Did I just invest in a money pit?

Steezy · Post by **Steezy** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:18 am

Dont get me wrong, I love my Buddy.

However...

I just last weekend got it back from the shop where they had to do some carborator adjustments to keep it from stalling on me. Then Sunday and Monday we had a noreaster here on the coast, and I found Scootz on its side. Today I went out to ride it and when I took off it was making a noise like something was rubbing/hitting the back tire. When I stopped, the left brake broke practically off.

WTF. I've had the scooter for 3.5 weeks, and now I'm going to be making ANOTHER trip to the shop. They didn't charge me last time, but I doubt I'll get that same hospitalitiy now. I assume this is covered by warranty, but I wouldnt know since I dont have a copy of a warranty or whatever.

Obviously, I'm really annoyed.

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:51 am

It's only a money pit of you have to pay out... The carb problem was due to the dealer/Genuine/PGO/whoever should have adjusted it right before it landed in your hands, so they took care of it gratis (as is only right). If it got damaged due to being knocked over by the wind, then no, that's not covered by the warranty, but may be covered by your insurance.

From most reports here, few riders have incurred any big costs for repairs due to mechanical failure or a problem that could be traced back to the dealer. Dropping, crashing, knocking over and so on... well, that's something else altogether.

You can see the warranty card here:
viewtopic.php?p=12912#12912

Steezy · Post by **Steezy** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:19 am

Next question...why don't I have the warranty? Is it something the dealer should have given, or do they mail it to me?

weaseltamer · Post by **weaseltamer** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:51 am

if i remember right, mine got mailed with the title, which hadn't arrived at the dealer when i bought mine. but maybe i'm justing wishing for a reason to post, and that never happened. the human psyche is indeed strange.

louie · Post by **louie** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 3:52 am

How important is it to have a hard copy warrenty if you have proof of purchase and maintanance reciepts?

sunshinen · Post by **sunshinen** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 4:07 am

I've spent a lot more on my scooter than I care to admit:

multiple covers (The wind here is apparently very clever)
helmet halo
armored jacket
boots, boots, boots
reflective stickers
windshield
rear rack
basket
snow pants
tights
scooter skirt
reusable, waterproof grocery bags
bright yellow backpack
helmet hair...

But I save a lot more on gas, insurance, car maintenance, parking fees...

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 4:12 am

louie wrote:How important is it to have a hard copy warrenty if you have proof of purchase and maintanance reciepts?

Not important at all, except so you can look at it, appreciate its nostalgic design, and be mystified by the ambiguity of the text. But your Buddy is covered the second you ride away from the dealer.

rossini · Post by **rossini** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 7:38 am

A money pit or a stroke of very bad luck. Very few people I have heard of have had many problems at all. Karma will come back. It always does!

sunshinen · Post by **sunshinen** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 1:05 pm

Steezy wrote: I just last weekend got it back from the shop where they had to do some carborator adjustments to keep it from stalling on me. Then Sunday and Monday we had a noreaster here on the coast, and I found Scootz on its side.

Well, the first fix was free, right?
Mine fell over in this storm, too. Frustrating, but pretty much act-of-God category of events. See Mean ol' Wind for some excellent preventative suggestions.

You've definitely had some bad luck, but I doubt the brake lever or brake pad (not sure which fell off) replacement will cost much, and it should be smooth sailing from here on.

Steezy · Post by **Steezy** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 1:46 pm

I hope so. Its only 6 miles to the dealership, so I'm going to try and drive it in instead of having it picked up. Between the s****y weather that's kept me off of it and knocked it over, and the earlier problem, I feel like I bought a nice thing to look at and worry about. UGH

sunshinen · Post by **sunshinen** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:33 pm

The weekend looks great, and 98% chance you will soon be taking it everywhere at any excuse.

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 3:24 pm

Steezy wrote:I hope so. Its only 6 miles to the dealership, so I'm going to try and drive it in instead of having it picked up. Between the s****y weather that's kept me off of it and knocked it over, and the earlier problem, I feel like I bought a nice thing to look at and worry about. UGH

You can definitely ride—slowly & cautiously—with just a front brake. I had to get my scoot to the dealer (about 4 miles) this way when an SUV knocked it over, taking out my brake lever. The front brake has most of the stopping power anyway.

If something was rubbing against the tire or wheel it may cause more damage if you ride that way. There is free roadside assistance which will tow your Buddy to the dealer for you; the number may be on a sticker in your underseat storage. Someone here can provide the number if you don't have it.

San Francisco · Post by **San Francisco** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 5:03 pm

louie wrote:How important is it to have a hard copy warranty if you have proof of purchase and maintenance receipts?

Most, if not all, warranties are computer-based meaning that the dealer
enters your VIN [vehicle identification number] and your vehicle history
pops up from a national database.

The only thing the Dealer really cares about and looks for is the date the
vehicle was purchased so to determine if the warranty is still applicable.

Generally, vehicle warranties follow the vehicle, not the owner.

In many states, warranty coverage cannot be denied for an owner doing
vehicle maintenance or getting the work done somewhere else besides
the dealer.

But warranty coverage can be denied for an owner's failure to maintain
the vehicle as required by the manufacturer.

Proper maintenance is best proved by receipts, stamps in the book, etc.,
but coverage cannot be denied for lack of such. If one can prove
proper maintenance through other means, that will suffice to show
compliance with the manufacturer's requirements.

Sidenote: Other than doing simple mods, I have all work done by the
dealer because here in San Francisco, in the middle of a private parking
garage [where 100 cars, bikes, and scooters pay for monthly parking]
there is really no place to do oil changes and whatever. Plus, I want
the dealer to work on the scooter since they sold it to me.

But I never take cars to the dealer for maintenance. They are a bunch
of ripoffs, as you know.

Steezy · Post by **Steezy** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 6:24 pm

If someone could post the Roadside assistance number I would be extremely greatful...I could call from work and hopefully be scooting soon!

ScooterDave · Post by **ScooterDave** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 7:42 pm

San Francisco wrote:Proper maintenance is best proved by receipts, stamps in the book, etc.,
but coverage cannot be denied for lack of such. If one can prove
proper maintenance through other means, that will suffice to show
compliance with the manufacturer's requirements.

But I never take cars to the dealer for maintenance. They are a bunch
of ripoffs, as you know.

You need to re-read the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

No, I did not know dealers were ripoffs. I would take my car to a dealer before I took it to a private shop any day of the week.

Dave

EBee · Post by **EBee** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 8:35 pm

I'll have to say it was a rocky beginning for me and my scooter too. First the battery went totally dead, while I was out riding, like two weeks after I got it. Took it back to the shop and they charged it for me.

Then it started leaking entire tanks of gas on the floor...took it back and there was a faulty part that was covered. Had to wait a really really long time for the part...then when I got it back, after a week the battery went dead again.

I decided to buy a new battery and now I haven't had a bit of trouble, starts every time and it's been a blast! I was getting frustrated but it seems for lucky few of us there's a bit of a 'break-in' period to get all the kinks worked out.

Luckily for me most of it happened during warranty. And through it all, my dealer was AWESOME. Don't give up just yet.

San Francisco · Post by **San Francisco** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 9:21 pm

ScooterDave wrote:
San Francisco wrote:Proper maintenance is best proved by receipts, stamps in the book, etc.,
but coverage cannot be denied for lack of such. If one can prove
proper maintenance through other means, that will suffice to show
compliance with the manufacturer's requirements.

But I never take cars to the dealer for maintenance. They are a bunch
of ripoffs, as you know.
You need to re-read the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

No, I did not know dealers were ripoffs. I would take my car to a dealer before I took it to a private shop any day of the week.

Dave

Instead of misleading Members into thinking what I said was inaccurate
you should provide foundation for your official sounding reference to the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Do YOU know what that Act provides for?

I think not, because if YOU read the Act, you would know that all it really
deals with is provision of easy to understand warranties. It also prohibits
companies from disclaiming the "implied warranty." And it only applies if
a company chooses to have a warranty. The Act does NOT even require
a manufacturer provide a warranty.

Above all else, the Mag-Moss Act is not the principal warranty law
pertaining to vehicles. This is because the Act applies to anything that
sells for $25 or more, whether a couch or remote control.

Lastly, the Act is a federal law and does NOT supersede, preempt nor apply
to state laws that regulate warranties that provide similar or greater
protection.

I duly note that you take your car to the dealer because "did not know
dealers were ripoffs." Don't take it from me, so some research
and you will find out the contrary.

Suffice it to say:

There are plenty of news stories, lawsuits, class actions, legislative
records, laws, magazine articles, and millions of consumers' personal
horror stories to support my conclusion.

And personally, I have plenty of evidence, including dealer witness
testimony to support what I say. For example:

1. In one situation, dealer service people from a major German car
manufacturer testified that they make the most money on their
"recommended services" at certain mileage intervals. While the charge
was $1200, for example, the dealer cost was under $100, including labor.
And the service was always done by the most junior mechanics who were
instructed to simply check off without checking the majority of items on
a "200 point" checklist given to the customer.

2. In a class action on service warning lights that flash on, 80% of the
dealers told alarmed consumers to bring the car in immediately for
work. The dealers then charged hundreds to "repair the problem" which
they testified simply involved resetting the light switch.

I could go on, but why take away a customer that dealers love.

Bonus Comment: You need to read the Act:

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/ ... 10_50.html

Sidenote: Sorry for the terse retort, but I used to argue as a profession
and you sounded like a pissed off Judge telling me to read up on
something. Flashback thing and all.

polianarchy · Post by **polianarchy** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 7:48 pm

Steezy wrote:If someone could post the Roadside assistance number I would be extremely greatful...I could call from work and hopefully be scooting soon!

1-866-311-8982
I have it programmed in my cell phone, and find that useful.

BTW, I bought my jawnz in December and still haven't gotten my Roadside Assistance envelope. If I didn't have ModernBuddy.com, I wouldn't even have this number. I even had to give it to my dealer the other day! SHEESH!!!

San Francisco · Post by **San Francisco** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 8:51 pm

polianarchy wrote:
Steezy wrote:If someone could post the Roadside assistance number I would be extremely greatful...I could call from work and hopefully be scooting soon!
1-866-311-8982
I have it programmed in my cell phone, and find that useful.

BTW, I bought my jawnz in December and still haven't gotten my Roadside Assistance envelope. If I didn't have Modern Buddy.com, I wouldn't even have this number. I even had to give it to my dealer the other day! SHEESH!!!

I did not receive squat on the roadside assistance.

How about posting a thread with this number and telling us how it all works.

Sure would be nice to know.

Is that a dispatch number and they call any motorcycle tow company?
Is it I pay then they reimburse?

I have a tow guy in SF I like to use and sure would be nice if I could pick
him as the assistance person.

Sidenote: I think Genuine and the Buddy are fine, no, make that superb.
But it is rather surprising that they advertise the road assistance as a
feature, but then don't provide anything at the time of sale on how to
use it.

With my BMW cars I have bought they gave an envelope to put into the car,
a temp plastic card, and they posted the phone numbers to call in the
glove box and on the inside of the trunk lid. Later in the mail came
a "benefits" envelope explaining everything and a plastic card with my
name on it.

Sidenote 2: My cell phone directory now looks like I have a friend
named "Buddy." That's kind of hillbilly sounding in my book, literally.

Post by **ericalm** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 9:07 pm

I think the problem is that Roadside Assistance is contracted out and that company is slow to send out the info. It basically works like an insurance policy covering you and your scoot for the duration.

You call RA, then they dispatch a truck. You don't have to pay, but you also can't pick your own towing co. Their documentation says they don't reimburse for towing, so if you call someone else, you're out of luck.

One problem with RA is that they occasionally have trouble finding an available tow which can handle a MC—need a truck with a bed or flatbed.

captaintg · Post by **captaintg** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 9:16 pm

Hilarious- I have a "buddy" contact in my cell phone as well now.

My question is, are we automatically covered when we purchase the Buddy, or do we have to wait until we actually get our RA card?

Post by **ericalm** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 9:31 pm

You're covered the second you take possession of the scoot.

captaintg · Post by **captaintg** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 9:39 pm

Roger that.

Thanks

JokerJim · Post by **JokerJim** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 11:08 pm

I just added ROADSIDE ASS to my cell phone.

Is that only funny to me?

Joker

louie · Post by **louie** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 2:38 am

San Francisco wrote:
With my BMW cars I have bought they gave an envelope to put into the car,
a temp plastic card, and they posted the phone numbers to call in the
glove box and on the inside of the trunk lid. Later in the mail came
a "benefits" envelope explaining everything and a plastic card with my
name on it.

Sidenote 2: My cell phone directory now looks like I have a friend
named "Buddy." That's kind of hillbilly sounding in my book, literally.

In a new BMW I would certainly expect that service. I'm sure they had any assistance issues ironed out years ago. It's probably even worth a grand or two alone.
BTW, Billy's hillbilly, Buddy's just familiar, as in "I love my buddy".

So SF, go easy on my feelings, I'm both a hillbilly and a happy penny pincher...different strokes for different folks.

gt1000 · Post by **gt1000** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 3:06 am

Memo to self: don't argue law with San Francisco.

Last Fall, it was taking about 2 months on average for the roadside assistance package to arrive in the mail. But, as long as you have the number, you're covered. As an aside to the above referenced fellow Ducati owner, it also took a while for my Ducati roadside assistance stuff to arrive as well. I have both programmed into my cell phone but have not needed either yet (knocking furiously on wood).

ScooterDave · Post by **ScooterDave** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 5:17 am

San Francisco wrote:
I have a tow guy in SF I like to use and sure would be nice if I could pick
him as the assistance person.

With my BMW cars I have bought they gave an envelope to put into the car,
a temp plastic card, and they posted the phone numbers to call in the
glove box and on the inside of the trunk lid. Later in the mail came
a "benefits" envelope explaining everything and a plastic card with my
name on it.

Sidenote 2: My cell phone directory now looks like I have a friend
named "Buddy." That's kind of hillbilly sounding in my book, literally.

Lose the chip dude.

I can almost quote the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act by heart from my former career.

It is also quite obvious you have not bought a new BMW lately. If you had you would appreciate the service from the dealer. Loaner cars for oil changes are just the tip of the iceburg. All service including oil changes are included for 4 years/50,000 miles. Even for a low 30's 3 series.

If that is getting ripped off by going to a dealer for service, they they are doing it while putting a smile on your face.

Dave

Did I just invest in a money pit?

Did I just invest in a money pit?

Re: Did I just invest in a money pit?