Why I hate dealers

[TK421]

So I pop into my dealer yesterday to pick up some oil.  I'm planning to buy synthetic (probably my imagination but I swear it shifts smoother) but as usual I'm apalled by the price so I'm checking out some semi-synthetics from Castrol.  The "bored-with-it-all" salesdude perched on the counter says "what do you have in your bike now?"  I say "synthetic" and he says "you can't go back to non-synthetic."  He then proceeds to imply that you can't mix synthetic and regular oils.  I say "then explain what all these semi-synthetic oils on your shelf are."  He says nothing, then returns to his conversation with another shop dude about that guy's hernia.

This is not the first time (or the first dealership) where I've gotten boneheaded information delivered in a condescending tone.  I am most emphatically not a Harley guy but they do get customer service right.  On the few occasions when I've been in Harley dealerships, I have always been treated like a customer.  Maybe I should think about a Buell!

/rant.

[mwheat308]

I do have a Harley also, and have been treated just as poorley at Harley shops as you were.
It all depends on the group that the owner has. I try to go to independents as much as possible.
You will find a good shop if you look LONG enough. Hang in there. remember it's not legal to smack them even if they ask for it.

[mademiriam]

where I've gotten boneheaded information delivered in a condescending tone. 

i think this comes standard issue for a lot of places. I don't have much choice for local shops but try not to go back.  I have a funny story about every one of the three large dealerships in town.

[dhcolesj]

This is not the first time (or the first dealership) where I've gotten boneheaded information delivered in a condescending tone.

Yep, that's why I refuse to buy anything that's not prepackaged, and that I don't already know about, from my local dealer.  When I was looking to buy a bike I went into the shop, and asked if they had a Bandit the guy was just plain rude.  He said, "Old Tech, not a fan."  Then followed up with, "didn't I recommend a FZ1 or FZ6 for you?" as if to say, "I know what you want better than you" or "Why are you bucking what *I* say?".  I left.  Bought my Bandit at a store on the east side of Nashville.  Then rode it into the local dealer's lot and bought a stock oil filter just so he could see what I was riding.

[Geoffwhite18]

It's not very often you find a good stealership. Every time I walk into a dealership I feel like I'm inconvienencing them with my presence, and that I don't matter. Not to mention they don't know their products very well. I've been looking at an FZ1 at one of my local dealerships and the guy proceeded to tell me it's a great deal. I didn't mention to him that it was $2000 overpriced. You think that after 3 years of having it on their floor they would figure it out. Nope. The thing will rott before they budge on price. Freaking idiots.... Luckly I have one good dealership here. They come and talk to you, they know their products, but I still wouldn't let their service shop touch anything of mine with a 10' extension!

[CWO4GUNNER]

To be honest the dealers are there for dealer type customers. There are other establishments that sell full synthetic motorcycle oil like Wall mart for a fraction of the price. I only use dealers for one thing to buy a vehicle that I have already confirmed the "out the door" price over the phone. Or unless I am just getting a look at a new bike. If I need parts, accessories or oil, I always buy it on line and on sale. Dealer salesmen cant bug you if you don't let them. Personally I'm always very personable, pleasant, honest, and informed, which seems to quickly send them on their way.

[ippo]

It is useless to use expensive full synthetic oil on bandit,if you don`t ride in winter.(25F-50F)

[Sven]

1)  In any area of specialized knowledge (computers, audio, vehicles), you're gonna run into people who want to push their own interests/preferences and want to either come across like they have some arcane knowledge or want to convert you to their point of view.  You're also gonna run into people who don't really know sh!t but they will run their mouths anyway.  Some of them actually think they are being helpful, even if they are giving out wrong info!  Neither of these people are worth your time or money.  As soon as you can assess this, find another employee or dealership.

2)  Most motorcycle techies I've met have poor interpersonal skills.  They might be friendly if you want to talk about what something very technical, but they are terrible at service desks.  Sure, a lot of these guys would be great to share a beer with and shoot the sh!t with, but they are lousy at dealing with people.  But they aren’t where they are because of their people skills.  (Not that they are in a bad place, just that some of us are in jobs where communication and leadership skills are more important than knowing how an engine works.)

There's a good dealership here in town where they guy who runs the parts counter is a surly bastard.  I don't go there.  There's another place where the parts and service people are friendly but sometimes clueless.  It's also close to my work, so I end up going there, and usually have to guide them to what I want.  Fortunately, I do my own research.  I guess if I really needed to talk to someone on something very technical, I would go to the jerk, because I have developed more confidence in him.  (Sounds like the relationship a lot of people have with doctors!)

[TK421]

I've never seen synthetic motorcycle oil at my local Walmart.  Please believe me when I say I don't want to re-ignite the great oil debate here.  Suffice it to say my choice is not to use automotive oil.  I do frequently use mail order (when I see a sale on oil, plugs, filters, etc. I'll order a bunch) but was not planning on changing oil that day and only had a half liter on hand.  I was actually wiring up a mount for my new Zumo (yay!) and decided to do the oil a little early, since I'm going on a long trip in a couple weeks. 

Also, I didn't ask for help (or want any.)  Doofus felt the need to approach me with his nonsense.  I can buy oil without assistance.

[H2RICK]

It is amazing to me why dealerships and/or bike manufacturers don't hold 1 hour clinics for their employees on basic stuff like oils/filters, chains/chain lubes, air filters, etc, etc. This is simple stuff but with a little direction from knowledgeable trainers, their staff could increase sales of these simple items 100-fold......and believe me, the markup on this stuff would repay the training costs big time. As an added bonus, customers would appreciate getting the real story from a guy behind the parts counter who is SUPPOSED to know what's what. I guess I'm hoping for too much forethought from manufacturers/dealers......

[Geoffwhite18]

you can get synthetic motorcycle oil at the auto parts stores. Autozone, or checker is where I go. It's not with the motor oils, it's over by the gear oils and transmision fluids. Personally Mobile 1 is my favorite, then next is the valvoline. I get more noise with the valvoline than I do with the Mobile 1.

[CWO4GUNNER]

Actually one of the biggest reasons I use race synthetic oil is because I hate changing it and can push change intervals. Sort of like the reason I buy premium tires on sale rather then bargain brand.