Bill Smiths Chester

[Dave W]

Hi,

anyone used Bill Smiths in Chester for servicing etc? I bought my bike from Staffordshire Triumph, but after today I will not set foot in that place ever again!!

Cheers Dave

[Badboybez]

Why what happened (or is that in another thread?)

[Tigger 2]

Tell us all Dave ?  Yes I use Bill Smiths i,ve bought my last two bikes from them and had them serviced. They are very good, family business been trading a long time. Their mechanics are all time served and are very thorough.

[Dave W]

I gave Staffordshire Triumph some negative feedback in the Triumph new bike survey, after they dropped my bike uncrating it, not supplying the top box as promised (Mr Triumph's fault) and fitting the wrong number plate. Which resulted in having the weirdest conversation I have ever had! 

I dropped my bike off last night for its 500 miles service and they gave me a Speed Triple loaner bike to get home and back. I live about 10 miles away. Asked the service guy how do I know how much fuel is in it and he says it has a yellow reserve light which means 30 miles left. It transpires he should have told me that when I return it, make sure the yellow light is off.
I gets about 10 yards and the light is on. Had it just come on or been on awhile? I don't know.
Gets call today to say bike ready. Before I leave checks to see how much fuel is in the bike and I can hear it sloshing but puts a litre or so in out of my jerry-can I use to fill up my lawn mower. Bimbles back; yellow reserve light is on, and as I walk in the girl who sold me the bike appears to be having her lunch with her colleagues, we make brief eye contact and a brief smile and I go to see the service man. Spend 20 or so mins sorting stuff out. Gets on bike and comes home.

Gets a call at 15:00 today from "Bob from Staffordshire Triumph" asking me about the service I had received today and then asks about my survey feedback. I was on another call so agreed to speak later.
This is where it starts to get weird! 

We speak at 16:30 which results in him accusing me of not putting petrol in the loan bike, ignoring his sales girl and why not supplying the top box is his fault!
I asked him who he was and he said he pays the bills. Took a couple of attempts for him to admit he is the owner!
The conversation gets more and more heated and I end up swearing ( something I am not proud of) and apologising. It was like being spoken to by a school teacher who was trying to get me to admit it was all my fault.
He finishes off by saying they are a friendly lot and implying he wont hold the negative feedback against me!
I ended up in saying, don't worry about it as he wont' see me or my bike again!
End result, the clock they gave me is in the bin and the t-shirt will be given back to them.

So it looks like I will taking it Bill Smiths in future.

[BigGreenKwak]

Hi Dave
Sorry to hear about your ordeal.
I have just picked up my Explorer from Bill Smiths and up to now I have been most impressed by all of their actions.
They have been professional, helpfull and friendly from the moment I walked in to the shop to look at the bike.
I can't comment on the servicing yet as I only booked in for the first service today, they gave me an option to have a loan
bike or wait while they carry out the service (I'll wait, its free tea).
 

[321Go]

I too will never go back to B[ull] S[hit] Bikes, who are now Staffordshire Triumph. I once had my Sprint serviced there and they not only lied to me, but the brake reservoir flopped over a day or two later, when the retaining bolt fell out. Sloppy, unprofessional and ignorant. I know of others who feel the same. How Triumph call them the flagship UK dealership i never know. It will end i tears.
Just my opinion based on experience. Steer clear.

[321Go]

Can Also vouch for Philip Youles in Manchester.

[Dave W]

Originally Posted by 321Go

I too will never go back to B[ull] S[hit] Bikes, who are now Staffordshire Triumph. I once had my Sprint serviced there and they not only lied to me, but the brake reservoir flopped over a day or two later, when the retaining bolt fell out. Sloppy, unprofessional and ignorant. I know of others who feel the same. How Triumph call them the flagship UK dealership i never know. It will end i tears.
Just my opinion based on experience. Steer clear.

I take it they told you it was your fault that they lied to you? 

[James]

Well just picked up my bike from Staffordshire Triumph today with no issues, infact they were an exceptionally friendly bunch, guess we all have off days?  Interestingly I also had a test ride at Bill Smiths and they were fine, i just didnt think they were as friendly?! Must remember to put some petrol in the courtesy bike!

[Kg1962]

I have to say the guy (sorry don't know his name, yet) in the Workshop who did my first service and wired in my 2 (two) gamins (550 then 660) seems to be sh*t hot on the Explorer and his attention to detail is very impressive, no worries as far as I'm concerned, he does a top job!! Plus Kelvin who sold me the bike was/is a top guy.

Couldnt be happier with Bill Smiths.........

Rgds
K+