New England Cycle Works, Groton, CT

Two weeks ago my husband and I went to New England Cycle Works in Groton, CT and looked at a 1996 Honda Shadow. The sales person, Eric Houle, told us that the bike was in good shape despite some body damage that was easy to repair. I noted that the tires needed to be looked at and Eric assured us that the bike would be looked at and it would be made safe and road ready. The price tag on the bike was $2499.00. We agree to this price, put down a deposit and took a copy of the title with us so that we could get insurance. Eric told us that they were just waiting for the signed title to come back from the bank.

This week when we called to find out if they had the title yet we were told that the bike was going to be $300 more because they had to replace the tire and work on the bike. I spoke with the sales manager who told me that even though it was their fault that the bike went onto the lot with the price that we agreed, he could not sell us the bike at the price we had previously agreed upon. Both the sales manager and Eric said that they called us and left a message, which they did not do. I checked our Vonage account online and there is not one single call from them. I asked to speak with the owner and the sales manager told me that I couldn’t because it was his decision what price to sell bikes for.

This seems to me to violate customer relations and probably fair trading laws. They put a price tag on the bike, put it on the lot and agreed to sell it to us for the price on the tag. To come back later and say, oops, we made a mistake and you’re going to have to pay $300 more for the bike for OUR mistake, is completely unethical. Please forward this information to everyone that you know and let them know about the unethical business practices at New England Cycle Works.

Did you have a signed contract? Because (as far as I know) if you did and everything was spelled out (price, check out and made safe) they would have to stand by the deal. If nothing was in writing you are out of luck. With all of the B.S. this dealer has put you through it is probably a good thing that you do not have to deal with them.

I had a car dealer pull that on me two months ago I told him to shove the car up his ass and I went to the owner and told him the same thing. Philips Buick Pontiac in Leesburg Florida pulled the same bait and switch on me.

So I suggest, don't shop at Philips Buick Pontiac in Leesburg Florida or New England Cycle Works in Groton, CT.

There are many more honest dealers out there you can patronize that will treat you better when buying a motorcycle or car.

If you don't like New England Cycleworks (http://www.newenglandcycleworks.com/) goto Excalibur Powersports (http://www.excaliburpowersports.com/)



http://www.excaliburpowersports.com/

http://www.newenglandcycleworks.com/

This is starting to look like spam to me. Is it? I'm about to pull this thread folks. Too many coincedences.

I think the parts about good and bad dealers is a good thing. I don't consider it spam

We ended up contacting the attorney general, local news papers, local news channels, other motorcycle shops in the area, and sending out a mass email that, as I understand it, has continued moving on. We pulled a statement off of their website that says that they guarantee that all bikes are checked BEFORE going on the lot to be sold.

I was told by the attorney general's office that at least one law was broken, they will take care of it.

We ended up contacting the attorney general, local news papers, local news channels, other motorcycle shops in the area, and sending out a mass email that, as I understand it, has continued moving on. We pulled a statement off of their website that says that they guarantee that all bikes are checked BEFORE going on the lot to be sold.

I was told by the attorney general's office that at least one law was broken, they will take care of it.

Good luck. My bike is in a shop and I'm not impressed. They however don't know I write motorcycle shop reviews and have so many thousands of readers a month.

I don't expect the problems you have, but I will be writing about how they treated me and it won't be very pretty so far. I wonder if they even care though?

But they will when you are done with them. Word of mouthe is the best advertising. If anyone is ever in the South Central PA region and needs a heads up on a good dealer, please let me know. Maybe I can steer you in the right direction. But then again, I may be a little bit biased because they always seem to treat me OK. With the exception I had with a 1995 Buell, my dealings with the local Harley Dealers has been on the positive side.

Good luck. My bike is in a shop and I'm not impressed. They however don't know I write motorcycle shop reviews and have so many thousands of readers a month.

I don't expect the problems you have, but I will be writing about how they treated me and it won't be very pretty so far. I wonder if they even care though?

Our call must have done some good because we got the bike with the repairs and they are doing it at the origianl price. We wouldn't buy it (to make a point)if it wasn't the bike we both fell in love with.

Something to always keep in mind is this (any hospitality management program will teach this):

One person who is happy tells one person, who tells one person, etc.

A person who is not happy tells ten, who tell ten, etc.

The numbers may not be exact, but basically if you're unhappy you are more likely to share it than if you were happy.

It's always in the best interest of a company to treat their customers right. And if you don't feel that you are being treated right, document everything and call the attorney general. That's why they are there.

Our call must have done some good because we got the bike with the repairs and they are doing it at the origianl price. We wouldn't buy it (to make a point)if it wasn't the bike we both fell in love with.


Glad to hear that it is all working out for you. How many other unsuspecting saps do you think that they pulled this one on. I love to hear stories where people stand up for their rights and prevail. Make sure to let them know that you shared this story with your friends on Riderinfo.com. Maybe if they are aware that they have been exposed, they will think twice before doing it again. Especially to someone who reads the posts on this forum. Maybe you should print out a couple of the Riderinfo.com fliers and let them in the customer area of the dealership.