Just had a bad experience at Alamo myself:
So, I recently got back from taking my new BMW down to Alamo for my 'included' run-in service, and here is my story.
I had decided a few months ago I wanted to see if I could find a good deal on a BMW r1xxxgs. I was mostly interested in 2002-ish r1150gs Adventures, or 2008+ r1200gs (either adventure or not). After shopping around a bit, and checking out a few, I was getting disheartened by the overall condition of the ones that were good 'deals' (i.e. priced aggressively), or the miles, and basically came to the conclusion that they do NOT depreciate very favorably for used purchase unless you luck into a cupcake. I did see a few of those out there, but I kept missing them. I decided that I would consider a new 2012 since BMW was offering a $1000 dealer rebate on their remaining '12s. I wasn't sure I'd find one that I liked, but figured I'd look.
In negotiating to purchase the r1200gs I had found a few dealers in snow-belt states closing out their 2012's. I was particularly interested in the 'Rallye' model, and focused on those. I found a few likely candidates in Ohio, New Hampshire, Arizona and New Mexico. I also found one at Alamo BMW in San Antonio, but they weren't advertising a discount at all beyond the $1000 rebate. I sent emails/left messages at each of the dealers and started contacting all of them. I confirmed the prices, got my financing together, and generally lined things up to purchase. At that point I contacted Alamo to confirm they still had the Rallye, and they did. I sent them my list of 'comps' and asked if they could match the cheapest since I'd prefer to buy local-ish. The salesman - Jim - said they couldn't, BUT he did offer a small discount putting them in the ballpark, and said they'd include the run-in service. My research online suggested that prices for the run-in service varied between $170-300, so that and not having to fly/ride a bike back from some far-off locale sealed the deal. We made the appointment and I picked up the bike on December 29th. I paid a price that I was very comfortable with given the prices I was seeing '08+ r1200gs's sell for online.
It had 0 miles when I got it, and the break in service is supposed to be performed at 600-ish. I scheduled the service for this weekend figuring that'd be about the time I should hit 600 miles. I went a bit long, 750 miles by the time I got to Alamo this morning. The ride down there was great, a few tight radius twisties, and many really good sweepers lie on the 620/71/12/32/473/474 route that I took between here and there. It was a bit chilly traveling thru the hill country at 8:00am, but was at least above freezing, and I am used to commuting in the cold. I got there promptly at 10:00 for my appointment and asked if they had a demo I could run down to Rudy's (3-4 miles round trip) for Tacos, and they didn't
so I just camped out in the waiting area watching SpeedTV. It took them about an hour to get to my bike (10:00 appt), but they still finished not long after 12:00 - maybe 12:30 or so. That is when things went wrong. They presented me an invoice for $280.58. The invoice also was for two hours labor... they must have rounded up?
I said - "Hey, Jim said the initial service is included!" They said "No problem, let us go check your file" - they checked the file and there was no documentation that the service was included. They showed me that I had signed off on their 'we owe' accessory form as nothing being owed(I thought it was for accessories), so they said 'Pay up sucka!" I should have made sure I got good documentation of the free service, a coupon or something…
After speaking with both owners (Kermit and Suzanne) - they refused to waive the charges and I refused to pay, so I called the Sheriff to take a report. Alamo offered to split the cost of the service with me, and the Sheriff said I was welcome to leave, but couldn't take the bike unless I came to terms with the shop. The Sheriff documented that they had offered to reduce the service charge to $140.29, so I paid the $140.29 and got out of there asap (at around 2:00). Sheriff said I am welcome to take it up in civil/small claims. I already filed with the BBB and will contact my card to see if they can initiate a dispute on Tuesday - I just have to make sure they won't lien the bike, hopefully the credit card people can hash it out.
The ride home was awesome, weather was in the high 50's low 60's the whole way, the curves were even better without the fog of the morning, and I was able to get my average mpg up to 44.3 and my average speed up a few mph as well
Lesson learned - no matter how excited to take delivery when buying a new bike, make sure EVERYTHING included in the deal IN WRITING - especially with Alamo BMW/Triumph. BTW - they still owe me a key since one of the two keys they gave me was split at the keyring loop - I don't expect to receive it now, because nothing was in writing... I am glad Lone Star is local to me for the future.
BTW - I LOVE the bike, so even though I will gladly avoid Alamo at all costs from here on out, I couldn't be happier with my Rallye