OP
@kdude avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
BV 400 (21) , BV 350 (16) SOLD :( , Sprint 150 2015(SOLD), Liberty S150 2018
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2956
Location: Florida
 
Ossessionato
@kdude avatar
BV 400 (21) , BV 350 (16) SOLD :( , Sprint 150 2015(SOLD), Liberty S150 2018
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2956
Location: Florida
UTC quote
First off , I'm sure there are lots of really good service shops out there with mechanics that really pay attention to there work. I know of at least two here on this forum but i am a gazzilion miles from any of them.

Having said that I had my s150 in for service at what really is known as a "very good too excellent" vespa shop in Montreal. Some swear by this place .. "the best in the city" ya right !

I brought in my scooter for several jobs. Normal oil change , brake pad replacement and too look at the battery problem with my clock.

Because of this awesome forum i started researching service procedures cause you guys seem too be able too show even a guy like me without mechanical skills do the simple work.

This is what i've found so far checking out previous work done on my scoot.

1. A nice scratch ( which was not there before service) on the headlight cover. Looks like when they took off the large screen it fell against the cover.

2. Brakes: One of the two washers that fits on the bolt that holds the caliper in place missing. Part no. 003058

3. The middle tab that hld's the headlight cover too the back cover broken right off.

This really pissed me off.

So guys just check the work before and after you bring your scooters to the shop that has a great reputation. Or even better yet start doing your own work. At least you will get your scoot back in the condition you brought it in.

Rant off.
@max6200 avatar
UTC

Banned
2006 GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10590
Location: KS USA
 
Banned
@max6200 avatar
2006 GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10590
Location: KS USA
UTC quote
All your problems can be easily remediated by the same shoppe. Even if you yourself work on the scooter, (pause) like I do, shit happens.
@madison_sully avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
MP3 500, GTS 250 (both 2008 MY), 2013 Piaggio BV 350, 2014 Can Am Spyder RT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7666
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@madison_sully avatar
MP3 500, GTS 250 (both 2008 MY), 2013 Piaggio BV 350, 2014 Can Am Spyder RT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7666
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
UTC quote
I have had some similar experiences, with auto repair and maintenance, and hiring contractors to do work around my house. Got a few stories. Bottom line, for me, I like to work on things whether to build or to repair. It's only when it is outside my (thought of) capability that I will consider to hire someone. And I actually enjoy reading manuals and suchlike to learn how things work. Piaggio books are pretty thorough by the way.

I'm also a very picky client, and I know it. So to some extent I give some slack to others as I (have to) give slack to myself for imperfections. Life can be messy.

Anyway, Max makes a good point. Perhaps if you bring your scooter back to the shop, and explain what you see, at the very least you will see more about their customer service and commitment.

And, as Max also says, shit does indeed happen. At least when you screw up your own work you can redo it quietly. Unless something goes bang, REALLY loud.
OP
@kdude avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
BV 400 (21) , BV 350 (16) SOLD :( , Sprint 150 2015(SOLD), Liberty S150 2018
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2956
Location: Florida
 
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@kdude avatar
BV 400 (21) , BV 350 (16) SOLD :( , Sprint 150 2015(SOLD), Liberty S150 2018
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2956
Location: Florida
UTC quote
Max6200 wrote:
All your problems can be easily remediated by the same shoppe. Even if you yourself work on the scooter, (pause) like I do, shit happens.
Max come on ... i can live with the broken tab , scratch .. but a washer on the caliper bolts ! I not a panic type of guy but your paying someone top $ and he forgets a washer that may or may not be important as i'm not a mechanic.. that is not kewl.
@tazio avatar
UTC

Addicted
2007 Vespa GTS250ie 2007 Buddy 125 Series Italia 2012 Ural Gear-Up
Joined: UTC
Posts: 600
Location: Woodland Hills, CA
 
Addicted
@tazio avatar
2007 Vespa GTS250ie 2007 Buddy 125 Series Italia 2012 Ural Gear-Up
Joined: UTC
Posts: 600
Location: Woodland Hills, CA
UTC quote
That's why I've always liked doing my own work. I know exactly who to cuss out when the job is screwed up.
@judy avatar
UTC

World Traveler
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
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Posts: 29303
 
World Traveler
@judy avatar
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
Joined: UTC
Posts: 29303
UTC quote
We have that same dealer service people. One of the guys here took his scooter in (years ago) and when he got it back he started it up and the rear wheel was spinning like a top. He went and got the mechanic (supposedly certified) who said "they all do that". They put the wrong pet carrier in also. They never had parts. In fact the vespa rental guys in Waikiki bought a few oil filters from them and the dealer called them to ask if they could have one since they were doing an oil change and didn't have any.. I'm betting that person's scooter didn't get a new oil filter and he probably paid top dollar for the "service" he got. It's a Harley dealer as well and they don't like the service either.
@nomad68 avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
Back on a 125cc!
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Posts: 1149
Location: High Wycombe UK
 
Molto Verboso
@nomad68 avatar
Back on a 125cc!
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1149
Location: High Wycombe UK
UTC quote
This is why I hang around and watch my mechanic while he's working on my Gts....

@bendcyclist avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2006 GTS 250ie in Silver
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1808
Location: Bend, OR
 
Molto Verboso
@bendcyclist avatar
2006 GTS 250ie in Silver
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1808
Location: Bend, OR
UTC quote
Personally I think that there is a bias in shops to consider a scooter a little toy not a "real" motorcycle. So overall there is less respect provided to the scooter that shows up versus the Ducati.

I hang out if I can when and if I need a mechanic.

This is also why I bought all the tools I needed and a lift as well.
@ks7877 avatar
UTC

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Location: So Cal
 
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@ks7877 avatar
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Location: So Cal
UTC quote
Sorry for your bad experiences. Really. But something about it reminded me of an old thread Dealers Beware!
Kevynwriter wrote:
Dealers beware. We are done paying $122.00 for an oil change. We are done paying a bunch of money for a simple tune up. Yeah, that's right WE! ARE! DONE! We are people, me being one of them, who are tired of you charging us (really cool scooter people) chunks of money to maintain our scoots. Just because your mechanic is FACTORY TRAINED, Whoo big deal!
We are the novices who are willing to spend thousands of dollars to remodel our garages, buy these really bitchin tools and lifts, yeah I SAID LIFTS, (I got one). We are not afraid. Oil changes, Piece of cake, maintenance stuff, I got a book, and threads on line, oh yeah, and they're there baby bona fide and certified!
Do you really think I'm afraid to change a tire? Do you really think I'm scared by that Burger king belt looking thing and those round roller thingys. Hmm it's just rubber and plastic to me baby. I am the man! Left over parts? Stupid Italians!
So dealers beware, we are coming, with our scoots partially disassembled, because the thread didn't mention the special tool. We are coming because torque is some kind of French word I am not familiar with. Oh yeah we are coming because my wife is really pissed at me for buying so much stuff and all I could pull off is a freakin oil change. So you better beware, because we are coming baby, oh yeah we are coming, and we are willing to spend the big bucks if you just don't tell our wives.
OP
@kdude avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
BV 400 (21) , BV 350 (16) SOLD :( , Sprint 150 2015(SOLD), Liberty S150 2018
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2956
Location: Florida
 
Ossessionato
@kdude avatar
BV 400 (21) , BV 350 (16) SOLD :( , Sprint 150 2015(SOLD), Liberty S150 2018
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2956
Location: Florida
UTC quote
Nomad68 wrote:
This is why I hang around and watch my mechanic while he's working on my Gts....

Yup tried that and was given a really cold shoulder by the mechanics. I was not being a pest and didn't even ask one question. I was just admiring work that i adore and in awe that they knew what they were doing.

Then the service manager came up to me and told me i couldn't be in that area of the shop because of an insurance issue.
OP
@kdude avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
BV 400 (21) , BV 350 (16) SOLD :( , Sprint 150 2015(SOLD), Liberty S150 2018
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2956
Location: Florida
 
Ossessionato
@kdude avatar
BV 400 (21) , BV 350 (16) SOLD :( , Sprint 150 2015(SOLD), Liberty S150 2018
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2956
Location: Florida
UTC quote
I don't want this thread to keep going. Bad karma.

I just wanted to tell the boys what i experienced bringing in my scoot to a well known and respected dealer.

On closing , I went out today and bought more tools to do all the maintenance possible.

Found a private mechanic for "consultation".

I'm so convinced even spending an insane amount of money on a Handy Lift today I'm sure over time it will save me $ and bring lots of shits and giggles too my work on my scoot.

Thanks for listening too me and have a safe and happy riding season !

Howard
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44558
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44558
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
Locking this topic per the OP's request above.
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