from Appleton and have no qualms about the sales side. The service side is another matter. Conversely, I do ALL my service at Bumpus HD in Murfreesboro. They are absolutely outstanding in every regard on the service side. The sales side treats you like they are doing you a favor selling you a bike.

Both dealerships are prime examples of how both operations are distinct operations under the same umbrella.

If I could get a deal remotely close to what I got at Appleton at Bumpus, I would buy from them simply as a reward for the satisfaction I receive in their service department. I look at things holistically and prefer to reward with continued purchases those dealers who earn the business. I don't need to get a steal on every single piece to have that business earned.

There are several great dealerships and I do my best to promote them as much as possible. I have never done a single piece of business with SMHD in Maryville, but I know Brad and have heard from others that they are top notch and recommend them to anyone near there.

I just don't understand why any dealership would risk future relationships and service dollars as well as potential future model sales by refusing to perform warranty work on a clearly warranty issue. There must be something else to it.

"That just don't make no sense!"
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Hammeroid
Posted on Thursday, June 07, 2007 - 07:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

and then in the winter when you won't be riding and they will be starving for customers rent a box truck and plaster signs all over it. and don't forget a loud speaker.
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Thansesxb9rs
Posted on Friday, June 08, 2007 - 12:11 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Went into my local NON BUELL dealer yesterday to get some parts or see if they still had any left over parts from when they lost the Buell contract here in KC. My usual contact was out so the service manager took the time to look up the part number found out it was a common stock HD part and got it for me. He spent about a half hour with me for a $1.94 part. That is why they get all my service. Oh ya if I buy my tires from them I get them mounted for free, if I buy them online I pay $20 a tire, another good reason to keep giving them business.

A buddy from work just bought a uly from our only Buell dealer here in KC, bike is falling apart and giving him a sick feeling, instead of just fixing his exhaust servo and other misc items or telling him it is covered under warranty they tell him he should buy an aftermarket exhaust. Funny thing is he said so your paying for that instead of just fixing my stock pipe with 700 miles on it, right? They said well no, so he said it is a new bike that has had the front fender fall off, the front light mount lose two bolts and now the exhaust servo is stuck, the bike runs like crap and you want me to buy a new aftermarket exhaust? The guy says well the aftermarket pipe doesn't have a servo to get stuck. This just isn't a good way to keep new customers. I mean this is his first bike in the last 15 years and it took him almost a year to decide which one he wants. Finally he gets a Buell and has problems with the bike that are very simple to most of us but not for someone that does not work on their own bike or know much about them.

Why can't people just fix what is asked to be fixed. Isn't there a time to try and push a sale and a time to back off? I for one would never try to sell a new part to someone that is pissed off he has to keep bringing his bike back in every 100 miles because stuff is falling off it.

Funny thing is, all these crappy dealers we don't even have to name them, we all know which of our local dealers suck. I am guess everyone in KC knows the one I am talking about even though it is the only local Buell dealer, have found quite a few HD guys that won't even do business with them. Seems like some dealerships are only after the initial purchase and selling a bunch of goodies at that time and could care less about the customer after the sale.
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Daves
Posted on Saturday, June 09, 2007 - 07:48 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Hey Tim!
How's everything else in KC?
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Phat_j
Posted on Saturday, June 09, 2007 - 08:30 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

as far as things falling off in the first few miles, that is a result of a poor set up..... durring set up, each and every fastner on that bike is supposed to have a wrench put to it..... made sure its tight....
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Aldaytona
Posted on Saturday, June 09, 2007 - 09:00 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

When you signed the initial service work order, how much was the dollar amount listed? That's what you are liable for. Additional work must be authorized in person or by phone.
If you signed a blank one, they kinda got ya.
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Thansesxb9rs
Posted on Saturday, June 09, 2007 - 11:03 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Hey Dave, everything is going pretty good here in KC, hopefully have my bike done in the next month or two.

You and Kandie need to come down and see everyone sometime.
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Daves
Posted on Saturday, June 09, 2007 - 11:17 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I know, I know.
Kandie has some 3 and 4 day weekends off this summer.
Maybe one of those we can come down.
We'll let you all know.

Heck, I can write off trips to KC, that's where Ross Archery is at. I sell their bows.
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Rick_a
Posted on Saturday, June 09, 2007 - 12:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

In the very least one should expect a fair resolution.

A lot of dealers seem to have a pattern of routinely screwing over their good customers and sucking up to the a-holes.
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Ft_bstrd
Posted on Saturday, June 09, 2007 - 01:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Strangely enough, the good customers who get screwed over tend to turn into a-holes only to then receive good service.

Rick, I think you are on to something. ;)
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Barker
Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 10:38 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Got a call from a nice lady @ appleton(TN) today.

She wanted to know how I my last visit at the dealership went.

I told her the short story. She apologized and said she would tell a manager.
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Barker
Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 10:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

ironically she called the same day I fixed what they broke.
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Jon
Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 03:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Barker did you do what Court told you to do?
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Barker
Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 03:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I havn't sent court a "note" yet.
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Buellerandy
Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 06:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

"Hahahahaha. . . welcome DaveS . . . I was waiting for that and had visions of pieces of Andy being scattered all over Cheeseville."

WOW, I wish I would've gotten to this thread sooner lol. I don't think anything I've done or haven't done would be deserving of a passionate keester kicking by Dave! Atleast not yet...
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Daves
Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 11:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Not yet Andy, but remember, I'm watching.
Bwwaaaaahahahahahahahahaha
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Jon
Posted on Friday, June 15, 2007 - 01:38 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Barker,

What are you waiting for? Court has good counsel. Get with him and then you won't have to get all ground up about this. If you are not going to contact him then you are contributing to an already bad situation.
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Prior
Posted on Friday, June 15, 2007 - 03:08 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

l'il hijack...
Dave,
If you head down there, let me know, I'll be up for the trip, I assume some BBQ (for all of us) and a few cold ones (for the 'me' of us) might be in order. Perhaps another invade KC party, we all need to visit Jeff Griswold (Thunder) again soon... he does a great home made dinner.
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Swampy
Posted on Friday, June 15, 2007 - 09:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Just do it Barker!

What you do today will make it better for the rest of us in the future.
So many times owners just don't know what is going on, and leave it up to GMs to do what they do best, never checking up on day to day operations to make sure the organization is heading in the desired direction.
Maybe they need to know what happened. Apparently they had a good reputation in the past, maybe they are just a little off track and need some adjustment.
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