Flatout Motorcycles SUCK!

[pandy]

So I ordered parts for my bike on 10/25/06. I e-mailed them yesterday to see why the status of my order STILL hadn't changed from "received" to "shipped." No response.

I called them this morning and spoke with the person who handles their web orders (Chris), and he informed me that it states clearly that there's a 7-10 business day wait. I then asked to cancel the order, and he said there'd be a 20% restocking fee. I told him that we'd dispute those charges with our credit card company, and he hung up on me! 

So I checked their website, and it does say 7-10 business days *shrug*...and it also says they charge a restocking fee....but at 15%, not the 20% he stated before hanging up on me.

Since it'd be a hassle to dispute their restocking fee on our credit card, we'll wait for the parts.... but we sure won't be ordering from them again...

Talk about being disappointed in a company's customer service....   

[natedawg120]

Yeah thats pretty crappy, maybe you should just go kick Chris in the nuts

[pandy]

He kicked himself in the nuts. Having me as a parts customer is kind of like having a frequent flyer.... 

[3imo]

Sorry Pandy.  that sucks.

Bikebandit or ronayers tells you how many days the freight will take.  the $8 USPS is a day sooner than the $20 next day air rush.

Customer service is a lost art. 

oh well. At least his nuts ache. 

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Hah, that's one place I'll never shop. Post this on EVERY forum you're on, and email them a link to every thread. Man, they'll kick themselves for SURE.

[blue05twin]

Guess I know where not to shop at.   

If they have not pulled your order how can they charge a restocking fee?

[cafeboy]

Guess I know where not to shop at.   

If they have not pulled your order how can they charge a restocking fee?

   thays sucks. it's like my order is on your shelf so it's not unstocked yet so bike me 

[Chilly Willy]

Yeah, I don't really get re-stocking fees.  They shouldn't exist.  It seems like everyone is adding them now.  I mean, if you've already paid shipping and handling, what's the big deal?  The best quote I've ever heard about shipping and handling:

"Can't you just ship my package and not handle it?"

Chilly

[pandy]

If they have not pulled your order how can they charge a restocking fee?

Not only have they not pulled it, THEY don't have the parts yet!

According to the FTC website, it seems to be illegal to charge a restocking fee on something that hasn't shipped yet (doncha just hate those pesky little rules the FTC makes ya' live by). There seems to be more and more to love about this site. I've definitely posted my opinion on just about every site I'm on, and an FTC complaint will follow. 

Here's the follow-up e-mail I sent to them this morning after my delightful experience:

-----Original Message-----
From: Pandy
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2006 9:41 AM
To: chris@flatoutmotorcycles.com
Cc: bill@flatoutmotorcycles.com
Subject: RE: Order Confirmation


Dear Chris:

I spoke with my better half, and he said to go ahead and continue the order. When we ordered, we did not see the part that said there was a 7 to 10 business day wait for parts (you might want to make that part clearer). It does, however, say on the website that the restocking fee is 15%, not the 20% you stated on the phone. My better half, Jerry Hashimoto, wishes to continue the order, so we will. We will hold you to 10 business days at most to get the parts to us, though.

Chris, I'm very disappointed that my e-mail wasn't answered yesterday, and I'm very disappointed (and shocked) that you hung up on me while we were talking this morning. Had you e-mailed me yesterday and pointed toward the 7/10 business-day wait on your website, we could have avoided talking at all this morning. I might not have liked the wait, but I'd have understood it. I imagine you've handled a number of unhappy customers who are experiencing frustration over waiting for their parts, and if you hang up on them as you hung up on me this morning, it's going to be difficult for Flatout to retain its customers.

Staci

Of course, no response offered, and none expected....plus, this was before I started doing some FTC research.  They charged our credit card this morning, too, I guess right after I called them....and before THEY have the merchandise.

Plus, upon reviewing their delivery policy, this is what I found:

Delivery Time: Allow 4-10 business days for delivery of non-backordered items in the continental US. Allow additional time for shipments to Alaska, Hawaii and International Orders.

So, again, they're breaking FTC laws by not delivering items as promised (and advertising such a short timeframe when they don't stock the merchandise is a no-no according the the FTC).

Yuck. They really leave a bad taste in my mouth.

[pandy]

Did I mention that they SUCK!? 

[yamahonkawazuki]

now you need a new emoticon, the whipping one whipping them

[pandy]

now you need a new emoticon, the whipping one whipping them

Unless I can find a "crushed nuts" picture..... 

[annguyen1981]

now you need a new emoticon, the whipping one whipping them

Unless I can find a "crushed nuts" picture..... 

Lemme go take a picture of mine...  brb

[bubba zanetti]

now you need a new emoticon, the whipping one whipping them

Unless I can find a "crushed nuts" picture..... 

Lemme go take a picture of mine...  brb

Mate they want crushed not shrivelled up from lack of use 

[scratch]

I'm sorry to hear about this, Pandy.

I hope all goes well.

[Chilly Willy]

Hey, Pandy was kind enough to post the guy's e-mail.  We could get the entire board to each send him an e-mail saying "YOU SUCK!".  Imagine, hundreds of posts, from all around the world--it would be great!

Chilly

[cafeboy]

hey pandy    make sure to tell them suckas that they are not getting any decals. 

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Just wanted to let you know that your improper handling of a friend's issue has lost you not only all future business from myself, but from hundreds of members of our forum. Good luck keeping a good customer base with crappy customer service.


--
Regards,

Nicholas Cosgrove
CompE 2010
C: (XXX) 7XX-XX41

Just sent that a few mins ago.

[pandy]

Nicely done, NGFL...and you're darned right they're not getting decals, cafeboy! 

[70 Cam Guy]

I'm sorry to hear about this, Pandy.

I hope all goes well.

she wouldn't have had this trouble at Santa Clara Cycle Acc.