My first horror story.

[Trainzz]

If you look at the parts wanted portion of our forums, you will notice that I am looking for a seat for my '80SG. I am currently using the seat of my '79 std. Since I had had no luck finding a seat, I called the local dealer (i.e. fort Knox West ). They told me they could get me a seat in 2-4 weeks. I thought this was reasonable and was willing to overlook my aversion to using the dealer who feels that any bike over 5 years old without a v-twin should be sh!tcanned. Then I asked them about the cost.


THEY QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $772!!!!!


This lovely price did not include shipping.

Now while I can deal grudgingly with overpriced accessories within reason, my first reaction was to ask the sales lady if she was f'ing out of her mind. That I paid less for my entire bike than that. She told me that was "just the way it is". Then she hung up on me.

Later that evening I happend to be talking to the PO on the phone. He called me to let me know he had stumbled across more parts for the three bikes. Included in that lot was the seat for my '80. It just needs a new cover and I will be good to go to Hurst next month.

(Stepping up on my soapbox)

One would think that have 30 year old bikes would be a great advertisement to the locals about the quality of the brand. In this economy, word of mouth is critical for small businesses. I guess that my local dealer hasn't figured that out. I don't know what ticked me off more. The price or the attitude of the staff at the dealers. My guess is the latter. needless to say, I won't be dropping by anytime soon to look at a ride for SWMBO.

[randy]

A letter explaining your experience and your dissatisfaction should be sent to the management of the dealership. If management doesn't hear about it, there is no way for them to improve service.

[trbig]

Randy Randy Randy.....

Haven't you figured out that some people don't want you to FIX the problem.. they just want you to LISTEN???

(Of course this usually only applies to women.. )



Tod

[Wildkat]

I realize someone will probably say something about it being their right to charge whatever they want... That if someone wants it bad enough... they'll pay the price... and while that's true... that doesn't make it any better...
DANG!


Tod?
SMACK!


lol

[Guest]

Oem

hey lee last year weny to get a oil filter from a yama dealer $40 i told i didn't want a oil change he said that's just the filter!!!!! went in to pick yamabond $5 told him i was using it on my 11's carb boots he said wow a fellow was here yesterday wanting carb boots he told they were $80 each!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wow another 11 in DA U.P. hope he finds this forum

[Ivan]

If thats the place in south hutch on main, they are usually very friendly. Sometimes to the point of annoyance. I wouldn't pay $800 for a seat though.

You might call Cycle Station in wichita. He has LOTS of old bike parts, but it'd be a crap shoot if any of them are for the XS11.

If you want any thing else, I'd give Russ a call, since he is trying to liquidate the remaining inventory for Karla, which I figure is a worthy cause.

Pretty soon though, you'll have the standard seat back on, cause you'll want the standard tank. You'll want the big tank cause you'll soon figure out the only way you can catch up to me is when I stop for fuel.

[cywelchjr]

My dealer has pointed me towards craigs list and ebay on more than one occasion when they agreed with me that the price for something from Yamaha was robbery. They know what bikes I have and always ask how their coming along. They will do what service they can (as long as they can get parts) and when I checked on an oil filter they quoted me the yamaha price and when they saw the look on my face they did say that they could order 3rd party brands for a lot less, and would be willing to do so for me. They know if I were to buy a new bike, that treating me right with my vintage bikes (which they seem pleased that I'm doing) that I will go to them over any other yamaha dealer. When I had to get a brake and light inspection on my XS400 (long story), while they don't do them, they went out of their way to help me find someone in town who did, and offered to do it for me if I could get the forms for them.

Sometimes just treating the riders of old machines is good business.

[ManitoulinLad]

Saddleman sells two seats that will fit our bikes. One is a double bucket and the other is a type of old style king & queen seat. They will sell the seat cover for it with or without the foam and will also sell the whole seat with the seat pan. It ain't no $700 bucks. I just got them to mail me a brochure with there stuff, I got mine redone instead, & threw out the pamplets etc. Just look them up on the net & you can pull up the 2 seats that I mentioned to take a lot at them & the prices. - Dan

[randy]

Hey, Tod, i think the small print worked - WildKat didn't even see it!

[egleaves]

Hey, Tod, i think the small print worked - WildKat didn't even see it!

Nah, he got smacked for that one.

[randy]

Nah, he got smacked for that one.

Does that actually work over the web?! Oh, sh**, I'm in trouble!

[fredintoon]

- - - - Pretty soon though, you'll have the standard seat back on, cause you'll want the standard tank. You'll want the big tank cause you'll soon figure out the only way you can catch up to me is when I stop for fuel. - - -

Hi Ivan,
regardless of motivation, with a Standard tank fitted to a Special the Special seat will fit just fine so long as you crop 5/8" off the front of the seat pan and whack a little dent in it for the filler well drain tube connector.

[xs11lover]

I really think dealers take a class on "how to be an ass" I've had the same treatment at all the new bike shops. When I took my xs850 in to have the carbs cleaned and synced they said oh that costs alot of $$ like I couldn't pay. More or less they refused to do it.
One weekend I needed a set of plugs and I called 20 min before close and asked for a set of plugs and told them the size, said I'd be right over to pick them up. When I got there I found the kid behind the counter talking to his buddy on the phone, left me standing there at least 10 min. While the other guy turned out the lights and stood at the door. When he did hang up he said they were closed! Never pulled the plugs off the shelf for me.
When I picked up my prize xs11 with 4,000 miles it took it in to show the mechanic, that I thought liked the old xs's. This bike was a jewel for sure. So clean you could eat off it. He never looked out the door at it. He said "oh if it only has 4,000 miles on it, it must have problems"
The other so called top dog in vintage Yamaha parts, act like they don't want you to know what they have because you might buy them and then they wouldn't have the large pile of parts any more.
Three new dealers and all the same bad treatment. I've always been told to treat people with respect regardless of what you feel. They don't teach that at motorcycle school i guess.
The only good service I've had were the little guy, small shop, real bikers that are there because they like bikes.

[randy]

Yeah, I don't get it. If you're in business, ANY business, the only reason you're there is for the customer. It's that simple, really.

I do now about that top dog place, they screwed a couple of us last month on left bearings. Website listed $45, actual bill was $76!

[John]

If you look at the parts wanted portion of our forums, you will notice that I am looking for a seat for my '80SG. I am currently using the seat of my '79 std. Since I had had no luck finding a seat, I called the local dealer (i.e. fort Knox West ). They told me they could get me a seat in 2-4 weeks. I thought this was reasonable and was willing to overlook my aversion to using the dealer who feels that any bike over 5 years old without a v-twin should be sh!tcanned. Then I asked them about the cost.


THEY QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $772!!!!!


This lovely price did not include shipping.

Now while I can deal grudgingly with overpriced accessories within reason, my first reaction was to ask the sales lady if she was f'ing out of her mind. That I paid less for my entire bike than that. She told me that was "just the way it is". Then she hung up on me.

Later that evening I happend to be talking to the PO on the phone. He called me to let me know he had stumbled across more parts for the three bikes. Included in that lot was the seat for my '80. It just needs a new cover and I will be good to go to Hurst next month.

(Stepping up on my soapbox)

One would think that have 30 year old bikes would be a great advertisement to the locals about the quality of the brand. In this economy, word of mouth is critical for small businesses. I guess that my local dealer hasn't figured that out. I don't know what ticked me off more. The price or the attitude of the staff at the dealers. My guess is the latter. needless to say, I won't be dropping by anytime soon to look at a ride for SWMBO.

Hell, if you buy your seat cover from B & H Specialties, located here in Hurst, then you could save postage, and pick it up and put it on here. They make a very nice seat cover.