Ducati Monster Forum

I dropped off my bike at Frasers on Tuesday this week to get 3 things done.

1. Fix radiator leak
2. Install new Rizoma blinkers
3. Adjust throttle take up for my Rizoma grips.

Items 2 and 3 were both meant to be done before I took delivery of the bike in January but they didn't have time to install the blinkers (even though they had 3 days to do the predelivery) and they never bother to adjust the throttle cable when they installed the Rizoma grips on the bike. These things were all part of the deal when I purchased the bike.

Well, today I caught a taxi to Frasers at lunch time to pick up the bike as they had called the day before to say everything had been completed. U wouldn't believe it but they only got 1 of the 3 things right!

1. They fixed the leak in the radiator core but when they cleaned everything to repair the core they rubbed off all of the paint on the top of radiator and side. It looks like shit and they didn't even try to respray it.
2. This is the best one, they installed the Rizoma blinkers on the rear bear tray after I specifically confirmed with them they were to go onto the front. This is why they didn't install them the first time as they were unsure if I wanted them front or back.
3. At least they got this right and the throttle now takes up nicely.

The worst thing about this is that I have to rebook the bike in to have these things done AGAIN. Its not like its convenient, I commute on my bike every day and have to pay taxi's to pick me up and drop me off each time. In the mean time I'm back to catching the train to work for with the rest of the caged commuters!

How hopeless are these guys!. If this wasn't part of the original deal and warranty on the bike there's no way I'd ever have my bike serviced at this place!

First chance I get I'll be going back to Flywheels

I feel for you Dannog,But dont get me started  >:( :-X

All I'll say is


Never had a problem with them, ever. 

In 1973 I bought my 1972 750 GT. Ron Angel, the rotten lousy c#@t, was the Victorian dealer. I gave up on him when I tired of trying to get ANYTHING needed " Listen mate, I only want to sell new 'bikes, I don't give a damm about supplying spare parts " - nice.

So I telephoned Frasers for a set of points, and sent  off my cheque.  A parcel arrived with one set of points, and a note saying " There's two sets of points on a GT "

36 years later I'm still riding the GT, have done 3 total motor rebuilds, and now own a Monster.

Thanks to attitudes like that from Frasers ( and don't talk to me about Ian Gowanloch, grrr ) I went to Italy in 1976, bought a complete set of workshop tools and a shirtload of spares, and would never buy anything from those creeps again.

I still have that note from Frasers.

Really? Never had any trouble with Gowanloch but then again someone else owns that shop now.

Why is it that Oz businesses generally (Note.. NOT ALL  ;) ) have a really bad attitude when it comes to customer service and professionalism??  [roll]

Is it because our market is so small that they dont have to compete, so therefore dont give a stuff ?  ???

Or maybe because the motorcycle trade has had a bit of a "backyard" feel about it, and it appears that some owner/proprieter attitudes still havent been brought kicking and screaming into the 21st century?? 

As I remember the car and bike trade when I worked within, the pay wasnt real flash and maybe(??) that could be part of the problem?? (Particularly in the spares and counter staff area). Pay peanuts get monkeys ??  [roll]

I dunno, but there are a few businesses that just keep on popping up with tales of woe consistantly, I wonder if they read these types of forums,or if they really even care??

The scary part is that it appears that most of these incalcitrants are bloody importer backed dealers.  :(

Don't get me wrong it's not like they don't care its just that they are completely hopeless. The Service Manager was very appologetic and knew he make the beast with two backsed up it just that this sort of thing shouldn't happen!

Correct me if i'm wrong, but i'm pretty sure you are entitled to go to any qualified MC Mechanic and still receive warranty coverage on a new bike. Defintely better and more competant mechanics around to service your bike.
I wouldn't touch anything worked on by Frasers with a ten foot pole...

One reason i didn't want to go to the monster beach party, didn't want to in any way give support to Frasers.  [puke]

Rich, you should have come it wasn't about supporting Fraser's it was about seeing lots of other Monsters.

Shouldn't it be like the car Industry now where they have concided that if the work is done by a licenced Mech.
your new car warranty will not be void.

Short answer to your question - yep! Its a shame, because I think they have some good people working for them (Steve at Frasers Wollongong is one who springs to mind), but overall their service seems to sway between incompetent and arrogant. My last experience with them..

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=17079.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=17079.0) >:(

Vote with your feet and $$.....

Here's what Frasers sent me in 1975

As far as I was concerned that was a Goodbye Note

I have never heard a good thing from fellow Ducati riders about them since

  In case the pic isn't too clear it says -

You only asked for one set, there are 2 sets on a 750

Arsewipes

(http://www.machinerycleanery.com/FrasersToHell.jpg)

that is really funny in a totally non helpful way, but it's the sort of thing i can imagine some of the smart arse spare parts men i've worked with over the years doing.

Brad, are you set up yet ? My Monster is coming due for it's 40 K service. You did the 20 K and it's been running like a dream ever since.

Tony was very clever to have read the writing on the wall early and closing Moto One last year

There were a couple of doozies at Moto One at different stages. Like the one that insisted I only needed 2 spark plugs for my DS.  ;D

DOH !!  [roll]

Warranty is different to service!

As far as I'm aware warranty has to be done by the authorised shops. Especially the 3 months you get on a second hand bike.

You can have anyone service your bike but if there are warranty claims they make it really difficult for the 3rd party service mechanics.

yes, set up and trying to ge stuff done.  every job seems to be expanding from book in to work load tho, so my time management thus far is falling over miserably.  this week is just catch up and i've only really been open two so far.

tony didn't really see the writing on the wall, more the writing on the bank statement that said there's not enough money to pay all the staff this week i expect.  he didn't lose everything he had by choice.

Hey Brad ,You need to read a book by Michael E. Gerber , The E Myth .
Why most small Businesses don't work and what to do about it .

Made a huge difference on the way i interact and who I am in my business  [thumbsup]

+1 million, Great book. Simple terms, great wisdom in there. I have read it about three times, makes more sense every time i read it!(infact  [coffee])

EDIT: The E Myth Revisited (slightly updated and more relevant to today)

thanks guys, i'll check it out.

Visited Frasers today - and found them to be very helpful. Have dealt with them in the past as well and have had no complaints.

Admittedly I wasn't getting my bike serviced, just shopping around (leather jacket, nuts and bolts) and have been very satisfied with the help and service they provide..

On everyone elses recommendation I will most likely be getting my bike serviced at Flywheels, however for everything else I will be visiting Frasers.

It certainly is an enjoyable place to visit since it has been rebuilt!