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[Seegarsmkr]

Hey Guys does it seem a little screwed that my bike arrived crated at the dealer on Wednesday it is still crated.  I realize that I purchased it through the military and they are only facilitating the delivery but it seems that they are going to delay as long as possible...using the excuse that they are VERY busy.  I also realize that paying customers to the shop require service but...

How long does it usually take for a bike to arrive at a dealer then get prepped for the customer?  They said that they should be able to have it by last Friday but now when push comes to shove they are dragging their feet.  I have someone picking it up for me and bringing it to a performance shop for some initial "stuff" and would like to have some break in miles on it before I have to re-crate it and send it to Germany.

What is your opinions; should I raise some hell or let it be?

Seegarz

[Twolanerider]

You paid, it's delivered they (apparently) promised a time.  That should be end of story.

I'd bitch.  I'd do it the first time politely to the dealer GM or principal.  Don't hesitate to play the uniform card.  Serviceman deployed getting screwed around by a business because you're not there to defend yourself.

In 24 hours if it's still not ready call the same guy again.  This time bitch less politely and tell him the next day's call goes to HD Corporate (who probably won't give a crap) and to whatever local media you can find interested in a human interest story about a deployed serviceman being screwed over by an arrogant local business.

It sounds like this is not a "local" dealer to you.  So you care not one bit about staying in each others good graces.  Go nuclear if need be to get them off the dime.  Make sure your buddy looks the bike over VERY closely when it's picked up.

[Smiler]

Not sure how things work over in the USA but in England we don't pay for the bike until we collect.  One thing I would say is if the dealership is backed up with bikes and they have overstretched thhemselves then they need their arses kicked but it is in the favour to get your bike turned around and out of the door otherwise they are left footing an expensive bill.  I think where your dealership went wrong was they gave you a date....
Over here we are told when the bike sets sail from America and they give us a ring when it's in.  I'm told it could be sat in there a couple of days before they get chance to work on it but once it is uncrated it is turned around in a short time.

Hope this is of use.

[Seegarsmkr]

Thanx guys I appreciate the advise.    I think I will turn up the heat just a bit.  Will keep you posted.

Seegarz

[rlavigna]

As a business owner I just don't understand why workers, managers and other company's just don't get it.  I would have a polite conversation with the dealer's manager or owner and let him know how anxious you are to take a ride on your new bike and that you are growing frustrated with it just sitting there.  If he makes a commotion and gets the job done, then you know you are at a decent dealership.  If they just placate you and nothing happens then I suggest that you never getting any work done there in the future.  This should be the litmus test for how they will treat you going forward.

Good luck and have fun! 

Rich
 

[Hoist!]

Chuckie's opinion is to raise holy hell, get it prepped, get that thing outta there ASAP, and never look back. F them! How dare they treat one of our servicemen in this fashion, just because they didn't sell it to you. If it weren't for guys like you defending our freedom, they wouldn't even have a friggin' business right now! Good luck getting your bike outta there. And thank you for your service to this great nation!

Hoist!

[cuthbertss]

I would raise some minor hell.  They get paid by the moco to do the setup on mil overseas sales
But then.... You don't want them too pissed so its a delicate dance

[harleyteam]

give us their email address,,,,,, let us send a FEW on your behalf.  and voice our opinion on how to properly treat our military personel.

 

[saddlebow]

Ditto on the email blast.  Bad enough to make anyone wait, but as an "All American Company and Proud of it" they should have moved you to the front of the line.  I bet Harley HQ would like to hear about this....
Get some names and addresses and post them.  You'll get some back up from here.

[Seegarsmkr]

Thanx all, I sent an e-mail and will follow with a call (this Japanese time difference is a beitch sometimes).  If that doesn't work then I will turn you guys loose, and start playing hardball.  What is funny (Shakespearian tragic funny) is that I made a side trip to NJ for a day, when on leave, flew an extra 1800 miles, just to pay a visit to the dealer, spoke to the owner for a sec who was totally uninterested and promptly had one of his minions take the case.  I sat down with the sales manager who is supposed to be the one handling the case and we spoke for about 45 minutes (mainly just building rapport).  He placed a call to see what they hold up was on getting the bike to the dealership...now he is the one dragging his feet.  Not sure but it sounds like it is help the guy in front of you but if he is not...

I would like to start slow so that I am not looking for a new engine from the MoCo for metal in the engine or such in a few weeks.  I have both my friend and the performance shop aware that they need to do a fine tooth comb inspection when they get it.  This will probably be the first of many CVOs but you can rest assured that they will not see my business again. 

My friend that is picking up the bike went there to get it (took off work) and they didn't have it ready that really blows DOUBLE. 

Thanx again boys and girls,

Seegarz

[ccr]

I believe you are picking your bike up at Patriot HD in Fairfax, VA.  I am sure they are busy, although I have not been in their shop for about ten months, the shop is usually stacked deep with a few hundred bikes for sale, a hundred or so sitting in some form of disrepair in the service area, the 8 or so bays with a bike up on the lift and several hundred patrons crossing the front door daily.  I do however, have fantastic service from this dealership, every time I have been there, whether it is from the service department, the parts department or the clothing department.  I've never seen the owner, but my experience with the owners is they are mostly rich kid accountants and don't have HD pumping in their veins, only the chance to be a multi millionaire for buying the franchise.  I wish I lived closer, but I don't.  Not sure it would help any if I did.  Am sure that they don't want your crate sitting waiting to get your bike serviced and out of their already cramped spaces.  I am sure they will get it ready for delivery as quickly as they can.  We will keep our fingers crossed for you.

 

[Seegarsmkr]

Actually Mrs We,
The dealer is in NJ...my home of record (so that they can pack it up and send it to Germany for me).  The name of the dealer is Essex County HD.  I will be calling the sales manager tonight my time.  Thanx for the advise...always welcome.

Seegarz

[Seegarsmkr]

OK guys here is the follow up.  I have a friend who is my Power of Attorney as you probably know.  The dealer still has my bike IN THE CRATE.  The dealer is Essex County Harley Davidson...I have contacted them and my friend has been in nearly daily conversations with them and here was their response on Thursday:

I called Jay this afternoon to find out what time I could pick up the bike on Friday.  I was off Thursday and Friday of this week.  When I called Jay...he told me that the owners of the company told the service department to "de prioritize" the bike..which is still in the crate.  I explained to Jay that I thought that was bullsh*t.  And explained that just because you didn't buy the bike there..we shouldn't be treated like 2nd class citizens.  I told him that I wanted to speak to the owners...or I would come down there to talk to them in person.  I told Jay that I wasn't mad at him and that I appreciate the help that he has been giving me...but if this was the way the owners treated the buys of there bikes...it was just plain wrong.  I told him that I thought it was unacceptable to have the bike still in the crate 2 weeks after it was delivered to them.  He agreed and asked me to be patient, as he would contact the owners of the shop.  He called me back 15 minutes later and told me that there was a 99% chance that the bike would get done on Friday..and worst case on Sat...I told him that was acceptable.  And thanked him for the help.  I told him that due to my job...the bike would have sat there for another 2 weeks before I could pick it up (which was bullsh*t...as I am off a few day next week too...hehe.)

Jay is the Sales manager and the owner is Anthony Rottino.  I have placed a call and left a message with Harley Davidson of America but with the time difference I will have to call them again.  I will try and call one of the news papers in the area...any other advise is welcome.  Thanx

Seegarz

[SOKOOLJ]

Sorry to hear your troubles, brother. I think it is way out of line and f'ed up how they are treating you. I'm sure that since you are not there to jump up and down on their desks they do not give a rats ass. I like your idea of the local paper, with you being AD, the negative publicity is something no dealer wants to deal with. Good luck.

[Seegarsmkr]

Update...my friend picked up the bike this weekend.  He inspected it closely and is already aware of a potential "little oil problem."  He is going to break it in gently and then have it reexamined to see if/where the leak is coming from.  I will be united with it in August and hopefully it will be over it's illness by then.  I will send pics as soon as I get some.  My friend has already put 100 miles on it and should have it broken in and upgraded for my arrival in August.  At least the bike is in "my possession"

seegarz