Anyone know about bikes? Feel like I'm being cheated.

tg85_2

Hello.

I'm just after a bit of advice really, and hope someone might be able to help.

I purchased a brand new motorbike in October of last year, after completing my CBT. After a few months of owning the bike, I was riding along and the electrics and engine cut out completely.

I had to pay £80 to get the bike taken back to where I lived.

Now for the warranty to remain in tact, all repairs must be done by a registered dealer. The nearest registered dealer for me is in Eastbourne (I'm in Brighton) so, I was quoted at £50 for them to pick it up.

They've had the bike for over 2 weeks now, and have just sent an estimate through to me, after me asking for a breakdown of costs/time.

I'm told he charges £38 plus VAT per hour for labour, and the mechanic had told me that he had spent a lot of his own time looking at the bike. His actual words were 7 hours, but "I'll only charge you for about 2"

Now, I dont know the first thing about bikes, but to spend 7 hours looking at a brand new bike seems a bit excessive? Anyway, back to the story - we went back and forth for a few days, them saying they were working on finding what was wrong and still werent sure - sometimes I'd call and be told "he's working on it but is very busy with other things, so keeps having to stop and start.."

This annoyed me a bit, surely you start a job and move onto the next when you're finished? Especially since he's charging me by the hour.

Long story a little bit shorter - the bike had "electrical faults" and also corroded indicator bulb holders - both of which arent covered by the manfacturers warranty. I've been given an estimate of £292.42

Broken down as follows:

EDIT: it wont let me post an image, being a new member - please view the estimate by copy and pasting the following link - (removing the star after http!)


http*://s974.photobucket.com/albums/ae227/tg1985/?action=view&current=quote.jpg



I dont know if I'm being naive or what - as I said I havent a clue about bikes, but for a brand new bike purchased in october, this seems crazy to me.. I feel a bit lost though, as I cant argue my case when I dont know what I'm talking about.

Does this seem about right? Am I being silly?

Please help, I dont know what to do

colin79666

Have a look at the sale of goods act. Sounds like you could have a case there.

vaio

On a bike that new I’d say it a sale of goods issue rather than warranty but any sale of goods case will be against the dealer who sold you the machine in the first place.

Is the dealer it's at now the dealer you bought it off originally?

tg85_2

thanks guys, I'll take a look.

No the bike is at the nearest dealer - i originally purchased it from a dealer in stoke on trent.

Coveredinbees!!!!

Not under warranty on a brand new bike they are having a laugh what make is the bike?

tg85_2

its a Sachs Madass -

www .sachsbikes.co.uk/madass.html

madmaca

According to that site it has a 2 year warranty so I would have though any electrical problem would be covered. It is usually only wear and tear items not covered by a warranty. For electrical items to be corroded beyond repair in just 6 months does sound like you have a definite case for complaint with the dealer/manufacturer.

Have you contacted Sachs Customer Service yet? Might be worth talking to them and explain what has happened and what you are being charged.

And yeah - that quote looks definitely dodgy in a couple of areas. I mean why is he charging you P&P for items he has ordered? Isn't he meant to be a Sachs dealer? I've never been charged P&P to have items delivered to a dealer....

Contact the dealer and explain that you aren't happy with the bike and explain that you are taking it up with Sachs and the dealer who sold you the bike.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Unless they can demonstrate that you've done something to contribute to these faults, for example dipping the indicators in salty water, they're talking out of their backside.

A seven-month-old bike with these faults is their problem, and not yours. I would expect to pay nothing, and I would also expect to be refunded the cost of getting it to them.

tg85_2

Well I'm glad that you all seem to agree with me on this, gives me a bit more confidence in arguing my point!

I shall get back onto the original dealer and see what happens.. (they are the ones that told me to go to my nearest dealer, rather than them..)

I'll report back with what happens - thank you all for your help.

no_more_cards_for_me

Get back to the dealer and complain again until they solve the problem.

I saw one of these at the weekend, as a 125 it looked Ok. But it shouldn't be going wrong like you post. Questionable build quality.

:eek:

Coveredinbees!!!!

I had never heard of Sachs but I googled it to find they are a German company and these bikes are made using Honda designed engines like the ones used in the old C peds and the like but worryingly not made by Honda but made in China. I'll the same the warranty should cover the electrics regardless of how dodgy they are.