Betor Forks needed

[Lew Mayer]

I would have a talk with the vendor concerning the difference in quote versus price. They have rebuilt shocks for me and stood behind their work when there was a problem. We are in mid-season so I would think he could take a while to get work done. I thought you wanted them repaired because you couldn't find another set of forks.
Good luck with your problem. See you at Mid-O.

Lew Mayer

[Dwight Rudder]

I have spoken with Bob about my complaint and he didn't care.  He said that he spend extra time on the project so he didn't make as much and I paid a bit more.  I reminded him that more than double his original price wasn't a bit more.  He claimed the forks were not worth repairing.  I asked why then didn't he call me and let me know as I could have bought a good set of forks for under $200 ( missed a set on Ebay for that price ). He never called me and we never discussed any extra charges over the fork seals and fork oil cost, although he wanted to claim we did. I reminded him of our only conversations.  I let him know twice that I wasn't happy and didn't think his charges were fair.  When I first spoke with him I asked him approx. how much to rebush and  repair the fork legs.  He stated , "ABOUT $120".  I stated fair enough and told him that I was sending fork seals along with it and he said "NO PROBLEM" as they had to come out anyway.  He said that if I got them to him that week that he would have them back the next.  ONE MONTH LATER he gets them back to me. I called him back the day after I sent them and authorized him to put in new fork seals as I forgot to put mine in the box.  I was thinking about $25.  He charged me $43, which is outrageous.  He charge me a fair price of $8.95 for fork oil.  I called every friday for the next month asking about the forks.  He never said that there was a problem.  When I got my forks and my bill ( Charged to my Credit Card ), I was shocked.  He charged me $302.65.   Here is the breakdown and see if you think it was fair.
 Bushing Fork Repair Machine and Install - $29.95
Chemical Fork Oil 15wt. - $8.95
Shop Supplies - $10.00
Fork Seals - $43.80  ( 4 X $10.95 ea. )
Labor Machine and Install - $120
Fork Rebuild - $90
Total = $302.65
+ Shipping $20.66
Grand total = $ 323.31

Well ?  What do you think.  I have shown this bill to several dealers and they also think it unfair and excessive. Looks like he has double charged me on labor.  If you take the Bushings and the fork rebuild by themselves it equals $120.  I expected to pay a fair price for the seals and fork oil as I authorized that. Shop supplies and bushings should have been included in his original estimate. I am not a unreasonable guy.  I am not as unhappy about the time it took as the excessive labor charges.
NOT HAPPY,
Dwight

PS: I can scan and post the actual bill on the Penton Restoration site if anyone would like to see the bill.

Dwight Rudder
7 time ISDT / E medalist
8 time National Enduro Class Champion.

[t20sl]

Dwight:  Having worked in a dealership for over 40 years I totally agree with you.  You gave him a chance and he did not do anything.  We would never invest anywhere near the value of a bike or part in repairs without first trying to talk the customer out of it.  If customer insisted usually we require payment up front so again the customer is aware of what he is about to do.  You need to write the charge card company.  State the original estimate plus the price of seals and oil maybe and tell them that is all your willing to pay for.  They will contact Bob and ask his side.  Normally they will credit you the difference on your next statement.  Just describe what happened as you did here and I am sure you will get the money back.  Credit card companies tend to favor the consumer since you are their customer.  Ted

[Ron]

Whats the difference between "fork Rebuild $90.00" and "Labor $120.00".
So for $120.00 he'll rebuild your forks for $90.00.
He can be sure he'll never work for me.
RonW

[paul]

Dewight, No I havent had problems with the shop you are speaking about but I am glad you said something. Seems like this is happening a lot nowdays. If its not getting gouged its people not standing behind their work or straight out crappy work. I have been an auto painter for 30 years and take pride in seeing my works go down the road many years after a repair. Likewise I expect my stuff to work or recieve decent items when I spend my cash. Fortunately their are a few of us out here who do care!

[sachsmx]

Dwight,

I know exactly what you mean. It looks to me like the shop was double-dipping, which is becoming so popular these days with all types of businesses:(. This is where they charge you once to do one thing and then again a full price to do another while they are doing the first, ie: tearing down the forks to be machined and rebushed and then charging you for a rebuild (new seals, cleaning, and reassembly) that would be normally required to do the machine work.
If they were going to charge you for a rebuild on top of the machine work they should have told you very explicitly to send in just the disassembled sliders and stanchion tubes. That's the way I would have handled it.

[sixdazed]

Dwight,if your interested i have an article from a 75 dirt rider mag on how to trick out betor forks,i.e.extend,weld up,and re-drill damper rods,modify fork caps so they don't splooge all over you,etc..In this same Dirt Rider there's an article on Carl Cranke's Ol' Blue isdt Penton 350 and also Carl's bing carb mods.,which i'd like to post for others in the Group to see but don't know how-any ideas?Let me know if interested and i'll mail you a copy of the Betor article.Sounds like the guy hosed you on your forks-legally without your authorization he can only charge what you agreed to-i think if you wanted to pursue it you're in the right,but of course if you already paid it will be difficult to do anything.As i now  have read you paid with credit card so you have recourse there.At our shop where i am service manager i ALWAYS call the customer for a revised estimate and if he hasn't been notified of extra cost he doesn't pay-simple as that.Despite 2 other Honda dealers in town here we are always fairly busy,but we have to inform the customer before we spend more of their money(maybe that's part of the reason we stay busy).We just try to be as honest as possible and put ourselves in the customer's shoes.That's basic business sense that unfortunately not all shops use for policy.Good Luck and Take Care,Ric

ric emmal

[chicagojerry]

hey ric (sixdazed) i would be interested in that article about the betor mods as well as the carl cranke bing mods. is there a way you can fax or email that info?  thanks, chi jer

[sixdazed]

Can Do Chi Jerry!I'll burn some copies-send me your fax # and don't let me forget as i have lots on my plate right now.
                                                  Ric
P.S.-It would still be neat to be able to post this kind of stuff,if anyone knows how please clue me in!
ric emmal

[sixdazed]

Betor Mods. article posted in Penton Talk section of this site.
Will post Bing asap.
                    Ric                                                  

ric emmal

[Dwight Rudder]

On a final note and insult to me, I installed the fork legs today and found vice clamp marks on the fork sliders, around the boss where the oil screw goes and down on the right side in the axle area.  The left fork has no marks.  
I am not a happy camper.
Dwight [V]

Dwight Rudder
7 time ISDT / E medalist
8 time National Enduro Class Champion.