Funny that these sentiments never come up when we're bagging on <insert non-Japanese marque here> 'repair costs' quoted straight from a dealer as a reason not to buy one of those damn-other-ferriner bikes.the minimal amount that some dealers charge to make a profit is nothing compared to the ripoff that people pay for insurance and medical care without complaining
Wow, you guys were right about dealers
I've always heard folks complain about Suzuki dealers and how they can be outragiously expensive for service. I've been lucky cause my bike has never had any problems and I always do the maintainence myself. Circumstances made me leave the bike at Wasilla Alaska Suzuki to have the clutch rod seal replaced. They charged me $130 for an oil change, $150 diagnosis fee to verify I was telling them the truth about the seal, and $170 to actually change the seal. It took 5 weeks to be completed. This maybe perfectly normal for dealers to charge this much but it only reinforces my do it yourself approach.
There are certainly many riders that are happy with Suzuki dealers but my first experience with a dealer service dept. makes me really appreciate this forum and all of the great information here.
There are certainly many riders that are happy with Suzuki dealers but my first experience with a dealer service dept. makes me really appreciate this forum and all of the great information here.
21 - 40 of 45 Posts
STATE OF ALASKA AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR ACT
Sec. 45.45.160. Charges.
A shop may not charge for making a repair price estimate unless, before making the estimate, the shop discloses to the customer the amount of the charge, or, if the amount cannot be determined, the basis on which the charge will be calculated. A shop may not impose, or threaten to impose, a charge that is clearly excessive in relation to the work involved in making the price estimate.
Much valid info above and below this section of the act. rg may have reason to file a state complaint against the shop and copy it to American Suzuki in Brea, CA.
GET TO KNOW THE STATE MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIR REGULATIONS IN YOUR STATE AND THE STATES YOU'RE TRAVELING IN, AND HOLD THE SHOP TO THE LAW. ALWAYS ASK FOR THE ESTIMATE IN ADVANCE, FOR THE SHOP TO CALL YOU FOR AUTHORIZATION IF THEY FIND MORE REPAIRS NEEDED, AND THE RETURN OF USED PARTS (which you can throw away on the spot after you've looked at them.)
I have to pay to dispose of tires, used oil, used coolant and oil filters. Many shops charge an environmental fee and tire disposal fees which is acceptable. But so many customers complain that I don't itemize it anymore. My customers pay it, they just don't know it.I can understand tires and batteries, but I wouldn't be surprised if some tried to sneak in a disposal fee for other stuff. When I took my front wheel in to my nearest dealer to get a new tire mounted they wanted 40 bucks :jawdrop:, so I went to an independent shop and got it done for 25.
And for you cheap-asses that still don't get it, here's one scenario:
When it's time for me to get rid of all the stacks of used tires around here, I have to pick up each tire, one at a time, and shake the slimy, stinky rain water out. Then I get to load each one in a trailer. Then I get to drive to a disposal site and unload each tire. Then I get to pay a fee for each tire I drop off.
I hear you Kick. In my youth I worked for a Honda/Suzuki shop....one reason I love Hondas so much as we had 4 Suzukis in for each Honda.
But, people bitching about a 1 hour minimum to do routine maintenance makes me chuckle. Bike shops don't typically have an ex-french fry maker standing around to do easy stuff. So a highly trained mechanic is doing it.
And it takes time...just like when you or I do it at home. I takes me an hour to do an oil change because I am slow, careful, and looking for other issues as I do it...the same thing I want my shop to do.
But, people bitching about a 1 hour minimum to do routine maintenance makes me chuckle. Bike shops don't typically have an ex-french fry maker standing around to do easy stuff. So a highly trained mechanic is doing it.
And it takes time...just like when you or I do it at home. I takes me an hour to do an oil change because I am slow, careful, and looking for other issues as I do it...the same thing I want my shop to do.
Can't think of anything cheap anymore other than me, but I'm not easy. :mrgreen:
Commonwealth is overall a pretty good bunch. I wouldn't hesitate to take my bike to them for work I wasn't able to do myself (or didn't want to do myself). My son purchased the bike from them (I was present when he was buying) and they gave him a good price. They also assembled the bike correctly (the parts the dealer do) and even gave him a tank of gas to get him back to Bowling Green. They seem interested in repeat business.In Louisville, KY we have a dealer named Comonwealth Suzuki. I have paid a fair price there for work they did. Was very satisfied.
They do great work and can dyno tune.
They did tell me the my bike was making topend noise and that my sprockets were toast and in need of immeadiate replacement.
The top end is typical strom noisy and 5,000 miles after their work has not exploded. The sprockets and chain were and are still in good (but not new) condition.
This made me just chuckle and smile and think they are just conservative as shops get sued for things like flats and chains if a wreck occurs.
It helps greatly to have a working knowledge of your bike even if you take the easy way out and have someone else work on it occassionally.
There is no better example of this than when my fuel filter got clogged. I was to busy to pull the fuel pump out due to my summer work schedule,but I knew what my issue was and told them to flow test it. They spent some time fuxxoring around on the dyno taking fuel air readings under load before they called me stumped and wanted to adjust my valves. I got a little peeved but kept my cool and said, check my dam fuel filter.
When I picked it up, they did not charge me for the wild goose chase but only for the filter backflushing. And it ran beautifully after being dyno tuned.
I have to pay to dispose of tires, used oil, used coolant and oil filters. Many shops charge an environmental fee and tire disposal fees which is acceptable. But so many customers complain that I don't itemize it anymore. My customers pay it, they just don't know it.I'm confused... You have to pay for disposal of said items. Understandable. But if I visit any of the instant oil change shops in my closest town, I can drop off as much oil, antifreeze, and batteries as I can carry in there at no charge... So what gives?
I know several guys that have shops that do light repairs on the side. They have guys beating down their doors (especially this time of year) asking to BUY his used oil. How is it that you have to pay to dispose of it? (I'm not trying to start an argument, I just don't get it...)
Tires I completely understand.
Funny that these sentiments never come up when we're bagging on <insert non-Japanese marque here> 'repair costs' quoted straight from a dealer as a reason not to buy one of those damn-other-ferriner bikes.
bout the only marque I rag on is Suzuki
In many areas repair facilities are required to accept used fluids to keep the public from dumping them in the sewers. The average Jiffy Lube or similar shop probably acquires as much used oil in a week or two as I do in 3-4 years. Because of the volume of used oil produced it is much more economical for the recyclers to pick up from big volume facilities. I checked a couple months ago about selling my used oil and was quoted 15 cents a gallon to pick up 500 gallons minimum. That's a whopping $75. I can only legally store somewhere around 150-200 gallons on my site per DNR regulations.I'm confused... You have to pay for disposal of said items. Understandable. But if I visit any of the instant oil change shops in my closest town, I can drop off as much oil, antifreeze, and batteries as I can carry in there at no charge... So what gives?
I know several guys that have shops that do light repairs on the side. They have guys beating down their doors (especially this time of year) asking to BUY his used oil. How is it that you have to pay to dispose of it? (I'm not trying to start an argument, I just don't get it...)
Tires I completely understand.
I've seen some shops (not bike shops specifically, mainly car shops) charge a flat % (albiet a very small %) of the total bill amount........for NOTHING they have to dispose of. I guess I'm one of the cheap asses.........I don't like paying $$$ for something I didn't get (rid of). Whine all you want to.......I went to 4 different tire dealerships last year looking for a used, worn out tire (to use to cradle an engine on a shipping pallet) and all I was told was they could not let me have one due to liability issues. So much for the dealership PITA disposal process as far as I'm concerned. And if a shop is paying for "disposing of oil" and not paying to have it sent to a "recycling center", then he might as well just dump it in his neighbor's back yard at midnight and save a few bucks.I have to pay to dispose of tires, used oil, used coolant and oil filters. Many shops charge an environmental fee and tire disposal fees which is acceptable. But so many customers complain that I don't itemize it anymore. My customers pay it, they just don't know it.
And for you cheap-asses that still don't get it, here's one scenario:
When it's time for me to get rid of all the stacks of used tires around here, I have to pick up each tire, one at a time, and shake the slimy, stinky rain water out. Then I get to load each one in a trailer. Then I get to drive to a disposal site and unload each tire. Then I get to pay a fee for each tire I drop off.
I did not mean to hi-jack this thread, originally about Dealers.........the disposal fees are a very small part of how well (or bad) a dealership is perceived, I would think. Carry on..........
I agree completely that the costs are real, but I don't like the blanket fees. Sure, charge for tire disposal, a cost paid only by those who use the service. The rest should come out of overhead as part of being in the repair business, and charge a reasonable hourly rate that covers it all. I also do not like the blanket fee for shop supplies--rags, solvent, etc. These are also legitimately part of overhead. What's next?..Mechanic's tool replacement fee (least worse idea of the bunch)? A fee for electricity for the lighting and compressed air? Fee for paying the shop's rent? Fee for the work order form? Fee for the telephone line to tell me my bill's ready? It's getting as bad as the air lines.I have to pay to dispose of tires, used oil, used coolant and oil filters. Many shops charge an environmental fee and tire disposal fees which is acceptable. But so many customers complain that I don't itemize it anymore. My customers pay it, they just don't know it.
I change my own tires, oil, coolant... I can dispose liquids at AutoZone or Advance Autoparts for free, but where do I take tires?
Obviously the most outrageous statement in this thread!I did not even finish the six-pack I prepaired for the job.
So rumor has it there are good dealers "out there". I have yet to find one that has not disappointed me. I'm sure they try to hire the best they can for what they pay. Or maybe because the "book" says it's a 30 minute job they do it in 30 minutes regardless or they don't get paid for the extra time to do it right. Or they add bogus charges. I guess I can't blame them to doing whatever they can to stay in business. My problem is I do not want to be any part of it. Get charged to services not provided but yet a line item on the invoice. The charges that started this thread are way out of line. Face it the guy was ripped - big time. I can purchase (and I have) all the tools to do my own service for what it costs to pay a dealer for a major maintenance check point. "Maintenance days" are becoming more and more popular as an alternative to dealer service, why? The only time my bikes have failed me have been AFTER the dealer serviced it.
One of the major things I consider when purchasing a bike is my ability to service it myself. I also make it a condition of sale in writing on the bill of sale that they provide me with a service manual at the time I take receipt of the bike. If not I walk and have done so. I have also gone back to a dealer with a new bike purchased elsewhere just to drive home the point that I went someplace else because they wouldn't cooperate. Dude, just who the hell is THE CUSTOMER!
I have purchased:
Tire changer & balance
2 torque wrenches
Carb sync gauge
Hand held tach
Chain breaker & rivert tool
motorcycle lift/jack
I'm also retired. All I do now is ride. I have three bikes to keep running. I had four but that is too many to keep up with maintenance, tires, inspection, insurance.
One of the major things I consider when purchasing a bike is my ability to service it myself. I also make it a condition of sale in writing on the bill of sale that they provide me with a service manual at the time I take receipt of the bike. If not I walk and have done so. I have also gone back to a dealer with a new bike purchased elsewhere just to drive home the point that I went someplace else because they wouldn't cooperate. Dude, just who the hell is THE CUSTOMER!
I have purchased:
Tire changer & balance
2 torque wrenches
Carb sync gauge
Hand held tach
Chain breaker & rivert tool
motorcycle lift/jack
I'm also retired. All I do now is ride. I have three bikes to keep running. I had four but that is too many to keep up with maintenance, tires, inspection, insurance.
Sounds like you may need to retire from retriement.I'm also retired. All I do now is ride. I have three bikes to keep running. I had four but that is too many to keep up with maintenance, tires, inspection, insurance.
I have the misfortune of not being on a fixed income.
I'm also fortunate enough to be "out there" with a dealer who was recommended by several other riders and has never abused my trust.
There are some things I do..............
Some things I might depending on current cashflow.........
And some things that I would trust the dealer to do much more than I would trust someone like myself to do for the first time on any bike.
The folks in Wasilla were taking advantage of a situation.
the majority of repair shops local to me burn their waste oil, now I know why they spend so much money on waste oil furnaces & containment, it's much more valuable use of waste oilIn many areas repair facilities are required to accept used fluids to keep the public from dumping them in the sewers. The average Jiffy Lube or similar shop probably acquires as much used oil in a week or two as I do in 3-4 years. Because of the volume of used oil produced it is much more economical for the recyclers to pick up from big volume facilities. I checked a couple months ago about selling my used oil and was quoted 15 cents a gallon to pick up 500 gallons minimum. That's a whopping $75. I can only legally store somewhere around 150-200 gallons on my site per DNR regulations.
Check your local recycling folks -- usually the local county or city gubmint.I change my own tires, oil, coolant... I can dispose liquids at AutoZone or Advance Autoparts for free, but where do I take tires?
Found this by Googling "Cary NC tire recycling"
WakeGOV.com - Where to Recycle & Dispose
Here in Indy, I was shocked to learn that you can just put old tires out next to your garbage, and the city will pick 'em up and recycle them when they pick up the trash. :jawdrop: :hurray:
At least, I hope they're doing the Right Thing with the tires... they go away, and that's all I know. :mrgreen:
Dealer Cost
This was a car (Oldsmobile) but I had work to replace the ignition at a local GM dealer. You get one key and they charge to program the chip in the new key that comes with the ignition. The dealer in the next county charges half the amount for a key and programs it for free. I was also having the failed intake manifold replaces. It was the wife's car and it broke down in from of the dealer. I asked for the old manifold back. Pick up the car and no old manifold. The dumpster must have been picked up this morning. Then why is it still full? Found out later GM was paying $400 to owners based on a class action law suit. Also I could have bought a better manifold for less and put it in myself. There are good dealer and really bad dealers. Funny how GM closed the good ones.
This was a car (Oldsmobile) but I had work to replace the ignition at a local GM dealer. You get one key and they charge to program the chip in the new key that comes with the ignition. The dealer in the next county charges half the amount for a key and programs it for free. I was also having the failed intake manifold replaces. It was the wife's car and it broke down in from of the dealer. I asked for the old manifold back. Pick up the car and no old manifold. The dumpster must have been picked up this morning. Then why is it still full? Found out later GM was paying $400 to owners based on a class action law suit. Also I could have bought a better manifold for less and put it in myself. There are good dealer and really bad dealers. Funny how GM closed the good ones.
Great for the environment too!:thumbdown:the majority of repair shops local to me burn their waste oil, now I know why they spend so much money on waste oil furnaces & containment, it's much more valuable use of waste oil
Great for the environment too!:thumbdown:
Why would you say that?#2 heating oil can't be that much more efficient than used motor oil. They've gotta heat the shop somehow.
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