Everything is Comin’ Up Sam!
In a surprising stroke of good luck, I’m being treated very well by a vehicle dealership, an insurance company and the lawyers representing them!
As many of you know, my scooter has been stolen twice. The first time, it was recovered that day, and the culprit was caught. However, that has not yet gone to trial. In fact, they haven’t even set a court date, despite the fact that the incident happened over 6 months ago. That left the scooter damaged, and when I took it in to get repaired in early September, the dealership had a break-in, and my scooter was stolen again. It was never recovered. The dealership is responsible for repaying me, but I was worried that I would have to hassle with people to get a fair market value for the bike. Things were dragging on, and I hadn’t heard from them in a while about it, but today, I got a call from the lawyer representing the insurance company wanting to reach a settlement with me. I ended up getting, without any hassle at all, just under $2,300 for the bike, which is a very fair value, and quite a bit more than I had been expecting!
The lawyer had gone to pretty long lengths to figure out a fair market value for the bike, calling many dealerships, and doing a lot of research. I was worried that because since this is a relatively rare vehicle (my model was a limited edition body-style only sold for one model year, in only about 100 dealerships in the US), that they would simply use some generic ‘vehicle value’ equation like Purchase Price minus 20% for each year, minus 10% per 1000 miles, blah blah blah until they determine that my bike is only worth 120$ or something. But they didn’t!
Also, the lawyer told me that the dealership is going to great lengths to keep their customer base happy, and that I have a good chance at getting a new bike for invoice price, which would mean I would hardly have to put any extra money down at all. I’m very pleased with my dealership, which of course is their intent, because it means that I will continue to patronize them for vehicle service, accessories, motor oil, etc.
So hopefully in the next week or two, you’ll see me on a hot new scoot! Yay!
Friday 25 Oct 2002 | Sam | Personal
Hey, Yay! I’m very happy for you. I can’t wait to see what you end up with. My shop, Speedinos, is “moving” out to the mother shop, Thunder Mountain Harley Davidson. They are leaving downtown. I consider it the death nell for the shop. I have seen some of the things the Harley shop has done and am none to impressed. I’m not confident they will care about me and my little scoot. Besides, there is not an easy way to get out to the interstate safely on a scoot. I’m bummed. And I’m spoiled. I just got my bug shop back and my scoot shop goes away. Wah. Anyhoo, good for you, patience, and good karma (or is that “scootma”), Sam! I might have to schedule regular maintenance visits home for you. Oooo, I’m starting to like this. Love ya babe!
Sam,
That is great. Usually people do not have that much luck when lawyers get involved.
You will have to post a picture of your new scooter, when you get it. I would love to see
I am pleasantly surprised about how the lawyer-interaction worked out. I’ll be sure to post pictures of my new ride once I get it!
Sorry to hear about speedinos, jana.. You should get a little trailer you can hook onto one of your bugs, that way if you need to take the scooter in, you can haul it in on the trailer!