Here as promised is a letter you might like to send to Cannon. I suggest that you only copy it to BuMW in Bracknell. It is not so much a letter, in fact, more a listing of simple to follow facts.
Don't forget to put the cc (it stands for carbon copy) BMW on the bottom after your name, or Cannon will not know you have told BMW as well.
This tactic serves three purposes. (1) It gives Cannon a chance to sort you out properly. (2) It makes BuMW very aware of your problems. (3) It makes Cannon very aware that BuMW are aware.
There are some bits for you to fill in.
Good luck.
Richard.
PS Don't forget to add your own address and telephone number!
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The Senior Manager
Cannon BMW
The Power Station,
5d Enterprise Court,
Lakes Road,
Braintree,
Essex CM7 3QS
Dear Sir,
RE: Insert your name here / 1200GSA / Insert your registration number here
I am so disappointed with the current state of my motorbike. I am also very disappointed with Cannon's inability to fix the problem and, worse, their attitude towards me, a customer.
Please may I make you aware of the sequence of events:
(1) Insert date when the problem started: Just before my last routine scheduled service the bike's dashboard red warning triangle lit up. At the same time the motorbike's speedometer went crazy.
(2) The fault was reported at the time of the routine service, INSERT DATE, and I was told, mended.
(3) Within two weeks (roughly 500 miles) the red triangle lit up again. I returned to your dealership. I was told that the cause of the fault was different but could not be traced as nothing was showing up on the bike's diagnostic system.
(4) I then rode the bike for another 1,900 miles (4 days) and again the warning light came on. As you can see, there has so far been three warning lights in about 2,400 miles, one fix and one failure to diagnose.
(5) I returned the bike, yet again, and agreed that you could hold the vehicle for a week while I was away on business. On Friday I called the dealership, to be told that the bike was ready for collection. Quite incredibly I was also told that there was to be a 45 minute charge for removing / refitting some small aftermarket, brake reservoir cover, parts. I was, perhaps not unreasonably, not happy, having suffered three warning lights and no to be faced with what was definitely an unreasonable charge. I asked whether someone from the senior management would be in the dealership on Saturday, as I would like to take the matter up with them. I was told that someone would be there.
(6) On Saturday I arrived at the dealership, only to be told that nobody of suitable authority was there to talk to me, them being VIP guests at Goodwood. So, despite nobody being there I asked your colleague to re-check the charge. This she did, having discovered that the 45 minute task was not on the job file. It then transpired that it was a mistake, the job only taking 20 minutes. I was also told that all three warning lights had come from the same cause. this though had now, at last, been solved as "Something to do with the ABS, under the tank, had been changed".
By now I was cross. (a) There was nobody in authority in the dealership, when I had been promised there would be. (b) I had been presented with an undocumented bill for 45 minutes labour, when (on checking) the real time was 20 minutes. The only good news was that I was told the fault had been fixed. Your colleague then simply handed me the keys, promising that someone would call me on Tuesday.
(7) Nobody called me on Tuesday.
(8) Then, just 75 miles later, the red triangle appeared, again. That is now, four red triangles, two definite fixes and one attempt to charge me wrongly. Any reasonable person's temper would be increasing by now.
(9) I returned to your dealership, again. I spoke to the Customer Service Manager who remembered me from the last visit. I told him that the red triangle warning light was back on, for the fourth time! Your Customer Service Manager then proceeded to ignore me. Instead he rolled eyes with his colleague, starting a virtual comedy routine, talking about the mechanic and faulty ABS units. In short, totally dismissing me.
I then interrupted their chit-chat to ask what was to happen now? I do not see this as an unreasonable question for a customer to ask. The Customer Service's Manager's response was incredible, "What do you want us to?" My straightforward reply was, "How about fixing my bike?". I was then told there was nothing that could be done, beyond calling BMW to come to Cannon's assistance.
So, we now have: Four red triangles, two promises that three of the faults were the same (and had been fixed), and incorrect bill, missing senior managers and, to be blunt, a rude Customer Service Manager. All within the space of a few weeks.
I asked if, whilst Cannon sought the assistance of BMW, a loan bike might be made available? I did not see this as unreasonable in view of the warning triangle's now regular appearance and nobody having any idea how to fix it. In short, I was told, no.
In summary. I bought my BMW motorcycle in the belief that, having paid a premium price, I would be enjoying both a reliable vehicle and above all confident, professional, service. Neither of these qualities have been in evidence. I am incredibly disappointed with the Cannon dealership and the bike itself. So much so that I have no choice but to send a copy of this letter to BMW in Bracknell.
Yours sincerely,
YOUR SIGNATURE
cc BMW Bracknell.