Complaint Review: Battlefield Harley Davidson - Gettysburg Pennsylvania

Just prior to departing on vacation, my starter began acting up on 1976 Custom Superglide. We had to push start it several times on October 8th. After arriving in Carlisle, PA the problem seemed to remedy itself and the bike started and also kick started without problem.

On the morning on October 9th, my husband went outside to wipe the bikes off and again the bike would not start. I called Battlefield H-D and spoke to Josh Farace, Service Writer who told me to bring it in and they would see if they had the parts, etc. I arrived there at 10:30 am on October 9th and indeed they had the starter parts in stock. I was assured by the Sheldon Clopper, whom I believe if the Service Manager, that I would have the bike by 5:00 pm that day and that he would personally work on it himself.

At 4:00 pm when I returned to the dealership, the bike was on the lift, Sheldon was in the showroom and Josh informed me that the bike would not be done by 5:00 pm, but stated that they could put it back together and I could ride as it was when it arrived. (I should have been alerted then that the work was just beginning, if indeed they could reassemble it in an hour).

The following day my husband and I made the 35 mile trip back to the shop from Carlisle to Gettysburg. At 10:30 am I entered the shop and saw my motorcycle sitting on the floor (not on the lift) and was feeling somewhat better because I was "assuming" that they were near completion. I asked when to expect the bike to be ready and Josh said it would be ready by 3:00. So, off we went to tour Gettsyburg. At 3:00 pm we returned and were told that they were finishing up, etc. So I went into the showroom to do some shopping. About 10 minutes later, Randy Bradley who is the General Manager taps me on the shoulder and asks if he could speak to me about my motorcycle. I then follow him to back to the shop.

At this point he leads me into the actual area where my motorcycle is again sitting on the lift. He informs me that my motorcycle is damaged. That the lift broke during the night and my motorcycle went off the lift and landed on its right side. Upon inspection of the motorcycle, I was in shock. Many broken and bent parts, some now missing because they had removed them. I was informed that they were attempting to make it rideable. RIDEABLE! I was so angry, I was yelling profanity like a drunken sailor. After 10 minutes of screaming at them and informing them that I was not riding a motorcycle that was not in top condition, I left to find my husband to inform him of the events that had just unfolded.

Now, I am 5 1/2 hours from home. I have had to spend one additional night in a hotel beyond my original plans. Now I must figure out how to get home and when. I now find my husband speaking to the owner. I ask him why no one informed me at 10:30 in the morning of this event. He informs us that it was his decision, because they thought they could reassemble it by the time I returned, or as he said "make it rideable" so that I could take it home to my mechanic and have him do the repairs and send them him the bill.

Now I am really angry. Besides not telling me at 10:30 am, now they want me to ride home on a bike that will not have all its parts and have me go through the process of hauling it to a mechanic and getting the repairs done. When I asked them to provide me with alternative transportation I was informed they do not have loaners, but yet they do rent motorcycles. I then asked for a trailer to put behind my husbands bike to enable us to get our belongings home and was told they do not have trailers either. I asked for help with hotel costs, etc. and was not given that request as well.

I need to know if they are liable for any costs incurred to me as a result of their neglence (ie; meals, hotel, gas, etc.) They have agreed to fix the bike and haul it to my home. But what if the repairs are not satisfactory. I am very skeptical of a business that makes a decision not to inform a customer of an accident involving their property and then offers no alternatives to assist with the inconvenience caused as a direct result of their actions.

Nancy

Gillett, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.

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