rocks
Registered user
Well I recently had to choose between Blue Bell at Crewe, Willaims or Southport Superbikes for some work.
I have had work done previously at blue bell, and though the work carried out was ok. The attitude I encountered from some staff members and the lack of respect when dealing with a customer was astonishing.
So I decided to try willaims.
So here is my review;
Problem : Bike failed to start a couple of times, fuel pump not intitialising. Also wanting additional lights fitting.
Rang them booked an appointment. Spoke to a lovely lady of on the phone who took the details and got me a date fixed. Sadly due to staff injury and paternity leave first date put back.
Location : The showroom and garage is on the side of the A56 going out of manchester city centre. Its fairly easy to find, I did get lost due to getting into wrong lane at a junction.
For me to get there is easest for Junct 7 M60 heading in. The A56 is a dual carraige way 40mph by the shop and if you heading into city centre its on the opposite side but there is a useful left/jug handle turn opposite to allow to cross over. Building is yellow and BMW badge obvious as you got down the road.
On arrival I was greated wth pleasent smiles and asked if i want a coffee. Removed kit and sortted paper work out.
Explained problem and took engineer out to look at bike. Eplained fualt.. bike perfectly demonstrated fault in car park.. luckily not on the motorways..
Went back in and looked at clothing and bits..
Loan bike sortted (RT) and keys handed over and headed home.
I rang them since i was heading out so no phone contact, and bike not ready till next day.. ( Big labour bill expected..eek)
Ketp RT over night and picked my bike up fixed next day.
Problem was due to the badly fitted meta alarm. Technician had fixed and fitted lights. Recovered bike and paid the bill.. 2 hours labour and vat. The price being very reasonable. So much so i had enough over from expected bill to buy a heated waist coat.
STAFF :
A very nice happy bunch, very friendly, easy to chat too. Most I gather are bike riders and it shows.
Technicians : Excellent, knew of the forums and lights i wanted fitting and spotted the potential alarm fault when i explain problem to him. The light fitting is excellent, neat tidy and LED status light very well fitted to bottom of VDU in a neat mount.
PERSONAL opinion:
I have had work done at blue bell, work was fine. But Williams were generally more interested and willing to help.
I will certainly be taking the bike back for servicing and any future problems.
COSTS : The fitting of the lights came out cheaper than i expected, and only two hours of labour charged for, which i am certain it took more to do.
The labour rate is higher than some other dealers from what i gather. But final bill was lower than expected much to my relief.
There are NO Cars at the bike centre, Williams is a dealership and have two locations, one for cars and one for bikes. Blue bell only have one site and the bikes are defently a secondary consideration and treated as such. I was given the impression they were only interested in cars and selling new bikes. No interest in parts or servicing for second hand bikes.
A completely different situation with williams.
SITE : Williams have a coffee area, with seating. Toilets/changing rooms. And the show rooms. You can talk with the technicians something Blue bell were not happy to let me do when i asked a technical question.
You can even see the bikes being worked on and watch over/discuss bits when its required.
Also the bike was given a nice valet after its work to remove oily finger prints etc.. and they managed to get the tar spots off..
the silencery and the front engine plate..
Overall conclusion being : Friendly and willing staff. Not that easy to access but certainly worth the trip ( I based in northwales so 60miles+ trip). And I will be going back.
I have had work done previously at blue bell, and though the work carried out was ok. The attitude I encountered from some staff members and the lack of respect when dealing with a customer was astonishing.
So I decided to try willaims.
So here is my review;
Problem : Bike failed to start a couple of times, fuel pump not intitialising. Also wanting additional lights fitting.
Rang them booked an appointment. Spoke to a lovely lady of on the phone who took the details and got me a date fixed. Sadly due to staff injury and paternity leave first date put back.
Location : The showroom and garage is on the side of the A56 going out of manchester city centre. Its fairly easy to find, I did get lost due to getting into wrong lane at a junction.
For me to get there is easest for Junct 7 M60 heading in. The A56 is a dual carraige way 40mph by the shop and if you heading into city centre its on the opposite side but there is a useful left/jug handle turn opposite to allow to cross over. Building is yellow and BMW badge obvious as you got down the road.
On arrival I was greated wth pleasent smiles and asked if i want a coffee. Removed kit and sortted paper work out.
Explained problem and took engineer out to look at bike. Eplained fualt.. bike perfectly demonstrated fault in car park.. luckily not on the motorways..
Went back in and looked at clothing and bits..
Loan bike sortted (RT) and keys handed over and headed home.
I rang them since i was heading out so no phone contact, and bike not ready till next day.. ( Big labour bill expected..eek)
Ketp RT over night and picked my bike up fixed next day.
Problem was due to the badly fitted meta alarm. Technician had fixed and fitted lights. Recovered bike and paid the bill.. 2 hours labour and vat. The price being very reasonable. So much so i had enough over from expected bill to buy a heated waist coat.
STAFF :
A very nice happy bunch, very friendly, easy to chat too. Most I gather are bike riders and it shows.
Technicians : Excellent, knew of the forums and lights i wanted fitting and spotted the potential alarm fault when i explain problem to him. The light fitting is excellent, neat tidy and LED status light very well fitted to bottom of VDU in a neat mount.
PERSONAL opinion:
I have had work done at blue bell, work was fine. But Williams were generally more interested and willing to help.
I will certainly be taking the bike back for servicing and any future problems.
COSTS : The fitting of the lights came out cheaper than i expected, and only two hours of labour charged for, which i am certain it took more to do.
The labour rate is higher than some other dealers from what i gather. But final bill was lower than expected much to my relief.
There are NO Cars at the bike centre, Williams is a dealership and have two locations, one for cars and one for bikes. Blue bell only have one site and the bikes are defently a secondary consideration and treated as such. I was given the impression they were only interested in cars and selling new bikes. No interest in parts or servicing for second hand bikes.
A completely different situation with williams.
SITE : Williams have a coffee area, with seating. Toilets/changing rooms. And the show rooms. You can talk with the technicians something Blue bell were not happy to let me do when i asked a technical question.
You can even see the bikes being worked on and watch over/discuss bits when its required.
Also the bike was given a nice valet after its work to remove oily finger prints etc.. and they managed to get the tar spots off..
the silencery and the front engine plate..
Overall conclusion being : Friendly and willing staff. Not that easy to access but certainly worth the trip ( I based in northwales so 60miles+ trip). And I will be going back.
) especially when they give you great trade-in values, good deals, a 1200 as courtesy bike AND LOADS OF COFFEE!
