I left the topic brutal, with a possibility for them to make it right, just in case I'm surprised.
I live in Tampa Florida, Brandon in particular, and have visited a bike shop several times. The owner was always on hand, and seemed nice enough not to mention knowledgable.
Cutting to the chase:
Rons Cycle Supply of Brandon, Florida replaced my rear tire this past week.
** HIS MECHANIC NEVER TIGHTENED THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS BOLTS. **
Just by coincidence I had the bike listed on ebay and craigslist, and was shooting some video and pictures for people that asked, and guess what is visible if you zoom in really close ? The f%$king bolt heads are sticking 1/16 or better out. NOT EVEN SNUGGED. NO LOCTITE, NOTHING !
Now the really bad part:
A person who will remain nameless (and a really nice guy from my opinion) test rode the bike on thursday, the day it was done from the shop. HE TEST RODE IT WITHOUT MY OR HIS KNOWING THE BRAKE COULD FAIL OR WORSE CAUSE A CRASH AT ANY MOMENT. When I realized this at work this morning, I was physically SICK.
Now for the really terrible part.
The owner of Rons Cycle Supply of Brandon, FL told me on the phone "I'm not fixing your whole f%$king bike because you f%&ked it up." this morning. I wasn't an ass, I wasn't rude. I simply asked him to send someone with the proper bolts and loctite, and possibly the proper tools to install a new set of pads as mine are likely beat to shaZam!. He flatly refused.
Color me amazed. After I pressed, and mentioned the photos and videos I thought I might have, he changed his tune. He's sending out someone in the morning (so he says) to pick it up.
I don't know if the moderators will want to kill this thread for slander or whatever, but I'll go to court in a heartbeat if anyone wants to call me on my claims.
Now then-
Next time I have my bike/car/skateboard/shoes anywhere for anything, (IF EVER) I'll triple check behind the person doing the service.
YOU SHOULD TOO.
Yes, I realize I'm an older and wiser idiot for not checking behind them to begin with.
Now, should I just go buy the bolts... and do it proper myself, or do I trust them to not f%$king kill me ?
I'm not the one who will kill this thread.
If anything you bring up a good point to ponder. Whenever anyone has service done on their motorcycle, you should invest the due diligence of checking that you approve the work done. We all are responsible for making sure our Bike, our Gear and ourselves are ready to ride every time we head out.
I'm not saying the dealership is not at fault for shoddy workmanship, but every time we ride (especially if we have had the bike out of our care) we should inspect all obvious facets of our machine. The acronym taught in the MSF BasicRider Course (http://www.msf-usa.org/index_new.cfm?pagename=RiderCourse%20Info&content=4680191D-A0CC-53D5-640D76C4D50CECA9&referer=MSF%20RiderCourse) is T-CLOCS - a guide to the pre-ride inspection:
T - Tires & Wheels- Air Pressure
- Tread
- Cracks, dents, loose spokes (on bikes other than the GS500)
- Bearings
- Brakes
C - Controls
- Levers
- Switches
- Cables
- Hoses
- Throttle
L - Lights and Electrics
- Working Condition (headlights, signals, tail lights)
O - Oil and Other FluidsC - Chassis
- Suspension (fork seals, rear shock)
- Drive Components (chain, sprockets)
S - Stands.
If you neglect this inspection, you increase the potential for some problem will ruin your ride. In my opinion, you have a responsibility to inspect the work done, and if not acceptable -- complain.
Caveat Emptor (http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/index.php/Caveat_emptor).
Well said, RedShift. :thumb:
The last time I had my bike worked on by a shop, I didn't check the work they'd done.
It turned out that four bolts (the four that are located where the bolt is labeled #4 below) were....slightly loose....ok....three of them were ready to fall out and the fourth was slightly loose... Basically, I could have lost the front end at any time. ???
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/pandyz/eek.gif)
That was damned scary, and I've been meaning to learn to tighten things down ever since.... :icon_confused:
I hope Ron's Cycle Supply does right by you, ohgood.
First, there is no excuse for your bike to have left the shop in that condition, assuming that the mechanic worked on the rear brake caliper.
Second, there is no excuse for the attitude and language he used with you over the telephone, assuming you didn't provoke him.
Third, it should not be necessary to threaten him with a lawsuit to get him to come out and look at it. As an aircraft mechanic I can say that I would be horrified if a customer called me up with a complaint such as yours. My exact words would have been "Don't touch it, I'm on my way."
His attitude shows a complete disregard for his customer and his customer's safety.
I would not have them tighten your brake caliper bolts, I would do it yourself or take it to another shop. I get the impression he wants to take it back to his shop. This is not required for such a simple task. What is to prevent him from screwing something else up while it is in there?
In addition, if the proper bolts are installed in the brake caliper you do not need to buy new ones. Simply torque the bolts to the specification listed in the service manual. (22-26 ft-lbs on GS500E's)
Its possible to change the rear without pulling the caliper, are you sure its their mistake?
Quote from: RedShift on April 06, 2007, 06:47:25 PM
Caveat Emptor (http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/index.php/Caveat_emptor).
AWESOME! :thumb:
Quote from: aplitz on April 06, 2007, 08:22:56 PM
Its possible to change the rear without pulling the caliper, are you sure its their mistake?
I don't know if it's possible. Yes, I'm quite certain it was their mistake. On the phone he actually said 'We NEVER use loctite on motorcycles. Thats stupid. We torque them right the first time.'
Go figure.
Quote from: RedShift on April 06, 2007, 06:47:25 PM
I'm not the one who will kill this thread.
If anything you bring up a good point to ponder. Whenever anyone has service done on their motorcycle, you should invest the due diligence of checking that you approve the work done. We all are responsible for making sure our Bike, our Gear and ourselves are ready to ride every time we head out.
I'm not saying the dealership is not at fault for shoddy workmanship, but every time we ride (especially if we have had the bike out of our care) we should inspect all obvious facets of our machine. The acronym taught in the MSF BasicRider Course (http://www.msf-usa.org/index_new.cfm?pagename=RiderCourse%20Info&content=4680191D-A0CC-53D5-640D76C4D50CECA9&referer=MSF%20RiderCourse) is T-CLOCS - a guide to the pre-ride inspection:
T - Tires & Wheels
- Air Pressure
- Tread
- Cracks, dents, loose spokes (on bikes other than the GS500)
- Bearings
- Brakes
C - Controls
- Levers
- Switches
- Cables
- Hoses
- Throttle
L - Lights and Electrics
- Working Condition (headlights, signals, tail lights)
O - Oil and Other FluidsC - Chassis
- Suspension (fork seals, rear shock)
- Drive Components (chain, sprockets)
S - Stands.
If you neglect this inspection, you increase the potential for some problem will ruin your ride. In my opinion, you have a responsibility to inspect the work done, and if not acceptable -- complain.
Caveat Emptor (http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/index.php/Caveat_emptor).
Yep. I was an idiot for trusting someone else with my safety. I agree completely. I stopped taking my car(s) to mechanics when I was tired of being 'taken'.
This has cured me of neglecting my own duties of insuring I have a safe ride.
I will _never_ trust someone else to do a proper job again. I will check. Everytime.
Quote from: GeeP on April 06, 2007, 07:58:05 PM
First, there is no excuse for your bike to have left the shop in that condition, assuming that the mechanic worked on the rear brake caliper.
Second, there is no excuse for the attitude and language he used with you over the telephone, assuming you didn't provoke him.
Third, it should not be necessary to threaten him with a lawsuit to get him to come out and look at it. As an aircraft mechanic I can say that I would be horrified if a customer called me up with a complaint such as yours. My exact words would have been "Don't touch it, I'm on my way."
His attitude shows a complete disregard for his customer and his customer's safety.
I would not have them tighten your brake caliper bolts, I would do it yourself or take it to another shop. I get the impression he wants to take it back to his shop. This is not required for such a simple task. What is to prevent him from screwing something else up while it is in there?
In addition, if the proper bolts are installed in the brake caliper you do not need to buy new ones. Simply torque the bolts to the specification listed in the service manual. (22-26 ft-lbs on GS500E's)
Wow. Aircraft mechanic eh ? Ya, I can imagine the knots in your stomach sometimes. I can understand your immediate reaction, and personal relationship with every part that goes in. I don't think I could do that myself.
You brought up a very interesting point. Should I trust them to do right this morning ? I don't know yet. When the mechanic shows up, I'll base it on his manners and professionalism.
Were it MY business, I'd likely show up myself. The same day. If humanly possible within the hour. But then again, I don't understand how alot of people stay in business over the years.
I'd like to thank everyone for the points. I'll take my lumps for stupidity now, and enjoy my first day breathing a little since from the experience.
Unfortunately it happens, mechanics can and do loose concentration and get distracted, but in saying that, critical fastenings should be double checked. I think the moral of the story is to carefully examine the bike before it leaves the shop ideally with the mechanic present.
Quote from: ohgood on April 07, 2007, 02:09:10 AM
Quote from: aplitz on April 06, 2007, 08:22:56 PM
Its possible to change the rear without pulling the caliper, are you sure its their mistake?
I don't know if it's possible. Yes, I'm quite certain it was their mistake. On the phone he actually said 'We NEVER use loctite on motorcycles. Thats stupid. We torque them right the first time.'
Go figure.
It is very very difficult to pull the rear wheel without removing the caliper. There is a lot of risk to damage the wheel paint. It is faster to remove the caliper.
Apparently they do not torque them right the first time either. :icon_rolleyes:
The only place I can recall locktite being used from the factory is on the front and rear rotor bolts.
Quote from: dgyver on April 07, 2007, 03:57:39 PM
Quote from: ohgood on April 07, 2007, 02:09:10 AM
Quote from: aplitz on April 06, 2007, 08:22:56 PM
Its possible to change the rear without pulling the caliper, are you sure its their mistake?
I don't know if it's possible. Yes, I'm quite certain it was their mistake. On the phone he actually said 'We NEVER use loctite on motorcycles. Thats stupid. We torque them right the first time.'
Go figure.
It is very very difficult to pull the rear wheel without removing the caliper. There is a lot of risk to damage the wheel paint. It is faster to remove the caliper.
Apparently they do not torque them right the first time either. :icon_rolleyes:
The only place I can recall locktite being used from the factory is on the front and rear rotor bolts.
Thank you dgyver. I wondered about the wheel removal process. My clymer was in the wife's car, so I couldn't look it up. As far as wheel paint damage, ya that happened too. Not because of pulling the wheel off, but because the freaking caliper was flapping in the wind thanks to Rons.
Here's the update from this mornings 'service':
I was told he would pick up the bike at 9am at my workplace. He (the owner) showed up at 10:30am. Just a little late.
He annoyed one of my co-workers by bellowing "Wheres the f%$king bike ?" then he just stood there, instead of following <name changed to protect the uninnocent> to where I was turning shafts.
He stated that I would "have to put the keys in it and load it myself" on his trailer mind you. And that he wasn't "going to f%$king wrestle that thing at my shop without the keys".
At this point I suggested he forget the whole process, and if he happened to have brought the proper bolts, he could just leave them and I would button it up.
He asked for a hammer.
I declined.
He bitched and moaned some more.
I asked if the brakes would need to be bled (while I'm installing the bolts mind you) after having pressed them together with no resistance.
He said "look its f%$king fine. the f%$king wheel rolls without dragging the disc. what f%$king more do you want - your whole bike rebuilt ?"
I pointed out the 1/2 dozen places the paint was abraded from the wheel by the caliper. I also pointed out the fact that one brake pad was bent and damaged. THen I pointed out the pedal still went to the floor for good measure.
This is the part you won't believe I did:
I said "You have my respect for coming out personally instead of sending a kid or one of your mechannics. That's ballsy after the conversation we had the yesterday morning. I'm modest enough to thank you and shake your hand, if you will."
He said, "I didn't want to work on that f%$king bike to begin with!"
and walked away.
So there you have it. If Ron or one of his employees ever reads this and cares enough to call me, you have my cellular numbers, and I'll debate any point from above any time you please.
There you have it folks.
I never suggested the guy take a flying leap as much as I wanted too. On the way home today I couldn't shake the idea of a Summers Eve product duct taped to his buell's tank though. I had a really good laugh in my helmet. Didn't even need to actually do it to feel better. I guess I'm getting 'mature' or something. shaZam!.
Is this a Suzuki dealership?
Quote from: dgyver on April 07, 2007, 05:40:39 PM
Is this a Suzuki dealership?
Nope. It just happened to be less than a mile from our residence, and I located it while apartment shopping over a year ago. They seemed friendly enough at the time. The 'local' shops are the ones I'd like to support generally.
Jesus!
I would take him to court just to make a point. If you plan to go that route I suggest you write down everything you can think of TONIGHT, before you forget. Monday morning get a notary to notarize your notes.
Were there any witnesses to the incident at your work? Get them to write down what the saw Have them sign and date it.
Beyond that, I suggest you do your own work from now on. Yes, tools are expensive. However, over the long run you're not paying for others to work on your bike. You're also won't be at the mercy of characters like him.
Quote from: ohgood on April 07, 2007, 05:29:42 PM
I never suggested the guy take a flying leap as much as I wanted too.
Yanno...you have a LOT more patience than I, my friend. I would have thrown this dirtbag out after the first expletive uttered at my place of business. You did exactly right to do it yourself rather than have that walking waste-of-air touch your bike. He's creating some NASTY karma from himself, because you know what they say about how a good experience reaches a few ears, but a bad experience reaches everyone we know, every bike site we visit, and every chance we have to share the story. :thumb:
Quote from: pandy on April 07, 2007, 08:36:16 PM
I would have thrown this dirtbag out after the first expletive uttered at my place of business.
Yeah, but just to play devil's advocate :icon_twisted: ...
The shop's wrencher made an innocent mistake. We all make mistakes. On my DIY projects I've overlooked tightening fasteners. In those instances I say "oops" I forgot...no big deal...no caplock bleating. Sure, I coulda been killed. Many fasteners on a motorcycle if left loose could lead to a hypothetical "I coulda been killed" moment...axle nuts, pinch bolts, caliper bolts, lever bolts, drain plugs,....on and on.... There's some risk inherent in 2 wheel transportation. Sorta like aircraft maintenance...big responsibility...but these motorcycle guys don't get paid like aircraft mechanics. They are not compensated comensurate with having lives on the line. They're working for peanuts. What was this...changing a tire... a $40 job.... For this, shop owner
Ron gets jerked halfway across town, basically to make a house call, by a customer whom he perceives to be fishing for freebies (brake pads, fasteners, wheel), to retighten a couple bolts that the customer was more than capable of doing himself--like most of us would have. To top it off,
Ron then gets sent off with an offer equivalent to a
pat on the head and a "good boy!" :icon_rolleyes:
I'm Ron I'm thinking I need customers like this like I need a hole in my head. :laugh:
/devil's advocate :icon_twisted:
Well actually, the bolts were _gone_, not loose. While reviewing iPhoto contents of the last couple of days I found the heads a good 1/16th of an inch from even touching the "OK now I'll put a torque wrench on it" point. Sticking out is my point.
If I had actually checked, and found the mistake, I would have definetly tightened the bolts, informed the mechanic by cellphone of a mistake, and depending on the response just kept on trucking.
Once again, this is MY mistake for not checking while picking the bike up.
The real issue I raised was the lack of concern on the part of the OWNER, not a wrench monkey making $8/hr. (I'm not knocking mechanics folks, I'm a machinist and that would be calling the pot black.)
If all _I_ had to do as a business owner to make REPEAT customers happy was to drive out and tighten _supply_an_interesting_device_on_a_motorcycle_that_could_cause_death_if_neglected_ for a couple hundred grand a year, life would be sweeeet.
Most folks have a higher standard though, and wouldn't be a repeat patron.
Quote from: ohgood on April 08, 2007, 02:07:45 PM
If all _I_ had to do as a business owner to make REPEAT customers happy was to drive out and tighten _supply_an_interesting_device_on_a_motorcycle_that_could_cause_death_if_neglected_ for a couple hundred grand a year, life would be sweeeet.
A couple hundred grand a year? Must be a Harley dealer. :icon_rolleyes:
Look, you have every right.....but businessmen are in the business of making money. Easy money. Businessmen have a nose for that. I guess
Ron had already made the judgement that no easy money would be flowing from your coffers to his and gave you service to match. :icon_rolleyes: Sucks, I know. At my local dealership I've learned I have to
prime the pump every once in awhile, because it's been over 20 yrs since since my last new bike purchase when cash came gushing out of my wallet into their till and, unless Suzuki radically updates the GStwin, they've got a looong wait until the next gusher. 8)
Quote from: Gisser on April 08, 2007, 03:37:17 PM
Quote from: ohgood on April 08, 2007, 02:07:45 PM
If all _I_ had to do as a business owner to make REPEAT customers happy was to drive out and tighten _supply_an_interesting_device_on_a_motorcycle_that_could_cause_death_if_neglected_ for a couple hundred grand a year, life would be sweeeet.
A couple hundred grand a year? Must be a Harley dealer. :icon_rolleyes:
Look, you have every right.....but businessmen are in the business of making money. Easy money. Businessmen have a nose for that. I guess Ron had already made the judgement that no easy money would be flowing from your coffers to his and gave you service to match. :icon_rolleyes: Sucks, I know. At my local dealership I've learned I have to prime the pump every once in awhile, because it's been over 20 yrs since since my last new bike purchase when cash came gushing out of my wallet into their till and, unless Suzuki radically updates the GStwin, they've got a looong wait until the next gusher. 8)
Wow. This is the part I really hadn't considered though:
no easy money would be flowing from your coffers to his and gave you service to match.
Thanks. I hadn't thought of the money. I guess that's why I'm an employee and not an owner.
As an update, the bike came home Saturday after removing the fried pads and not using the rear brake the whole way home. I know, not the safest, but theonly way I had to get it home.
I bled the brakes (all) and replaced the foobar'd pads with the last set that was still in usable condition. I'll order new front and rear tonight.
This week I'm taking it in for a 2nd and 3rd opinion at Suzuki dealer(s). This weekend I'm pampering with fresh pads, oil&filter, air, wash n wax, fuel stabilizer, maybe a new flyscreen, and myself a new pair of boots.
As it turns out I've learned quite a bit from the experience.
1) Never trust anyone.
2) Double check everything, everytime.
3) Check everything possible befor every ride.
4) Ride like my brakes will fail, engine lock, chain seize, front and rear tire blow, helmet split, and a jet plane carrying hammers crash in front of me.
Thanks everyone, you too Ron.
Wait.. why are you adding fuel stabilizer?
I'm considering mothballing it for a while. I'm shopping for a cheap cage, and it's in really good condition (asthetically/mechanically) now. I'd rather keep it as close to 'new' as possible.
I can't see selling it, I wouldn't have a clean conscience after all of this, and it's spooked me a little.
Give me a few bright sunshiney Saturdays and I'll put it on the road again.
oh, ok. Well, if you do mothball it, be sure to run the engine for a good 5 minutes to get the stabilizer down into the carbs too. Or drain the carbs. Your choice. Pull the battery and put it on a battery tender too.
Hey OhGood and Gisser. Thanks for your last few posts. You have made interesting reading and left us with a story that can happen to all of us. Great topic, and hope it helps others in the future. :thumb:
to the devils advocate, while yes, he isn't making much money from a $40 tire change, he has a right to be frusterated at having to take time out of his day, but his frustration is never justified if it's unleashed on anyone, in any situation. i don't care if i'm going to make money from you or lose money from you, i'll treat you as well as you deserve, as a fellow human being. Treat me as less than such, and i'll treat you as less than such, but to yell and scream and throw a tantrum in someone else's place of business??!!?!?! i personally would ensure that the story spread around the area. it's not ohgood's fault, it's the mechanics fault. and don't jump on me for that, i've been wrenching without help since i was 13 and have worked in many shops, i've made mistakes just as everyone else does. i correct them and i move on. Ron should own up, ask his tech to be more careful and move on. personally, if a mistake is handled properly, i'm willing to try that company again. ron, as a business owner, should know if he treats the $40 customer right, they'll come back with $800 fixes, or $1000 fixes. Initial payment is irrelevant.
I work at a Suzuki dealer and have seen a few mistakes made by our techs ( it happens). They immediately are fixed at no charge and with a smile and an appology. I have even seen bikes that have been damaged by a customer (customer blames us) so our owner will still have a tech fix it free of charge :thumb: Some shop owners just dont have good customer service skills :2guns:
Quote from: scottpA_GS on April 09, 2007, 09:59:03 AM
I work at a Suzuki dealer and have seen a few mistakes made by our techs ( it happens). They immediately are fixed at no charge and with a smile and an appology. I have even seen bikes that have been damaged by a customer (customer blames us) so our owner will still have a tech fix it free of charge :thumb: Some shop owners just dont have good customer service skills :2guns:
It's GREAT to hear from someone who DOES have mad customer-service skillz!!! :kiss3: :cheers: :thumb:
thanks Pandy :icon_mrgreen: :cheers:
I think customer service is everything :thumb: When I ran my own Co. I treated every customer with the same respect that I would expect to get :thumb:
I agree completely with treating others as you would like to be treated.
I would think a large dealer would be prepared to absorb the mechanics mistake(s), but if enough were made, the mechanic would likely be moved on. I'm not beating up on mechanics, machinists, ditch diggers, mailmen or women here. It's a business, not JUST to make money. If it were, the owner would sit in a tiny apartment all day trading stocks in the hopes of striking it rich on an hourly basis.
I like to think also that the KIND of folks that run motorcycle and bicycle shops really DO HAVE A PASSION for what they service and sell. Lets face it, there is ALOT more money in services than sales. With the internet cutting deeper and deeper into profit margins, it's the REPEAT services that can really add up.
I'll be taking the bike to Barneys of Brandon one day this week for a 'looksee' by one of their best. I rode it to work today after tinkering for a few hours yesterday evening. I just want to make sure it's 'safe' and nothing is glaring 'hey fix me idiot!'.
I want to specifically make a note that folks coming together like this forum proves it's NOT about the money. It's not about prestige (look up the real meaning, not the common misconception of the word, its a hoot) or having the latest go fast part(s). It's about noise, torque, wind and a little piece of freedom. I'll take mine minus the negative energy, thanks.
hmm, i'm rambling. You folks all should know I respect your opinions by now. And that I appreciate them. time to eat, something.
Well, ohgood, if one of my customer-service reps did to you what that owner did to you, I'd BBQ him. Heck, if the owner of our company did that to any of our customers, I'd BBQ *HIM*, too! :icon_twisted:
Even if it was a good lesson to learn (to double-check work), you should never have had to learn it the way you did. And the bike shop added insult to injury through their treatment of you. I absolutely support good businesses with my hard-earned money, and I take my hard-earned money to someone else if it's not appreciated, as was certainly the case with you.
You and your Baby G deserve better than what you got, and I'm glad you shared your story. :thumb:
Quote from: ledfingers on April 09, 2007, 02:51:25 AM
to the devils advocate, while yes, he isn't making much money from a $40 tire change, he has a right to be frusterated at having to take time out of his day, but his frustration is never justified if it's unleashed on anyone, in any situation.
They don't call it "devil's advocacy" for nothing. I don't have to
justify the other side, just show there
is another side.
Quote from: ledfingers on April 09, 2007, 02:51:25 AM
i don't care if i'm going to make money from you or lose money from you, i'll treat you as well as you deserve, as a fellow human being. Treat me as less than such, and i'll treat you as less than such,
Shop owner
Ron seems to have his own scorecard. And under the circumstances it
is audacious for the customer to demand that warranty service be delivered right to his doorstep--especially when the customer is still riding the bike to work. This is the stuff you might miss in a one-sided narrative. Luckily, we don't have to read between the lines because we have motive in the customer's own angry words:
The f%$king bolt heads are sticking 1/16 or better out. NOT EVEN SNUGGED. NO LOCTITE, NOTHING ! :o Those bastards. That
does push it over the edge.
Now it's not just an
innocent mistake. Now it's obvious it's all around shoddy workmanship. :mad:
Or,
is it? Really, as someone who's turned a wrench
you'd know that you might leave bolts visibly loose until they're ready to be torqued down so they are not mistaken for bolts that
are torqued down. And you would know that you don't apply Loctite until the final installation because it would harden in the threads prematurely. So, non sequitur....an innocent mistake is all it ever was.
You could say that the customer was actually unleashing his
passive aggression on shop owner Ron by dictating--in a polite voice--the terms and conditions of the follow-up repair.
Quote from: ledfingers on April 09, 2007, 02:51:25 AM
ron, as a business owner, should know if he treats the $40 customer right, they'll come back with $800 fixes, or $1000 fixes. Initial payment is irrelevant.
Maybe Ron
isn't in it for the money after all. :laugh:
/devil's advocate :icon_twisted:
gisser, you pull off the advocate quite well. your way of thinking 'both sides' of a topic is interesting. blah blah blah, i'm out the door to work (arrrgh) so i'll just leave the compliment and move.
:thumb:
well played devil's advocacy. though while your nice little explanation of leaving the bolts 1/16"out is clever, it doesn't hold water when removed from it's d.a. heaven. As someone who's turned a wrench i know that a good mechanic would never send off something with bolts that need to be torqued loose. something less though still vaguely important, perhaps, but torque-required bolts would never leave my shop loose. they'd be checked at least twice. thats not good business, thats common sense.
pandy, i wish i could bbq one of my fellow baristas. i went in to my cafe on one of my off days to get food and my paycheck and with 3 other people in line the fool answered then spoke on his phone for a good minute and a half. i was appalled! you should come bbq him for me, he's a worthless employee but his parents know the owner so he's unschmearable.
Quote from: ledfingers on April 11, 2007, 02:28:31 AM
pandy, i wish i could bbq one of my fellow baristas. i went in to my cafe on one of my off days to get food and my paycheck and with 3 other people in line the fool answered then spoke on his phone for a good minute and a half. i was appalled! you should come bbq him for me, he's a worthless employee but his parents know the owner so he's unschmearable.
Yeah, this sort of thing drives me crazy. I would have apologized for interrupting his phone call and asked if he were going to be much longer...cuz if he were, would he kindly have his supervisor help us. And then if that got no result, I'd simply have gone to another coffee house (perhaps permanently). We had one barista who was extremely surly and unpleasant, and that's absolutely NOT what *I* want to see first thing in the morning, so I voted with my dollars, and guess where I went.... right next door to another coffee house. :laugh: If I'm feeling particularly offended, I'll get a note off to corporate if I'm unhappy. In a majority of the cases, I get a satisfactory response, and I try them again. If I get no response, or if I get a response that doesn't satisfy me, then the company has generally lost a customer for life (like Flatout Motorcycles...remember them? Their "customer service" hung up on me when I called to inquire about the status of my order).
If Ron didn't want to come fix ohgood's bike, he simply should have said so. At least ohgood would know what the score was up front. And I don't for a moment buy the innocent-mistake theory. We absolutely all make mistakes, but some of these innocent mistakes can cost us our lives, so I expect double and triple checking of work done on my bike, car, anything that might kill me! I prefer that their innocent mistake doesn't make me their innocent victim! :thumb:
actually i just walked around the counter and made my drink and food then rang it up myself. i work there too. and while the bosses are really cool, they have an idiot streak when it comes to that kid so despite the fact that we recieve daily customer complaints on his service as well as from other employees, he remains. but he pissed off one of the owners yesturday right as i got to work, i think his days are finally numbered.
and i know, i sound preachy, but i would suggest going to coffee shops that don't have any corporate to write complaints to. not only so you're supporting locals, but because often times they have better coffee and depending on the location, theres generally far fewer regulations/restrictions on the employees (ie uniforms, scheduled breaks, blah blah blah) which makes it more pleasant to go to work, which means you get better service.
sorry for the off topic, lets just have a bbq. i'll people from my $h!t list, you all bring some from yours?
Quote from: ledfingers on April 11, 2007, 01:54:50 PM
but he pissed off one of the owners yesturday right as i got to work, i think his days are finally numbered.
:laugh: :thumb:
Quote from: ledfingers on April 11, 2007, 01:54:50 PM
and i know, i sound preachy, but i would suggest going to coffee shops that don't have any corporate to write complaints to. not only so you're supporting locals, but because often times they have better coffee
My favorite coffee house is a local one that has only one branch...and the owner makes the coffee. The personal service is fantastic. If I can't go there, then Peet's is next...if I get desperate and start shaking from withdrawals, then I break down and go pose at *$.... :oops: :laugh:
glad to hear that. i'll have my own cafe within a year or two so its nice to see people not going to starbucks
I'm happy to report I've gone through the bike again. I still have a 'bad taste in my mouth' but the bike is sorted proper. Did a few wheelies for ma nephew (woot) and I'm postponing any possibitity of sale indefinitly.
If the carbs freeze solid with sludge i'll slap on new ones. If the frame cracks, I'll put it up for FREEBIE parts to the good folks here.
Otherwise, I'll just keep riding it and enjoying cheap transportation.
Quote from: ohgood on April 12, 2007, 06:46:25 PM
Otherwise, I'll just keep riding it and enjoying cheap transportation.
Now you're talkin'! :thumb:
(Careful about sayin' freebies around here.... I'm surprised no one has started calling dibs yet! :o :laugh:)