Honda are currently offering a free Datatool tracker with every new bike at the moment. As a recent purchaser of an SP, I was entitled to such a tracker. However they are a dealer fit, so my bike had to go back in for fitting. Apparently a week's notice for the service department to fit the tracker wasn't enough. No problem with that really, although I would've preferred it to have been fitted before delivery that way I wouldn't have had to worry about someone nicking it before it got fitted. But such is life and I moved on. Here's the rub. The Honda website clearly states £9.95 for a 12 month contract. Now don't get me wrong here. I know that is cheap. But I assumed that Honda had set up a special deal for the first 12 months. But it appears I am wrong to think that. So there I am out walking the dog when I get a few emails from Datatool. The final one says the tracker has been fitted and to start your contract go online or phone up. I go online. Datatool are asking £9.95 a month. Surely some mistake. I phone them up. No, the website is correct, no special deal with Honda. £9.95 a month or £109 for 12 months. I say erm...I'm not paying that. Honda website clearly states blah blah blah...(see pic). Datatool's customer service says they'll turn the tracker off and I won't be covered. Ok, says I, taking the moral high ground. I phone the Honda dealer and ask about the subscription, they have no idea and suggest I take it up with Honda Customer Services. I phoned HCS and explained etc etc blah blah blah. I'm now awaiting their verdict, within 3 business days. Today's the day. I note Honda website still states a 12 month contract.
Wow! I recall the recent announcement of the offer and I too, read it as 9.95 for the full 12 months. I think there is a thread on here somewhere, because most of us agreed that the charge would be jacked up after the 12-month period. For now though, take screen shots of whatever you can because you're totally in the right. They haven't worded their promo material correctly, OR, are applying it in the wrong manner. You have consumer legislation and Trading Standards on your side. I would hold my ground, but that's me. This isn't what you want after buying a 20 grand new bike, and I would expect Honda to be more supportive than what they have shown. 3 business days is unacceptable to respond to a deal that is already active.
Looks like the Honda website has dropped a bollocks with their wording and missed out the per month bit. So if someone has had it installed on the premis of it being per year...then I'd say that Honda are liable and should pay the 11 month excess as a gesture of goodwill and get their advert rewritten. Although there''s probably more chance of getting a ride on Nigels sp2 than that ever happening Data site shows the correct pricing as per month.
Tell Honda you're going to ring around the bike mags with the story if they don't get it sorted lol....
But they would be receptive to a matter of 'public interest' while at the same time inviting Honda's response who would, understandably, put it down to a 'miscommunication'!!
Do you know how much help The Press offered for the ABS issue? F’ all. They don’t want to risk losing their demo bikes and jollies by dissing Honda. A lesson Bike mag learnt back in the 70s. Or was it 80s. The press’ allegiance is with the manufacturer. Not with the punters that buy the heavily laden with adverts, mags. MCN the worst offender. They can’t produce an article unless they can link in several adverts. Needless to say I don’t buy MCN. But I do subscribe to Bike. Even though they are all part of the same group.
Spot on with that observation, the popular motorcycle press are so far up the manufacturers ar*e’s you can’t even see their freebie clothing and footwear. The only bike mags with any credibility are the specialist titles like classics/off road etc.
After calling Honda this morning, they called me back. To say, that the website is worded incorrectly and should say that it is per month. Shafted again. Can I be arsed to make a stand, probably not. But I'm not happy.
Totally agree. I am a bit of a bastard when it comes to these alleged 'misinterpretations'. I recently launched County Court proceedings against an MV dealer for refusing to refund a product that was clearly not the advertised product. Dealer settled in full prior to hearing. Corporations expect consumers to not go the 'whole nine yards' in pursuit of their claims. It's a game of bluff to them. For you @Kevin1 , if you have kept a copy of the original advertisement/agreement (presumably you have) upon which you acted, I would invest a few hours work. Hanging in the balance is £109.
apparently Trading Standards no long provide advice to the public. . Citizens advice (don't they work for free). Another cost cutting measure. I think I'll contact Honda Customer Services again and suggest they pay the £99.05 and I'll pay the remaining £9.95 as their online material is misleading and continues to be misleading.
