Ever felt a bit ripped off?

[Deeping]

Every minute at a german official Piaggio Dealers workshop costs 2,15 Euros ( 129,00 Euros per hour ), thats what I call legal robbery

WOW

[barryG]

Result, the lady service receptionist has offered to refund the over charged labour. She also offered a new air filter which was nice.

But, its the fact they havent actually done as Data said and serviced it right. So, whats to say they would another time, I doubt it very much. The tech wasnt a young lad, he was an experianced one but all he did was oil, filter, brake pads and squirt some lube over the various pivot points. I watched it being done and they didnt touch any chassis bolts etc.

I shall collect my money, and not return and because they are the only Suzuki dealers for miles I shant be buying another so by Suzukis main dealer being shoddy theyve lost servicing and a possible new purchase at some stage. Was chatting to a biker at work and he says they arent very good either.

I would have been happy to pay the £160 for the actual service laid down in the book however.

[Data]

I'm with you Barry! Sounds like the dealership is now trying to put it right though. I'm glad you had a moan...it worked! A franchised dealer should know better...and usually does. Interestingly, most franchised dealers will do something to sort customer moans out, if the moan has substance and you are not just carping on about something pretty irrelavant. Dealers and techs make mistakes and can and will usually put them right in my experience as they cannot afford an angry customer these days.

When I went to my local suzi dealer to collect my brand new Vstrom a few years back, I was somewhat shocked and disappointed when I inspected the new bike on the forecourt. Firstly, the rear wheel was mounted diagnolly (quite a bit out of alignment) with 70mm of chain slack (should have been 30mm). Handlebars were loose. Mirrors hitting the fairing. The bikes luggage was not secured properly. And...the number plate had an incorrect numeral on it. I was totally amazed and disheartened. But then I chatted to them and after pointing all this out, I received the biggest apology I've ever had. The dealer was embarrassed. But...they investigated, explained what had happened, and put right the problems immediately. I gave them that chance and have been rewarded with one of the best dealer experiences that I've ever had. They are good blokes and have done many things for me without charge and on top of which, they really know their stuff. I would point out that taking your bike to a franchised dealership for your bike can be important. My Vstrom had numerous official Suzuki ECU updates to solve fuel injection problems, all free. Non franchised dealers can't get these updates for a very long time usually, or sometimes not at all and you often have to pay to get them when they do become available.

[Deleted User 796]

...I shall collect my money, and not return and because they are the only Suzuki dealers for miles I shant be buying another so by Suzukis main dealer being shoddy theyve lost servicing and a possible new purchase at some stage. Was chatting to a biker at work and he says they arent very good either.

I would have been happy to pay the £160 for the actual service laid down in the book however.

That's what puts me of Suzukis, my nearest dealer is West London Suzuki who seem to be shit. Surely any dealer could change the belt/oil etc though?

[barryG]

Happy to say they have refunded a whopping £66 today! Now, dont trust their mechanics so need to find a proper Suzuki dealer for the future

[Deeping]

Remember if you buy another Suzuki you do not have to go to a Suzuki dealer to maintain the warranty on a Suzuki bike. From what I remember if they tell you that you have too I think they are breaking the law. This goes back to when I had a Honda 600LM Paris-Dakar and the Honda agent in Stamford left engine bolts loose the brake leaver loose and I think the tried to fill the bike with oil via osmosis, This was on its first service, it never saw a Honda garage again.

[Data]

Yes, you are right Deeping. As long as you take your new bike to any VAT registered dealer and use genuine parts, the manufacturer will honor the warranty. But it must be a VAT registered dealer or workshop that does the work so the manufacture can claim back the tax on the work done and parts used if it is a warranty job.

[barryG]

Trouble is, Suzuki are notorious for not honouring warranties and trying to wriggle out of claims. Ive had tales from a few owners whove had big problems with Suzuki warranty claims, and if they havent "serviced" the bike they try harder! I know its illegal but well, you know!

If anybody knows a good dealer that actually carries out servicing to Suzukis manual Id love to know! Im in Hampshire, dont mind travelling though.

[Deeping]

Yes, you are right Deeping. As long as you take your new bike to any VAT registered dealer and use genuine parts, the manufacturer will honor the warranty. But it must be a VAT registered dealer or workshop that does the work so the manufacture can claim back the tax on the work done and parts used if it is a warranty job.

Ahh Sooo Grasshopper, I did wonder about that, so it’s the vat registered that clinches it, thanks Data

[bornagainbiker]

Yes, you are right Deeping. As long as you take your new bike to any VAT registered dealer and use genuine parts, the manufacturer will honor the warranty. But it must be a VAT registered dealer or workshop that does the work so the manufacture can claim back the tax on the work done and parts used if it is a warranty job.

I have posted this link before about the Suzuki UK Warranty. I was amazed at the section about the Genuine parts and they also mention nothing about having to be a vat registered dealer\mechanic.

http://ccr.suzuki.co.uk/faq.php#FAQ_WARRANTY