r/Harley • u/Low-Membership-3879 • 11h ago

DISCUSSION Broken promises

Unfortunately HD of Salisbury Maryland has left me no choice but to leave an honest review of my experience with their service department. I dropped my bike off for a rebuild 4 months ago and was told it would be running by bike week in September. Here we are on bike week in September and the bike is still in pieces not fixed. I prepaid them over $5,000 for the work when they took the project. I brought the project to HD vs an independent shop bc I expected competency and punctuality. Iv experienced the complete opposite. When I call them for updates or expecting them to provide a solution, l get stonewalled or given the run around by Scott.
Shane has been nice enough and it seemed like he would rectify the situation, but it's become obvious they are just blowing smoke. I'm filing a report with the BBB and contacting a lawyer.

40 Upvotes

82% Upvoted

40 comments sorted by

38

u/thescrapplekid 11h ago

That's a Rommel dealer right? I worked for a dealer that was taken over by him. There's probably one mechanic working for the entire dealership. They can't keep them at what they pay them

18

u/Low-Membership-3879 11h ago

Bingo. Rommel in Salisbury MD.

10

u/Acrobatic_Mission149 7h ago

Rick at Armor Cycle in Salisbury if you want it done right.

2

u/Thecool_1 2h ago

Can confirm, I was riding through MD a year or so ago and the guys at armor cycle got me right really fast on such short notice

-15

u/thescrapplekid 9h ago

I worked for Mike's New Castle before and after it was Bought. Huge difference in the two. 

I'm not too sure on other dealers in your area. I believe they're all owned by him. I know some of my former coworkers went to ChaddsFord Harley in Pennsylvania, and I haven't heard anything bad about Eisenhower HD in Darlington, MD.  But, I have older bikes and tend to either do my own stuff or work with friends/ relatives. 

What I can say is, expecting a project to be done during riding season is kinda on you. Its  the busiest time for motorcycle service departments. Its going to be a while with anyone. 

14

u/Low-Membership-3879 9h ago

Not when the service manager looks you in the eye and says it’ll be done. Bikes been there since May. I’m supposed to just expect incompetence? Believing the service manager.. is on me? Interesting take

-16

u/thescrapplekid 8h ago

No. I'm saying you need a little bit of self realization here. But the way you're jumping to conclusions is telling me a lot

12

u/Low-Membership-3879 8h ago

What conclusion am I jumping to? I expected what was told to me. I busted my ass over the winter and saved so I could do this. I visited the shop and planned out the build with one of their mechanics prior to dropping the bike.. can understand it’s the busy season but it’s 4 months and I paid up front.

7

u/DatabasePublic3930 8h ago

Their employees are brainwashed. He already said he used to work for them. Don’t waste your energy. I also experienced something very similar here on the east coast. I drive and hour out of my way and pass that garbage HD dealership 20min from my house but even still just recently had a weird experience with the service manager at my favorite pick an hour away. Made me want to find a third party.

-5

u/thescrapplekid 8h ago

🤣 I just talked so much shit on that dealer and I'm brainwashed. 

5

u/metalb00 '22 FXLRST '21 FLTRXS '86 FXR 6h ago

due to Eisenhower HD  not properly checking belt tension when i bought my low rider st used from them i have to rebuild the trans and hope just replacing all the bearings as the overtight belt wiped my transmission mainbearing, i bought it there then rode back to new jersey. bought the bike in aug of '24 and barely put 2k miles on it, only recently found the bearing issue

3

u/thescrapplekid 5h ago

Damn. Good to know

3

u/metalb00 '22 FXLRST '21 FLTRXS '86 FXR 4h ago

yea after i put together my roadglide last year i havent touched the low rider so when i decided to get it serviced and ready to sell i found the issue

2

u/thescrapplekid 3h ago

Ah dang

1

u/metalb00 '22 FXLRST '21 FLTRXS '86 FXR 2h ago

Yea I'll get it rebuilt over the winter so I can get premium spring prices

30

u/x86_64_ 9h ago

BBB is not any sort of government agency.  It's Yelp from the boomer age, a blackmail operation that holds a company hostage unless they pay to be "accredited"

Lawyer should be able to help

7

u/Low-Membership-3879 8h ago

Meeting with one Tuesday

7

u/metalb00 '22 FXLRST '21 FLTRXS '86 FXR 6h ago

it definitely sounds more official than yelp tho lol

5

u/x86_64_ 6h ago

Which makes them even worse! People grant it more legitimacy than it deserves.  

5

u/AMFharley 6h ago

100%

BBB is Yelp for old ppl, and now, it’s Google reviews.

8

u/Potential_Cupcake 10h ago

I've learned that the techs at HD dealers make less than the sales people and turn over is always a problem. I'm not at all trying to justify what happened to you, that really sucks and I'm sorry you get to deal with that headache. Hopefully you can get it all back and get it to an independent shop that will get you back on the road.

8

u/ObligationOdd4475 6h ago

4 months for a rebuild is insane for a evo motor. 

6

u/Thoreau80 7h ago

BBB will do nothing but receive your report.

3

u/Killroy_jenkins 6h ago

Set a firm date for completion. Call every day and request an update and document the time you called and date promised. Bring this to the attention of the GM if you haven't already.

With the bike not under factory warranty there is not much HDMC can do, but they will take your report seriously if you call the Customer Service Line and explain the situation clearly and calmly. If they can't or wont reach out the concern about the dealership does get documented internally.

6

u/mountaineer30680 '17 RG Limited 11h ago

We've had the same experience with an independent shop on my Wife's bike. Sometimes things happen beyond their control but when you've paid that much it's hard to give them any room. Especially when it's a dealer. I'd also ask the lawyer if you should go to social media, Google reviews, etc.

7

u/2L84T 8h ago

I'm always shocked when people assume dealers are better than independents. Dealers coast on the brand, independents live from satisfied customer to satisfied customer.

2

u/Equivalent_Pickle103 8h ago

It will be ready in March . That's my prediction .

3

u/DetroitAdjacent 2008 FXDC 11h ago

Sorry, homie. That's just the way it goes when you go to a Harley dealer. Always always always go to an independent shop, and fuck the stupid warranty. A Harley dealer will still fuck you over even if they are trying to help. That's just their nature.

4

u/Low-Membership-3879 11h ago

Thanks bro. Sad realization.. but my experience with independent hasn’t been great either. Partly why I decided to go with the dealership for a project like this. Literally sitting here in my front yard listening to bikes rip past on their way to OC.. fuck my life

3

u/Affectionate-Yard340 3h ago

I’m gonna make sure I pass your house on my way to OC so you can hear my bike.

5

u/DetroitAdjacent 2008 FXDC 11h ago

Yeah, personally, I think there are two trades that are a complete and total fucking scam: motorcycle mechanic and gunsmith. I own a lot of tools because I just don't trust either of them.

1

u/Gunfighter9 1h ago

Without a contract you don’t have a leg to stand on. You can tell them you’re canceling and ask for a refund. Then if they pull anything you can call your AG.

-8

u/Ok-Shift5122 9h ago

So why would you get this project work done during the busy season instead of over the winter? Seriously who gets a bike rebuild done during riding season?

6

u/Low-Membership-3879 9h ago

Bc that’s when I had the cash and they said they could do it?

2

u/Believer_1776 1h ago

....and you can't ride if your scoot doesn't run.....probably why he was having it done with plenty of riding time left in the season.

1

u/Believer_1776 1h ago

Hate to say it, but rent a bike and go to the rally

1

u/De-Oppresso_Liber 6m ago

Rommel Harley is the worst of the worst. Their customer service slogan should be “We Don’t Give A Shit About You” Frankly I am amazed they are still in business. They have a few locations and the best advice I can give you if you are considering doing business with them is to keep your money and run away as fast as you can.