Sillett Tyres Aberdeen - Customer Service?

[oilmonkey]

Picked up some new Dunlop Roadsmarts from Sillett's last friday for a reasonable price, quoted £185 fitted to lose wheels, actually charged £198ish, for my 1200GS (on spoke wheels if anybody is interested)

However when I asked about why they weren't balanced, I was told 'Cant balance them!'. So i asked why not I was again told 'just cant balance them' , which was apparently the end of the conversation as the guy went scuttling off to serve the next customer in a que of about 6 peopel waiting and it was obvious that i wasnt going to get anywhere else with more questions.

So rather than take the chance that the new tyres/wheels are in perfect balance, I'll be taking the wheels to Shirlaws for balancing, who apparently can balance my wheels for £10 each.

I know plenty of people here rate Sillett's for tyres in Aberdeen, but cant say i'll be going back. Pretty poor customer service from my point of view, no explination as to why they couldnt balance my wheels. The price I was quoted over the phone was for fully fitted tyres, which to my mind included balancing. Plus the price quoted over the phone wasnt what i was charged in the end.

I've no idea if Sillett's balancing machine was knackered or what, but seemed to me they just couldnt be bothered to take the time since they were busy, & just wanted my cash.

So next time I'll be timing some new rubber with a visit down to Dundee way and a visit to Euan Stewart of Scorpion Tyre's, who couldnt of been more helpful when I phoned to ask about tyre prices etc. The only reason i chose Sillett's over Scorpion Tyre's was the £20 or so difference in price. Seems I'll be spending that difference now anyway!!!

Corse I dont have to get them balanced.

 

[AndyT]

I'm surprised to be honest as I have found Silletts to be outstanding and grerat value. They have always balance my wheels every time without question (spoked wheels and cast). If you were speaking to his wife I could understand as she can be very abraisive but I've always found him to be superb apart from when I took my Harley in and he gave up after half an hour and breaking 2 tools.... He HATES Harleys

 

[Tartan Terror]

I had the same issue on my last GS with spoked wheels. He couldn't balance them because his machine wasn't set up for that type of wheel. TBH I never balanced them and never had an issue.

Have always had good service there in the past. Good value too.

 

[skinnersscotch]

I had a new rear tyre fitted to my GS's spoked wheels at BMW Motorrad in Dalkeith. I was told by Simon that the wheels do not need balanced on the GS. Something to do with the way the weheels are constructed apparently.

Worth checking...

 

[oilmonkey]

Aye, I read that on a similar wheel balancing thread on here somewhere, sorry no link. The consensus seems to be that due to the varying tensions within each individual spoke on the wheel; the rim will never be truly round, thus causing an imbalance. Sounds plausible. Plus I’m thinking that the swing arm will be designed to be fairly stiff anyway, helping resist/damp down any vibrations caused by an imbalance, so perhaps a lesser need to balance the rear?

However, before I took the wheels in for new rubber, both wheels had been balanced at least twice before (previous tyres/wheels had lead on & there was the remains of sticky marks from the previous time).

So I’m guessing although you may not be able to get a perfectly balanced/round wheel due to the spoke tension, balancing a wheel for new rubber will at least take away any major imbalance???

Anyway, for piece of mind & because I’d rather get it done (anal that way don’t-ya-know), they’ve gone to be balanced.

My post was more to say that I experienced, in my opinion, pretty poor customer service.

Plenty of people here & local to Aberdeen will tell you differently.

But when I’m parting with my hard earned cash, I don’t expect poor customer service. You only get once chance.

 

[skinnersscotch]

That's cool, I was only giving of my most recent experience. You may well be right about the spoke tension and so on. BMW and Sillet may well be right about there being no need.

However, I cannot agree with you more that customer service should be their priority, especially in these hard times when customers are hard to find and harder to keep.

 

[oilmonkey]

Humble Pie

Turns out I've been a bit of a blind tw*t

Sillett's actually managed to balance the front wheel & I missed it, & the bright shiney new lead weights ont he wheel, entirely.

Fair enough, rear wheel still unbalanced, but I can accept the difficullty in balancing that due to the hub arangement.

So, lesson is to examine both wheels next time before opening my mouth

 

[cxp]

I'm surprised to be honest as I have found Silletts to be outstanding and grerat value. They have always balance my wheels every time without question (spoked wheels and cast). If you were speaking to his wife I could understand as she can be very abraisive but I've always found him to be superb

Me too

...He HATES Harleys

I thought he hated the front axel on the KTM 990 Adventure the most

 

[Northern jock]

Turns out I've been a bit of a blind tw*t

Sillett's actually managed to balance the front wheel & I missed it, & the bright shiney new lead weights ont he wheel, entirely.

Fair enough, rear wheel still unbalanced, but I can accept the difficullty in balancing that due to the hub arangement.

So, lesson is to examine both wheels next time before opening my mouth

Don't go on what he says (or her), just see the job done and price. I've been going for years and as long as you don't expect a happy wee chat with him he should do a fine job. And she'll have a wee winge if you wait and ask for it. Best to pay her and move outside

He doesn't do small talk, just the job

 

[bhud]

"Rob which tyres for my bike?"
"Tourances"
"What about............."
"Nah Tourances"

Fitted

 

[u33db]

I don't own a GS but came accross this post in a google search so thought i'd stick my opinion in as being a local to Aberdeen.

Sadly i have to agree with the first poster as to service at Silletts;

Visit 1: Bike taken in and new Metzler Lazertec bought and fitted to rear. Quick service and apparently a good price but wheel developed a slow puncture several months later between rim and tyre.

Visit 2: Loose wheel taken back in...tyre removed and refitted. Took it home and to find still leaked..this time between rim and tyre and now the valve.

Visit 3: Took it back and was told the rear valve hole had been drilled out (i.e. oversized). They fitted a new valve with rubber seal both sides and i took it away. Got home...valve leak fixed but still a slow leak between the rim. By this point it was nearing winter so i put the bike away and locked the garage door.

Visit 3: After winter and i took the rear wheel in to be reseated. Also got them to fit a new loose Lasertec to the front. Got both home and found both wheels leaking air...the rear much slower so i decided to live with it but the front needed sorted.

Visit 4: Front taken back in...tyre stripped off and i was told the wheel was badly corroded. Took wheel away and polished the corrosion off then got them to refit...still leaked! Gave it to my dad to have it refitted a Mac Tyres in Peterhead who sorted it first time.

Visit 5: I had acquired 2 spare wheels and had them powercoated and then took them in to have the tyres swapped over. Got them home and you guessed it the rear has an ever so slight leak!

On all occassions the service was offhand and having to make 5 visits has left me less than satisified.

I personally think he's good fitting new tyres to new wheels but anything that requires a bit of care/time then forget it, he's not interested.

Then again 2 powdercoated wheels are AS NEW so why have i been left with a slow leak?!

I would not use him again...

Theres a place in Pitmedden that do bike tyres as well as the place in PHD i mentioned - give them a try.

 

[Posh Pete]

Strathearn Tyres

Metzeler Z6s fitted to my RT. Left the bike. Went for a tea and a sarnie. Came back. £175. Sorted. None of this loose wheels nonsense.

 

[boatman]

Turns out I've been a bit of a blind tw*t

Sillett's actually managed to balance the front wheel & I missed it, & the bright shiney new lead weights ont he wheel, entirely.

Fair enough, rear wheel still unbalanced, but I can accept the difficullty in balancing that due to the hub arangement.

So, lesson is to examine both wheels next time before opening my mouth

fair play to you for being honest there ,no abody would do that

 

[leasky]

I was in about 2 weeks ago for new Metzler M5's for the Mamola.

Belly pan off and tyres changed in record time but yes, your right; dont go in looking for a good yarn.

However, it is consistantly good prices and quick service.

Its the beast in the office which I am terrified of........(the dog; not the "other" one).

 

[KBKLR]

Wouldnt use anyone else - been using Rob for years, best prices and no probs. The quirkiness adds to the experience! Does what it says on the tin

 

[(RIP) Nakambale]

Not had any problems, order my TKCs from him, gets them in next day and fits them, no hassle and a decent price. Not sure I need more than that Chats when he's not busy, if he's busy he gets on with things....

 

[The Tuscan]

Ive known Robin for years (since his Aberdeen tyre services days when I did my time with Four Way Auto Services accross the road, now a block of flats) and think his service is great and he really does know his stuff. If you want to talk bollocks get your tyres fitted by a BMW dealer, theres always a middle age crisis biker in there to waste your time .......
I live in Edinburgh know but would rather travel the 2 hours up North and get him to fit my tyres than go anywhere else.

 

[russ_fae_fyvie]

I have used them for years too, last year I made up a new website for them because they were really generous to me when I asked for 'bits' for a Charity Auction at a Blackbird BASH I organised.

wouldnt go anywhere else !!

http://www.sillett-tyres.co.uk/Sillett_Tyres/Welcome.html

 

[Rocky Mountaineer]

"Rob which tyres for my bike?"
"Tourances"
"What about............."
"Nah Tourances"

Fitted

Funny that. I had the VERY SAME conversation with him when I put new tyres on my GS last year...

 

[oftheantarctic]

Funny that. I had the VERY SAME conversation with him when I put new tyres on my GS last year...

Used Sillett for years - Absolutely no problems - Lang may his lum reek!