First off, don't say something that will get my story sent behind the wall before at least two people read it.

I bought a leaf/lawn sweeper and it had to be assembled. To say there was a lot of parts is an understatement because of the sweeper and the hopper. Originally I was going to get a John Deere but after research I determined every brand seem to suffer from the same issue..... nylon fiberglass gears inside the wheels that turn the sweeper. Too much drag or speed and they wear out very very quickly. Ohio Steel brand had as many high marks as any other and it was, as the name suggests, American made and almost half the price. Still maybe 20% said it was either junk or too damn hard to assemble. One person said it took them 7 hours. The video says it takes 1/2 hour (which I didn't look at till I got stuck).

The owners manual was clear as bell, so I thought they must have heard the early feedback from years back. I'm thinking, dang this really going fast and easy. Till the very, very last step which says to pull up the hopper bag and attach the tension bar. The video shows the guy lifting it like its a couple of peas on a spoon. And, I could see I had a real issue trying to line up the frame hole to insert a removable screw. With both myself and my wife we tried our best. No luck. So I sat the hopper out in the sun and called the American company. After hearing multiple recordings how service was so important to them, I get an generic-work-at-home answer lady who takes down my problem and says I can expect a call back within 5 to 7 business days. No I didn't call on Labor day, this was last week.

I ended up dismantling part of it, cutting up two tennis balls and inserting them into dismantled frame ends that otherwise may have poked holes in the bag, got out the drill and after trying three sizes was able to enlarge the frame hole to accept the screw "with no tension" on it and the material stretched as far as it would ever go. I even need to get out the die and tap (I think that's what its called) to rethread the screw which go gobbered up from trying to force it in a a bad angle.

Both parts are all together now. I haven't tried it out and likely will not for a while. And to think I laughed at the guy who said it took him 7 hours or at those who just gave up. Shame on me. The company was within one step of me giving them a 5-star rating. I kept thinking boy I'm glad I got my early training working on Old Cars.

 

So what's their star rating now?

 

Dave I had the same story with my leaf vacuum from DR.
Side went together slicker than snot on a glass door knob.
The top had two crossbars. The top was made of vinyl and denim over-laid.
I had to put it out in the sun. Didn't help.
I had to cut a two by four to just the right length and wedge it between the side rails.
Slowly, banging the 2x4 into place I was able to wedge two sides apart.

Their video shows the petite young woman casually folding it up.
I guess they didn't lie since they didn't show her putting it together.

 

I wasn't going to ask you if you called on Labor Day because Labor Day has not come yet this year.

So, if you are expecting a call back, you probably won't hear back from them until at least next Tuesday, because Monday is a holiday...Labor Day.

Hope you got it all worked out.

 

People who give good customer service are a dying breed. I'm going on week three in waiting to get my cable fixed properly. Called the tech 3 times over the last three weeks and got his voice mail twice and left a message no call back. Got him on the 3rd call he said he didn't forget about me that he would take care of it but still hasn't. Called to get a price for a new serpentine belt for the S they wanted 133.00 for the belt and they said it would be another 125.00 for labor. I asked them why so much for labor since it is about a 10 minute job he said they charge for an hour's labor and that was it.
5 to 7 days is just ridiculous they should of at the very least had someone call you back the same day Dave.

 

Interesting you mentioned the serpentine belt. I had to have that replaced on my S when I took it in for inspection/emissions/oil change the other day. It was $360, so you are getting off cheap.

 

I'm not going to make any remarks about the above-mentioned costs of a serpentine belt. Geez.

However, I did recently buy a budget-grade electric bicycle from China; a Nakto Ranger. It was advertised to arrive 80% assembled and they said that you would be riding it within the hour of its arrival. It was very accurate. The only parts to mount were the pedals, front wheel and handlebar/stem assembly. The only adjustments were to true up the front brake rotor and set the limits and indexing on the derailleur ( 6-speed, so, rear only). I've taken 7 trips all under 15 miles on it and I'm just delighted. I'm able to move down the road at 15mph to 22 mph (4th, 5th and 6th gear) with effort low enough to keep my pulse rate within my cardiologist's parameters.

 

^ Then I will, a serpentine belt for $360.00 is highway robbery !. Please tell me that included the tensioner assembly. I know the factory Honda belt is stupid expensive ($90+) and it does last longer than aftermarket belts that cost $20, but still. Made in Japan is getting very expensive, along with servicing at a dealer.

I don't know what you all think, but it seems like the price of everything has skyrocketed under Covid19, everyone is trying to make up for lost profit of the last 6 months.

 

Fortunately, I am seldom there. But I have an almost 20-year relationship with my service rep and trust that the work will be performed well. The car will bring a premium if I do sell it, so worth it to me to maintain it properly, i.e. not look around for the cheapest place to do the work. Bottom line, though, living in DC is expensive, and not just in terms of car maintenance.

EDIT...OK, I went and looked at the actual bill again. The rep quoted me $360 but it was *only* $319 - $119 for the belt and $225 for the labor minus a $25 coupon.

They never charge me for inspection and I get a really nice interior and exterior cleaning for free. The only thing I have to worry about for the future is tire replacement. They have been in the yellow range for awhile now. Hoping since I am not driving the car much they will hold out for another year or two.

 

^ I wonder how they calculate labour cost on the belt replacement, shop book estimate or actual time. It is literally a ten minute job, even a one hour flat rate charge would be plenty, unless their rate is $225 per hour. The belt charge is about standard for the Honda part, give or take. I know you have peace of mind at the end of the job and Honda parts and service are top notch, not to mention a nice wash