Park Lane - You have been warned

[Frankie Boy]

Folks,

All that glitters is not Park Lane....

I recently purchased their demo GS from them.

I have had the most awful experience which ended with my receiving the bike absolutely filthy and not prepped.

It took something like 8 phone calls from me to them in order to buy the bike.

They gave me 100 pounds back because the bike was in such a mess and they had taken 2 weeks to 'prep' it.

I ended up trying to speak to their Dealer Principal who never returned one of my three calls and in the end, it was the car sales manageress who took my deposit. I'm still chasing them about supplying a lock and keys for the back box.

I told Bracknell and they refused to comment.

Roy (Sales) is a top guy - I know him from another Bike shop.

Park Lane were lucky they had the spec that I wanted. I spoke to SPC whilst looking and, what nice people!

And before you decide that maybe I have unreasonable expectations of a garage, I used to run one.........

 

[londonw1]

So are we going to see you out on some of the rides? and was it you I met in there when I was collecting my new Adventure?? If so I can vouch that he is a very nice and sane man!

 

[Commuter]

Park Lane

Roy is a good guy, but the rest seem to be up their A..es.

He has kept good contact with me and has ensured that my bike will be ready for Tuesday week.

I will give you an update if it goes well.

I find that standing in a showroom causing chaos tends to get most peoples attention, maybe you should try it!!!!

Which Demo, I tried three there I hope it wasn't the blue and white GS I had for the day.!!!

 

[thesanguine]

I told Bracknell and they refused to comment.

What a suprise!!!!!! I really would have expected more from those nice BMW people!

 

[Frankie Boy]

Well, Londonnw1, are you the guy who recommended me to Riossi for the helmet? Or the guy off to Eastern Europe (you may be one and the same!)

Each time I've popped in to Park Lanes showroom, I've met a nice guy taking delivery of an Adventure - perhaps its deja vue (or the German equivalent!)

In any case, I'd be glad to hear from you and have a ride out or whatever. All of Park Lane's customers seem nice, although Commuter is right, you do need to let the Sales team know you want some attention.

The demo I bought was a Mandarin GS with ABS that had been dropped by Mischa (the salesman). The bike is fundamentally good although I've additionally just bought an Adventure from a charming guy in town (thanks Joel) which had all of 236 miles on the clcock.

He advertised it here on the Forum, so a special thanks to the folk who put in the hard work running this place.

It feels completely different to the GS. Go figure?

The funniest bit is, I originally asked for a discount of some sort from Park Lane when I first saw the GS and they walked away from me, to sell someone a pair of gloves. Then came all the phone calls from me to try and get them to deal with me, even at asking price. I received a 38 minutes lecture from their Manager, Ludwig, about how I shouldnt have been shown the demo at all if I only had 7200 pounds (they wanted 7700). I told him that I wasnt limited in funds but wanted to be sure I was getting a good deal. They still wouldnt take a deposit at asking price, as they felt I couldnt afford it. By the way, I was a cash buyer and already own 2 BMW cars.

So now I have bought a second bike, because I wanted to. And it would seem that Ludwig is no longer the Manager of Bikes, as someone called Paul has now taken over. Shame he hasnt phoned me back with price and availability of aluminium luggage.
I guess he'll fit right in at Park Lane............

 

[Deleted Member I]

hmmm....

WOW! I am surpised by your patience.

I suspose I used to put up with crap service from companies that I bought things from. Then it dawned on me how hard it was for me to earn the pennies to spend in those shops!!

So now I ask politely, and if I get no joy then I move on to the next shop. No way would I have let some sales man humiliate it me in the way they did to you. It always facinates me how much we tolerate crap service AND still part with our cash in this country.

I finally bought my bike from a small shop and dealt directly with one of the guys who owned it.

Went to Park Lane - ignored me at first and then didn't really want to give me a test ride. (This place is owned by BMW (UK) ... and I think they make enough business from the millionaires living in mayfair that they are not interested in regular types like me)

Then went to another BIG dealer (owned by one of the world's largest motor distribution groups) - good service BUT no discount. Again they were based in the IT/Tech millionaire part of the world. So I suppose I was the only punter that asked for a discount.

Then went to small dealer - great service, and willing to deal! Perfect! Got the bike, and went on the tour.

 

[Commuter]

I did the same shopping around bit. Roy at Park lane was the only on to call me back and they gave me a demo overnight so I was sure that the bike was for me.

Going in tommorrow with my pannier rails and top box that they are fitting for me FOC.

The deal was reasonable but we will see what the service is like in a weeks time on collection day.

I will keep you updated.

 

[Frankie Boy]

I had a phone call last night from Paul Davies at Park Lane.

He has explained that he has joined Park Lane as Manager of the Motorcycle Division with a view to improving all aspects of the Customer experience and is coming up to speed with pre-existing situations. His remit will cover both sales and after-sales service (the important workshop bit!).

He was very measured, pleasant and reasonable and I will post an update on how things progress at Park Lane.

Perhaps he will be the man to deliver the service that Bracknell would like to think that they offer.

Bearing this in mind, I would be inclined to look again at Park Lane in the expectation that they will be working extra hard to win (and retain) customers.

 

[Cooky]

Just to push home the point I also had an absolutely awful experience of poor service from both Park Lane and Park West. Ended with a stand up row with "William" at Park West (this from someone who would never complain in a restaurant).

I purchased an F650GS from Park Lane which was later serviced and eventually repaired by Park West. At LITERALLY every point in my dealings with both of them from ordering the bike, to trying to pick it up, to booking the service, to getting my service book stamped, to getting ME to speak to Bracknell to get the right parts to fix blown fork seals (the list goes on) I was met with totally inept and unhelpful staff. The only time i was ever contacted pro-actively was by Park Lane chasing me for the deposit that THEY had failed to process properly.

I'm now looking to upgrade from a 650 as i need a proven mile-muncher. Honda here we come. May I make my last BMW posting a warning to everyone against dealing with these cowboys.