Are you sure your bike was truly 100% new, fresh from factory?

[ClassicVW_imp]

Motogeezer,.......When the salesman said "The other buyer might not care that there's a scratch on the muffler", do you really think he's going to point out that scratch to a potential buyer? If you do, I have bridge for sale....

[Motogeezer1949_imp]

Well Classic with all due respect in regard to your real estate acumen, I'll say this: I spent a considerable amount of time during my 40 year career being a mediator, the occasional expert witness and still participate as a member of an ethics committee for a national professional organization. IMO, responsibilities not to be taken lightly. We're told not many are qualified to do so, as the average person overthinks most things they consider issues and allow their fear to overcome reason. I think this thread is an excellent example of how that can happen. One can assume all one wants, it still doesn't make whatever one is assuming, so.
That said, I think it's time to throw a leg over the CB and find some pizza and a brew. Good riding to all

[Ghis_imp]

To add a couple more details into the mix, even though I had looked the bike over, before signing, I only noticed the scratch at delivery, when all was done. I imediately mentioned it, and upon checking on the price on the new can, they decided not to order one, and to wait for a new bike to come in to swap it. After they swapped the mufflers, the '14 CB was back on the show room perfectly lined up between other bikes. They are not warrantying this thing. As the sales manager said:"the buyer of this bike might not care at all about the scratch". However we rationalize it, that is still a brand new bike on the floor with a used muffler from a previous year bike. The question is, would you like this to be your bike? This dealer won't even discount the bike (except for Honda incentive), for nothing, since they are getting hard to get. There may still be plenty, but they are only so many. Who knows, if the new owner notices s/he might get $100 off the price for taking it as is...

[Motogeezer1949_imp]

Excellent. So as far as the bottom line regarding how you were dealt with, your sales guy made everything good and didn't try to take advantage. (Eating a slice at my local pizzeria)

[emptysea]

As I understand it, your 2013 was new, so the can was new, too. Scratched, but new. It's up to the buyer to inspect the bike and make note of any flaws. It sounds like your dealer will promptly and fairly correct the scratched can for the the buyer of that bike, but it will be up to the buyer to notice it. Why is this different than buying a car or a sofa or a house? You're getting the bike you want at the price you agreed to and, presumably the buyer of the next bike will feel the same.

[ClassicVW_imp]

As I understand it, your 2013 was new, so the can was new, too. Scratched, but new. It's up to the buyer to inspect the bike and make note of any flaws. It sounds like your dealer will promptly and fairly correct the scratched can for the the buyer of that bike, but it will be up to the buyer to notice it. Why is this different than buying a car or a sofa or a house? You're getting the bike you want at the price you agreed to and, presumably the buyer of the next bike will feel the same.

You guys are, I believe, missing the point that the switch was not done at delivery. The scratch was noticed at delivery and Ghis took the bike and rode it for two months, until another CB came into the dealership and then they called him and did the switch. The buyer of the '14 if he doesn't notice, will pay top dollar for a new bike, but it will have a used muffler. Its not just unethical, its illegal to sell a vehicle as new with used parts on it.

When you bought your new sofa, would you care if they sold it to you as new, but had actually loaned it out to a family to use for two months? I bet you would care.

[Motogeezer1949_imp]

Sorry CVW, but as a point of discussion on this thread, no vehicle has yet been sold with a used part on it. It certainly appears that there is a possibility that could happen, but we don't know and IMO, should not necessarily assume that will happen. I believe, just as firmly as you feel your assumption will come to pass, that the sale would be consummated satisfactorily with the buyer, just as Ghis' was. So I suppose we have the classic "glass half empty vs. half full" scenario.
But, agreed, yes it would be unacceptable to represent or sell a vehicle with a used part as new and stated so a few posts ago.

[SanPete_imp]

As I understand it, your 2013 was new, so the can was new, too. Scratched, but new. It's up to the buyer to inspect the bike and make note of any flaws. It sounds like your dealer will promptly and fairly correct the scratched can for the the buyer of that bike, but it will be up to the buyer to notice it. Why is this different than buying a car or a sofa or a house? You're getting the bike you want at the price you agreed to and, presumably the buyer of the next bike will feel the same.

You guys are, I believe, missing the point that the switch was not done at delivery. The scratch was noticed at delivery and Ghis took the bike and rode it for two months, until another CB came into the dealership and then they called him and did the switch. The buyer of the '14 if he doesn't notice, will pay top dollar for a new bike, but it will have a used muffler. Its not just unethical, its illegal to sell a vehicle as new with used parts on it.

When you bought your new sofa, would you care if they sold it to you as new, but had actually loaned it out to a family to use for two months? I bet you would care.

You guys are, I believe, missing the point.

When you bought your new sofa, would you care if they sold it to you as new, but had actually loaned it out to a family to use for two months? I bet you would care.
People fart on sofas!

[Motogeezer1949_imp]

I can see the reason to put the old muffler on the new bike. Even if temporarily. Someone might want to hear it run, maybe even want to test ride it, buy it and come back for the new one to be installed when it came in. We would never have new bikes missing parts on the sales floor, we had to put them in the back. If it's not on the floor the chances of selling it are reduced unless someone asks specifically for that model.

[ClassicVW_imp]

I too, can see the reason to put that muffler on the new bike -temporarily. When I bought my CB, it was slightly used, about 500 miles on it. The salesman right away pointed out three small scratches on the top of the tank and he stated they had tried to remove them but unfortunately without success. Well, we made the deal and I was to return the next day to pick it up. Upon my return, the salesman had a big smile and pointed out the area where the scratches had been. They were completely gone and as much as I studied the area, there wasn't a trace of them at all. I thought that was great, that they put a lot of effort into it even after I had made the deal that included the scratches being there.

I think we're expecting different future behavior by Ghis's dealer.
The way Ghis explained their behavior, their comments, and my experience with other dealerships,....not the one I bought from...I am certain they will sell the '14 with that used muffler and not even think twice about it.

I worked for a short time after retirement as a car salesman for the highest rated most awarded dealership in the country of that particular brand. Great ratings across the board. But, up close I saw the goings-on and they way they lied and cheated the customers, it made me sick and I couldn't be a part of it. I felt like I was throwing away my reputation.