I'm a
great believer in supporting local business
as long as that business provides excellent service, even if it costs more.
Sadly, there are very few businesses offering excellent customer service these days and Main Dealerships are amongst the worst in my experience. Bear in mind, I've bought a good few bikes over the years and have used lots of dealerships. One that sticks most vividly in my memory is Motorcycle Centre Orrel who should be renamed Motorcycle Centre
Orrible! Their customer service was so very bad that I had to create a
webpage about them, just to get them to react!!
Another dealer who got £11,000 from me, fitted a cheapo alarm to my bike when I'd ordered and been invoiced for a
£350 Meta 357T alarm. Other dealers too, have tried to stiff me by varying amounts and methods. They were all nice as pie at the pre-sale stage and complete charlatans post-sale.
Needless to say, not all dealers are rogues, but I've yet to meet one which is truly worthy of praise. And it's no use praising a business just for doing the basics - they deserve praise when they demonstrate praiseworthy service and support.
NOW READ THIS....Last November, I came off my Fireblade in Alston, Scotland. The crankcase cover was smashed and oil gushed out onto the road. I was totally stuffed - middle of nowhere and 300 miles from home. Closest dealer was in Inverness and they didn't provide a recovery seervice in my area. Some kind passer-by gave me a number to ring - it was an independent motorbike shop 40 miles away. They told me not to worry about anything, drove over to me in a van, collected me and my bike and then two mechanics tried to get my Blade back on the road. They even drove 12 miles away to get the alternator cover welded by a specialist to attempt a repair.
6 hours and many phone calls later , they had to admit defeat, so I rang a mate to send a van up to me the next day. The mechanics then rang around to find me a B&B for the night and lent me some money to pay for it (I only had plastic on me). Next day, they picked me up and took me back to the garage. I was totally dreading their bill. They asked for £70!!!
Now
THAT's what I call customer service worthy of praise! All these main dealers who walk around with sulking faces and couldn't-give-a-shit attitudes can kiss my hairy ass. If you're not
eager to get my business (and keep it), I'n not eager to give it to you.
Tom