Triumphrat

BigVinny · 03-13-2006, 04:30 AM

Last year I asked my local authorised Triumph dealer Rafferty Newman Farham Hants UK if they could take a look at my t-Bird as it was not running right.

The very unhelpful service manger told me the workshop was full for 4 weeks and they were not making any more bookings. I enquired what if I came back after 4 weeks. He said it would probably be the same, that is another 4 weeks etc, ie just go away !

I took this to be a two fingered salute, then they added insult to injury by giving me homemade business card from some backstreet (non Triumph) bikeshop saying try them you might be lucky.

Today (Monday morning 9am) I tried to enter the premises to order a service part, and the owner barred the entrance saying we are shut we are having a new floor put down. I said what about service and parts. He said they are shut we dont even have a computer link. All they had to do was write down my requirement and sort it out later - but no just another go away !

I said you can forget it as the owner of two new Triumphs (the last one bought new from them, ive had 4 in total, 3 new). Im going somwhere else, either to the next nearest dealer the very good 3X at 3 Legged Cross or online to the also very good Jack Lilley.

Im still pretty annoyed ! How many new bikes do you have to buy before you get good service or is this some kind of British disease (spoken as a Brit) ??!?!?!?!?!

bikerboy · 03-13-2006, 12:16 PM

Vinny,

They sound like ........ (add own insult) about the whole thing 3X has got a good reputation. Maybe worth giving them a go as you will then be able to see who you are dealing with, ... well that will be an improvment theres no-one to deal with at the moment at your bikes original dealer.
Jack Lillys got a good rep too.
Hope it all works out,

Ben

REGULATOR · 03-13-2006, 08:23 PM

wow, that sucks, When I lived in England I frequented a dealership in York called A-1 Moto, Andy and the gang there made me feel like an old friend from the start. bent over backwards everytime I went in they had a cuppa and would chat to me or toss me the keys to a demo and tell me to go for a spin. They even gave me a factory crate to ship my bike back to the states in.

If shipping wasn't so expensive ( and the exchange rate) I'd probably still be ordeing all my parts from them.

I'd reccomend them

BigVinny · 03-14-2006, 04:55 AM

Out of something bad often comes something good. I have orderd my bit (the micro fiche was extremely useful) from the excellent Jack Lilley all over the phone. I even had a rapid very nice e-mail from one of the Lilley family explaining the procedure for buying Triumph parts.

They even have ammended my existing order for a Sprint ST oil filter removal tool to include the part I needed so as not to incur any extra postage. They made it clear they couldnt despatch same day as the part I needed was not a stock item (actually a spring seal washer from the front forks of a TB - missin from new worth a few pennies but a lot of goodwill - no surprises they dont stock that).

That previous dealer I mentioned has hacked me of another 3 times before twice by not offering dates for an MoT - too busy (the annual roadworthyness test for bikes over 3 years old - money for old rope). And once by reparing my crashed 91 Trophy. It went into the shop with 900 graphics and came out of the shop repaired with 1200 graphics on one side of the fairing !

dave_bee · 03-21-2006, 11:49 AM

Yo BigVinny I thought I was the only one that got trash service like this. My history is a long string of horrible people who are simply not worth bothering with.

I always thought having an intimidating appearance would help, your name BigVinny is scarey enough!

There are some really bad dealers out there, let them be, might mean extra travelling but go elsewhere. After sales service is rubbish, the trick seems to be find a good dealer. There are some.

BigVinny · 03-22-2006, 04:06 AM

I have to say in all fairness Dave that the name BigVinny was given to me when I worked in manufacturing industry because im a fat b****** not because im my towns Mr big or hung like a donkey.

While im on the subject of dealers UK. Inotice that they promote and charge for Mobil racing 4T oil and sell it out front. Yet when you get the bike home you notice that the oil is a different colour to the amber brown of the Mobil oil, very often its red so what on earth do they put in - im glad I do my own now !

I just bet the red stuff doesnt cost as much as the Mobil !

petjamrut · 06-25-2006, 04:27 PM

Got my new T100 on 19 June tried to book 1st service to be told that Earlist date I could get July 18th Have already done 320 miles so guess will be off road by end of this week until july 18. To add insult to injury I am told that I cannot have a service on a Monday (my day off) as that is the day they do PDI's! this means every time I need a service I have to take a day off! Not impressed by this Triumph dealers service setup (Triumph Peterborough). Is this there normal level of service, still I guess I can always service on Mondays and forget the dealer! once the warrenty is up

Villafan · 07-22-2006, 11:41 AM

I have my bike serviced at Windycorner - can't fault the guys in the workshop. for my last service they offered me 2 options - either a courtesey bike or i could drop it off over a weekend and collect it after they had completed the service which fitted in with my schedule.

Levenvale · 07-22-2006, 05:16 PM

six (legal) steps to getting it right up a sh1t dealer

In the past I have found that if you get sh1t service from a dealer the following is a good way to shake things up.

1. Keep a cool head
2. Write all complaints down, with times and dates, while still fresh in your head. Photo's of shoddy work etc. are excellent evidence.
3. Complain in writing to the Owner / Boss.

Assuming you still get sh1t service:

4. Write (do not e-mail) to the Manufacturer - In this case Triumph, emphasising that the shoddy service you have received is making you think very seriously about never buying one of their products again.
5. Send same letter to local trading standards office - they may be able to prosecute, will definitely be able to advise on your legal rights.
6. If you really want to go to town, Involve the local media.

I did this a number of years ago with a car dealer. The manufacturer subsequently contacted the dealer and lit a huge fire under their arse. The dealer must have shat their pants, because there was an immediate turnaround in attitude. Red carpet service thereafter. Huge fun.
:lgh:
L

[ This message was edited by: Levenvale on 2006-07-22 15:24 ]

lunus · 08-01-2006, 03:54 AM

Jack Lilley were very good when I returned some parts I'd ordered. (Hagon shocks that didn't fit with my luggage rack). No problems with a full refund.

Also get good service from Flitwick Motorcycles in Bedford. Friendly bunch.

Cheers

R