Honda Dealer Problems

[Richard]

I have been having the most ridiculous time with White Bros. of Darlington. I posted a topic on here ages ago about being unable to start my AT and got lots of responses. The theme of them was that it was likely to be a problem with the choke and plungers. So I took the choke cable off and oiled it all up, freed up the little choke lever and generally made a good job of it. However, on re-fitting it I broke the plastic fastening that fixes the cable end to one of the carbutettors. My fault, so I went to White Bros for a spare. I was told that I needed a complete choke cable. However when that arrived, I had to point out that there was no fixing on the end. they said it was the wrong cable and would re-order. When the replacement came, it was identical. Then they had a closer look at the microfiches/ Honda website and decided they had now identified the part needed. When that arrived, it turned out to be the flexible weatherproof plastic sleeve over the cable end. Then they realised that the part needed was on the diagram for the Carb not the choke cable (I took the old part to show them a couple of times but fat lot of difference it made!). The fixing came with the plunger and spring so it was unneccessarily pricey £20!. When it arrived, it turned out that what had been ordered by mistake was the slim bolt with the thumb wheel for adjusting the idle speed. So I stood over them whilst they sorted out the right part number and they got that ordered. Except they did not. I called in today and they had lost the order and nothing had been done about it. I prepaid so that was outragously incompetent.
What is the point of buying overpriced spares from a dealer if they cannot give good service and advice? My bike has not been able to be used for 3 months now and the problem is still not resolved. I'm a big grown up boy with a science degree and working in technology transfer. What I want to be able to do is to identify the part number from a diagram and place an order on line and have it delivered direct. This would cut out the dealer margin which is fair enough given the lack of added value that they have provided. Any one know if this can be done. David Silver seems to offer big bits but not the fiddly stuff. All I want is 20pence worth of plastic. (I work with automotive OEMs so I have some idea)
I bought the bike because it suited me and it was cheap. It needed work but I thought I could ride it and improve it as I went. The way I feel tonight, I just want to get rid of the thing asap.

[DaveS]

Hmmmmm.
Sounds like a right royal cock-up.

Can't really offer any other advice other than to try another Honda dealer. Use the fiches in the TechData section to help you see what your Honda dealer will be looking at.
You can print them out and perhaps take them in.... and say I want that bit!!
However its sounds like you've stood over them and done that.

Good luck.

[Dilbert]

Richard
easy dude don't give up already, welcome to the world of engineering and the bozo customer facing personnel, I took my name from an equally frustrated cartoon engineer.
get out the yellow pages and ask a few really tricky questions like "what's the differance between oil and grease" (ones thicker than the other) or if you're not feeling sarcastic, then "excuse me but can you order me a cable for my bike, how much will it be and what's the delivery" if they answer all three without an err.. um..a what? or what's a bike then give them a try, don't assume they have a clue then when you find a decent dealer you'll be really pleased.
above all don't part with any cash unless you get a warm glow about them and keep a sense of humour.. boy are you gonna need one.
any body know a good dealer round Stoke-on-Trent or is that asking too much

[robelst]

Reminds me of a Harley/Buell dealer.
In 2002 all Buell parts were renumbered. I went out to get an air filter for my beloved Buell. Came to the counter were a man and woman dressed in HD-labeled cowboy-outfits were advised on a choice of 6 different straps of leather to cover the tank of their HD Heritage. I interrupted this life-changing decision-making after 10 minutes because I was in a sort of hurry. The ape-man behind the counter grunted at me when I asked for the aforesaid part. Heavily breathing he lifted the parts-catalog and said something that sounded like "..don't do those anymore.." in a computer-says-no sort of way. I said that this was unlikely because he had two brandnew bikes of the same model in his showroom. "..dunno, they'r not in here..". "I understood the part-numbers have changed" I tried. "Well, nobody told me..." and started to completely ignore me. "Could you look please, I really need one". After 15 minutes and 3 colleagues later it was decided to order to filter although they were pretty convinced there was one in stock somewhere, unidentifiable. When it arrived it was the wrong type. Which is no real surprise because there are lots of different types... well... no less than 2 which is more than 1 and that is one too many for certain single-braincelled dealers.

Anyhoo, this is not going to help.

Are you sure about David Silver, I have ordered the tiniest little parts from them for the AT, but you need to do order those over the phone (not all parts are on the website). They will look them up for you while you wait, never had a problem with 'm. All the best!