Complaint Review: Honda/Yamaha/Indian of Knoxville TN - Knoxville Tennessee

Honda/Yamaha of Knoxville on Clinton Hwy, Knoxville is also owned by the same family that owns the (2) Harley Davidson of Knoxville dealerships. With no animosity intended, in 1991 I was faced with a rude service department when vacationing and having a warranty issue on a bike purchased in my home state of WI.

In 2001, now living in FL but working a temp job in Knoxville, I visited the same location on Clinton Hwy when a rear brake caliper issue developed. The parts department was rude that caused me to order the part from the original dealership in WI from years earlier.

In 2008 when looking to trade in my 1989 Ultra on a new 2008 Ultra I researched for 2 months for the best price and dealership. Now having moved to Knoxville, I wanted to buy locally and for 3 weeks spoke to a salesman at the Clinton Hwy location, agreeing on a price. Paying cash for the bike, I was still sent to the finance mgr that increased the price $7000. I got up, told the mgr how deceptive it was, how I wasted my time and that I would NOT return to any store affiliated.

Since moving to Knoxville, TN in 2004, I have done business elsewhere than Knoxville HD on Clinton Hwy or Lovel road.

Attending a bike night on 10/30 in the old city, I spoke with an employee of the conglomerate dealing with Honda/Yamaha of Knoxville, next door to the Knoxville of HD store as I was wearing Indian motorcycle clothing. Informed then that Indian/Polaris would be sold at Honda/Yamaha of Knoxville I spewed out my store/feelings dating back to 1991.

Still, looking to be the better person and letting bygones be bygones, I chose to get up and drive my bike of choice...a 2014 Indian Chieftain by the Polaris company to Honda/Yamaha of Knoxville and found the bike I had been looking for. That is a 2015 Indian Roadmaster and in the color of choice...red!

I asked specifically from a sales man whose name I would be happy to divulge, if the Roadmaster was "spoken for". The reply was NO! I related my story to not just the salesman but to the General Manager, a new parts man from Indiana and a 4th person on the sales staff and that I had no faith or confidence or trust in Harley Davidson of Knoxville.

I was told by ALL that others had experienced problems in the past with the store next door and the family that owned the business. I was told that their store was being run different and that they wanted my business. In the course of a good hours time, all became aware of my passion for the Indian brand and that I am a long-term enthusiast.

Prior to my leaving the store, the original salesman walked by and put an "on hold" sign on the 2015 red Roadmaster. I had no reason to doubt a deal would be worked out and left the store on a more positive note as the salesman stated he would research and find the best deal possible on a trade for my HD. In fairness the man called prior to my returning home hours later. When the conversation ended and my suggested trade price was still in the air, the salesman stated he would "get back to me on Monday".

It NEVER Happened! Instead at 2 pm I took the time to drive to the store on the vehicle to trade, had the title to the vehicle and money/checkbook in hand to purchase the bike that day (Monday 11/3/2014). I arrived at the location to find (1) the vehicle was not in the store and (2) that the original salesman was outside with a customer wanting a demo ride on the bike I had expressed interest in.

This led to a heated discussion in and outside the store about ethics and the salesman admitted he should have called this consumer but didn't. I asked to see the GM and he was absent.

I returned on Tuesday 11/4 and spoke to (2) general managers in an upstairs lounge area. Listening to their side of the story, apologies were extended to me but also quoted was a $12,000 trade in offer on my HD when I still hoped for $12,500. The politics were discussed about the "on hold" bike being driven and this consumer stated if I had not returned to the store, I would not have witnessed first hand the error by this store.

The reply provided this consumer was that it is their practice to allow other consumers a test ride. This consumer is not used to this treatment and in 40 years of business dealings...car/truck/woodworking/motorcycling...doesn't matter but whether on new or used....not once has this consumer been told an item will be "on hold" to return to a store to see it is being used as a test drive vehicle by an interested but non-paying 2nd or 3rd customer.

The main general manager stated he would do further research about trade in value. Wednesday 11/5 I responded to his call and the price was yet to be agreed upon. He stated he would get back to me the next day! It DID NOT Happen!

Friday this consumer called and found the gm was gone from the store but spoke with the 2nd gm who was in the lounge listening to the conversation on Tuesday 11/4.

On Saturday, with no follow-up phone call from the 2 general managers or original salesperson, this consumer drove across town for the 4th time to see the same red 2015 Indian Roadmaster being test driven by a 3rd customer and his companion. This came after walking in to the store and finding a sheepish 2nd General mgr pushing a bike in to position in the store and asking where the bike was.

On Friday 11/7 in conversation w the 2nd general manager no indication was made that another customer was interested in the bike when I asked point blank if the bike was still there. Ample time was available for any one in that store to call this consumer beginning with the morning of Monday 11/3 by the original salesperson.

Whether in the air or not, this consumer specifically drove to the Clinton Hwy store on Friday 10/31 to see a new dealership closest to his home with the interest in (1) learning more, (2) overcoming animosity dating back to 1991, (3) looking specifically for a 2015 Red Indian Roadmaster and (4) wanting to find out about the integrity of the store, management and both a parts and service department.

This consumer did not drive to the store 4 times within 1 weeks time to be misled, lied to or observe first hand what he considers to be a shady business practice that dates back to 1991 with the store next door.

Aware from other enthusiasts I have met in the surrounding area since moving to Knox county, TN in 2004 that I am not the only person/consumer to experience problems with this firm, other consumers need to be made aware prior to walking in to any of the affiliated stores of the business practices.

Although I did not purchase from the Honda/Yamaha/Indian store, I was poised to spend over $28,000 at this store in addition to buying a 2nd vehicle when it came available. Looking to find a dealership within 20 miles instead of drivign 180 miles or further to have an existing vehicle serviced, I offered in good faith, tech tips this consumer has discovered in support.

Comical as it is, a further sales ploy by the main General Mgr was to make this consumer an "ambassador" due to my knowledge. I am not irked about this or whining. Not a stupid consumer, I do my research. My effort at this time it to point out that no dealership, large or small, should tell a consumer one thing only to change and be deceiftul. I do not consider the acts to be malicious in intent but fair trade and practice is a whole different story.

Having conducted business both private and industrial for over 30 years, I am one that stands behind a handshake even in todays age. I expect to not be lied to by a dealership I am committing a purchase to nor one I expect to do further business with in years to come that includes encouraging others to buy from them.

This consumer was misled by 3 prominant sources at the store and available to recant to anyone at any time how events transpired.

At that point, visit the store and form your own opinion/s.