Strike 2 for my local dealer.

[jer0177]

The closest dealer to me, Tom Clark Motorsports, is now on their second strike.

The first one was when I took my rear wheel to them to have a tire mounted.  They mounted the tire backwards, and the guy that did it blamed the factory.  They did fix it, but I had to wait longer.

Second strike was today.  I went in there for a set of OEM rear brake pads for my '99 IS.  When the parts guy eventually came up to the counter, I asked him for price and availability of a set of rear pads for a 99 Valkyrie Interstate.  He started typing on his computer, and asked me again what year.  I reminded him and he typed some more.  He then asked me again what I needed, and I reminded him - rear pads.  He typed and clicked some, then proceeded to tell me that they were special order, and $166.  I told him he had the wrong part, as I had checked online and they were only $26.  He proceeded to spin the computer monitor around, as to shove it in my face, as I pulled out the parts lookup fiche printout I had in my back pocket.  I pointed to the price that was on the printout and he pointed to the screen again.  I then realized that when he clicked on the brake pads, it highlighted the caliper bracket, which is indeed $166.  I pointed this out to him and he mumbled something about notifying someone about the computer error.  He clicked some more, and they actually had a set of pads in stock, which I purchased.

I have been ASE P-2 (retail parts) certified (it is currently lapsed as I don't need it).  Why don't people know their products?  This is the parts guy that's always there.  I've asked him about key blanks before (wanting the Honda ones), and he pulled out the aftermarket kit without the black plastic molded heads - and they still wanted $8 for those! 

Had I been uninformed, they would have had me for $166 and the wrong part!  What is so hard about people doing their job now-a-days??

[Varmintmist]

Bought a 750 Shadow from them and had them do the 1st service, seemed slow but competant. Got a heck of a deal on the Shadow.

I have got all my Valk parts online and done the work myself.

[old2soon]

Improper training-lack of attention to detail-any number of reasons. Long time ago i was a parts man for a Mack dealership in Illinois. At that time the parts fiche was fairly new. We didn't get rid of our paper books. When i go to my local Honda dealer i have parts numbers and prices with shipping. My dlr gets close he gets my business. After one or to S N A F Us i deal ONLY with the parts mgr now. Your guy as many of them do probably suffer from dontgiveashitittis. RIDE SAFE.

[J.Mencalice]

Sir, I find that they are still makin' them (people that is); it's just that they're not making them any smarter.

I used to pull parts for my buddy at a Subaru dealership and was schooled like this: "Write it down, stupid!"

The easiest thing to do, I have found, is to find a good, knowledgeable mechanic who will install the parts (buy quality) that I bring to him for installation.  I do this with my automobiles also.
They are out there and all you have to do is research and ask them right questions to see it they are any good.  Get references and call them up; an honorable wrencher will have no issues with you doing that.  If he does, then thank him for his time and move on.

You don't need to put up with a dealership or it's employees that have a surly attitude.  Money is tight and if they don't want your business, so be it.   Let the owner know and I'm sure that guy will get an attitude adjustment; if he doesn't then you've got your answer and a new direction to move.

Just give it some thought.  Why wait for strike three.  My old coach used to say: "Take two and hit to right."

[Hedgehog]

I;'m afraid this disease has already crossed the Atlantic....in fact I think it may originate here, not in the US!
This all sounds very familiar for England too!

That said... some on the internet parts places are excellent..

[PhredValk]

Two dealerships near me. The first, when I told him it was for a 99 Valkyrie, asked "What make is that"? The other asked if I had it there, wanted to look at her, then took me into the service area and showed me a 2000 IS up on the table being fitted with a Magnacharger. Unless I need a fuse or something, I don't deal with the first guy...
Fred.

[ptgb]

On the very rare occasion that I buy/order parts from the local dealer, I always look up the part numbers myself before I go in or call. Just read'em off and then have them read back what the computer is telling them.

I use Gollan's Honda in Warren Ohio most times and the parts guy has been there forever, so he usually gets it right the first time.

[Robert]

I think that the reason for the problem at the dealers is the lack of pay and incentives. Motorcycle industry is not a high paid industry and the lack of ability to move up is a problem. The idea of most of the people who work in the industry don't see this as a career unless you happen to own your own business or the dealership. Not saying there not good people just a fringe business as most people either the public or those who work in it, see it.