Meagan
2 years ago
I sent my bike (Ducati) to Grant Umpleby, because there isn鈥檛 a Ducati service agent in Durban. My bike, having stood for 6 months caused the fuel left in the system to oxidize. This caused the bike to run intermittently firing on either one or two cylinders. All Suzuki had to do was clean out the fuel injectors, and some other electrical work which caused my lights to exceed normal operating temperatures. They did clean out the injectors and got the bike running better but not properly, it kept cutting whenever I tapped off the throttle (this was an issue my bike did not have before). Anyway, the guys at Grant Umpleby were helpful about it and sorted out that problem but billed me for the work when it was an issue they created. They also billed me for the electrical repair but said that it鈥檚 normal for head and tail light to get that hot. So, they had actually done nothing but billed me anyway. I later had an auto electrician look at the problem and he found some worn wiring which was the cause of the heating issue on the lights. My biggest problem with Grant Umpleby is that while by bike was in their care, my tank was dented, my carbon fibre mudguard and tailpiece were severely scratched. This kind of damage was clearly workshop damage, as they work in very confined spaces, with lots of bikes that get moved around the workshop regularly. Initially, the management at Grant Umpleby were apologetic and wanted to assist, but later changed their tunes and claimed no liability. I was quoted almost R10 000 for the repairs. This, plus what I paid Grant Umpleby for work done and for work not done is the cost of dealing with them.
I contacted Suzuki head office, and they were extremely helpful, saying they were going to Durban anyway to investigated Grant Umpleby for using pirate parts, and charging for genuine parts, among other things. They said they would use the opportunity to investigate my case. After much collaboration and wasting my time, they said that they will discuss with Grant Umpleby but that they will reserve the right to choose their own repairer and fit the bill. More time (months) had passed, and when I contacted head office again, they said that they can鈥檛 do much other than recommend that Grant Umpleby fit the bill for the repair. They suggested a conclusion would be reached if I agreed to accept 50% of the liability 鈥?I reluctantly agreed. More time (months) had passed, and when I contacted head office again they said all they can do is recommend that Grant Umpleby refund me for the electrical work that they billed me for but did not do.
I could see where this was going so I thanked Suzuki Head Office for their time and told them that I鈥檇 rather exercise my right of free speech and inform the motorcycle community of Suzuki鈥檚 BAD practice so that this does not happen to anyone else, than take the minuscule refund.
It is not my intention to damage the Suzuki brand, but rather to prevent consumers from suffering at the hands of one Suzuki dealership.
I contacted Suzuki head office, and they were extremely helpful, saying they were going to Durban anyway to investigated Grant Umpleby for using pirate parts, and charging for genuine parts, among other things. They said they would use the opportunity to investigate my case. After much collaboration and wasting my time, they said that they will discuss with Grant Umpleby but that they will reserve the right to choose their own repairer and fit the bill. More time (months) had passed, and when I contacted head office again, they said that they can鈥檛 do much other than recommend that Grant Umpleby fit the bill for the repair. They suggested a conclusion would be reached if I agreed to accept 50% of the liability 鈥?I reluctantly agreed. More time (months) had passed, and when I contacted head office again they said all they can do is recommend that Grant Umpleby refund me for the electrical work that they billed me for but did not do.
I could see where this was going so I thanked Suzuki Head Office for their time and told them that I鈥檇 rather exercise my right of free speech and inform the motorcycle community of Suzuki鈥檚 BAD practice so that this does not happen to anyone else, than take the minuscule refund.
It is not my intention to damage the Suzuki brand, but rather to prevent consumers from suffering at the hands of one Suzuki dealership.