TL;DR: Sorry it's a long post, don't care if no one reads it or replies to it just had enough of people and especially the mechanics at a bike garage up the road from my house. Constantly taking the piss and generally being a knob head. Owner is one of those guys who's alright when it's just you and them but as soon as someone else is there he becomes a knob head. Anyways just wanted to vent my anger, probably seems like nothing to get angry about but what I've mentioned is just the half of it not even that.
Mega annoyed to put it politely at a motorcycle garage up the road from my house which is annoyingly convenient that it's just a 2 min walk if that up there. The owner and his bum boy co-worker annoy the crap about of me big time and I'm just gonna rant about it before I punch something tho probably letting it get to me more than I should.
Near enough every time I go up there the owner Nick always has to take the piss out of something. Was fine for a start, brushed it off a banter but there's only so much banter I'm willing to take before it starts to get childish and that it seems more than just banter. I had a bandit 600 prior to owning a GSX1400, it's now got 63,000 miles on the clock and isn't in the best condition but still runs. He would always take the piss out of it saying I should just get a new bike as if I was made of money just to go and buy a new bike further more was on A2 licence didn't see point in changing bike until doing A category test.
Last 2-3 times I've been up there he's really annoyed me. The day I passed my test for A category I went up there and his bum boy co-worker was on holiday. I asked Nick (the owner) if I can take one of there Z800's out for a test ride and he said yeah sure. Didn't want a deposit or anything and knew I wasn't interested in buying it regardless of what I thought to it. Took it out no issues. Then the next week I went up asked him if I can take out Z1000 which was out being used as an cover bike as they deal with insurance claims when I took z800 out. This time tho his bum boy was back and decided he'll show off and refuse to let me ride the Z1000 without me first putting down a 2k deposit saying that I wouldn't buy it and that I just wanna try it out. Ik other places ask for a deposit but he was okay with me taking out the z800 so dunno why he has to be a knob head when his bum boy is back.
Then today I got new tires for GSX. I take the wheels out myself as I'm not paying a garage 40 odd quid for wheel removal for starters and they probably won't do the job properly anyway as I've heard several people say they don't tighten bolts up and so I go up there with front wheel and new tyre ask if he can fit it. Gets all cocky that he's about to go have lunch and it'll have to wait. Fair enough. I asked him if he got a 36mm socket and if I can borrow it for rear wheel as I don't have one currently. And he said no, said i can bring gsx to him pay him 40 quid and he'll take wheel out or I can go spend 40 quid on a socket (found one for 8 quid tho probably made of monkey metal). He was then complaining that he's busy so I said to him "well I could save you doing a job but you won't lend socket". In the end he let me use it after a little more piss taking. Took back wheel to him and then said to go back before closing time which was 5 pm and was only 2 pm at this point. So had to wait most of the afternoon and I don't buy that he was busy he stands around having a cigarette in the shop and the work shop which I'm sure is illegal and chats away. I go up at half 4 and he starts getting cocky again cuz I'm half hour early he said some time before closing didn't specify 10 seconds before 5 pm and he was just about done with them at half 4 anyway. Then he starts taking the piss that I was standing round when they fitted gps tracker to gsx so told them that was to make sure they didn't scratch it or anything, wouldn't put it past them.
Annoyingly he's always got the upper hand as he doesn't loose out if I don't go there anymore or whatever he has other customers. That said he's always saying that I should take my bike to him so he must need the cash yet If I say to him "well I won't come here anymore" he'll just say "no problem got other customers" so can't win either way there fgs. I have his 36 mm socket still. They're shut tomorrow but he can wait till Monday to get it back seeing as I have my wheels in the GSX now he can't "bribe" me in anyway. Sadly don't think a 36 mm is used often which is a shame I do hope he needs it at some point, I shall be awfully busy this week and maybe next depending on how much of a knob head I feel like being.
It's a shame they're up the road as only other bike garage in my town is on the other side, ain't carrying wheel that far. Shall go else were for MOT tho.
Sounds like this is something that has been smoldering for a while and it is a shame that some mechanics are like this (I know one as well) - you can either put up with it or say something to him or leather him . . . . in the words or Alexander Simples. As for the socket I would take it back ASAP that's the rule on tool borrowing i'm afraid
As for the MOT do you get any leniency - the place I go to generally look over my bike and thats about it (apart from the usual banter about number plates - did you know there are 14 ways you can fail you're MOT on the number plate :))
If he's that much of a dick and annoys you so much just go somewhere else.
I was one of 4 managers in a busy UK printers.
We didn't like unhappy customers, customers who had problems or wanted to complain, but we dealt with it OK.
Our biggest fear was customers who just quietly walked away and we never saw them again.
That's what I do.
No complaints, drama or arguments, I take my trade to folk who deserve it.
I travel a little further but I'm happy giving my money to someone else when I want to.
+1 with Tony,
not worth you getting upset about it just walk away.
yeah mate, find someone else.
I'm with Del. You gotta take the socket back ASAP.......otherwise it makes you as bad as him.
You still have the choice of taking your business to them.....or not !!
Would go else where and most likely will do for mot. But i don't have the cash to get garages to take wheels out of my bike to change a tire and theres no way I'm carrying a wheel across town to the only other garage lol.
On the socket, yeah true would make me as bad as him tho kinda beyond the point of caring. But might take it back tomorrow as they're shut today and may just walk in place it down and walk out without saying a word.
I have never once been charged for the 'removal' and 'replace' of a tyre i take my bike in i pay the price of the tyres and fitting is free.. thats been the same at all three places i have been to date.. Sounds like they are cowboys..
Quote from: Proteous on Thursday, 06 July 2017, 01:03 AM
I have never once been charged for the 'removal' and 'replace' of a tyre i take my bike in i pay the price of the tyres and fitting is free.. thats been the same at all three places i have been to date.. Sounds like they are cowboys..
It's normally included in the price.
Both the two tyre fitters I use will knock something off the price if I take in lose wheels. It's just quicker and easier for them. Not unusual.
It's unusual over this way, (motorbike) tyre prices are generally 'cash n carry' price. Fitting is an extra cost, between $130 - $200 depending on the outlet & bike.
Not that we get 'cheap' prices as cash n carry either, they just rock it in cause they can. eg, PR4GT's fitted about $800.
A ride in / ride out service has to include the price of the tyres, removal and refitting of wheels, fitting and balancing, and also a small fee for the disposal of the old tyre. Ive found the same in both the UK and Australia and Ive got through a lot of tyres.
If I'm changing tyres as a pair and one is only part worn I'm happy to not pay the few dollars to leave it there and take it home too, I have bikes I'll run odd tyres on, or use to size up future projects or give to mates for burnouts.
Just putting a tyre on a rim should always be cheaper than ride-in ride-out or your paying for something they're not doing. If you think they are doing it for free, take in your own tyres and ask them to do it for free.
Tyre disposal is about to be completely reviewed, such is the cost of recycling them and cleaning up after fly tipping, the Environment agency arm of DEFRA will in future be stepping up the regulation of tyre companies and fitting centres, there is talk that any tyre removed for disposal must be logged and a complete chain of conformity must be available on site as evidence of lawful disposal.
A recent article in the news reported that massive warehouses have been rented by criminals who have duly filled them to the rafters with tyres and then simply disappeared leaving tax payers with clean up bills running in to millions, worse than this was the criminals setting fire to them in the warehouse creating massive environmental damage and even higher clean up bills not to mention the danger to life.
For me I am happy to pay the current £5 for disposal and don't be fooled that you wont have too as it will simply be hidden in the cost of any new tyre produced.
As for test riding with no intention to buy a bike ask yourself if you were selling and someone came with no intention to buy, would you let them test ride.......................................Thought not!
I'm lucky I have a pretty good bike shop that's local. I buy everything I can there, pair of PR4's is $680 nzd that's what I pay for the tyres. I usually take just the wheels in and they fit the tyre no charge. If I take the bike in its $30 a wheel to fit. I am happy with that deal.
Yesterday said my Oxford grips would not automatically turn off and had twice flattened the battery. They opened a new packet took out the controller gave it to me and said drop back the faulty one and we will make a warranty claim for you. That's looking after your customers.
I always recommend them. Told Bayfun of them recently. Hope he is just as happy with their service.
No, if i take in a tyre, then yes they will charge to fit it, but ride in-ride out i have never been charged more than the tyre cost. I have only ever been charged a couple of quid disposal (£3 last time i think) And a couple of quid for new valve ( i always request new valve with every change of tyre) Othe than that i pay same as i would if i was ordering from say Black circles give or take a couple of quid.
Just did a check i paid 221 for my last set of Avons that was a ride in, ride out cost. At black circles the same tyres before delivery are 219.10. Think i got a good deal there.
That's a great shop & deal you have there Col. Lucky bloke.
There is nowt for free, its all absorbed in the profit, some make more profit than others and its without doubt that there are big profit margins, Well done to those eeking out the best deals. Personally and with my circumstances i go with what suits, is competitively priced and is convenient which for me is taking the wheels in rather than drive through, I would need convincing that tyre fitters were capable and competent of removing and refitting bike wheels if I went for the drive through option, as we all know bike wheels can take some setting up.............. unlike conventional car wheels.
I think the guy who runs the shop
@Michael Whitney goes to.. does not like his work.
To give you an idea how "my"shop is for me:
I bring my loose wheels and supply my new tires to my friendly bike shop, 3 towns away ( that is just a 15 minute drive by car :boogie2: )
He is grateful for not having to order the tires becauses its saves him time and temp. storage.
It is a one man all brands repair and maintenance shop. ( Ruud from Postma motoren in Haarlem - the Netherlands )
He fits the new ones, balances them, checks the bearings, disposes the old tires.
Total cost of that service is € 15 and i get a cup of tea.
I have lent numerous tools off him, used his shop lathe / welder for a project... even synced carbs in his workshop on my GL1100 project... all for the cost of a roll of biscuits. :imrgreen:
If he thinks i can help him, he is not afraid to ask :cool:
What might have contributed to that , is that we are about the same age, we went to the same school, had the same teachers and he too has an genuine interest in bikes. It's not "just" work.
Because of that, i buy my mirrors, blinkers, batteries, chains,l general maintenance stuff at his place with a discount and some times a freebee ( chain spray or the sorts )
Sounds like you are buddies :onya:
I avoid the repair shops like the plaque. The suspension guy was very good, however. For the dough I shelled out to get the shocks repaired and overhauled, he better be :smoke: Will be back to get the fork done. Could do the basic things, like seal replacement, myself but there is more to it. For now, whenever that will be, fork oil change will have to do it.
Tire change is done at the tire shop. It's in walking distance, so I load the wheels on a dolly. Buying the equipment does not pay. I could have the wheels powder coated a few times for that mammon if they get scratched up enough.
Ahh well i have about 8 tyre places in my town but i travel approx 20 miles to my local BIKE ONLY tyre and MOT place. They are actualy right next door to a second hand bike shop too so i always have a nose around the bike shop while i wait for my tyres to be done.. I would NEVER trust a car tyre place to do my tyres lol