Wigwam Jones
07-13-2017, 12:58 PM
As some of you know, I'm returning to motorcycles from 35+ years away. A lot has changed in that time. I found myself VERY interested in Chinese motorcycles, and I'm currently putting in the work to try to balance risk with opportunity. And everyone's ability to balance risk is different; so there is almost never one right answer.
However, as most seasoned (read 'old') guys know, even though there are some consumer protections out there, often is is 'buyer beware' in situations like these, or as the Latin phrase puts it, 'Caveat Emptor'.
One of the things I am doing is putting together a list of dealers selling Chinese motorcycles. As most of you are, I am interested in prices and features. But I'm also interested in the people selling these bikes.
As a result, I am putting Google to work to find out what can be found out.
The first thing I do is Google for the business name and "BBB" for "Better Business Bureau." Most dealers are not members, but that doesn't mean that the BBB doesn't have a file on them. Check to make sure the result is actually the dealer in question - many business names are common, so reference the street address (FYI, if an online dealer does NOT HAVE a street address listed, beware).
BBB often assigns a letter grade, from A+ to F.
It does not mean that if a business has an A+ you won't have problems with them, nor does it mean that if a business has an F you will have problems with them. It is an indicator, something you may wish to consider; nothing more.
And you should read the complaints, if there are any. Sometimes it is clear that the people complaining had unreasonable expectations. Other times, however, the business has tons of complaints and never responds. Other times they are rude (amazing when their responses are published and they apparently don't care that the world can see what absolute a-holes they are). Other times, they try to respond and make the situation better.
Here is an example. Please do not take this as any kind of endorsement or complaint about the business I am using as an example; it is just that, an example. I do not work for or with any motorcycle business whatsoever, this is strictly my own opinion as an individual.
https://www.bbb.org/central-texas/business-reviews/motorcycles-dealers/orion-pit-bike-sales-in-joshua-tx-193845932/reviews-and-complaints
Here is an example of a Chinese motorcycle dealer that is a member of the BBB and lists it on their website:
https://www.bbb.org/central-texas/business-reviews/motor-scooters-dealers/my-scooters-and-atvs-llc-in-arlington-tx-235976231
There are other ways to research reviews on various companies. Just Google for the business name and 'review' or 'complaint' and see what you find. There are lots of independent businesses that offer places for people to comment on other businesses. However, you have to use caution with those kinds of reviews. You never know if the complaints or the positive reviews are real. You never know if they are angry customers who didn't know how to maintain their gear or who had outrageous expectations, of if the people saying great things about the company are paid shills or even company employees. However, you can often get a feeling for the kinds of complaints you see. It's not terribly hard to figure out trends and see common complaints across many locations.
I've even seen Youtube videos made by (supposedly) angry consumers who urge people not to buy from this guy or that guy, etc. Of course, the same caveat holds true - you never know if they are telling the truth, telling the truth from their point of view only, or just flat-out making stuff up. You have to use your common sense.
Anyway, hope that helps. I keep seeing questions from people asking if this or that dealer is any good. Reasonable question to ask, but what you get is anecdotal responses - a terrible dealer might do 70% of their orders correctly. You might be one of the 70% who got lucky. But what about the other 30%?
By the same token, a dealer could have 99.99% great service, but you happen to be the one person in a thousand who has a problem. Doesn't make it feel any better that you're one of the only ones who got burned.
So I would urge everyone to get their learn on before plunking down their hard-earned dollars. We all have our own levels of risk that we're comfortable with, but it never hurts to do your homework before buying.
However, as most seasoned (read 'old') guys know, even though there are some consumer protections out there, often is is 'buyer beware' in situations like these, or as the Latin phrase puts it, 'Caveat Emptor'.
One of the things I am doing is putting together a list of dealers selling Chinese motorcycles. As most of you are, I am interested in prices and features. But I'm also interested in the people selling these bikes.
As a result, I am putting Google to work to find out what can be found out.
The first thing I do is Google for the business name and "BBB" for "Better Business Bureau." Most dealers are not members, but that doesn't mean that the BBB doesn't have a file on them. Check to make sure the result is actually the dealer in question - many business names are common, so reference the street address (FYI, if an online dealer does NOT HAVE a street address listed, beware).
BBB often assigns a letter grade, from A+ to F.
It does not mean that if a business has an A+ you won't have problems with them, nor does it mean that if a business has an F you will have problems with them. It is an indicator, something you may wish to consider; nothing more.
And you should read the complaints, if there are any. Sometimes it is clear that the people complaining had unreasonable expectations. Other times, however, the business has tons of complaints and never responds. Other times they are rude (amazing when their responses are published and they apparently don't care that the world can see what absolute a-holes they are). Other times, they try to respond and make the situation better.
Here is an example. Please do not take this as any kind of endorsement or complaint about the business I am using as an example; it is just that, an example. I do not work for or with any motorcycle business whatsoever, this is strictly my own opinion as an individual.
https://www.bbb.org/central-texas/business-reviews/motorcycles-dealers/orion-pit-bike-sales-in-joshua-tx-193845932/reviews-and-complaints
Here is an example of a Chinese motorcycle dealer that is a member of the BBB and lists it on their website:
https://www.bbb.org/central-texas/business-reviews/motor-scooters-dealers/my-scooters-and-atvs-llc-in-arlington-tx-235976231
There are other ways to research reviews on various companies. Just Google for the business name and 'review' or 'complaint' and see what you find. There are lots of independent businesses that offer places for people to comment on other businesses. However, you have to use caution with those kinds of reviews. You never know if the complaints or the positive reviews are real. You never know if they are angry customers who didn't know how to maintain their gear or who had outrageous expectations, of if the people saying great things about the company are paid shills or even company employees. However, you can often get a feeling for the kinds of complaints you see. It's not terribly hard to figure out trends and see common complaints across many locations.
I've even seen Youtube videos made by (supposedly) angry consumers who urge people not to buy from this guy or that guy, etc. Of course, the same caveat holds true - you never know if they are telling the truth, telling the truth from their point of view only, or just flat-out making stuff up. You have to use your common sense.
Anyway, hope that helps. I keep seeing questions from people asking if this or that dealer is any good. Reasonable question to ask, but what you get is anecdotal responses - a terrible dealer might do 70% of their orders correctly. You might be one of the 70% who got lucky. But what about the other 30%?
By the same token, a dealer could have 99.99% great service, but you happen to be the one person in a thousand who has a problem. Doesn't make it feel any better that you're one of the only ones who got burned.
So I would urge everyone to get their learn on before plunking down their hard-earned dollars. We all have our own levels of risk that we're comfortable with, but it never hurts to do your homework before buying.