Warning: Scooters Etc Fulham Road

Paivi · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Karma :

Warning re Scooters Etc, Fulham Road, workshop in Farm Lane, Fulham Broadway SW6. Please don't use these cowboys, they need to go out of business!

As you may know, my 3-year-old scooter (with one careful lady owner) needed a complete engine rebuild in September, as Scooters Etc, who claimed to be a Piaggio authorised dealer, damaged the bike so much that the water pump had 'foreign metal objects' in it and the petrol tank had a big hole in it. The repair cost me £600 and Piaggio duly washed their hands off it, as I had not always had it serviced by an authorised dealer. I had religiously stuck to the service schedule, but unfortunately, I didn't know that Scooters Etc (a) were not authorised although they claimed to be so and (b) employed utterly incompetent "mechanics".

Now, the bike had to go back for an oil change today, and I asked them to investigate the screeching sound the bike made, and just now was given the news: it needs a new clutch and gearbox. Estimated cost £500 (clutch £100, gearbox £200, 2-4h labour at £50ph inc VAT), and Piaggio will not cover it. Apparently, the clutch is totally destroyed, as the last time it's been taken out, everything has been put back incorrectly.

If I get this repair job done, I will have spent more than the bike's market value in just four months to repair the damage Scooters Etc have caused to my bike!

And there doesn't seem to be anything I can do! Evil or Very Mad

I'm just worried about forking another £500+ on it, and then have something else go wrong with it in a few months.

So, please spread the word: avoid Scooters Etc at all cost!

I'd also recommend keeping clear of Londinium, as the last service was done by them and they didn't pick up the severe problems my bike was having, and they picked up and delivered the bike, so they should have diagnosed the clutch/gearbox problem.
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My other bike's a Monster... Wink

nrg · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 13 Feb 2006 Karma :

what scooter is it?

Paivi · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Karma :

Vespa GT; one of the simplest bikes to service & fix, and they can't even do that!

They are now advertising themselves as Honda authorised, but I wouldn't take a Honda there, as the mechanics are the same cowboys.
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My other bike's a Monster... Wink

Dan 4RR · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Karma :

What cc is it if you don't mind me asking?
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Paivi · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Karma :

125cc. Why?
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My other bike's a Monster... Wink

Marci · Brolly Dolly Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Karma :

Citizens Advice > Small Claims Court. Thumbs Up

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gixxersixx · Trackday Trickster Joined: 17 Sep 2006 Karma :

might be worth contacting trading standards
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