Stella Fumbles - No Touchdown!
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 11:03 pm
As long as I can remember, I've always wanted a 1948 Indian Motorcycle with a sidecar. I looked at British Enfield, Honda, Harley, etc., but since I'm older now I've decided a scooter is more my speed. So after about 6 months of research, I have chosen a Genuine Stella with a Cozy Rocket sidecar in Red (only because they don't make a 10" Euro). This is going to be my documentation of ordering "The Rig" and the mayhem that ensues.
In June of 2012, I called a Genuine dealer and spoke to the owner. I told him that I was interested in a fully loaded 2012 Stella with a Sidecar and was wondering what the cost would be. I told him all the things I wanted on it, (windshield, racks, floor mat, etc.) He gave me a "round-a-bouts" estimate of $7200.00. I then asked if I could demo it, to which he said that because of insurance reasons, they don't allow demo rides.
In the first week of July, I went to the dealer location just to take a "look see" at a Stella. I saw that it wasn't too big and I felt that I would be able to handle it. Keep in mind that I will never drive this scooter without the sidecar. I am buying it with the rig attached. The third week in July, I called and ordered "The Rig". After many phone calls back and forth, I was told that the lead time on the sidecar would make the possession date of sometime in mid-to-late October. I was also told that I could have the scooter early, which I declined.
The third week of August, I got a call from the Genuine dealer who said he was able to locate a sidecar still in the crate and would I be interested in getting my rig early? Does a one-legged duck swim in a circle?? And thus begins the trials and tribulations of just ordering the doggone thing.
I was told that the sidecar as shown on Cyclesidecar.com is not the same as the 10"sidecar and does not come with all the accessories that the larger one does. Ok, fine. Where do I get a "tonneau cover" for it? I was told "Oh, any top shop can make one for you and it wouldn't be too much". Have you ever googled "top shop"? I could not find a "top shop" that didn't feature topless dancers. A search for "tonneau covers" results in hard and soft covers for pick-up trucks. I was also told originally that I could have the Stella scooter (as pictured) with a black, not tan, seat. This is not so. And Genuine is not able or willing to switch it for me. What wonderful customer service in this economic climate! So, a search for "auto upholstery" took care of both things. I have located a shop not 10 minutes away from me who will not only be happy to reupholster the seat, but will make the tonneau cover as well. And without topless dancers! How much? Beats me. I have to take "the rig" in to get an estimate first. Who decided to put a tan seat on a red scooter??
On August 28th, everything was finalized and ordered. I gave my preferences on the racks, top case, windshields, floor mat, everything. I was told it would be a 2012 Stella because Genuine is not manufacturing a 2013 model. Everything was supposed to be ordered the next day and I was to go to the Dealer on Saturday, September 8 to get my scooter. I contacted my insurance company, Allstate, and asked for a quote. They asked for the VIN on the scooter so that they could have the paperwork ready for Saturday the 8th. Here is where things get hinky. I gave the VIN to Allstate and thought everything was going to be right. You've heard the saying "Man plans, God laughs"? The Genuine dealer told me that UPS told him delivery of the sidecar would be on September 9th. Since when does UPS deliver on a Sunday? I email him back asking him if he was using a Mayan or Chinese calendar instead of the common Gregorian one. He then tells me late Friday afternoon (after calling the wrong number to get me all day) that everything is delivered. I said, "Well, it looks like I'm not going to be picking up my scooter tomorrow, am I?" I also mentioned THIS WEBSITE and told him of all the problems that seem to be associated with Dealers not doing the correct QC on the scooters. He assured me that his dealership does go through everything and is even aware of the clutch clamp problem. Telling him that I will expect to pick up "The Rig" (I HAVE to get a better designation for it. Any ideas?) on the following Saturday, Sept 15.
With a time and date stamp of 5:00pm Friday, Sept. 7, Allstate emails me that the VIN is "incorrect for the year and model" of the scooter. I immediately email the Genuine dealer back telling him of the incorrect VIN. After hearing no response from him, on Saturday, at 10:15 I called and left a message with Mr. Voicemail. Two hours later, he calls back - and this is where the hinkiness starts. Seems that when he was talking to "Chicago" (this is what he calls the Genuine HQ) he was told of a dealership that went bankrupt and had a lot of old stock. He was told there was a 2010 Stella in Red that he could have for $700.00 less and did he want it instead of the 2012? Without asking me, he said yes. (I suppose he was just going to let that little detail slip by if Allstate hadn't caught it.) I still wonder why there is a screw-up with the VIN, though. Shouldn't the VIN he gave me be the one for the 2010? Anyway, I told him in no uncertain terms that I wanted what I ordered - a 2012 Red Stella. He then asks me if I wanted a 2013. Nowwaitaminutehere. Not more than 2 weeks ago I was told that Genuine was not even manufacturing 2013 models. In two weeks they've decided to ramp up production? He backpedaled a lot on that one. The Genuine dealer said he would order the 2012 scooter and he should have it next Friday, September 21st. It looks as if I will not be able to get possession of it until the 29th. And, how in the heck am I going to be able to tell if it's a 2010 or a 2012?
So, as it is now, September 8, I do not have a scooter but I have a sidecar. I am wondering if I can jury-rig it to my Razr Scooter?
In June of 2012, I called a Genuine dealer and spoke to the owner. I told him that I was interested in a fully loaded 2012 Stella with a Sidecar and was wondering what the cost would be. I told him all the things I wanted on it, (windshield, racks, floor mat, etc.) He gave me a "round-a-bouts" estimate of $7200.00. I then asked if I could demo it, to which he said that because of insurance reasons, they don't allow demo rides.
In the first week of July, I went to the dealer location just to take a "look see" at a Stella. I saw that it wasn't too big and I felt that I would be able to handle it. Keep in mind that I will never drive this scooter without the sidecar. I am buying it with the rig attached. The third week in July, I called and ordered "The Rig". After many phone calls back and forth, I was told that the lead time on the sidecar would make the possession date of sometime in mid-to-late October. I was also told that I could have the scooter early, which I declined.
The third week of August, I got a call from the Genuine dealer who said he was able to locate a sidecar still in the crate and would I be interested in getting my rig early? Does a one-legged duck swim in a circle?? And thus begins the trials and tribulations of just ordering the doggone thing.
I was told that the sidecar as shown on Cyclesidecar.com is not the same as the 10"sidecar and does not come with all the accessories that the larger one does. Ok, fine. Where do I get a "tonneau cover" for it? I was told "Oh, any top shop can make one for you and it wouldn't be too much". Have you ever googled "top shop"? I could not find a "top shop" that didn't feature topless dancers. A search for "tonneau covers" results in hard and soft covers for pick-up trucks. I was also told originally that I could have the Stella scooter (as pictured) with a black, not tan, seat. This is not so. And Genuine is not able or willing to switch it for me. What wonderful customer service in this economic climate! So, a search for "auto upholstery" took care of both things. I have located a shop not 10 minutes away from me who will not only be happy to reupholster the seat, but will make the tonneau cover as well. And without topless dancers! How much? Beats me. I have to take "the rig" in to get an estimate first. Who decided to put a tan seat on a red scooter??
On August 28th, everything was finalized and ordered. I gave my preferences on the racks, top case, windshields, floor mat, everything. I was told it would be a 2012 Stella because Genuine is not manufacturing a 2013 model. Everything was supposed to be ordered the next day and I was to go to the Dealer on Saturday, September 8 to get my scooter. I contacted my insurance company, Allstate, and asked for a quote. They asked for the VIN on the scooter so that they could have the paperwork ready for Saturday the 8th. Here is where things get hinky. I gave the VIN to Allstate and thought everything was going to be right. You've heard the saying "Man plans, God laughs"? The Genuine dealer told me that UPS told him delivery of the sidecar would be on September 9th. Since when does UPS deliver on a Sunday? I email him back asking him if he was using a Mayan or Chinese calendar instead of the common Gregorian one. He then tells me late Friday afternoon (after calling the wrong number to get me all day) that everything is delivered. I said, "Well, it looks like I'm not going to be picking up my scooter tomorrow, am I?" I also mentioned THIS WEBSITE and told him of all the problems that seem to be associated with Dealers not doing the correct QC on the scooters. He assured me that his dealership does go through everything and is even aware of the clutch clamp problem. Telling him that I will expect to pick up "The Rig" (I HAVE to get a better designation for it. Any ideas?) on the following Saturday, Sept 15.
With a time and date stamp of 5:00pm Friday, Sept. 7, Allstate emails me that the VIN is "incorrect for the year and model" of the scooter. I immediately email the Genuine dealer back telling him of the incorrect VIN. After hearing no response from him, on Saturday, at 10:15 I called and left a message with Mr. Voicemail. Two hours later, he calls back - and this is where the hinkiness starts. Seems that when he was talking to "Chicago" (this is what he calls the Genuine HQ) he was told of a dealership that went bankrupt and had a lot of old stock. He was told there was a 2010 Stella in Red that he could have for $700.00 less and did he want it instead of the 2012? Without asking me, he said yes. (I suppose he was just going to let that little detail slip by if Allstate hadn't caught it.) I still wonder why there is a screw-up with the VIN, though. Shouldn't the VIN he gave me be the one for the 2010? Anyway, I told him in no uncertain terms that I wanted what I ordered - a 2012 Red Stella. He then asks me if I wanted a 2013. Nowwaitaminutehere. Not more than 2 weeks ago I was told that Genuine was not even manufacturing 2013 models. In two weeks they've decided to ramp up production? He backpedaled a lot on that one. The Genuine dealer said he would order the 2012 scooter and he should have it next Friday, September 21st. It looks as if I will not be able to get possession of it until the 29th. And, how in the heck am I going to be able to tell if it's a 2010 or a 2012?
So, as it is now, September 8, I do not have a scooter but I have a sidecar. I am wondering if I can jury-rig it to my Razr Scooter?