DarkKnight

TSI Harley Davidson, Ellington, CT. Buyer's are welcome, but if you want service... welllllllllllllllllllllll.......

OK, I'm sure most everyone here is familiar with the crash I experienced at the MSF course.

For those that are not, the short version of the tale is this... instructor of the course dumped my bike on the training course,causing a little over $2,600 worth of damage.

This was early August of this year. After much wrangling over who was responsible (and even that isn't hashed out fully yet), the estimate and ordering of parts was made on Aug. 29.

The bike remained at the dealers for the next few weeks, and I finally got them to fix it enough so that it was road ready, and I could ride it without the cosmetic fixes that were needed. I was told at that time, that my bike was old, so it would be tough to get these parts, that some may even be obsolete.

As an aside.. while the bike was in for repairs anyhow. I figured I'd inquire about some chrome to add on. Nothing huge, derby cover, gas tank lid, little things. I gave a list to their chrome specialist, who informed me a week later that "Because you've got an older bike, this stuff is obsolete..." and that he couldn't get it. Mind you, all the stuff (fitting my bike) was listed in that years catalog, but he couldn't get it. I went to Seacoast Harley in Hampton NH, and the guy pulled it right off the shelf. So there went THAT $115 sale to Seacoast instead of TSI.

Back to the story in progress....

Took the bike back, with a parts list printed out of what had yet to be repaired. Made arrangements of when to bring it back for final fixes. I was told that the owner of the dealership had taken a look at the bike, and he was having some things fixed on the bike (that weren't even involved in the crash). That the owner had said "want this to look like new". This was mid Sept. At that time, I noticed that the new windshield they had installed, was put on wrong, and gouged the plastic headlamp nacelle. I also was shown by another rider, at least a dozen damages on the bike that the dealer had NOT seen (or at least not indicated on the list, meaning "we didn't see it, we ain't gonna fix it".) I brought the bike back the next week and they raised the windshield to it's proper height, and added the nacelle on as another fix that was going to have to be done. We're now getting into Oct.

Continued to call, to keep in touch of what and when the parts were arriving, and was told that they had arrived, to bring the bike by. A side cover had been found to be damaged, and they'd be using that to color match the rest of the parts they had to paint. I rode by to drop off the cover, and was now told that they had mis spoke, all the parts were NOT in at this time. I asked if the parts they DID have, even make it over to the painters. After a long pause, I found out they had not. Instead, I got an excuse of how the painter was VERY busy at this time, and may not have time to get to my job. This time, I went to the GM of the dealership. Told him about the endless delays I was getting from their crash guy. He said I'd have to wait to hear from them, as to when they (the parts) had all arrived. But that now that he was involved, it would be taken care of ASAP. I rode off, and this took us into late Oct. I was contacted and told that the parts had arrived, could I drop the bike off so that they could do all the fixes. I ride by, and am told that they'll want the bike for two weeks, so that they can fix it fully, and properly. I drop the bike off, this is now second week of Nov. I ask at that time "possible to be ready for Thanksgiving? I've got a ride planned". I was told "shouldn't be a problem".

I call the day before the holiday, and am told "It's not ready yet"... but the crash manager specialist is not there, so I can't ask any questions. I go to the shop on "Black Friday", and am told by this incompetent clown that the paint has to cure properly still on the new parts, that it would all be ready by Wed. Today, a full 4 months after the beginning of this all, I go to see the owner today, no phone call, I go into see him face to face, and let him know I'm finally disgusted with the whole process. I was told when this all started, that they'd get on this special, because of the circumstances behind the wreckage. I was also told that the owner would call me back later, and let me know what's going on. I also mentioned that I was already in the market for my next bike, and that they were NOT the only Harley dealership in the area, or the state. I also let him know about the chrome snafu, that the parts people have been good to work with, and the motor clothes dept, but the chrome and crash specialist, have left a lot to be desired.

Instead, I get a call from the crash manager again, someone I've lost total faith in... and he begins the conversation with "I'm not going to make any excuses... but...." and then let's out a litany of excuses. The painter got the wrong color, the nacelle is still curing because it only went out this past Monday (a week after it was supposed to be all finished), he neglected to tell the painter it was a rush job... it'll probably be ready next Tues. I also inquired about the gas tank, which the owner said he wanted painted (and was pointed out to me earlier on). Crash boy says "I don't remember anything about that"... I reminded him... "YOU were the one who told and showed me about this... it wasn't my idea! What is your problem?" I call the owner back, and tell him that FIRST, I'm a bit peeved that he didn't call me back like he said he would, when I spoke to him in person, I said plain as day "I don't like to be BS'd... tell me the truth, and we don't have a problem". He said he would call me, he didn't, and that SECOND, I got a list of excuses that make me want to blow my stack right through the roof. He apologized again, and said he hadn't heard back from the crash guy, but thought it was all set. I said "No.. that's why this has been dragging on like this. One person say's "Let's get this done" to the same person who's dragging their feet, and then don't follow through on it. So then I've got to come back later, and then I sound like the problem. It's not me. This is beyond a joke... I even said "this is the 4 month anniversary of the beginning of this whole situation.. don't you think that's a bit ridiculous?"

So we'll see how Harry Levesque, owner of TSI Harley Davidson in Ellington, CT, responds to this. He may even surprise me. But as it stands right now. I can't say with any faith "go to this dealer for your service needs, they'll take care of you".

For now, they're on probation in my mind, as far as "go to guys" or "avoid like the plague".