Evolution's side of the story.
Two days ago k9gsxr600 posted
this thread about Evolution and I felt BARF should hear my take on the situation.
When the bike came in it was obvious that a spark plug wasn't screwed in. k9 assumed it was the same cylinder we'd worked on. It's annoying but not unusual for customers to assume a new fault is related to previous work we've done.
We found it was #1 plug that was out and with it's position closer to the frame it was more awkward to repair (more labor). We also found #2 plug was loose and probably about to go the way of #1. #1 plug needed replacing because of damage so we decided to replace all 4 plugs to avoid the same issue in the future. With the air box off we could see the state of the air filter. Now I could have called k9 and asked if he wanted it cleaned but as my tech described it as the dirtiest air filter he'd ever seen I thought it was a no brainer. Cleaning the filter didn't take much longer than calling and asking would have.
Now, some of you may say it's work he didn't ask for and you'd be right but at Evolution we have the customers best interests at heart. We often do that little bit extra and sometimes we charge and sometimes we don't, sometimes customers appreciate it and sometimes they don't. If they're not happy to pay for the extra that's fine, we'll deduct it from the invoice and swallow the time. In k9's case I was willing to do that but he was being an ass about it all. Even after he'd paid the reduced price he continued to be an ass. That's when I decided we didn't want him as a customer and asked him (politely) to never come back. He continued to have a go at me and I literally had to close the door on him to shut him up.
That's my side of the story but there's a few things in k9's thread I'd like to address.
k9 says "But now the bill is near 300$." The bill was actually $226 (2 hours labor, 4x plugs). I guess 'near' is a relative term, like New York is close to San Jose compared to the moon.
k9 claimed fraud (before editing). I'm not a legal expert but I believe fraud is when don't do the work or you do unnecessary work and charge for it. We did necessary work and were upfront and flexible about it.
Blankpage - "They might have done you a favor." We try.
Lonster - " No good deed goes unpunished." Sadly.
ThumperX - "Did he just manage to fit you in" Yes. We're booked out over a week ahead but when a bike is a customers only means of transport I make an effort to get it sorted quickly.
bojangle - "Closed by OP request." after only 5 hours. I guess he wasn't getting what he wanted from the court of BARF opinion.
k9 - "things change especially when you lose someone."
Nothing has changed as far as the way I run my business. You'll notice I use 'we' when talking about the business, that's because I've got a team of great guys who are hard working and professional. The only thing to change is my tolerance for taking shit from A-holes.
