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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| I spent better part of a day on polaris/victory web site looking for information. I bought a second hand vision 08 and wanted to find out about warranty if i get any acknowledgment from them about being a owner or a hi welcome to the polaris/victory family. There was nothing and I emailed them and I got back a stander reply call this number and they will tell me about spending $35 dollars with them to get 4 news magazines a year from them and I will get towing 24/7 but they don't say where I'll be towed. Harley says nearest dealer and if its warranty work you get a motel on them.
I understand that they sell a lot of different recreational toys but gee I spend you spend thousands of dollars and you get nothing out of them except go to your local dealer. Well I did 68 miles to that and got a quick run down in between him answering the phone looking up parts and being him self. He did tell me the extended warranty is not from polaris/victory but from a company that sells warranty's like the kind you see on TV or in your junk email or mail. That's why for the most part it takes so long for a ok and approval. Not even the dealers for the most part know this. Harley does the same thing. I am sure all motorcycle companys do this. I have bought use harleys and all ways revived a letter from them when the bike is under warranty and have welcome me. I have a good dear but the polaris/victory network sucks and if they read some of the post here could be way bigger then they are thats for sure.
I mean this is a small world we ride in and we have the power to make company's grow or die off. It will not happen over night but they will shrink and fall by the way side.
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Tourer
Posts: 499
Chattanooga, TN | Harley owners group membership cost is $50/year, but you do get 12 issues for that price I believe, along with towing insurance. So it doesn't come free from them either. Personally, I have never bought anything used and expected all the frills that come with buying new. I bought a used 08 Vision this spring, got no frills with it, and I love it. Got a good deal compared to the price of a new one, no 'dealer magic' was sprinkled on it, but I am still very happy all around. I am also a small business owner of a 'challenger brand' which I would compare Victory to. We don't have the budget of a large franchise with lots more brand name recognition. But then again, that was one of the things I liked about Victory. Hope you will enjoy your bike more in the future, ride more, and accept the brand as a great American alternative to the piglets. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | The extended warranty I believe is through GE. I had my $900 speedometer approved and shipped to my dealer in 4 business days! I was shocked |
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Tourer
Posts: 340
Regina Saskatchewan Canada | Victory Rider Association also gives you discounts on hotels and car rentals. On our 11 day motorcycle vacation this summer we saved over $200 on hotel rentals. With that in mind I would say it was worth the $35. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | john frey - 2010-09-17 4:53 PM
I spent better part of a day on polaris/victory web site looking for information. I bought a second hand vision 08 and wanted to find out about warranty if i get any acknowledgment from them about being a owner or a hi welcome to the polaris/victory family. There was nothing and I emailed them and I got back a stander reply call this number and they will tell me about spending $35 dollars with them to get 4 news magazines a year from them and I will get towing 24/7 but they don't say where I'll be towed. Harley says nearest dealer and if its warranty work you get a motel on them.
I understand that they sell a lot of different recreational toys but gee I spend you spend thousands of dollars and you get nothing out of them except go to your local dealer. Well I did 68 miles to that and got a quick run down in between him answering the phone looking up parts and being him self. He did tell me the extended warranty is not from polaris/victory but from a company that sells warranty's like the kind you see on TV or in your junk email or mail. That's why for the most part it takes so long for a ok and approval. Not even the dealers for the most part know this. Harley does the same thing. I am sure all motorcycle companys do this. I have bought use harleys and all ways revived a letter from them when the bike is under warranty and have welcome me. I have a good dear but the polaris/victory network sucks and if they read some of the post here could be way bigger then they are thats for sure.
I mean this is a small world we ride in and we have the power to make company's grow or die off. It will not happen over night but they will shrink and fall by the way side.
huh?  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 77
Virginia Beach, Virginia | John, we get it- victory isn't Harley. Get over it already- just ride the goddamn bike, and if you decide it isn't for you, sell it. I know you have had positive feelings towards the bike, and negative towards the brand. Deep down, it doesn't matter. Changing your general tone would be appreciated. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 132
Durango, Colorado | Back in 1997 I bought a used 1994 Chevy pickup from a local Chevy dealer and the CEO of GM never offered to "fluff" me up! What a Jip! Oh....I still have that truck and it's the best vehicle I have ever owned. (Not provoking a brand debate) Just say'in. -paulhu |
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Cruiser
Posts: 132
Durango, Colorado | Birdneckrider - 2010-09-18 12:45 AM John, we get it- victory isn't Harley. Get over it already- just ride the goddamn bike, and if you decide it isn't for you, sell it. I know you have had positive feelings towards the bike, and negative towards the brand. Deep down, it doesn't matter. Changing your general tone would be appreciated. +1 "Some men you just can't reach. So you get what we have here today.......And that's the way he wants it....well....he gets it."
Edited by paulhu 2010-09-18 2:52 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | Interesting responses. Some of you guys need a good kick in the ass with that attitude. YOU FRIGGEN missed the point. And all of you who slammed the guy ARE PART OF THE FRIGGEN PROBLEM. Let me spell it out for you. If you SETTLE and EXPECT sub par
customer service, post purchase service, and long range support then you are telling the manufacturer THATS FINE WITH ME. Which is the catagory most of you fall in. If you stand up and act like you expect more, then you will get more. Ever heard the expression
"A man who stands for nothing, falls for everything". Dont friggen slam the man for being less then happy when he got no where simply
trying to acquire GENERAL HELP AND INFORMATION. You all should be standing up along side of him doing the same, otherwise you get
well............... EXACTLY WHAT YOU GOT Yeah you can tell him to love the bike and forget all the other stuff but thats pure stupidity, If i was your brain surgeon and you came to me and i did brain surgery on you and you unexpectedly had to live on a breathing machine, how would you like it if when you contacted me, i said "stop bitching at least your eyes blink.
The problem in America is we have more then one generation of people who stand for nothing. Yet are the first to bitch when its their turn
to be "in need". |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Like the man said you missed the point!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The bike is very nice and really glad I have it. BUT
Why doesn't polaris/victory send me information and welcome me and you. I don't mind riding the 68 miles to the dealer but he has other things to do. Beside when you walk in the door at the dealer he is trying to sell me something. I am a ass when I leave cause I didn't spend any money.
The bike is great but polars/vision sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| John , I bought a new 09 in Feb. this year,it came with a 1 yeard warrenty plus a 4 year extended one as part of the deal. I was almost 5 mo. before I recived any thing from Victory. So hopeful your dealer will help you if (will ) can. The hardest decision I made was this Vision should be better than the H-D ultra classic I almost bought. Good luck and enjoy your ride !!! |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | I didn't renew my victory card (whatever it is) I did one time and thought it wasn't that great. I just put someof that money into AAA. I k ow I wont get the magazine. But as far as discounts and towing there is no comparison! I was afraid to have to use the victorymembership for towing. I didn't get that warm and fuzzy feeling that they had your back.. I called them a few times in the past for many different reasons amd was shocked hoow the left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing.. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | I'm pretty certain the Victory "Welcome Wagon" department blew their budget sending their entire promotional inventory to VaParadox.
The conspiracy theorists among think that his friends (from an unnamed government agency based in Virginia) hacked the Victory MIS system to redirect all the cool stuff his way.
I do receive discount cards two or three times a year good for Victory accessories and services (only valid at my local dealer), and once I received a very nice kit with an assortment of Victory cleaners and polishes. Due to these "mistakes" I'm not sure that the security apparatus has been completely successful in their efforts to fill Vaparadox's garage shelving system with swag.
As a matter of record - My Harley experience was spoiled/ ended by a group of local dealers who decided that my 1991 E-glide was too old to work on. "Sorry we cant work on bikes over 10 years old." Despite the fact that they were happily working on virtually identical machinery (EVO engined), as long as it was not an arbitrary 10 years old. When I decided it was time for a new ride I didn't even look at HD.
I agree completely with VaParadox ; three generations of Ivy league educated bean counters have destroyed the idea of service in this country, we have become a society that prefers to landfill things rather than repair them, and if you are not an immediate source of income then you are beneath the notice of "sales driven" organizations.
Its a damn shame that a guy with a 20k+ motorcycle is not considered a valued customer . There's a lot of Victory bling (as VaParadox's bike shows) that new guys like John might be interested in even if its not in the budget today. |
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Tourer
Posts: 499
Chattanooga, TN | <p>Wah, wah, wah. Cry me a friggin' river for Pete's sake. The business world today is extremely competitive. Businesses are doing everything within reason to lower their expenses so they can reduce the price of their products to help out cash strapped customers and get out more units. This has the added benefit of keeping people employed. State and local governments are increasing the taxes collected on businesses, especially payroll taxes, because their spending has been too excessive to be sustainable in the current economic environment. And we got a few people here who wanna cry about not getting treated like they are "special". No offense to you guys, but you suck. I take that back, go ahead and be offended.</p><p> (Oh, I almost forgot to mention that on top of that, some customers who hear all the bad news about the economy, think that a business should just roll over and give them whatever deal the customer will agree to, because it's "so bad out there" and they just have to make a sale. Ever notice how many "Going out of Business" sales there are? They are quite successful because of peoples preconceived notions)</p>
Edited by baadawg 2010-09-18 4:29 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | baadawg - 2010-09-18 5:07 PM
Wah, wah, wah. Cry me a friggin' river for Pete's sake. The business world today is extremely competitive. Businesses are doing everything within reason to lower their expenses so they can reduce the price of their products to help out cash strapped customers and get out more units. This has the added benefit of keeping people employed. State and local governments are increasing the taxes collected on businesses, especially payroll taxes, because their spending has been too excessive to be sustainable in the current economic environment. And we got a few people here who wanna cry about not getting treated like they are "special". No offense to you guys, but you suck. I take that back, go ahead and be offended.
I've been trying to figure out a way to say it nicer. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | baadawg - 2010-09-18 2:07 PM
Wah, wah, wah. Cry me a friggin' river for Pete's sake. The business world today is extremely competitive. Businesses are doing everything within reason to lower their expenses so they can reduce the price of their products to help out cash strapped customers and get out more units. This has the added benefit of keeping people employed. State and local governments are increasing the taxes collected on businesses, especially payroll taxes, because their spending has been too excessive to be sustainable in the current economic environment. And we got a few people here who wanna cry about not getting treated like they are "special". No offense to you guys, but you suck. I take that back, go ahead and be offended.
I agree with your premise that the business world is extremely competitive, it always has been, and think that you are sadly mistaken about damn near everything else you said.
If you honestly think that a business owners motivation to lower prices is to help customers you need a refresher course in economics. Pricing is in most industries is always demand elastic.
I've been running small businesses most of my adult life. I've also worked for large corporations who think that the latest business buzzword is a substitute for customer service. ISO, TQM or whatever variant of the theme you want to choose is an irrelevant distraction if your customer is not the priority. The real bottom line is nothing happens until somebody BUYS something.
I can guarantee you this, after over 30 years in sales/service, if your client base doesn't feel like you give them your full attention when THEY want it, they will find someone who will.
We treat every customer as if he or she is our only customer, because customer service is something that I can control, its something that will help differentiate my business from the competition, who may be selling essentially the same product or service and I helps me create and keep a customer while my competition waits for an order. I thank every customer for their business.
Here is another little business axiom for you to chew on. For someone to succeed in a competitive environment someone else has to fail. I have been successful even in this "economic environment" because customer service is my priority and my clients know that I "appreciate their custom" as it used to be called.
Blaming government and taxes for a poor business climate and bad business decisions is also BS. Only idiots make business decisions based on tax policy alone.
Finally I would like to point out that while I do not allow anyone to badmouth Tennessee which was my home for over 30 years - Chattanooga would be a rundown little podunk town without the flood control and low cost power provided by the Army Corps of Engineers and the TVA. Chattanooga was also blessed with a number of State colleges and universities that provide educational and medical options and by a series of government decisions to route the interstate highway system through instead of away from the city giving you access to goods and services and a transportation system significantly more advanced and dependable than river traffic. This in case your still reading is just the beginning of the list.
Anyone from Tennessee who whines about the paltry taxes that they pay (which continue to be among the lowest in the nation)is an spoiled ingrate, and has no idea of how different and how much more difficult their lives would be without government.
Grow up, get a little perspective, then come back here we'll talk again about the power of the purse, economics and respect for the people who determine if you succeed or fail in business. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | Hope I don't have to find out, some on this site say the extended warranty program is OK, but from what I've read alot say it SUX............. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | XRSteve - it's always good to know the full story and its tough to do that unless it is from personal experience. I'm one not to go with extended warrantys and at the last moment I went ahead and got the 3 year, all that was available to me at the time. This past year I had to have my fuel pump replaced, and the only problem I had was trying to narrow down exactly what the issue was. Once it was discovered what it was, ZERO problems in having it replaced.
Now I don't know about this headlight issue which seems to be a problem but it seems to me that it should be covered but the rationale why it isn't I don't know. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | varyder, you are so correct on that point, I hope I don't have to find out one way or another ( I have the free 5 year extended warranty ) Loving my Vision, especially with the new CFR slip ons, man this thing sounds bad to the bone now............... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
Tucson , AZ | The reason Harley welcomes you so well is because they break down all the time.. Thats how they make their money..REPAIR...REPAIR...REPAIR.
Just to change the oil has 30 gaskets in a Harley LOL. You wont have the big problems that you were dealing with . Victory makes a top nothc bagger. There are the occasional bikes that have a problem here and there , just like everything else that is produced. Im sorry if they did not make you feel welcome. But you will find a different atmoshere when you own a Victory.
My advice is if it makes you sleep better to have a warranty... be my guest. But in most cases i think you will never use it. Never had one.... never will. You will love riding your new bike.. Relax enjoy the ride... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | Arkainzeye - 2010-09-18 2:17 PM
I didn't renew my victory card (whatever it is) I did one time and thought it wasn't that great. I just put someof that money into AAA. I k ow I wont get the magazine. But as far as discounts and towing there is no comparison! I was afraid to have to use the victorymembership for towing. I didn't get that warm and fuzzy feeling that they had your back.. I called them a few times in the past for many different reasons amd was shocked hoow the left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing..
I will not renew my VRA membership again. For the money, I will support the AMA and get their towing. At least the AMA is trying to ensure our riding habits don't get disturbed. |
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Tourer
Posts: 499
Chattanooga, TN | Tarpits, Thanks for such a written response, seriously. It is nice to have someone who will "throw the ball back" my way. I hope I can take it just as well as I can dish it out. I do not disagree with you about customer service. I do feel that the best customer service Victory can give me is to make a reliable bike with a low cost of maintenance which makes a great commuter as well as recreational vehicle. That is all I ask for. Someone sending me a welcome packet when I buy a used bike is not a top priority. I know it matters to some, but not to me. Now, about the other words you put in my mouth. I don't blame taxes on the poor business environment. I do believe with my whole heart that increasing taxes in a recession is the worst thing that could possibly be done to "help" the people, and most likely to prolong the peoples economic recovery. This great land belongs to the people; you, me, and every other citizen, not to big business. I have had the privilege of living overseas for several years as an expatriate. I know the freedoms some people take for granted. I also understand why some businesses choose to relocate operations outside the U.S., even mama Polaris. I don't blame them for remaining as competitive as possible. I applaud them. And when enough businesses do the same, perhaps the American people will come to their senses and stop extracting such exorbitant taxes from those "Filthy, Rich Businesses and Small Business Owners" such as myself. I didn't contradict myself there, I just acknowledged both sides of the argument.. About the paltry taxes I pay in Tennessee. I choose to live her after relocating over a decade ago. Among those factors was the low cost of living, relatively low tax rate, and beautiful scenery. But like elsewhere, taxes are rising. Chattanooga taxes are much higher than the surrounding areas due to its urban infrastructure, but probably still lower than most metropolises. Average income is also lower than most, but higher than the surrounding areas. And Chattanooga is seeking more "revenue enhancements". They have failed to pass an increase in the mill rate, so they increased my homes appraisal to 50% higher than it's actual worth. I protested and it was reduced after my second rejection by less than 10%. Another one is an EPA fine is being passed on only to business owners, churches, etc. but not private citizens. A local church claims to have been assessed over $13,000 annually due to water runoff from it's parking lot and roof. It is levied by the City of Chattanooga. When I started my business five years ago, I was naive. I believed a lot of things which I have found now to be false about business. I run the best franchised business of it's kind in a the area. Out of over 4000 like businesses, our in store operations including guest satisfaction is 10th best in the country. But it is a retail food business and it is affected greatly by the economy and peoples belief in an economic recovery. Despite running solid business operations, many factors are beyond my control. There are more points I could make to counter your statements, I can PM you if you'd like. But I have paid far more in taxes than I have kept. I am an honest taxpayer, to a fault my wife would say. I'm sure I could have gotten away with paying less, but I wouldn't sleep as well at night. Best wishes. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1340
Gainesville Fl Home of the Gators | XRsteve - 2010-09-18 10:09 PM
Hope I don't have to find out, some on this site say the extended warranty program is OK, but from what I've read alot say it SUX.............
I fix them for a living, and paid for an extended on my bike. They quickly respond to 90% of the claims under $750. and the longest we have had to wait for an adjuster to look at something was 24 hours. |
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | kevinx - 2010-09-19 4:51 PM
XRsteve - 2010-09-18 10:09 PM
Hope I don't have to find out, some on this site say the extended warranty program is OK, but from what I've read alot say it SUX.............
I fix them for a living, and paid for an extended on my bike. They quickly respond to 90% of the claims under $750. and the longest we have had to wait for an adjuster to look at something was 24 hours.
Thats good to hear....I was honestly concerned how well it was handled.
I bought an 08 demo bike about 6 months ago....came with the standard 1 year and extended 4 year.....total of 5 years and unlimited mileage. Im trying to wear this thing out.....so far 25K miles and still riding it......but I was concerned that the warranty wouldnt be "up to par" if I had to use it. Im slightly relieved to hear your experience.
As for Victory/Polaris.....Im actually kind of with the original poster on this one.
I didnt expect a parade in my honor.......but I did expect something. The way I see it is that Victory leaves much up to the dealers.......and MY dealer stepped in. Calls answered promptly, invitations to events.....heck he even took this HUGE Vision banner off his wall and gave it to me when I bought the bike. This all on a demo bike.......not a full retail sale.
Now if I bought one used I wouldnt have the "dealer" experience......and if my experience fell on what I got from Victory.....well, I would be VERY disappointed.
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Cruiser
Posts: 77
Virginia Beach, Virginia | I bought my 08 used from a car dealership. I have the extended warranty, which Victory has nothing to do with. I did not expect to hear from them. I did not. I have never received a card from the warranty company or a copy of the policy. Considering that I now have a new contract with them, correspondence and sent money, I expect at least a card. So be it. But a welcoming comittee for buying a used bike? If they did that it would be exceptional, not expected. |
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Lame ass polaris / victory
