the jury is out on this "stealership" - nklr

[Fred Hink]

Eddie,   Thank you for your attempt at the NKLR in your subject line.  First off this is about your KLR and so a NKLR is not required, also the ish added to your NKLR serves no purpose.  I feel you and others are missing the point and the function of using the NKLR rule.  This isn t about warning others of non-KLR content, it is so that anyone that doesn t want to read non-KLR content has a way to filter out those messages through their email program.  As long as you have NKLR in the subject line, those filters kick in and that person won t even see your message, ish or not.  Your message is either NKLR or it isn t.   The real reason I am responding to your letter is because of the use of Stealership in your subject line.  I know it is a trendy catchy word and it most likely doesn t mean much to you but for us in the business of helping motorcycles and their owners, this is an insult to us all.  There are good motorcycle shops and not so good motorcycle shops but labeling them all with this broad sweeping term is not fair to you and the dealer.  I can guarantee you that if you came into my shop with the attitude that I was a thief and was going to rip you off that our business deal would not work to your best interests.  Most motorcycle shops are in the business of helping motorcycles and their owners because we love dealing with motorcycles and people.  To be able to do this we have to make a profit and hopefully do a good job fixing the bike and getting you the right parts.  Like I said some are better at that than others.   It is good you have found an honorable dealer and it is pretty common for a dealer to offer the best deal they can when trying to fix a particular problem.  You have to look at why this person did what he did.  He could have told you that you had to buy a $500 a speedometer without doing any of the work and you would have said no, that is too expensive and walked out.  The way he did it was to offer you an alternative so that he still has your bike to work on and makes his profit from the other jobs he would do on your bike.  It s all about business and taking care of his customers needs.    Your speedometer problem is most likely the drive unit on the front wheel.  It is common for the drive dog to get bent when the wheel is removed and replaced to not get lined up properly and it gets bent when the axle is tightened.  It can be straightened easily but if not fixed soon can damage the hub and then it becomes not fixable and expensive.  So it is good that your dealer caught this and hopefully your hub isn t damaged.  He has done you a good job and doesn t deserve the term Stealership . Fred http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com   [b]From:[/b] eddiebmauri@... [b]Sent:[/b] Monday, March 10, 2014 7:37 AM [b]To:[/b] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [b]Subject:[/b] [DSN_KLR650] Re The Jury is Out on This "Stealership" - NKLR-ish    

    Sent from Windows Mail OK, so I just moved into the Midland TX area and was looking around for a KLR mechanic; my KLR need some repairs to the speedometer and  to replace the valve cover gasket.  I decided to take it to a local Stealership.   The Stealership shop said that the part for the Speedometer might be fairly expensive so if I wanted to, I could buy a used speedometer off the internet and they would install a used part.  But, they said that they would not provide any warranty if I went with a used part - far enough.  My jaw dropped!   I have never seen any Stealership that would try to save you money by using  a part that you provide.  Let alone telling you where to go find a cheaper used part than the one that they sell!  It turned out that the speedometer issue was a bent part, and they fixed it - gulp - for free!?  They are only going to charge me for the valve cover.   I think I am starting to like these guys.  The jury is out until I and test ride to check the results; and get the bill.   Eddie (Who recently left the United State and moved into Texas, Republic of.............)   P.S.  Please accept my apologies a priori if anyone feels that this is not an appropriate topic for this venerated newsgroup.  Many times I see topics on this newsgroup that I might not be interested in and I hit the Delete button without reading it.  But, that's just me.

[ron criswell]

I agree Fred, there are good dealers and bad dealers and the dealer I go to, I trust and like everyone there....except one guy.....who tried to sell me something I knew he was Wrong on. He got so huffy, I called the owner and complained to him about this guy. The guy called me back all pissed saying he bet he had been working on motorcycles probably longer than I had been riding. Heh, I had him beat by about 15 years. I quit going to the dealer because of him.....but have started going back because they have good prices and I like and trust everybody but him. I haven't seen him in a while so maybe he has gone. It was the front brake on the KLR which he tried selling me a new caliper......I just disagreed. Finally out in Moab me and a friend took the rotor off.....it was warped, not noticeable on the bike. You sold me a MAP bigger rotor and been a happy camper ever since. The caliper was dirty (mud riding) and froze up warping the rotor. My wife is the CFO for a company that owns quite a few dealerships. They try and be as honest as they can.....but still pay the light bill. They don't make much money on the sale of new cars, because all dealers sell a particular car for about the same price being as competitive As it is. They make their money on finance, warranties, service, trade ins and used car sales. If you get screwed it is you that didn't do your homework on buying the car. Criswell Sent from my iPad

On Mar 10, 2014, at 9:35 AM, "Fred Hink" wrote:

  Eddie,   Thank you for your attempt at the NKLR in your subject line.  First off this is about your KLR and so a NKLR is not required, also the ish added to your NKLR serves no purpose.  I feel you and others are missing the point and the function of using the NKLR rule.  This isn t about warning others of non-KLR content, it is so that anyone that doesn t want to read non-KLR content has a way to filter out those messages through their email program.  As long as you have NKLR in the subject line, those filters kick in and that person won t even see your message, ish or not.  Your message is either NKLR or it isn t.   The real reason I am responding to your letter is because of the use of Stealership in your subject line.  I know it is a trendy catchy word and it most likely doesn t mean much to you but for us in the business of helping motorcycles and their owners, this is an insult to us all.  There are good motorcycle shops and not so good motorcycle shops but labeling them all with this broad sweeping term is not fair to you and the dealer.  I can guarantee you that if you came into my shop with the attitude that I was a thief and was going to rip you off that our business deal would not work to your best interests.  Most motorcycle shops are in the business of helping motorcycles and their owners because we love dealing with motorcycles and people.  To be able to do this we have to make a profit and hopefully do a good job fixing the bike and getting you the right parts.  Like I said some are better at that than others.   It is good you have found an honorable dealer and it is pretty common for a dealer to offer the best deal they can when trying to fix a particular problem.  You have to look at why this person did what he did.  He could have told you that you had to buy a $500 a speedometer without doing any of the work and you would have said no, that is too expensive and walked out.  The way he did it was to offer you an alternative so that he still has your bike to work on and makes his profit from the other jobs he would do on your bike.  It s all about business and taking care of his customers needs.    Your speedometer problem is most likely the drive unit on the front wheel.  It is common for the drive dog to get bent when the wheel is removed and replaced to not get lined up properly and it gets bent when the axle is tightened.  It can be straightened easily but if not fixed soon can damage the hub and then it becomes not fixable and expensive.  So it is good that your dealer caught this and hopefully your hub isn t damaged.  He has done you a good job and doesn t deserve the term Stealership . Fred http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com   [b]From:[/b] eddiebmauri@... [b]Sent:[/b] Monday, March 10, 2014 7:37 AM [b]To:[/b] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [b]Subject:[/b] [DSN_KLR650] Re The Jury is Out on This "Stealership" - NKLR-ish         Sent from Windows Mail OK, so I just moved into the Midland TX area and was looking around for a KLR mechanic; my KLR need some repairs to the speedometer and  to replace the valve cover gasket.  I decided to take it to a local Stealership.   The Stealership shop said that the part for the Speedometer might be fairly expensive so if I wanted to, I could buy a used speedometer off the internet and they would install a used part.  But, they said that they would not provide any warranty if I went with a used part - far enough.  My jaw dropped!   I have never seen any Stealership that would try to save you money by using  a part that you provide.  Let alone telling you where to go find a cheaper used part than the one that they sell!  It turned out that the speedometer issue was a bent part, and they fixed it - gulp - for free!?  They are only going to charge me for the valve cover.   I think I am starting to like these guys.  The jury is out until I and test ride to check the results; and get the bill.   Eddie (Who recently left the United State and moved into Texas, Republic of.............)   P.S.  Please accept my apologies a priori if anyone feels that this is not an appropriate topic for this venerated newsgroup.  Many times I see topics on this newsgroup that I might not be interested in and I hit the Delete button without reading it.  But, that's just me.

[Stephen North]

If you ever find your self in northern Vermont, Roadside Motorsports is a GREAT Dealership. I bought my first KLR (and many others) from them and they are first class. They always try to match Internet pricing when they can, and they understand lots of owners like to work on their own rides. They consider you family after the sale and want you as a customer for life. I've hired them to do jobs just because I like them and they can do it faster than I could anyway. I've never been to Freds shop, but judging from his posts here I believe his business model is the same. Not everybody is out to screw you. Stitches Afloat LLC 4580 Harbor Road Shelburne Vermont 05482 802-985-9547 www.stitchesafloat.com stitchesafloat@...

[zoot]

Some years ago, in-laws bought me a gift certificate for my birthday from Fred. Couldn't get over how kindly they were treated. That from a lady who knows the difference between exceptional restaurants, and those that are only impressed with themselves. Nice job representing the motorcycle community Fred. A sterling impression. Todd

[Fred Hink]

Thank you Todd for your kind remarks.  The reason I wrote yesterday what I did was not to be able to pat myself on the back but to show that we are all in this (motorcycles) together.  When there is an Us vs Them mentality then no one wins.  Most motorcycle shops are run by people who love motorcycles first and are business people second.  When any term is repeated long enough then it becomes accepted and I just wanted to point out that not all dealerships should be looked at as the bad guy.  They need you as much as you need them.   And a short not about my position on this list.  It has been a fine balancing act juggling moderator duties with personal and business interests.  I m sure that my place here may have hurt my business at times but at least I hope I have been fair and a positive influence on this list. (some will disagree I m sure)  I may not be a list moderator or business person the rest of my life but I will for sure be a motorcyclist until they pry my cold dead fingers from my grips.  HA   Back to your regularly scheduled programming....... Fred http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com   [b]From:[/b] zootpatutie@... [b]Sent:[/b] Tuesday, March 11, 2014 7:38 AM [b]To:[/b] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [b]Subject:[/b] Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Re The Jury is Out on This "Stealership" - ****-ish     Some years ago, in-laws bought me a gift certificate for my birthday from Fred. Couldn't get over how kindly they were treated. That from a lady who knows the difference between exceptional restaurants, and those that are only impressed with themselves. Nice job representing the motorcycle community Fred. A sterling impression. Todd

[Ronald Criswell]

We love ya Fred. Criswell On Mar 11, 2014, at 9:34 AM, Fred Hink wrote:

Thank you Todd for your kind remarks.  The reason I wrote yesterday what I did was not to be able to pat myself on the back but to show that we are all in this (motorcycles) together.  When there is an Us vs Them mentality then no one wins.  Most motorcycle shops are run by people who love motorcycles first and are business people second.  When any term is repeated long enough then it becomes accepted and I just wanted to point out that not all dealerships should be looked at as the bad guy.  They need you as much as you need them. And a short not about my position on this list.  It has been a fine balancing act juggling moderator duties with personal and business interests.  I m sure that my place here may have hurt my business at times but at least I hope I have been fair and a positive influence on this list. (some will disagree I m sure)  I may not be a list moderator or business person the rest of my life but I will for sure be a motorcyclist until they pry my cold dead fingers from my grips.  HA Back to your regularly scheduled programming....... Fred http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com  From: zootpatutie@...Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 7:38 AMTo: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.comSubject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Re The Jury is Out on This "Stealership" - ****-ish  Some years ago, in-laws bought me a gift certificate for my birthday  from Fred. Couldn't get over how kindly they were treated. That from a  lady who knows the difference between exceptional restaurants, and those  that are only impressed with themselves. Nice job representing the motorcycle community Fred. A sterling impression. Todd

[Jeff Khoury]

To anyone who has any reservations about doing business with Fred, I can only say... DON'T. Last May my brother and I were on our way to Moab on a trip just looking for a good time. My brother (after riding in from Oklahoma) developed chain/sprocket issues in Winslow. We limped it in to Kayenta on hopes and dreams with his chain spitting rollers and his sprockets hosed. We placed a call to Fred, and without a second thought, he gave a member of our group already in Moab a new chain and sprockets for his KLR and even refused to take my credit card number, only saying "Just pay me when you get here." That kind of customer service and faith in someone he'd never met was truly above and beyond. He saved us at least a day on our vacation dealing with this problem. Once we got to Moab, he had all of the stuff we needed and charged us very reasonable rates for the parts and a tire change for Justin. I can't recommend him enough, whether you're in town or out. -Jeff Khoury

----- Original Message ----- From: "Fred Hink" To: "DSN KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>, "zoot" Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 7:34:48 AM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Re The Jury is Out on This "Stealership" - ****-ish Thank you Todd for your kind remarks. The reason I wrote yesterday what I did was not to be able to pat myself on the back but to show that we are all in this (motorcycles) together. When there is an Us vs Them mentality then no one wins. Most motorcycle shops are run by people who love motorcycles first and are business people second. When any term is repeated long enough then it becomes accepted and I just wanted to point out that not all dealerships should be looked at as the bad guy. They need you as much as you need them. And a short not about my position on this list. It has been a fine balancing act juggling moderator duties with personal and business interests. I m sure that my place here may have hurt my business at times but at least I hope I have been fair and a positive influence on this list. (some will disagree I m sure) I may not be a list moderator or business person the rest of my life but I will for sure be a motorcyclist until they pry my cold dead fingers from my grips. HA Back to your regularly scheduled programming....... Fred http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com From: zoot Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 7:38 AM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Re The Jury is Out on This "Stealership" - ****-ish Some years ago, in-laws bought me a gift certificate for my birthday from Fred. Couldn't get over how kindly they were treated. That from a lady who knows the difference between exceptional restaurants, and those that are only impressed with themselves. Nice job representing the motorcycle community Fred. A sterling impression. Todd

[mark ward]

YA Fred, We would want to keep you around, Even if you did not own, ........THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS CORVETTE (USA Today 2012 July.) http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/07/check-out-our-gallery-of-60th-anniversary-corvettes/1#.UOhP4_fn9hE PS. While USA Today gave you 15 minutes, Motorcycles are what, .............MAKES YOU KNOWN WORLD WIDE, And even in many cell phone contacts list.

[b]From:[/b] Ronald Criswell [b]To:[/b] Fred Hink [b]Cc:[/b] KLR Group DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>; zoot [b]Sent:[/b] Tuesday, March 11, 2014 11:20 AM [b]Subject:[/b] Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Re The Jury is Out on This "Stealership" - ****-ish   We love ya Fred. CriswellOn Mar 11, 2014, at 9:34 AM, Fred Hink wrote: Thank you Todd for your kind remarks.  The reason I wrote yesterday what I did was not to be able to pat myself on the back but to show that we are all in this (motorcycles) together.  When there is an Us vs Them mentality then no one wins.  Most motorcycle shops are run by people who love motorcycles first and are business people second.  When any term is repeated long enough then it becomes accepted and I just wanted to point out that not all dealerships should be looked at as the bad guy.  They need you as much as you need them. And a short not about my position on this list.  It has been a fine balancing act juggling moderator duties with personal and business interests.  I m sure that my place here may have hurt my business at times but at least I hope I have been fair and a positive influence on this list. (some will disagree I m sure)  I may not be a list moderator or business person the rest of my life but I will for sure be a motorcyclist until they pry my cold dead fingers from my grips.  HA Back to your regularly scheduled programming....... Fredhttp://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com/ [b]From:[/b] zootpatutie@...[b]Sent:[/b] Tuesday, March 11, 2014 7:38 AM[b]To:[/b] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com[b]Subject:[/b] Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Re The Jury is Out on This "Stealership" - ****-ish  Some years ago, in-laws bought me a gift certificate for my birthday  from Fred. Couldn't get over how kindly they were treated. That from a  lady who knows the difference between exceptional restaurants, and those  that are only impressed with themselves. Nice job representing the motorcycle community Fred. A sterling impression. Todd

[mark ward]

SO! When in Moab, Buy Fred lunch, when near Seattle, (and roaming many other states) Buy John Biccum lunch.

[b]From:[/b] Jeff Khoury [b]To:[/b] Fred Hink [b]Cc:[/b] DSN KLR650 DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>; zoot [b]Sent:[/b] Tuesday, March 11, 2014 12:02 PM [b]Subject:[/b] Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Re The Jury is Out on This "Stealership" - ****-ish   To anyone who has any reservations about doing business with Fred, I can only say... DON'T. Last May my brother and I were on our way to Moab on a trip just looking for a good time. My brother (after riding in from Oklahoma) developed chain/sprocket issues in Winslow. We limped it in to Kayenta on hopes and dreams with his chain spitting rollers and his sprockets hosed. We placed a call to Fred, and without a second thought, he gave a member of our group already in Moab a new chain and sprockets for his KLR and even refused to take my credit card number, only saying "Just pay me when you get here." That kind of customer service and faith in someone he'd never met was truly above and beyond. He saved us at least a day on our vacation dealing with this problem. Once we got to Moab, he had all of the stuff we needed and charged us very reasonable rates for the parts and a tire change for Justin. I can't recommend him enough, whether you're in town or out. -Jeff Khoury ----- Original Message ----- From: "Fred Hink" To: "DSN KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>, "zoot" Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 7:34:48 AM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Re The Jury is Out on This "Stealership" - ****-ish Thank you Todd for your kind remarks. The reason I wrote yesterday what I did was not to be able to pat myself on the back but to show that we are all in this (motorcycles) together. When there is an Us vs Them mentality then no one wins. Most motorcycle shops are run by people who love motorcycles first and are business people second. When any term is repeated long enough then it becomes accepted and I just wanted to point out that not all dealerships should be looked at as the bad guy. They need you as much as you need them. And a short not about my position on this list. It has been a fine balancing act juggling moderator duties with personal and business interests. I m sure that my place here may have hurt my business at times but at least I hope I have been fair and a positive influence on this list. (some will disagree I m sure) I may not be a list moderator or business person the rest of my life but I will for sure be a motorcyclist until they pry my cold dead fingers from my grips. HA Back to your regularly scheduled programming....... Fred http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com From: zoot Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 7:38 AM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Re The Jury is Out on This "Stealership" - ****-ish Some years ago, in-laws bought me a gift certificate for my birthday from Fred. Couldn't get over how kindly they were treated. That from a lady who knows the difference between exceptional restaurants, and those that are only impressed with themselves. Nice job representing the motorcycle community Fred. A sterling impression. Todd

[Fred Hink]

Thanks Jeff, I did the easy part, you should really be thanking John Biccum. He was the one burning up his gas and vacation time to bring you those parts. I find continually through the years that KLR owners are by far the most giving, helpful and easy to get along with group of motorcycle riders there is. Fred http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com -----Original Message----- From: Jeff Khoury Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 10:02 AM To: Fred Hink Cc: DSN KLR650 ; zoot Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Re The Jury is Out on This "Stealership" - ****-ish To anyone who has any reservations about doing business with Fred, I can only say... DON'T. Last May my brother and I were on our way to Moab on a trip just looking for a good time. My brother (after riding in from Oklahoma) developed chain/sprocket issues in Winslow. We limped it in to Kayenta on hopes and dreams with his chain spitting rollers and his sprockets hosed. We placed a call to Fred, and without a second thought, he gave a member of our group already in Moab a new chain and sprockets for his KLR and even refused to take my credit card number, only saying "Just pay me when you get here." That kind of customer service and faith in someone he'd never met was truly above and beyond. He saved us at least a day on our vacation dealing with this problem. Once we got to Moab, he had all of the stuff we needed and charged us very reasonable rates for the parts and a tire change for Justin. I can't recommend him enough, whether you're in town or out. -Jeff Khoury

----- Original Message ----- From: "Fred Hink" To: "DSN KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>, "zoot" Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 7:34:48 AM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Re The Jury is Out on This "Stealership" - ****-ish Thank you Todd for your kind remarks. The reason I wrote yesterday what I did was not to be able to pat myself on the back but to show that we are all in this (motorcycles) together. When there is an Us vs Them mentality then no one wins. Most motorcycle shops are run by people who love motorcycles first and are business people second. When any term is repeated long enough then it becomes accepted and I just wanted to point out that not all dealerships should be looked at as the bad guy. They need you as much as you need them. And a short not about my position on this list. It has been a fine balancing act juggling moderator duties with personal and business interests. I m sure that my place here may have hurt my business at times but at least I hope I have been fair and a positive influence on this list. (some will disagree I m sure) I may not be a list moderator or business person the rest of my life but I will for sure be a motorcyclist until they pry my cold dead fingers from my grips. HA Back to your regularly scheduled programming....... Fred http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com From: zoot Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 7:38 AM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Re The Jury is Out on This "Stealership" - ****-ish Some years ago, in-laws bought me a gift certificate for my birthday from Fred. Couldn't get over how kindly they were treated. That from a lady who knows the difference between exceptional restaurants, and those that are only impressed with themselves. Nice job representing the motorcycle community Fred. A sterling impression. Todd