Having the last laugh.........

[JohnnyBoxer]

My local BMW dealer was very quick to take my £250 deposit on a new GSA, then thanks to Whatton I decided to take a back step until such time that I could ride one and really be sure that it was what I really wanted or even needed in fact.

So I contacted my local South Birmingham dealer who agreed to return the deposit, no problems at all.

That was over 10 days ago, one fax and three phone calls later and still no refund or even a phone call to explain as to why I have not yet received it.

I have now been told, after I had rung them again, that the only person that can sign cheques has gone away on holiday and will not be back until next week sometime.

Lets see who has the last laugh then when I buy a fecker from somewhere else shall we.

Maybe then you might be able to understand the principles of looking after a good customer?

It would seem that having bought two new GS's cash in the last two years plus a shit load spent of clothing and other bits and bobs means bugger all!

BTBR

Can't see the problem?
Your bikeless at present?Correct?
So you're going to have to get something for 2006, whether the 1200GSA test ride proves positive or not
So just leave the money on account with them for the 1200GSA or another bike.............OR if you don't buy a bike from them, then i'm sure the credit can be used for clothing/accessories/servicing etc
Don't you have an account with Clarke's?
I have one with Rainbow and sometimes I owe them some money/sometimes they owe me money.......cuts both ways, but saves all the hassle

 

[CoolCarbon]

CC I take it that you were from around this area in a previous life?

I am indeed, but I'm a lot better now thanks....

Scotland is where I am now and a lot better off for it for sure..., both Gravey and Jeff managed to come up to my spot before they departed to a road withoot diesel or punctures... You should try it some time ...Caino usually gets up here a few times a year...join him!

CC

 

[Sadjim]

Nah mate. Had to torque down the rocker covers of a freshly serviced 12 of yours that was weeping oil at Squire's before we got on the ferry at Hull.
Owner professed to have mates at SPSBs...

Please tell me more and I will look into it. I have not had any calls regarding oil leaks this week. If someone has a complaint trust me I WILL LOOK INTO IT as there is nothing worse than service induced faults. Did he have it done at SSB or doe's he just have mates there?

 

[Sadjim]

..Caino usually gets up here a few times a year...join him!

Thanks CC I will try to take you up on that

 

[CoolCarbon]

..Caino usually gets up here a few times a year...join him!

Thanks CC I will try to take you up on that

Good man...

If not up here, then maybe Deutschland next year, we have a few places left, Caino will tell you all aboot it....amazing value trip....


Sorry Alan for the thread hi-jack....your right to question dealers intentions/practises for sure....

To be fair though, there are a lot of good dealers that don't get mentioned....mainly cause we like to kick off when things go pear-shaped and generally say nought when things go according to plan...

CC

 

[Boxed-in]

It's interesting that they even want to give you a cheque,

John Clark's Aberdeen and Dundee, will not take a personal cheque any more to pay for a new Bike now.

Thank you for your custom and all the bikes you purchase from us!

But by the way we don't trust you!!!!


Do come again and have a nice day

 

[BTBR]

Can't see the problem?
Your bikeless at present?Correct?
So you're going to have to get something for 2006, whether the 1200GSA test ride proves positive or not
So just leave the money on account with them for the 1200GSA or another bike.............OR if you don't buy a bike from them, then i'm sure the credit can be used for clothing/accessories/servicing etc
Don't you have an account with Clarke's?
I have one with Rainbow and sometimes I owe them some money/sometimes they owe me money.......cuts both ways, but saves all the hassle

JB

It is a matter of principle as far as I am concerned, nothing else.

It makes it worse when I have to chase it, only to be told that just one man can sign cheques and he has gone away on holiday despite being asked before he went to sign it.

I try pretty dam hard NOT to buy anything on credit nor do I expect to be given credit notes.

Mountain or molehill?

Only a molehill of course, but I would rather have MY money in MY bank account and not theres!

BTBR

 

[Timolgra]

then thanks to Whatton I decided to take a back step

Well no wonder he's done a runner then. It's his fault, send out a lynchin' party.

 

[BBB61]

Can't see the problem?
Your bikeless at present?Correct?
So you're going to have to get something for 2006, whether the 1200GSA test ride proves positive or not
So just leave the money on account with them for the 1200GSA or another bike.............OR if you don't buy a bike from them, then i'm sure the credit can be used for clothing/accessories/servicing etc

So leave the money on the dealers account so they can earn interest on it? I would rather it was sitting in my account than theirs!

 

[Dillinger]

I know Daniel at Clarks and he bought the business this year and seems to be doing a good job. Personally if it was my business, I don't know if I'd want someone else writing cheques on my behalf with my money. Incidentally, he IS on holiday this week as I've been trying to get hold of him.

Let's look at things carefully shall we?

If you put down a deposit on a new bike, the "speculative" order goes to Germany. Once real bike allocation is worked out, bikes will be dished out in the order they were entered onto the computer system.
If you wait till the bike is launched in March? before committing to one, you'll be lucky to get one at all in 2006 whether it's from Clarks or anyone else. Leaving your deposit with them means that, if, after you try it, you want one, it'll be along much sooner. If you don't like it then you can ask for your deposit back as there will be plenty of others willing to buy your cancelled order.

The amount of money that you will lose in interest on a £250 deposit over 4 months probably amounts to less than a pound. Is it worth losing out on a new adventure for a quid? I don't think so

Dillinger

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

So leave the money on the dealers account so they can earn interest on it? I would rather it was sitting in my account than theirs!

As said by Dillinger...........
The amount of money that you will lose in interest on a £250 deposit over 4 months probably amounts to less than a pound. Is it worth losing out on a new adventure for a quid? I don't think so


Is it worth the hassle...........works both ways, Bob
My dealer does me some favours worth more than a couple of quid

 

[BBB61]

The point being missed here is that Alan asked for his deposit back and 10 days later he was still waiting for it. If he changes his mind in the next few months and decides he wants a new 1200 Adv is immaterial.

As for having account with the dealer, is that something many people have on here?

 

[Gandan]

You never know though, they could be going bust and taking all your money with them!!!!!

 

[BTBR]

Let's look at things carefully shall we?

If you put down a deposit on a new bike, the "speculative" order goes to Germany. Once real bike allocation is worked out, bikes will be dished out in the order they were entered onto the computer system.
If you wait till the bike is launched in March? before committing to one, you'll be lucky to get one at all in 2006 whether it's from Clarks or anyone else. Leaving your deposit with them means that, if, after you try it, you want one, it'll be along much sooner. If you don't like it then you can ask for your deposit back as there will be plenty of others willing to buy your cancelled order.

The amount of money that you will lose in interest on a £250 deposit over 4 months probably amounts to less than a pound. Is it worth losing out on a new adventure for a quid? I don't think so

Dillinger

I don't really care how long I have to wait for a bike as long as its the right one for me! If I am spending upwards of £11k on a bike then I need to be 100% certain that its the right way to go, which as it stands I am not

Being the first to have one is not, nor has it ever been top on my list.

The other thing to take into consideration is the fact that the £250 deposit was taken on the understanding that it was subject to a test ride. If I then decided that the GSA was not for me than I would have just the std 1200?

So how could they order a Adventure based on that then?

Finally, its not about how much money I loose in interest, its about how much interest that they gain by having lots of £250's !

 

[JAY]

The other thing to take into consideration is the fact that the £250 deposit was taken on the understanding that it was subject to a test ride. If I then decided that the GSA was not for me than I would have just the std 1200?

So how could they order a Adventure based on that then?

Er, lost me there Alan! What did you pay the deposit for if it's not to reserve a bike out of the dealers allocation?

 

[BTBR]

Er, lost me there Alan! What did you pay the deposit for if it's not to reserve a bike out of the dealers allocation?

Yep.........lost me to John!!!

Lets look at the facts in more detail:-

1) I was (still am) quite keen to buy one, but it is subject to a road test.

2) But I am still not to sure of the exact spec I want.

3) I really like the red/white/black colour combination, but I have only seen pictures of it. Therefore, I would need to see one outside in the sunlight before I decided 100% thats the colour for me.

All this was detailed at the time while in the showroom, I hasten to add.

So............based on the above facts, why did I pay a deposit then?

Because I was asked to, thats why?

Which is the basis behind my post really, bloody quick enough to take it...(not to sure "for what" mind), but very slow in returning it?

As the old saying goes, "a fool and his money are easily parted"

BTBR

 

[North]

I put a deposit of 500 dollars down for a 1200 this spring at one shop in Vancouver. I was going to have to wait 6 weeks for the bike. They said that nobody had any 1200s in stock.

Two days later I found a shop on Vancouver Island that had a 1200 in stock.

I went back to the first shop and told them about the bike on Vancouver Island. They gave me my 500 dollar deposit back without me asking. I told them to keep it on account because they were good about it.

(The shop on Vancouver Island was going to discount me 500 dollars if the Vancouver shop wouldn't give back my deposit.)

Anyways, its hard to believe that only one person in a shop can cut a cheque. Sounds like B.S.

You should of got the money back right away.


North

 

[Rollo]

As the old saying goes, "a fool and his money are easily parted"

BTBR

The acid test is whether you get the money the minute he returns.

If it's a new business start-up then it seems likely that cash is controlled by the new owner with cheques left to pay wages, BMW and the tax office only whilst he's away. Done it myself many times.

I've not read of any evidence of risk to your money and whilst you're keen to get it back asap after terminating the agreement without notice, a little patience until he returns will help their reputation.

On the other hand, a moments delay after his return is not acceptable after your wait so far. IMHO.

 

[markGS1198]

At most bike shops, there's usually only 1 person (the owner or dealer principal) who can issue company cheques. This is purely to prevent employee fraud.

If you paid the deposit by credit/debit card, get a card refund (as long as there's someone authorised to make those refunds - it's another potential employee fraud area.)

If you paid cash, you should be able to get a cash refund as long as the shop's got enough in the till.

Ignore all the people who've posted replies along the lines of "They're ripping you off and making a fool of you." If the guy who signs the cheques is on holiday and there's no other way of getting your refund, you'll just have to wait. You're only being ripped off if your money isn't refunded within a reasonable time period (normally around 30 days). If it drags out that long, you can kick and scream, call the OFT and get legal advice.

It's no good getting out of your pram over something like this. The more bitter and twisted you get, the less likely it is that you'll receive a fair hearing. Is it worth losing the good faith of a bike dealer over £250? They'll be much less likely to help you out when you need it if you're stroppy and impatient. That's human nature, that is.

 

[snoopy]

Clarks seem very good, I bought my 1150 from them 3 months ago. They'll not be doing you over.