BMW Playing Hardball

[ronk1200lt]

I just talked to two U.S. BMW dealers. They can no longer issue Recall Letters which are required to licence an imported bike in Canada. The only way to get the letter is to pay $500 to BMW Canada. If American dealers do issue the letter, BMW U.S.A has said they will revoke their franchise agreements. This came down from on high the last week of November. Boy, they are really playing hardball with the consumer.

[UncleRock]

I just talked to two U.S. BMW dealers. They can no longer issue Recall Letters which are required to licence an imported bike in Canada. The only way to get the letter is to pay $500 to BMW Canada. If American dealers do issue the letter, BMW U.S.A has said they will revoke their franchise agreements. This came down from on high the last week of November. Boy, they are really playing hardball with the consumer.
Don't buy BMW
Seems pretty simple
In fact take a picture of the $500 cash as you lay it on someone else as down payment. Send that and a picture of your nutsac to BMWNA
Rock

[ajs]

Are you buying the bike from a dealer or privately? If privately, I would go the route of the owner asking for a print out of the work done on the bike from his dealer. Some have said, in response to your previous thread on this subject, that this has been accepted by the Canadian feds.

If from a dealer, and they are unwilling or unable to give the letter, I would reduce the price of the bike by 500.00 as a condition of sale. Their failure to see it that way would result in a walk away deal breaker. I would then be off checking out other private or dealer NON CANADIAN BMW's that are for sale.

What really concerns me in all this is BMW Canada's insistence that the speedometer be changed out to read in Km's. and the recalibration of the computer and the fees they charge for this service. The American speedometer has both miles and km's on the dial which meets Canadian inspection requirements.

My reason for being concerned about this is very selfish. I plan to buy a 'next generation' LT when they finally come out and I will be looking very hard in the U.S. for a new or used one. If the Canadian pricing difference is still there, I will NOT be buying any BMW on this side of the border.

FWIW, I understand Honda has not gone to playing this kind of hardball. They are still in a free market mindset.

[ronk1200lt]

I thought of getting the owner to get a vehicle printout, but the U.S. dealers have now been instructed to not give vehicle history printouts to owners. They can view them on the screen, but now printouts are allowed. This makes it tough.

[UncleRock]

I thought of getting the owner to get a vehicle printout, but the U.S. dealers have now been instructed to not give vehicle history printouts to owners. They can view them on the screen, but now printouts are allowed. This makes it tough.
Sounds like BS
How about carfax.com
Rock

[ronk1200lt]

Great idea Rock, but the Canadian Government requires that the letter have the BMW logo on it and is signed by a person either working for BMWNA or one of their dealerships. They have this sown up pretty tight.

[OKUIII]

F**k the arrogance of the BMW Dealers. They are typical ass-ho**s.

[Ted Shred]

F**k the arrogance of the BMW Dealers. They are typical ass-ho**s.

It has nothing to do with the dealer. BMWNA has asked the US dealers not to issue letters. They can't take away a franchise but they could make life difficult with supply of products...

[Ted Shred]

Wonder why any of you aren't taking issue with the Canadian Government and cursing them. They're requiring the letter aren't they?? Sounds like big government bullshit to me. Glad we don't have any of that down here:mad:

[kriach]

Actually the letter is only to prove that there are no outstanding recalls on the vehicle. I believe that the US government also requires this documentation to import a vehicle. The Canadian government does not care where the letter comes from, however it must be verifiable and valid ie:Coming from a BMW dealer that is an actual dealer and not some fly by night flake. So I fail to understand your statement regarding getting mad at the government. As You posted it is BMWNA that has requested the letters not be provided. This appears to be at the request of BMW Canada and has nothing to do with the Canadian government.



regards

Ken

[ajs]

This appears to be at the request of BMW Canada and has nothing to do with the Canadian government.



regards

Ken

I couldn't agree more. This ia BMW Canada's idea of "Free Enterprise". They are free to "enterprise" in any manner they see fit in order to protect their Canadian dealers which really protects their Canadian margins. As evidenced by the difference in pricing between Canada and the U.S. for identical bikes, they are substantial. BMW Canada could not do this without the co-operation of BMWNA and BMWNA, in turn, forcing the U.S. dealers to comply.

[DarkMeister]

Actually the letter is only to prove that there are no outstanding recalls on the vehicle. I believe that the US government also requires this documentation to import a vehicle. The Canadian government does not care where the letter comes from, however it must be verifiable and valid ie:Coming from a BMW dealer that is an actual dealer and not some fly by night flake. So I fail to understand your statement regarding getting mad at the government. As You posted it is BMWNA that has requested the letters not be provided. This appears to be at the request of BMW Canada and has nothing to do with the Canadian government.



regards

Ken

To comment for you and Ted both:

It IS as if BMW is running the government. The reg's on vehicle compliance are dictated by Transport Canada.

During the days of gov't cutbacks, with all departments cutting costs, applying cost-recovery, and farming work out, Transport CONTRACTED Livingston Brokers to run RIV. With me so far? Private enterprise doing government work.

The only issue here is "oustanding recalls". That's all that's needed for compliance and everything else is a smokescreen.

That being said, I filed a complaint with the Minister of Transport, because I feel my documents satsfy THEIR legislative requirements. Their contractor, RIV, is practically being dictated to by BMW. This wasn't the intent when Transport relegated their role, because compliance comes in many forms and formats. The crux: are there, or are there not, outstanding recalls? I have proof that there are NOT, yet RIV says "not good eneough". If validity is in doubt, all they have to do is check with the issuer, a bona-fide dealer.

Transport Minister, or his Minions, never replied to my complaint or even acknowledged it. RIV "managers" never return calls, either.

There is something seriously wrong here.

[HornHonker]

Honda USA went a step further with the USA car dealers and told them to not sell to Canadians. This ofcourse was a result of pressure from Honda Canada... I'm a long time Honda car supporter and will never again buy one. We must speak with our wallets, it is the only thing they care about.