Master-Tec of Calne/Devizes - Steer Clear!

[Bigfish]

I am driven to make you all aware of the awful customer service I have received from Master-Tec.
He fitted some tyres on a painted rim and did not clean the inside rim of lose paint and aluminium oxide, when we got home the tyre was leaking! I done some research on line and asked around, I discovered this was normal practice on older rims to clean up the inner rim before fitting the tyre. I discussed the problem with him and I was surprised to discover he was going to charge again to put it right, so I asked the question, had he cleaned the rims? He had not done this, so I viewed it as his mistake and he should put it right! After some discussion and under duress he did put it right.
However, he is now refusing to deal with me because I complained!
You will see in my previous threads, I am quick to phrase good customer service and quality workmanship (Anarchy Motorcycles) so this is not me just ranting on without judgement, consideration and balance.
Its important that our pride and joy is looked after and treated right, in my view Master-Tec do not, so be warned >:(

[JayP]

Sounds like you had a bad experience. In his defence though, I had a tyre fitted there recently, after recommendation from someone else on the forum, and I was impressed by his attention to detail. Nevertheless, the days when 'the customer was always right' seem to be long gone unfortunately.

[wiltshire builders]

Sounds like you had a bad experience. In his defence though, I had a tyre fitted there recently, after recommendation from someone else on the forum, and I was impressed by his attention to detail. Nevertheless, the days when 'the customer was always right' seem to be long gone unfortunately.
That was me!
I use Keith and he's just serviced and MOT'd my zx 10. He picked it up and dropped it off and sorted out an electrical fault.

Sounds a bit out of character as he's a really nice bloke. He even talked me through a breakdown I had when I was in Austria.

Sorry you had a bad experience Big Fish, hopefully it's a one off.

[Bigfish]

Its good to have a balanced view, I accept some would have had a good service and maybe some not. This is my view and maybe it is a one off, fairly drastic one as I was willing to go back and use him but he refused my custom!! :(

[Bigfish]

Went to Carson's today in Melksham, excellent service, nice coffee and they done an excellent job in fitting two tyres for me while I waited and to top it all they where cheaper! Will be going back! ;D

[lolliver]

Just to add my 0.02p, I've also had a great experience with Carson's recently.
Had both of my tyres done at the same time for a very reasonable price, had a good coffee and they chatted to me whilst it was being done. Would definitely go back! :)

[goz1960]

I would always give a great deal of thought before putting things like this on an open forum? could it not leave you open to things like a letter from there solicitor.

JUST A THOUGHT :-/ :-/

[Mitch9128]

As Goz says, but further, the forum owner is responsible for posts such as this, if left, it leaves Dabz wide open. I know this sort of post would be censored on other forums, and i know plenty of people happy with Keith. Mods need to have a hard think about leaving this here.

[wiltshire builders]

Big fish is just recounting his experience. Maybe the wording 'Steer clear' is a little harsh as it's trying to influence others and could affect business.
If this post is complete fabrication then it should be taken down but it seems to be about 1 man's experience.

I know Keith and posted his details on here a while back.
He is an amazing mechanic and I trust him with my bike 100%. Within 5 minutes of talking to him you know straight away that he knows what he's doing.
The first thing he said to me when taking my bike in for the first time was
"I've worked on a zx10 a while back so still have the torque settings on file"

We need to share our experiences. Surely that's what the forum is here for.

[Mitch9128]

Sure share your experiences, but direct people to 'Steer clear'?

[YMFB]

I for one hope that we would post all bad experiences with motorcycle related services on here. There are a tyre fitters in Salisbury I wouldn't go to for the same reasons as described but that's based upon hearsay, not first hand knowledge. In recent years I have had tyres fitted at Micheldever, CW in Dorchester and Hayballs all without issue.

The problem at this workshop was resolved, it just seemed a shame it needed a re-visit and discussion to do so. If the mechanic is genuine he will I'm sure be being extra careful to ensure rims are suitably prepared before fitting new tyres in future.

I don't agree with the steer clear bit though and IMO its unnecessary as readers will make their own choice based on the rest of the post.

[RedSoul]

Just had my bike serviced and two new tyres put on by Keith at master-tec and i cant praise the guy enough...he is very knowledgeable and doesnt mind sharing it.The price was very competitive and he was a pleasure to deal with.Shall be going back to him at the end of august b4 my next big trip.

[Nelly]

I read this thread with interest. A couple of weeks ago i went to search out Keith to say hello. I ended up getting my Blackbird serviced with him. I have just picked up the bird and TBH i cannot speak highly enough about him. Apart from doing an outstanding service on the bird, which incidentally feels like a new bike now, he was very informative and took time to discuss not just what he had found, but what he may find the next time round. He advised what is likely to need looking at in the next 12 months. Apart from the service "essentials", he re-sat my exhausts as he felt that one was too close to the swinging arm. The brakes were stripped and refaced, filters changed, all lubricants replaced including the scottoiller, chain cleaned and re-lubed, the list goes on. As WB says above, you know within 5 minutes of talking to him that he knows his stuff. A fantastic service all round at a very reasonable price. But apart from all of that, you know what made me realise that he does care about his customer focus? When he had finished servicing the bike, he washed it from head to toe.
In my view. That is indeed, the dogs bollocks.
I'll be going back for sure. 8-) 10/10

[Conehead]

Everyone has and is entitled to have an opinion. It is the others that decide what they want to do with the information. To me it sounds like it was a one off and he was probably having a bad day, but that is my opinion. Thanks for the warning though.

[Gooz]

Tyres are a real pain in the ass, Ive fitted them before now and theyve leaked, after cleaning, so much Ive had to use bead seal to get the propper seating, Ive also frustratingly come up against many companies who wont fit a self sourced trye to a rim if its still on a bike, in fact Carsons are one such company, in fairness its down to insurance and arse about face legislation, As for refusing further custom I beleive it was a bit short sighted, bad customer service is a sure fire way to destroy a business, to get a second chance to put this right I would have seized with both hands, a happy customer is the best advertising campaign in the world, I would give him a couple of weeks to cool off and try again, it would be a shame to limit your options when as you can clearly see on here the guy knows his onions, personally if a mechanic was as good as this guys described, Id ask myself............... will a please or thank you get me home on a ****ty night or cold morning, probably not, but good knowledge applied correctly certainly will, some sacrifices are worth it :) :-/

[gibbo]

I've had Keith service my CBF1000 and he did a great job. Advised me what would probably be needed at the next service.
I believe he may have been a troubleshooter for Honda in the past, so that speaks for itself really.
I'll be going back when the bike's due.
All of us who work in the Services Industry, whether a bike mechanic, plumber, electrician all have the odd blip now and again, and I expect this one of those blips. >:(

[Col]

Think the title is bit ott tbh Bigfish but your thread :-?

As we in the topic of recommending people--

-would like to give a big shoutout -

Thanks- to Pete [bobtheimp] at Anarchy Motorcycles at Calne/Porte Marsh who helped me out this summer---much appreciated :)

[shiftyblake]

I have used Keith many times, I will highly recommend him to anybody. I think its poor form to post such things that goes way beyond personal opinion. You must be careful to stick to facts. I will ask for your comments to be removed. I think its perfectly acceptable to explain your feelings about your service, but you must let others decide on using him or not.

[redken1]

If this post is complete fabrication then it should be taken down but it seems to be about 1 man's experience.


We need to share our experiences. Surely that's what the forum is here for.


This is a very difficult one.

In response to the calls to remove the initial post, I would urge caution, as there is a real danger of throwing out the proverbial baby with the bath water.

Personally speaking, when I write a negative review on a business/pub/restaurant/band etc I always choose my words very carefully for obvious reasons.

As I’ve had no dealings with the business highlighted on this thread it would be inappropriate for me to comment, but allow me to make some general points.

It sets a dangerous precedent to remove all negative reviews on a public forum, permitting only positive reviews on three counts.

Firstly, it’s very difficult for prospective customers to then make a balanced judgement on a particular business/service under review.

Secondly, the public Forum then becomes in effect a media outlet for free advertising to promote businesses/services.

Last, but not least, such censorship would have serious implications for a public forum which embraces free speech.

I am intelligent enough to make a balanced judgment based on all the information provided on this thread, and would not hesitate in booking my bike in for work with Keith should the need arise.

[bobf279]

What we can't envisage is the tone of the discussion which resulted in the work being re-done "under duress". Seems like this guy has plenty of positive feedback from other members but all comments good or bad should be allowed to remain