thoughts on dealing with a "bad wrench?"

RSS
Email

0 Kudo

Author	Comment
Jeffyjak	thoughts on dealing with a "bad wrench?"		Lead	[-]
HSATF Tail Gunner Posts: 183 04/13/08 1:46 AM	Tags : None Hey you all, long time no 'E' just having a problem here, thought I'd post to see if you all had any thoughts or advice... I suppose it's somewhat like dealing with any other "bad" business practice, but it just really pisses me off, that you can actually trust your life to someone who puts up that they "know what they're doing." Took my ride to one of the local bike shops, just because I couldn't reach my regular guy, & I was in a "hurry" to get the job done. Long story (sort of) short, I got a new speedometer cable, & the front fork seals done (one side was leaking). When I went to pick up the bike, the fork was still dirty; looked as though it had never been touched. They told me the speedometer was bad & needed replaced… I left, went home & washed my bike. I took it back after riding about 5 miles; there was still a leak on the bad side. I actually stated "I don't think this fork seal was replaced, it's still leaking." The owner said "I know it was done, cause I did it myself." Then, after sliding up the outer wiper (or whatever it's called) & wiping the excess fluid off with a rag, he said "this is the solvent that I used to clean up with. It's not fork oil." ?????SOLVENT????!!! Additionally, "someone" at the shop "forgot" to put the speedo cable back into the keeper on the fork; the very first time I parked the bike on my steep-ish driveway, the cable was ruined. I returned again to point this error out; I was told they'd get me a new one… I said, no, I'll eat this; I'm just very disappointed in what's been improperly taken care of. So, today, I got the bike to my "regular" guy (who I've know for several years; he's a true professional), & he said let's take a look. After loosening a screw/bolt near the bottom of the fork & draining dirty "fluid" out of the fork, he said "I'd like to know how they changed the fork seals when they didn't even change or remove the fork oil." So, I really just want my money back for a job that was (allegedly, at this point) never done - looking for suggestion on how to go about this: I don't believe I'm entitled to (nor am I interested in) any damages, but I do want to be sure this guy & anyone at that shop who might have been involved OWN UP TO THIS. It's deceitful, & I think if they did this to me, they might have done it (or will do it) to others… My wrench is taking pictures of the job as he does it, for proof; he said he will go to small claims with me, if that's needed; he also suggests I offer the guy the opportunity to refund me first… Any suggestions? I just hate doing business with dishonest people; especially when it perhaps involves trusting my life to their work. What you think??? ((sure makes me wish I knew how to really 'take care of' my own bike!)) Last Edited By: Jeffyjak 04/13/08 1:49 AM. Edited 1 time.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
bamaTrider		#1	[url]	[-]
HSATF 1st Officer Posts: 3702 04/13/08 11:59 AM	I would take copies of the photos as evidence with me to the 1st shop and speak to the manager/owner directly. I would say something like "I wanted you to see these photos documenting that the fork job was not performed by your shop before the judge sees them. This is your last opportunity to make this right before I take legal action." If he does not offer you a refund on the spot.....then he is a fool. You only have to show reasonable proof that the work was not done and the photos and a statement should be enough. Keep your calm about it and a straight head even if the shop owner doesn't. I would definitely not let this go for the sake of others safety. Stan "We are different - yet we are the same" 2004 GL1800 Goldwing (Titanium) 1999 Ace Tourer (Silver over Black)
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
fedspaz		#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 622 04/15/08 12:52 PM	I had to read that title a few times... I thought it said what to do with a bad wench. When I started reading the post, it wasn't anything like the title! Keep your knees in the breeze! -Kirk
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
Jeffyjak	Update on the "BAD WENCH" or wRench!!	#3	[url]	[-]
HSATF Tail Gunner Posts: 183 04/29/08 10:42 PM	Hey fedspaz, your reading sounded better! and Stan, thanks for the thoughts, pretty much how I handled it today.... I took a carefully crafted letter, detailing 'the other mechanic's' opinion (& fact that he'd taken photos), my thoughts & disappointment in a job not done (or done really poorly), and stated therein that I wanted a refund - adding that if he maintained that he'd done the job and done it safely, I and the other mechanic would meet with him in front of a judge. He very casually told me that he'd gladly give me a refund, since I wasn't satisfied with his work… then started, without being too detailed, to berate the other guy, who he apparently knows well. (He did state at one point the other guy "does do good work.") He wanted me to know that any judge would throw this matter out, since I ((ME, AS IN "I") was not a witness to the 2^nd repair job, calling in to question the integrity of the other guy. (Some judge, eh?!) (Oh, Yeah, I didn't witness the 1^st job! either!) I tried to explain to him that, upon bringing the bike back the first time (the same day I picked it up) I KNEW THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. In fact the forks felt to me like they were "bottoming out." And, "that's why I took it to the other guy!") To this he said "there is not a tensioner in the forks; maybe last time the job was done, someone put too much oil in; I put in exactly what is specified in the manual." (Yep, I'm sure someone in the past put too much oil in to make it feel better… NOT) I simply took my money and told him if anything came out of this deal, I hoped he would see to it that nothing like this ever happened again. The sad part to me - I really sort of hoped we would've met with a judge: I would have liked to have seen this guy get the publicity over this that I think he deserves! Just wanted y'all to know... Last Edited By: Jeffyjak 04/29/08 10:45 PM. Edited 1 time.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
alepel		#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 7800 04/30/08 6:55 AM	Jeffyjak wrote: The sad part to me - I really sort of hoped we would've met with a judge: I would have liked to have seen this guy get the publicity over this that I think he deserves! Just wanted y'all to know... Jeff....the way I read it you got your pound of flesh out of this guy. You took him to task and he caved in. If he really felt that he did the job he was supposed to he would have told you to take him to court. He certainly knew that refunding the money was not going to earn him yourself as a new good customer. He knew he did you wrong and he probably felt that he was going to lose in court. AND I've got a feeling that he's been this route once or twice before. You called his bluff and refunded your money. I wonder how many others he has done this to that just took it in the ass? By the way on a more personal note. My 27 year old son who had a successful career in retail management has decided to pursue a career in Psychiatric nursing. My son is engaged to a wonderful young lady who is a nurse and she has opened my sons eyes to a service that he feels is much more rewarding for him. Fortunately for my son schooling comes extremely easy to him and he is completing his first year of studies and has done extremely well. He is also currently employed with one of the local hospitals working in the Psychiatric Wards which is also the area of nursing that he wants to specialize in. I'm quite proud of this young man and I can't help but admire how wonderful his heart is and his feelings for his fellow man. alepel "Ride with the Spirit always, and in all ways"....hombldr
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
Jeffyjak		#5	[url]	[-]
HSATF Tail Gunner Posts: 183 04/30/08 9:38 AM	Alepel, you're right, I did get it out of him! & that in itself is pretty satisfying. My wife says I need to write the BBB - regardless, I hope I'm the last of that kind of service from him!! RE: your son, Well Done! to having had a hand in raising this "wonderful heart." As an RN, I certainly might offer some advice. Since schooling is easy for him, and he's young! offer my suggestion that he pursue his "Nurse Practitioner" certification: more education, but more "freedom" to actually make some 'big' decisions on 'his own.' The main thing: just becoming an RN will really open doors for him, he'll be amazed - whether he decides to focus on the psychiatric angle, or not, there are many many ways to go. I am involved w/ a program called "E-mentor," which is a long-distance communication/mentoring program with current RN students at my alma mater. The school attempts to match the students' desires/goals w/ those of us in the field, & it works quite well. Hopefully, he'll find something like that - in fact, if he's interested, have him email me, I'd be glad to give him some insights. Sometimes a "guy to guy" contact is a good thing, although, sounds like he's got a built-in best-friend sort of deal right now! I have served as the "director of surgical services" at two different hospitals in my 28 years of nursing, & in the end, I returned to hands-on patient care; much more satisfying to actually help the person, rather than 'count beans' as it were... different strokes for, well, you know....
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
alepel		#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 7800 04/30/08 10:05 AM	Jeff....I would certainly go to the BBB with your issues. This guy undoubtedly feels comfortable doing what he does to unsuspecting customers and has no doubt gotten away with it before. You may not be able to stop him but you can keep him from feeling that it always works for him. Thank you very much for the offer to 'talk' with my son. I will definitely give him your email and encourage him to talk to you. One of the many things that my son told me about his reasoning to go to nursing was that he and his fiancee have thought about going around the country working in different areas. I told them that I believed that you were doing that and that you have travelled with your motorcycle to some terribly interesting places. Now my son is learning to ride and has bought his own motorcycle. So I was able to really capture his interest when I told him the little I knew about you and the wonderful adventures that you have shared with us on the forum. Again thank you for your offer. That was very kind and generous of you. alepel "Ride with the Spirit always, and in all ways"....hombldr
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote

<< Previous Topic Next Topic >>

Add Reply

Yuku free message boards

thoughts on dealing with a "bad wrench?"

thoughts on dealing with a "bad wrench?"

Quick Reply