Hey 2Lane....that's too bad you can't get any support from them. aaaarrgh. spyder
Thank you Spyder. It's far more unfortunate and discomfiting than just their lack of response to me too.
It seems several of us here, at a place that should be seen as a target rich environment for most vendors, have had similar unfortunate difficulties. Whether it be the detonation issue or other questions there have now come to light many instances of absolute lack of response/disregard, responses that seem at best delaying rather than actually responsive or other questionable levels of support.
During my own parts acquisition phase I know and readily admit I had my difficulties with them. They (Kitzmiller personally) was in fact splendid to work with while the order, work and money were inbound to Zippers. When things were supposed to be coming back my way the track got a slippier though.
Delay begat promise which begat more promises (that they had to know couldn't be met) which begat more delays. Finally after several broken promises parts did arrive though.
Kitzmiller actually got pointedly upset (and said so) with me because I'd dared speak of the difficulties. He actually had the temerity to cop an attitude because I'd not continued speaking favorably of them when their performance had no longer been favorable. I pointedly told him he should expect favorable reports when they seem to do well without having to expect less than favorable reports on what they don't do well. I don't think being so instructed sat well with him as there was very little conversation after that exchange. That upon arrival here part of the machine work itself was not up to par only made matters worse of course.....
It did finally all get here, get installed, and ran fine (in cooler weather). So I was willing to let bygones be bygones. I later asked a simple question about a spare part; politely and courteously. Kitzmiller had the opportunity to see the question for an extended period. He rather pointedly disregarded me and the question. So I just kept refreshing the post until embarrassment or annoyance forced him to supply an answer.
Consequent to all this history I honestly did not expect him to exercise the fortitude necessary to actually answer a question of mine. No matter how consequential it was to the operation of the bike or how politely and correctly it was originally placed I fully expected Kitzmiller to just disregard a query that came from me; just because it came from me and that's the way he'd proved to behave. It's unfortunate, but that's company's history and the man's demeanor in my case.
So when I say it's more discomfiting because the response seems to be the same to others as it is to me I mean that literally.
A company that won't address us here when there's time to work with someone and it's easy to do so is a company to be simply afraid of when considering the prospect of being on the side of the road someplace. Imagine being on the side of the road or at a dealership somewhere, having a proprietary system with one source for information and support, needing that information and support, and knowing that the company you're hoping to deal with is the company that behaves as they have here.
A disregard for one rider is one thing. Everyone can get pissed off at a guy. Even if they're dicks for doing so. So they're pissed off at me. I can live with it. It's unfortunate they put their pride and ego above their ethics and standards. But such is not an uncommon sin. And when it's directed against just one, well, it'd be unfortunate for me but, again, I can live with it.
A disregard for the riding community, however, is frightening and unnerving. That's an attitude that leaves men stranded. Their wives or girlfriends or children on the pillion frightened and concerned as the sun starts to set or wondering just how long they'll be in the motel down the street from the dealership before they can get home to hug the kids and relieve the grandparents or baby sitter.
I am, quite frankly and honestly, very much surprised to have learned here recently how widespread seems to be Zippers' difficulties in meeting service and support obligations. Really, screwing with me and taking some grim satisfaction for blowing me off just because Kitzmiller can is one thing, but leaving the community of men that we all associate with in similar straits is just sad. Misery may love company. But none of us want that company on the side of the road or wandering the floor at a strange dealership waiting for support. Paying a vendor to leave us there is something we should all reconsider.
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