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johnv

Mar 3, 2003, 8:34 AM

Post #1 of 3 (1954 views)

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Shafted in SMA

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Several weeks ago I went to San Miguel de Allende in order to buy a motorbike at the local Honda dealership located across from the Siesta Motel near the Salida a Celaya. When I got there they had one motorcycle of the model that I wanted. I enquired and was told that it was used and that the dealership had been using it to run around town. I also noted at this time that the speedometer cable was disconnected.(thus disabling the odometer) So I asked when they would be getting in a new bike in this model. They informed me that if I left a deposit that they would have a new bike for me in ten days. I paid them the deposit and returned home to Guanajuato. After ten days I phoned them to see if they had the bike that I had ordered. They said, "Yes, we have a bike here". So I told them I would be over to pay for it and to take delivery. When I got there I noticed a very slight mark on the seat and very slight dirt on the tires. I enquired if the bike was new and was assured that it was. I further examined the bike and agreed to take it. They started the motor cycle and showed me that the odometer read .6 Kilometers. I paid them the $4500.00 dollars and came home with it. Over the next two days I read the manual and examined and familiarized myself with the motorcycle. One of the first things I noticed was the chain tension was loose. (an indication of use. a company with the reputation like Honda's would never deliver a new bike with a loose chain.) I then started going over the motorcycle with a fine toothed comb. Using a magnifying glass I then inspected the phillips screw head that holds the speedometer cable to the front wheele. The screw head was damaged indicating that it had carelessly been removed and installed. Then using a tire tread gauge I checked for tire wear. The central tread read 8 on the gauge while the side tread read 10 indicating tire wear. I then examined the foot pegs with a magnifying glass and found that the paint was slightly worn off. On top of all this the rear brake pedal height was not within specifications indicating brake wear. (I might add that at the time of purchase the dealer was unable to produce a title and said that this is normal in Mexico and that it would be mailed.) After determining that I had been sold a used motorcycle and been lied to I thought it best to have someone of their own nationality and equal or higher education level deal with them from this point on. So I had a college-educated Mexican freind call the dealership and confront the manager, Lic. Pavel A. Hernandez, with the above mentioned findings. The Licenciado said that he was unaware that the bike was used and that we should bring it back and leave it with him while he ordered a new bike. Upon requesting a check for the equivalent of $4500.00 dollars to hold while waiting for the second bike, we were informed that this would not be possible. I am now keeping the used motorcycle and waiting for the supposed arrival of the new motorcycle so that a supposed exchange can take place. This whole thing has turned into something bigger than a nightmare and I expect more problems with dealing with Licenciado Hernandez and Honda SMA. If anybody out there has any helpful information or advice, it would be greatly appreciated. I do not know if I will be able to post further to this forum as I beleive today is the cut-off point. Thankou in advance and waiting for any advice. John V

David(MTY)

Mar 3, 2003, 8:51 AM

Post #2 of 3 (1692 views)

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Re: [johnv] Shafted in SMA

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PROFECO is quite effective in Monterrey for some cases. Why don't you and/or your friend call them and lodge a complaint for investigation. Be sure to take pictures and do it as soon as possible.

http://www.profeco.gob.mx/...lmapa.htm#guanajuato

Don't forget: Pictures quickly, complaints even sooner....not later. Everything in writing. Nothing that can be later interpreted as your tacit acceptance.

An email to Honda would be best, though. Or a letter to the consumer advocate of a SMA newspaper, if there is one.

PS, if it were my problem, I would have given the bike back instantly in return for a received signature on a piece of paper I typed up explaining in a friendly manner exactly what was substandard about product, and cheerfully but clearly stating that it was unacceptable to you and time was of the essence.

(This post was edited by David(MTY) on Mar 3, 2003, 9:02 AM)

CanMex

Mar 3, 2003, 11:13 AM

Post #3 of 3 (1601 views)

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Re: [David(MTY)] Shafted in SMA

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Hi David,

Thanks for the link, I had been wondering if there was something like it, in Mexico, could have used it a while back, and most likely will need it in the future.

Vaya bien, Luc

PS I will be missing your good links.

(This post was edited by CanMex on Mar 3, 2003, 11:16 AM)