Sideways KTM - what's going on ???

[Pipster]

We made our annual pilgrimage to Dorset at the weekend to visit the outlaws; always look forward to popping into Sideways KTM, as it's nearby.

Up early Sat en route to the beach at Weymouth, and called in, looking to buy some goodies and a chain and sprocket kit for my SE. Picture this - there I am, at the parts counter, deep in discussion with the man behind the counter while my wife and little lad (Leo is 18 months, loves motorbikes) are exploring the bikes on display. Interrupted by the wife, seems there's been a set-to with the salesman and she wants to leave.

I tell the guy on the parts counter to hold on, and go find the salesman to see what the problem is (wifes sat in the car by now). Seems he's taken offence at my lad being sat on 3 or 4 KTM enduro bikes - not the fancy shiny Victory's. No signs up telling anyone not to sit on them - in fact I've been in many times on my own and done exactly that, as we all do. Leo was well behaved, wasn't brandishing scratchy toys or dribbling - just quietly loving sitting on the bikes.

Not a problem if thats how they want to run their showroom, it was the manner in which the salesman humiliated wife and child unnecessarily that kicked. Either put up appropriate signs and make their non-family friendly position clear, or allow small boys, like the big boys to sit carefully on the bikes now and again. Lets face it - if I get my way, he'll be riding by the time he's 2.

To quote the salesman 'Do you mind... ? We get lots of children ... holding toys... scratched tanks... bills of £1600, hate to give you a bill... etc, etc'.

To me, this seems bollocks; if a strapping fella in his leathers can come in and throw his leg over anything, nothing said, then what harm is a little lad, supervised and in cotton shorts and shirt do ? To get to the point, Pipster and family left, and left behind the chain and sprocket set - lost them about £150 in custom.

Doubt I would have brought a bike from them as they're not local to me but I often buy parts/goodies when I'm down that way as does Mother in Law for presents for me at Xmas and birthday - no more.

Congrats Sideways for p*ssing off a family of bikers needlessly - me, wife, father in law and Leo (very soon), are all passionate about bikes and ride. Rant over

Photo Leo popping his first wheelie

 

[The Other PaulG]

That's such a cr@p attitude.

The only time I get to visit bike shops is when I have one of my little guys with me... as a genuine potential buyer I wouldn't take kindly to being treated as your wife was.

Anyway, at least this has saved you from possibly buying a katoom and vibrating one of your nuts off...

PG

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

sounds like the salesmen thought of himself as a self impotant jobsworth.

instead - he's a w4nker.

 

[Fanum]

Let this thread get to about 15 pages and then send the dealer principle an email with a linky to it

EDIT...and in it, advise him to do a Google on Cannon's BMW and see what a little bit of bad publicity can do to a dealer's reputation.....

 

[Deleted Member I]

Why has your son not spit the KTM dummy

 

[tarry]

wheelie

We made our annual pilgrimage to Dorset at the weekend to visit the outlaws; always look forward to popping into Sideways KTM, as it's nearby.

Up early Sat en route to the beach at Weymouth, and called in, looking to buy some goodies and a chain and sprocket kit for my SE. Picture this - there I am, at the parts counter, deep in discussion with the man behind the counter while my wife and little lad (Leo is 18 months, loves motorbikes) are exploring the bikes on display. Interrupted by the wife, seems there's been a set-to with the salesman and she wants to leave.

I tell the guy on the parts counter to hold on, and go find the salesman to see what the problem is (wifes sat in the car by now). Seems he's taken offence at my lad being sat on 3 or 4 KTM enduro bikes - not the fancy shiny Victory's. No signs up telling anyone not to sit on them - in fact I've been in many times on my own and done exactly that, as we all do. Leo was well behaved, wasn't brandishing scratchy toys or dribbling - just quietly loving sitting on the bikes.

Not a problem if thats how they want to run their showroom, it was the manner in which the salesman humiliated wife and child unnecessarily that kicked. Either put up appropriate signs and make their non-family friendly position clear, or allow small boys, like the big boys to sit carefully on the bikes now and again. Lets face it - if I get my way, he'll be riding by the time he's 2.

To quote the salesman 'Do you mind... ? We get lots of children ... holding toys... scratched tanks... bills of £1600, hate to give you a bill... etc, etc'.

To me, this seems bollocks; if a strapping fella in his leathers can come in and throw his leg over anything, nothing said, then what harm is a little lad, supervised and in cotton shorts and shirt do ? To get to the point, Pipster and family left, and left behind the chain and sprocket set - lost them about £150 in custom.

Doubt I would have brought a bike from them as they're not local to me but I often buy parts/goodies when I'm down that way as does Mother in Law for presents for me at Xmas and birthday - no more.

Congrats Sideways for p*ssing off a family of bikers needlessly - me, wife, father in law and Leo (very soon), are all passionate about bikes and ride. Rant over

Photo Leo popping his first wheelie

Am not sure if you should be gutted or proud
when the little fella is pulling better wheelies than you pip

ps, if you still want the chain and sprockets and route 55 stock them at the right price let me know as i pass the shop on the way to work

tarry

 

[Pipster]

Am not sure if you should be gutted or proud
when the little fella is pulling better wheelies than you pip

ps, if you still want the chain and sprockets and route 55 stock them at the right price let me know as i pass the shop on the way to work

tarry

Just ordered some from the Guys at Leisure Trail

Thanks for offer mate ...

 

[Shep]

Although I feel for you and it seems the salesguy could have been a little more professional. I suffer similar problems with children, many times children have handled goods on the shelfs & some have damaged/dropped stock, in not one case has any parent offered to pay for any damage, i don't even remember getting an appology even once. I now take the attitude that forwarned is forarmed, i ask customers to take control of their children the moment they enter the shop, even then some parents take offence as soon as it appears your not going to tolerate their childs 'free spirit'.

Shep

 

[Pipster]

Although I feel for you and it seems the salesguy could have been a little more professional. I suffer similar problems with children, many times children have handled goods on the shelfs & some have damaged/dropped stock, in not one case has any parent offered to pay for any damage, i don't even remember getting an appology even once. I now take the attitude that forwarned is forarmed, i ask customers to take control of their children the moment they enter the shop, even then some parents take offence as soon as it appears your not going to tolerate their childs 'free spirit'.

Shep

Good point but motorbikes are not really fragile goods on a shelf

And he was being looked after by mum not running riot
Having been lucky enough to have been around bikes in my schooldays I have fond memories of popping in the local bike shop with my Old man to get spares for our trials bikes and as I grew up I stayed loyal to these shops ...They have all long gone now but with something like motorbikes you need to be looking to the next generation as they are going to be you bread and butter ...

I'm in and out of motorbike shops all the time with the little fella in tow never had this kind of treatment before