bit of advice required please ladies and gents - I blew up my KTM 625 sm back at the start of July, it required a complete strip and rebuild, KTM dealerships and dealer labour rates were astronomical and so I took it to a small garage local to me which specialise in custom bikes, choppers etc, his labour rates were acceptable and he came across as a knowledgeable, decent chap. I gave it 3 or 4 weeks of not hearing from him knowing he had a backlog of work to do, besides which I had my Blade to enjoy, after about a month i made a tentative call just to see how it's getting on, he informed me he was waiting for parts to arrive from Austria, 2 weeks later I phoned again to be told that KTM didn't have any stock and the parts were having to be made for KTM, obviously the factories that supply them wouldn't do a small run so it could take anywhere upto 8 weeks... unhappy with this I promptly phoned around several KTM dealers all of whom told me the parts were available in Europe and that they could get them within 5 working days. So originally he dropped and split the engine to diagnose the engine failure,I think then whats happened is that he's had other jobs come in ie- his bread and butter choppers,Harleys etc.. and my bike has been put on the backburner, due to lack of space I know he wheels the bikes out every day so for 4 very long months my frame has been left out in all weathers parts becoming rusty and battery getting flat, I ring once a week to see whats going on with the bike only to be met with the stock waiting for parts answer, I know he's lying, he knows I know he's lying, though I haven't challenged him with what the KTM dealers have told me, I'm a bit worried about confronting him as he has my frame and engine. BUT I don't trust him nor do I want him to do any more to my bike I just want to get it back and take it someone I can trust. What do I do ? how do I go about things without it all getting underhanded and dirty, I guess i'll have to pay him for dropping the engine etc..though he has seriously taken the mickey any advice very much appreciated Julian
He's not completed the work within a reasonable time frame and can give you know completion date I wouldn't pay him a penny
I would suggest a call to trading standards and get advice Trading Standards Institute - Trading Standards Institute I have used them when unsure what to do and they gave me advice what to do and how to do it So worth a shot
Like Remal said give trading standards a call, also ask him what he is prepared to do reference the corrosion that has been caused while in his care!
Hi kneedragger, you should write to him and deliver the letter by hand, tell him that you think he has had sufficient time to complete the agreed works, give him a final date for completion, one week from letter date is reasonable. Tell him you will be removing your property from his workshop on this date. Worst case scenario you could end up in County Court.
