Topic: So who actually gives a f**k anyway?

Let me warn you,that if you're thinking about buying a modern vespa,be aware that if you're not mechanically minded,that it's going to cost you big time.I've got a GTS250ie 07 model that I've done just under 20,000 ks on since I bought it new and recently had it in for a drivebelt and roller change along with a full service and rear tyre change and they also changed the steering bearing,rear wheel bearing and new brake pads,which they told me would have to be done anyway,because my warrant of fitness is due next month.
What I didn't expect was that when I rode off I noticed that the headlight wasn't aligned with the front wheel and not just by a few degrees,but was a good couple of inches to the right and I took it back straight away and then had to wait around for just under an hour for them to put it right.Stupid of me,I should have checked everything else while I was still there,because a couple of days later,I had trouble getting the seat lock to engage because the lock hadn't been tightened and the rear tail light wasn't either and it nearly fell out,so I had it held in with a bit of masking tape.
Just yesterday I took it in because it's got a faulty fuel pump that has to be replaced that costs $654+labour+gst of course and I pointed out the other problems that they created for me.Rennie (senior technician and workshop manager) tried to tell me that they couldn't have been responsible for those other problems,because he reckoned that they hadn't worked anywhere near them,but that's a load of crap because I have it written down on the invoice,in which he itemises the wheel bearing that he replaced along with the new brakepads for the rear wheel.
When I rang him to complain about it,he told me that he doesn't like my attitude and that he thinks I should go in,pay them for the new fuel pump they have ordered and piss off,so I asked to speak to the owner peter,who told me that he would talk to rennie and get back to me,which he did a few minutes later to tell me that they will replace the fuel pump,but that's all they're going to do and the work will have to be done by jonathan,because rennie refuses to do any work on it.However rennie never worked on it,because jonathan did and he's the one who did such a crappy job when he put it all back together,in the first place.
I told peter that according to the consumer guarantees act he is supposed to welcome my feedback,so he can improve the quality of his services and that the mature thing would be to say 'sorry,we might have made a mistake,we'll try to do better next time and bring it back in so we can put it right' and certainly not tell me 'if you don't like it,you can piss off'!
So what,he's had a lot of stress with the earthquakes and all,but guess what folks,I've been here in christchurch living through all the same myself,but unlike them,I am a single man living on my own with nobody to hold my hand when the going gets a bit rough,but it doesn't stop me though and here I am giving these people business.The fact is these days,that you're not going to like all the people you do business with,that's reality and if they can't accept that,then they shouldn't be in business then,eh!
To tell you the truth,I wouldn't recommend you buy a modern vespa,but if you're determined you want one and don't have mechanical skills then don't bring it to the south island,unless you're thicker skinned than I am and of course you're pretty rich,because mine has cost me for every tyre change (7 so far) and I've had trouble with the water pump twice and a diagnostic fault that took mrc in dunedin 10 days just to figure out what was wrong with it,but after all this time,turns out that it was all tied up to the fuel pump being faulty,which is why it is in the shop today.That new fuel pump's $654+labour+gst of course.
I told peter that I'm not one to go jumping the gun without first talking to them and following the complaints procedure,well I've talked to the tech,talked to the owner and if I'm still not happy,how I'll be posting a review of his business on the internet,before I start talking about it on kiwibiker.com.but I didn't tell him that I'm also registered with facebook,twitter,diggit,grownups,bebo,gtsownersclu b,modernvespa.com,canscoot,smilecity,nzboards,nzme ssageboards,mytradesmen,nocowboys,haveyoursay,bang thetable,yourvoice,nzbusinessreview,et al,which should keep me occupied for a while and makes up for the fact that although I'm an avid reader,how I've been unable to get a library card these last 3 months,let alone any books out to read.
So far my post on kiwibiker.com has recieved 6 replies and is currently being viewed by other members and as quick as that,the word goes out.
Happen you have a few minutes to spare have a look at eMoto's website/about us page and you'll see that although they've provided a box to write a review in,the publish button doesn't work,but look at all the good reviews they've obviously written about themselves,that if any are actually genuine,can't be verified and I've seen where that leads.I stopped to count and there's 150 of them.
I've finally learnt my lesson and from now on won't be taking my business to anyone who is not a registered member of the (mta) motor traders association.

Sounds to me like it might be cheaper to get a workshop manual and tool up- even your potential mistakes would be cheaper in the long run.

To all New Zealanders,

As of April 14, 2011, a crime has been committed against you; the Copyright Amendment Bill, has enabled law enforcement to cut off the Internet access of any New Zealander accused of piracy and fine you up to $15,000, without solid evidence.

In addition, your government appears to feel that it is acceptable to control users' Internet activity. With the help of larger corporations, the government will start logging IP addresses to initiate lawsuits. Any download, including those necessary to view media streams via Youtube or other social media sites, can be viewed as infringement of copyright laws - whether or not the download is legal - under the presumption of file transferring or sharing.

This law directly contradicts the ideals that Anonymous holds true, such as Internet freedom for all.

The 'accused' are additionally having their basic human rights violated by being presumed guilty until proven innocent. Furthermore, by suspending an account holder, rather than the access of those who are downloading, the account holder is deemed to be guilty of an offence they have not necessarily been proven to have committed.

Such actions are not those of a democracy but rather the characteristics of a lobbyist totalitarian state. Many of you have already begun to protest in order to shed light on this bill, which was hastily passed under the guise of a national emergency, with little public notice. You must join your fellow New Zealanders and show that you will stand against such outrageous behaviour, and deter other nations' governments from following. New Zealand has long been seen as a world leader when it comes to equality and human rights; let's not have this perception change now. Continue your protests with the knowledge that you are not alone - Anonymous and Internet users everywhere will stand in support of this movement.

Your civil liberties and privacy are under attack. Do not let those that you have voted into office silence you.