Dear all, after weeks of negotiations with Ong of Dirt Wheels, it has amount to nothing satisfactory. First of all, I would like to apologize for what is to be a wall of words coming up. The full story of what transpired between me and him would be told here.
I have spoken the truth here and I would leave it to the readers here to judge for yourself whether did I jump the gun or made a mountain out of a mole hill.
On the 28th of March 2009, I went down to Dirt Wheel with a few of my friends with the intention to check out the price of a KTM 990 Super Duke. On reaching there, Ong attended to me. He asked me if I am interested in a new or used superduke as he have used ones available.
On finding out that a new one costs $29500 machine price, I decided to check out the used one he had. He told me its an 07 model registered in Jan 08 with Akra Y pipes and GPR end cans, quoted me a price of $23000 machine only. He assured me that there is still warranty left over from the initial 2 years unlimited mileage warranty. He also told me that he would be changing all the fluids (brake fluid, engine oil, coolant, etc) and install a pair of tyres of my choice.
When I expressed interest, he suggested to me to go talk to my bike shop doing financing for my Busa. I went down to Speedway and after balancing the sums, decided to commit to the bike.
One week later, I collected the bike on the 4th April at Speedway. The following week, on the 11th April, I was travelling along PIE towards Changi when the chain snapped and broke free from the sprocket assembly. The resulting damage, front sprocket cover, bent push rod, damaged sprockets, lash marks on the frame, engine case, rims and tyres and god knows what else.
When I had the bike towed to Dirt Wheel the same day, I also went down to discuss about the repairs to be done. When I reached there, I saw the older mech (Not Mike) trying to use epoxy to glue back the chipped off engine casing. Not happy with the way things are being repaired, I wanted to go speak to Ong. Unfortunately, Ong was not in town, he was in Sepang. The lady spoke to me saying that Ong was unavailable and told me not to worry as the bike is under warranty, etc. I then told her that I am willing to wait for the parts to arrive and asked her to stop the mech from further repairs.
That was when she went over to the repair bay. When she got back, she changed her tune and start saying that the chain snap was a result of rider negligence and no warranty claims would be honoured. Pissed off, I went home to go online and search for more info with regards to warranty claims.
It was during this search that I was shocked to discover that what Ong claimed to have sold me is not a genuine 07 model super duke. When I approach Ong with regards to this issue, he told me that it was a " 2007 Limited edition Super Duke Battle Replica". The Replica as he claimed came only in black, is a single seater with carbon head cowl and Akrapovic end cans. Everything else is the same as per a normal 2006 model. When I asked for documentary proof to show that what KTM delivered is indeed a Limited edition, he printed out a Delivery certificate to show me.
What was stated in the Delivery Certificate was not what Ong had told me. The delivery receipt was for a Model Year: 2006 990 Super Duke Titanium. It did not mention anything about it being a limited edition. And yet Ong insisted that it is one. I asked him if I can verify it myself with KTM Austria and he told me to "go ahead" I emailed KTM Austria on 3 separate occasions to the few email addresses I managed to get from the Internet but got no reply. Until late last week, I received a call from Ong asking me why I emailed KTM Austria. He also told me that he have received an email reply from a “Ilse Sallinger” certifying the bike as a “Cup Race Version”. I did not receive any official replies from KTM but instead, I have a printed email stating the same thing as what Ong have claimed.
Why am I so adamant about getting to the truth of whether it is an 07 or an 06 model? The 07 model is a revised, upgraded one from the previous model in that the 07 comes with radial mounted brakes, bigger fuel tank and improved instrument cluster, just to name a few crucial difference. How would this affect me? It might not affect me much in terms of riding enjoyment but if, in future, I decide to sell it away, I would likely be hit with a much lower selling price than a genuine 2007 model with all the goodies. Your guess is as good as mine as to whether the Singapore Importer of KTM would know the difference, and if he does, why did he not bring it to my attention?
Back to my bike with a cracked engine case. I was told last Saturday 25th April by Ong that the repairs including inspection would take up to 2 months and there is a chance that I may not get a full claim. If the warranty claim was to be rejected, I am expected to foot the full cost of replacements. Ong then offered to trade in the bike at its full price of $23000 if I were to get a brand new Superduke or suffer a $500 depreciation and he take in at $22500. With this in mind and no clear explanation as to why the bike’s look was changed so drastically, I decided to ask for a refund and run away as far as possible. He then offered to absorb the registration and first 6 months road tax as a good will measure. Tempted, I told him I would consider first before going down to Speedway to discuss the financing for the bike.
I went down to Speedway on the same day to check out the loan I have to take and repayment period. On discovering that I have to make a much higher monthly repayments, I decided that it is too much of a liability. I decided to ask for a refund. The salesperson at Speedway, Shun Hong, urged me to reconsider and asked me if I am willing to reconsider if he can discuss with Ong to absorb the COE. Tempted again, I asked for some time to think about it.
27th April, I decided to refuse the deal and promptly smsed Shun Hong about it. Again, he suggested to me that he would discuss with Ong to absorb the COE. I told him no, I want back my full refund. A few hours later, I smsed Shun Hong again and asked him for update and he told me that he had already relayed the message to Ong and that I should approach him direct. When I called Ong, his reply was that he has never promised me a full refund, only a trade in offer for a used bike at a $500 depreciation or brand new bike with no depreciation.
30th April, I decided the best way for me to go was to try and get back my refund either through the Small Claims Tribunal or by engaging a lawyer. As the cost of the lawyer might be hefty, I decided to leave it as a last resort. So when I went down to the SCT, I was advised by the kind people there to prepare all the necessary documents and think through the end results I want. Would I want a full refund or would I want to settle for a complete repair? The answer is obvious, I have lost all faith and trust after all this fracas and I just want to get my refund and get another bike.
So how do I prove that the bike is not what was claimed to be? I would have to go down to LTA and ask them to verify the claims of Dirt wheel. Afte rall, KTM Austria refused to entertain my emails and there is no other feasible methods of obtaining the hard facts, the only way I could think of would be to get LTA to verify if the bike was truly a 2007 model. I had a hard time explaining to the lady in charge of my predicament and at one point of time, I was asked if it was possible that a 2006 model bike could be manufactured in 2007. Well, I would not discount the possibility BUT… it is highly unlikely. And the lady agreed with me. And so she kindly told me that she would call up Dirt wheel and check the paperwork. She told me she would call me with the answer latest by the 5th of May and she did promptly called me as promised. Unfortunately, she was unable to verify the paperwork as Dirt wheel seemed to have problems sending her what she wanted.
And on the same day, I have a couple of missed calls from Dirt wheel. I was unable to pick up as I was in a lecture. But by the time I called him back, I was scolded by Ong for “not being a Gentleman” and “getting him into trouble with the LTA”. He then insisted that I go down to Dirt wheel ASAP with a Tow Truck to collect the bike. He also told me that he is going to send me a lawyer stating the repairs done and parts that have been changed. Failure to do so would result in him charging me for daily rated storage fees. He refused to tell me over the phone the cost of the repairs or the amount charge for storage per day, he insisted that he would show me the invoice once I arrive with the tow truck. Why a tow truck when the repairs are made? Because he said that the bike is not road worthy as there was damage to the engine case. I was to go and find myself a mechanic to replace the engine casing if I want or scrap it, “its all up to you”, he said over the phone.
Why should I collect a bike that is not road worthy? And, as the importer of the brand, is this the kind of after sales service to expect?
This case has been dragging for more than a month already and it looks like its getting bad to worse. In the first place, Dirt Wheel was the one who changed a brand new set of tyres for me and all other fluids (engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, etc) before shipping it over to Speedway in Bukit Batok for my collection. It was them that went against the owner’s manual by using a chain joint instead of rivets to reattach the chain. As the importer of the KTM Brand, how could they not know about this?
If they have agreed straightaway that all costs of repairs would be borne by them, would it have led to me discovering that they sold me something that was not as claimed? Why am I compelled to decide between taking a risk of having to pay for full repair costs or from topping up cash to get another brand new motorcycle? How would you guys decide if you are in my shoes?
