Not looking for a magic answer here, but I don't believe anyone but all you guys would understand my pain (anger) right now. I apologise in advance for the lengthy post.

I was finally able to learn from Yami Motors Canada, last week, that my bike (2000 Silverado) had not been taken in for the tranny recall. When I asked them who their best people were in my area, they mentioned the 5-star program, which they state is designed to identify those dealers committed to providing the best end-to-end customer service in the business...

Contacted such a dealer in my area and was told to bring the bike in on Monday, and that the bike would be ready for pick-up on Wednesday, this being a 10-hour job.
Wednesday came and went, but not wanting to rush them and hoping they'd take extra care of the bike, I waited until Thursday, late afternoon to call the dealer, as I had not heard anything. The Service Manager, who I'd dealt with, wasn't in and they told me they had just started working on it Thursday and it might or might not be finished on Friday. I figured I'd call him back this morning to see if he could make sure to finish the job today.

Manager still wasn't in this morning and when I asked at what time he was expected to come in, the receptionist, quite bothered by now, merely answered: "no idea." I then asked if anyone else present could tell me if I could pick the bike up today. The owner himself came on the line, which reassured me. But then he said he didn't know whether the bike would be ready today, as the motor was out of the frame. I said I understood it was a substantial job, but that their Manager had told me the bike was to be ready on Wednesday, and that they had then told me they just started working on it on Thursday. He simply said I could come by and see the motor out of the frame if I wanted and that 'there was a lot of stuff on there', and mine wasn't 'the only bike they had to work on'. He then called me, and I quote, 'cheap-ass' for bringing my own oil to them (they use Yami, I use Mobil1 V-twin syn). You see, I ride my dad's old bike, he having passed away last year, so I'm sure you'll understand how much I value the roadie. Having never read anything good about the Yamilube on here...

He then proceeded to call me arrogant and continuously cut me off as I was trying to explain to him that the reason I came to him for Service was that Yamaha had referred me to them as a Five-Star dealer, just kept cutting me off threatening not to touch the bike to finish the job and ended up saying he would instruct his mechanic not to touch it anymore until at least next week, he then hung up on me.

I was as courteous and polite as I could, as I do consider myself a humble, Catholic man and as such put every effort in being pleasant, courteous and helpful to all around me. Sounds corny, but I swear to you it's true. All this being said, I am now very afraid that they might simply botch the job in addition to delaying it as much as they can, knowing well I have absolutely no resources available and am completely helpless in the matter. Bottom line, they hold the bike.

I know a couple of members are from the QC or even ON area so as soon as I get my bike back, I'll post the dealer's name here in hopes of preventing any member from going through the same deal I'm stuck in.

Thanks for allowing me to vent, fellas, keep up the good work.

I would call these A-holes back and record the call. I'd just about bet you'll get the same (or if possible worse) treatment. That's when I'd be ready to call Yamaha Corporate and let them know if this is the way "5-Star" dealers treat customers, you'd hate to see how lesser dealers conduct their business. There's no need for such treatment.

Hate that this happens as often as it does, but you did the right thing in trying to determine up front who could be trusted to do the right thing and who can't. It's a shame. This dealer could have made a friend here and maybe even sold a bike. Rather they've got you spreading the word of your shoddy treatment. A bad deal all the way around.

M7

That really stinks...I think I'd call Yami again because they obviously don't have any insight into his practice and he certainly does not sound like he shoulc be a 5 star. Or at least I hope they don't, and its not a matter of that Yamaha just doesn't care.
May be you can get DOC to fix it....he's on that side of the border....
I'm not sure what your recourse really would be, but it certainly is not a good situation. I wonder if your service manager might be able to assist...unofficially.....I think I'd try and contact him.

Good luck.

hard to imagine how some dealers stay in business. I hope you get your bike back soon.

Dude! that sucks!! I would go to the dealer in person staying in as polite attitude as possible and see what you can find out. It's amazing how people react in person compared to on the phone. It is also wise to be "cool" until you get your bike back so it doesn't get messed up I would call Yamaha customer service if you do not get a satisfactory answer from the dealer in person.
Good Luck I hope it will work out for you too.

Steven

I had the recall done on my bike. The people that did it were top notch and I have been dealing with them for some time. That being said, there were still some things wrong.
I don't think there are very many mechanics that would ever do anything to endanger you.
One thing I would recommend is that when you get your bike back, take the seat off, take the tank off.
And give it a really good going over, clean everything, I use cleaning as an excuse to look for loose or damaged things.
I promises you something is going to be loose.
On my bike it was the fuel, choke bracket.
Just something to get your mind around.
Check the heads, make sure the bolts are tight, just give everything a good looking over and check the tightness of what ever you can.
It will take a while but in the long run, your going to feel better about it.

Remember to breath...
Howie

Yea, I would go in person and explain, you are not interested in how long it is going to take. You just are excited about gettting it back and having it in top shape. Appologize for the oil and explain that Dad would have had it no other way.

THEN, after you get your bike back, slam them with both barrels. Call Yami, customer service, call all of your friends and run an add if you want, but be nice until......

Ya know, there's always the option to picket this dealer too. Find out how to do it legally, and let him know that you absolutely will make it your mission in life to let everyone that might even be thinking of doing business with him how you were treated. If he's smart he will know how much damage you can do to a dealers business by walking on front carrying a sign. And yeah, do it on a SATURDAY when most folks are shopping for a new bike. I know you've got friends, bring 'em along to walk that line with you.

I'd for sure let him know that if you find that he's screwed you over on the tranny recall, that you'll be back, sign in hand until the job is done right.

I think we still have free speech down here in the U.S. (McCain-Feingold being the notable exception). And last I knew that was the case in Canada too. Make it work for you.

M7

I hate relying on manufacturer's dealer ratings. The dealers tend to manage to the 'recommended' program which just doesn't always hit the mark for the actual consumer.

But this is something we can do something about. A lot of folks visit the clinic a couple of times a month. We have a GREAT directory component in our software here. If we can encourage folks to add their dealers (good and bad) to the directory we have a place where the membership can rate them and review them. Over time that could become really valuable if we get enough folks using it.

So PLEASE add this dealer to our directory. After we approve the new entry, you will be able to rate and review them.

If it gets large enough, the dealers will start caring about their ratings there.

Go to our home page, select the 'star web directory' from the main menu, then select the 'dealers' link. There will be an option near the top of the page to add an entry to the directory.

Gram

Thanks Guys.

I actually wrote Yami Customer Relations just before I came here, sent them a little more detail and asked them whether they could help. I figured that was just about the only recourse I had.

The two problems I have are that the Service Manager is the owner's son (there goes that option), and that I'm just about as hot-blooded as they come, I don't think it'd be such a good idea for me to go in person just yet, I'll do as Hotelfox suggested and give it a breather over the weekend.

Gram, I'll definitely set-up this dealer on the list once I get my bike back, I know they're on a few french forums up here so I don't want to put their name for a search engine to find just yet.

As soon as I get the bike back, I'll take it to my regular mechanic, very small husband/wife/son operation as honest as they come. They'll give it a 'complete physical', just in case.

In any case, thanks again.