Columbus Ohio Dealership Motohio-not recommended

[NuTTs]

Cuz it doesn't even qualify as speech until you fookers learn to pronounce stuff properly.       

bastid 

[Statler]

Ah communication.

Shop screwed up.    Shop should have kept customer in the loop, and customer could have told shop when dropping the bike off that he'd rather have a realistic if looong estimate of when it'll be done than think a couple times it'll be done when it won't.

For some people it truly doesn't matter and for some it does.  Yes, a shop should assume it matters to every customer, but it's nice to help them out with that as well.   If I need my bike for a track day or a specific ride I'll tell the shop the date.  If I don't need it until Spring I'll tell them they can take emergencies first and I'll check in from time to time to see where we are during the snow.

These things can be sooo easily fixed early on with a conversation versus saying nothing up front and then complaining how the other guy did something wrong later down the road.

I also feel it's just polite to tell someone your preferences of how you like things done if you're going to smear them later for what they did wrong too.  But that's a personal quirk of mine.

I sometimes think by not communicating very well we are looking for people to screw up so we can then tell the world how bad they are when we could have avoided the problem with a little effort ourselves.  This isn't just Duc shops...It's everywhere....traffic, where you could let off the gas just a little to let someone merge, but because we see they aren't looking and gabbing on their phone we speed up specifically to be able to yell at them for not signalling...

one person in my life helping smooth things over is worth ten pointing out where people screw up in order to 'save' me from the idiots.

[rettrodoll]

WTF??  Am I their DAD and supposed to address every concern that I feel that they should already know as a dealership??? If I bring my bike in to get it looked at on the 14th (as scheduled) and they don't look at until the 21st (which was a friday and they would not have have gotten to it until the 25th), it's my fault for not calling them everyday to check up on them??? So I go pick the bike up so I can take it to another dealership to get it worked on. It doesn't matter when I need the bike back, it's none of their business when and what I need it back for, I might just like to have it to look at.

[Statler]

WTF??  Am I their DAD and supposed to address every concern that I feel that they should already know as a dealership??? If I bring my bike in to get it looked at on the 14th (as scheduled) and they don't look at until the 21st (which was a friday and they would not have have gotten to it until the 25th), it's my fault for not calling them everyday to check up on them??? So I go pick the bike up so I can take it to another dealership to get it worked on. It doesn't matter when I need the bike back, it's none of their business when and what I need it back for, I might just like to have it to look at.

you are absolutely correct.   I was trying to point out that for less effort than this thread, the problem could be avoided, that's all.

People choose to put their effort in different places.   Of course you shouldn't have to do anything...everyone should do their jobs well without being told or asked how.   You are 100% correct.

When I can avoid aggrevation down the road by doing a little extra now, I do.  That's all.   Just like the extra ten minutes to write something up at my dealer with an estimate and a "call for permission over X amount" and 'written permission needed over Y amount" which solves the problem of getting a bigger bill than told by phone or in person...that happens all the time and shouldn't...but it's such an easy fix why not do it?

Certainly if talking to them more up front aggrevates you more then it's not a good option for you.  But then you also should expect a bit less sympathy when posting to the world about the outcome.

There are a lot of things in life I do to make it happier and easier that in an ideal world I shouldn't have to do and certainly there are days that it is frustrating.

I am sorry you weren't happy with the dealer.  I hope you find one that lives up to (correct) expectations that you are content with.

[DoubleEagle]

Sorry, worked at Byers Imports.   We got A LOT of cars from customers that MAG couldn't fix or gave bad service to.  I loved working on the cars and especially driving them but man does the way techs get paid suck.  I just couldn't hack it on flat rate so I went back to school and got into accounting.  Couldn't be happier!!

Actually I never had a problem with MAG. Have dealt w, them since '92.

Their workshop floors are clean enough to eat off of. Did have a problem w, a certain BMW 330Ci.   Dolph

[DCXCV]

you are absolutely correct.   I was trying to point out that for less effort than this thread, the problem could be avoided, that's all.

People choose to put their effort in different places.   Of course you shouldn't have to do anything...everyone should do their jobs well without being told or asked how.   You are 100% correct.

When I can avoid aggrevation down the road by doing a little extra now, I do.  That's all.   

Dead on, Statler.  I don't think anyone in this whole thread said the OP didn't have a valid complaint, simply that there are ways of avoiding similar situations.

For my .02 - I think my second or third trip to the dealer resulted in a longer than expected repair timeline.  Whatever, stuff happens (and fyi, my primary transportation is the bike and where I live there is no off season, so they didn't have the "it's 30 degrees out and snowing so he probably wouldn't be riding it anyway" excuse). 

So I called the day I was supposed to pick it up to check if it was ready, called the next day and stopped by just to shoot the shit and try to get a feel for when it might be ready.   I think having a positive intereaction, smiling, saying oh, hey, I know stuff happens, really goes a long way.  Did I want to actually have my bike to ride when it was 60-70 degrees? hell yeah! Should my bike have been ready? hell yeah! 

On another occassion I had to drop the bike off for a warranty issue (blown seal leaking oil).  The guy scheduling was a little out of sorts saying how I wasn't scheduled and he didn't know when they could get to it, ect.  I just said to get to it when they could, no worries, I understand.  And I got the most grateful response just for showing some empathy.  (and got my bike back the next day).

Again, not saying this isn't a crappy situation, but you've vented already and being pleasant to the folks in the shop will do much more for you in the end than being righteous. 

[Scottish]

Sooooooo. To the OP. Has doing all this got your bike out of the shop any faster? If you find people in life disappoint you with great frequency maybe it'd be best to learn these skills yourself. I can assure you nothing will build your sense of confidence in your bike than doing your own work. Plus... it sounds like you could use a stress relieving hobby. You got all winter to learn. I actually do know what you are talking about and I used to be the same way, to the point of physically threatening people, you won't change them. You'll only get yourself in trouble.
Off topic here but relavant, I went to some anger management classes. There is a lot of huggy BS there but there are some valuable tools as well. One that I think may be of benefit to you is to learn to recognize your inner dialog. The voice in your head that starts chasing it's own tail getting you worked up. It's probably saying something like " these sons-of-pregnant doges said they'd have it done and now it's two weeks later. I'll give them a piece of my mind! And I'll let everyone else know what asses they are too!" and so on and so forth down the rabbit hole. It's easy to shut that voice down once you learn to hear it. The trick is to pay attention to it and realize where it's leading you. I'm not saying you do or don't have anger issues that isn't my place and I don't know you. You DO sound like you're getting worked up over something that is ultimately inconsequencial. Look at the grand scheme of you're life and where does this fit? Family, work, home, a bike that is taking a couple extra weeks to get done...  not that big of a deal. Sit back and sing the Pina Colada song, you can't help but smile.

[DoubleEagle]

It seems that there have been a number of local riders who over the past few years have had less than satisfactory service experiences  at this Dealership and at the same service department under the previous owner.

I for one ( and going by the responses on the DesmOhio site ) am in the minority of having good experiences since 2005 with this same service crew under 2 different owners.

The good news is that the disgruntled riders are supposedly communicating with the new owner in trying to get the issues worked out .

Incidentally if anyone visits the desmohio Forum be advise that it is a very un PC Forum .    Dolph

[PizzaMonster]

I for one ( and going by the responses on the DesmOhio site ) am in the minority of having good experiences since 2005 with this same service crew under 2 different owners.

Hmmm...Go figure! But I think I know why.  I have a similar relationship with my shop and it is almost universally given lousy reviews.

Practically EVERYONE in town complains about the cranky shop manager and how it takes forever to get anything done.....they never have the right parts..... the shop is disorganised...blah..blah..blah.  Truth is, a lot of the time these people are absolutely right.

I'm no diplomat (just ask anyone who knows me!!) but over the past 8 years I've gotten great service in spite of this shop's reputation.  The guy who runs it isn't a bad guy...just a bit cranky and usually overwhelmed.  If you look past that and put yourself in his shoes he suddenly becomes a peach of a guy.  When he says he is backed up for 3 weeks I sympathize with him.  If he looks busy, I don't waste his time.  Other times I may just stop in and chat with him for 10 minutes or so.  If I'm booking regular service I ask him when he thinks he might be slow and I book well in advance.

If I don't plan on using the bike for a while I don't push him to get it done yesterday.  When I do bring the bike in, I give him detailed but to the point instructions and descriptions of the problem.  He knows that I want things fixed properly and in a timely fashion but that I also realize he isn't superman and will cut him some slack when I can.    In a nutshell, he's decided that I'm an OK guy and he can work with me.

In return I've had situations where he tells the guy before me he can't look at their bike for 2 weeks...and then he squeezes me in for a tire change or a safety inspection the next day.  Preferential treatment you say?  Maybe.....but it works!

This shop is pretty much the only game in town so it's in my best interests to work with the guy.  In a perfect world he would be waiting for me (and everyone else) with clean coveralls and offer me a cappucino on arrival.  But I make do quite well with the cards I've been dealt.


Now having said all this, some guys really ARE just lazy jerks or arrogant elitists.  Usually their work matches their attitude.  If that's the case you are probably best just side-stepping the place.  Judging from Dolph's comments though, this isn't the case with the shop you are talking about.  As someone wise once said: "You can accomplish a whole lot more with a little honey than you can with a whole truckload of sh!t"   

[rettrodoll]

Ok Pizza Monster I have some questions for you.

1) How many motorcycles have you bought from the shop?
2) How many motorcycles do you have?
3) Do you ride your motorcycle everyday considering weather is ok?

I think Double Eagle forgot to mention that he has bought six bikes from that dealership and a 1098R as well. Of course he is going to get better service, he has given the dealership not honey, but lots of money. If we could just put the PC on the side for now and tell the truth about how much money you really spend at these places maybe the truth will shine through. Because if everybody is getting bad service and your not, then you must either be the nicest person in the world or the have a lot of money to throw down. I am not saying spending a lot of money is a bad thing, but sometimes people with a little extra cash then the rest of the world forget how people treat them.

[PizzaMonster]

Ok Pizza Monster I have some questions for you. 

Ummm..Okay...Now that you've asked.....Let's see.  I bought a bike there in 2002.  So did my wife a year or so before that.  Both bikes are long gone.  Did have 3 bikes for a while but now I'm down to just the Duc.  No more Hundas, or Kowasookees, or Suzyookis in the family any more.  Yes, I do have a car that I use for daily driving and all winter long.

Oh BTW.  This shop is not a Duc dealer.  But I've actually got a shop manual for an S2R that they use for reference though.

Yeah.  I suppose I've spent a few bucks there over the years but I've also bought bikes and gear elsewhere.  I suppose I could throw money at them to get service.  Never tried it that way though.  Is that how you do it?   

And you know what?  Sometimes this shop really pisses me off.  But I deal with it in a manner that will get me what I need without starting a war.

I'm really not the nicest guy in the world. Actually, I've been called a prick quite a few times.  Like I said though.  I work with the guys there.  Not against them.  I've never pissed in their cornflakes.  I've even helped one of the owners out of a jam at a track event a couple of times when he needed me.  I try to cut them some slack when I need repairs.  I have reasonable expectations when I'm looking for warranty.  I don't BS them.  Just normal courtesy stuff.  It seems to work both ways. 

Maybe you should try it some time and see how it works.   

[din425]

Sooooooo. To the OP. Has doing all this got your bike out of the shop any faster? If you find people in life disappoint you with great frequency maybe it'd be best to learn these skills yourself. I can assure you nothing will build your sense of confidence in your bike than doing your own work. Plus... it sounds like you could use a stress relieving hobby. You got all winter to learn. I actually do know what you are talking about and I used to be the same way, to the point of physically threatening people, you won't change them. You'll only get yourself in trouble.
Off topic here but relavant, I went to some anger management classes. There is a lot of huggy BS there but there are some valuable tools as well. One that I think may be of benefit to you is to learn to recognize your inner dialog. The voice in your head that starts chasing it's own tail getting you worked up. It's probably saying something like " these sons-of-pregnant doges said they'd have it done and now it's two weeks later. I'll give them a piece of my mind! And I'll let everyone else know what asses they are too!" and so on and so forth down the rabbit hole. It's easy to shut that voice down once you learn to hear it. The trick is to pay attention to it and realize where it's leading you. I'm not saying you do or don't have anger issues that isn't my place and I don't know you. You DO sound like you're getting worked up over something that is ultimately inconsequencial. Look at the grand scheme of you're life and where does this fit? Family, work, home, a bike that is taking a couple extra weeks to get done...  not that big of a deal. Sit back and sing the Pina Colada song, you can't help but smile.

Do you have a ducati?

[DoubleEagle]

Ummm..Okay...Now that you've asked.....Let's see.  I bought a bike there in 2002.  So did my wife a year or so before that.  Both bikes are long gone.  Did have 3 bikes for a while but now I'm down to just the Duc.  No more Hundas, or Kowasookees, or Suzyookis in the family any more.  Yes, I do have a car that I use for daily driving and all winter long.

Oh BTW.  This shop is not a Duc dealer.  But I've actually got a shop manual for an S2R that they use for reference though.

Yeah.  I suppose I've spent a few bucks there over the years but I've also bought bikes and gear elsewhere.  I suppose I could throw money at them to get service.  Never tried it that way though.  Is that how you do it?   

And you know what?  Sometimes this shop really pisses me off.  But I deal with it in a manner that will get me what I need without starting a war.

I'm really not the nicest guy in the world. Actually, I've been called a prick quite a few times.  Like I said though.  I work with the guys there.  Not against them.  I've never pissed in their cornflakes.  I've even helped one of the owners out of a jam at a track event a couple of times when he needed me.  I try to cut them some slack when I need repairs.  I have reasonable expectations when I'm looking for warranty.  I don't BS them.  Just normal courtesy stuff.  It seems to work both ways. 

Maybe you should try it some time and see how it works.   

I think you have befuddled Clint,  I mean Rettrodoll.     Dolph     

[Scottish]

Do you have a ducati?

I do... why do you ask? Ah... are you referring to the "complexity" of the machine? Let me be clear, I built my Ducati from a totalled/wrecked/destroyed bike. I've had it completely apart, and it is the best designed machine I've ever worked on. It makes sense to me, maybe not to everyone.... but it makes sense to me. I prefer working on it to any of the Honda's or Suki's I've had.

[chris@motorcyclewishlist]

My club was mentioned so I have to set some things right. I posted this on the DesmOhio site and it pretty much settled things but I don't figure everyone here left to read that thread.

Sorry to be so late in getting in on this thread. I have been traveling.

Rarebird;
Glad to see that you are participating in the Desmohio community again. If you hang out more you will start to get the different personalities. Clint can be a tard but he is our friend, a regular contributing/participating member and despite his shortcomings we more or less like him. You probably would too if you got to know him, more or less.

Five0 was trying to say that DesmOhio has a reputation for being "Politically Incorrect". This is because we have a history of telling it like it is with no sugar coating or bullshit. I was almost fired from Cycle Cat over a letter that I wrote to the AMA as president of this club. That is actually when we were branded with the politically incorrect thing. If someone wants a to be in a club where everyone kisses evryones asses and just goes with the flow like a bunch of sheep then this is not the one. This is an unmoderated forum. We do not censor what our members have to say unless it is slander which we have never had a case of. Since this forum was started five plus years ago we have deleted three or four threads and at least two of thoes were mine. We do not have the problems of the DML or Speedzilla because of the very high likelyhood that our members will meet each other face to face. I am not saying that you should not have called Clint an asshole, he is, but when you did you took it to that level. We are all big boys and girls. We play rough so you better have thick skin. There is also no one in this club that I know of who would not give you the shirt off their back, or pick up your bike after a crash or breakdown if you needed the help including Clint. DesmOhio was started to make Ducati ownership easier on everyone including the dealers.

MotOhio and DesmOhio have a long history. The two previous Columbus dealers were droped by Ducati and Bruces shop was opened based in part on a meeting that DesmOhio members had with our area sales manager at the time. We have always wanted what has become MotOhio to succeed and for us to have a great relationship with them. This did not happen with Bruce but we have high hopes with Mike Allen, his family and staff. Mike is our friend. He has tipped beers with us at Mid-Ohio and at our clubhouse functions. He is a hardcore rider and racer. We like that. Mike is also a sponsor of this site. We do not let just any dealership or business have this privledge.

MotOhio is getting better but there are still some issues. Mike Allen is still working his real job and is not at the dealership full time. He may not be fully aware of all of the situations that happen at MotOhio. Posting here is one way of letting Mike see how our community sees his shop. There are also posts on this board praising MotOhio for their service and telling of how they went above and beyond to get the bike back under the rider. Posting the experience you have with a dealer here should be taken as constructive input to the community and dealership. If you are unaware that there is a problem then you can not fix it. Think of it this way. If your wife keeps asking if her ass is getting fat and you keep telling her that she looks great, don't be suprised when you wake up with a fat assed wife. We want MotOhio to have a great ass!

I read this thread a few days ago and though I did not have time to post myself, I did send mike Allen a text to let him know of its existance. What he does with the information is up to him. It will take time to get it perfect but I have faith that Mike is working to get it as close as possible.

_________________
Chris Calovini
Founder/President
DesmOhio