Got this reply via e-mail after making several calls to the dealer upon finding the date I had planned to bring my Spyder in for a checkup was in conflict with a doctor's appointment on the same day. I would also like to point out that the salesman I talked to at this dealership, which I will refer to as Dealer #1, bragged about how good the mechanics are at his dealership and implied, at least to me, that people at the other dealership, which I will refer to as Dealer #2, apparently didn't have anyone on staff who are as good.
Credit must be given to Dealer #2 for going out of the way to send a tech to my location to get the unit started and then taking it into the shop for service when I got stranded because it wouldn't start. on several occasions. Who I do blame for the extended time in Dealer #2's service department is BRP for having a crap parts supply system, and, people within BRP who don't seem to have a fix for certain problems when called by dealers for help - - and who the dealer told me did not answer the dealer call for help line - - other than pulling out one part and replacing it with another.
No, I didn't buy the unit from Dealer #1, because I was quoted a price there that was thousands of dollars over the "SALE" price being offered by Dealer #2, but I was told by Dealer #1's salesman, and later by the owner, that any Spyder dealer would be more than happy to do warranty work on my unit when needed. Both suggested that since my Spyder had to be in the shop numerous times for the same problem(s) the techs at Dealer #2 apparently didn't know how address the problem(s) correctly. So, with all the bragging by Dealer #1 I decided to take it at its word and made an appointment to bring my unit there.
What follows is the response I got from Dealer #1:
"It has been brought to my attention that BRP will not payout for claims made a second time to dealerships if the problem is still occurring after another dealership has already worked on it. I explained that you had purchased the bike at another dealership at and continue to have nothing but issues with the unit since the date of purchase. They indicated we as a dealership would still not be able to claim any of the reimbursement, so we as a dealership choose not to take this unit in for service.
I would encourage you to go back to +++++ and have them service your bike and fix the issues that they have obviously not fixed and addressed. I’m sorry for your frustration, but please understand that this issue continues to penalize us with overbooking and we certainly want to continue to maintain our Platinum status for our customers.
Wishing you well.
Sincerely,"
Now I have three questions for this dealer and BRP: 1) Dealer - - "If bringing my unit to your dealership "penalize us with overbooking" then why was the appointment made in the first place?; 2) Dealer and BRP - - If I was on the road and from a different locale and had this problem would you both refuse to address it even though the unit is still under warranty?; and 3) BRP - - If I take this unit back to Dealer #2 for a check and fix, will you cover this service under the current and still in effect warranty?
I don't think I'm ganging up on anyone here, I just want a unit I can trust that will not leave me and my wife stranded who knows where.
One person isn't a "gang"... So you cannot possibly gang-up on anyone by yourself.
My reference wasn't directed to you personally, but to the fact a thread of multiple people coming together as a group and ranting as a "gang" - equals "gang-rant"; which accomplishes little to anyone's intended result.
As far as your situation sounds, given your word, any person would be upset. I have to admit, your point #2 brings up a good question... A question I would have brought up to either dealer. I sure as heck would expect to see warranty work covered by any authorized dealer, no matter how many times the occurrence or location of dealer in my travels.
In all honesty, it sounds like dealer #2 may not know what they are doing, and dealer #1 is just being an ass because you didn't buy it from them. If true, that IS going to happen from time to time. It has happened to me. I just don't think dealer one was being honest with you regarding his statement of warranty coverage. I would have waved the BS flag at him. Still would if I were you.
If I had a dealership, I would certainly put my buying customers ahead of non-buyers. Why tick-off those who bought from you, and may buy again? From a customer's view, paying more can be called helping improve the chances of at least receiving some priority to your needs, when needed. It would tick me off if a dealer delayed my work to do work on someone who bought elsewhere.
As far as stocking parts... Even the Harley dealers do not stock as much these days in a slower economy; and Harley is certainly the model for sport-vehicle dealership management thus far. No one else comes close yet.
So, if HD dealers have reduced inventory, there should be no surprise by anyone that most all dealers carry limited parts. Heck, even Ford and Chevy dealers have limited inventory these days.
Having said all this, I sympathize with your problem. Not sure what you do other than go back to the dealer you bought the unit from and start waving the BS flag... keeping it respectable, because an ass is the last thing that gets through the door...
