http://www.bbb.org/lexington/business-reviews/motorcycles-dealers/kentucky-motorsports-manufacturing-in-lexington-ky-125946829
Check this out! They are now BBB revoked and a F rating!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Kodiak Motorcycle Truths cont.
Here are some stories published on www.kodiakmotorcyclessuck.com
They are very interesting to me, because they are so similar. I would like to know how this guy gets away with it.
"
yea ran into bear a few years ago and i waited all summer long for an old friend to get his four wheeler fixed and bear did exactly like some of the stories I’ve heard, calling Mason saying, “hey i need $20 to get this part, I need $65 to get…” blah blah. It was every time random amount from $10-$200. Needless to say he spent almost $1500 to get his four wheeler motor rebuilt.
Bear took it to his house behind Saint Joe and a black guy lived with him. We found out where he lived and bear kept the quad outside in the driveway in plain site for anyone to steal or whatever. We looked at it and damn he acted like he did some work and it was a busted casing and bolts and everything missing. Well we had to chase Bear down. It started in like April ’07 and didn’t get his quad back till about October and he ended up taking the quad somewhere else to get fixed.
From what i understood bear was put in prison for doing same thing to other people and selling stolen bike parts n not doing what he was suppose to do with the money. I stumbled upon Topix.com and seen it and read some of the stories. Seems someone needs to see if he still under probation or anything OR everyone get together and just show up to the shop or his home and let him know they’re fed up with his bullshit and see what can be done about getting their money back". (www.kodiakmotorcyclessuck.com)
"
I was interested in a custom motorcycle and began talking to Kodiak Motorcycles. I met Bear Latimer, the owner, and began looking at different styles of bikes and the options that were available. I let him know right from the beginning that I wasn’t in a rush, my cash flow had me limited on what I could do, but wanted to get an idea of what I would be spending.
Bear said that since I had several friends interested in building bikes as well, he would be willing to make my bike a “program bike” – apparently he could get special pricing on items from time to time and I could take advantage of this pricing for all parts on my bike. So essentially I could get a $18,000 bike for around $12,000. I said that was fine, but I never had a bunch of money sitting around to jump on every deal that came around. I stressed that I wanted my build to take a year if we started early.
Two days later Bear called me around 8pm.
“I know you’re not in a rush to get things started, but one of the frame vendors called me with a killer deal that I think you will want to take advantage of.”
“Bear, I haven’t even looked at my finances, but I already told you I can’t get started on this for a while.”
“I know, but you really will want to jump on this. It’s a Rolling Thunder frame that retails for $2,200. I can get it TODAY for $600.”
“That’s a good deal, but I just don’t know that I have the money to do anything right now.”
“Why don’t you look at your finances and see what you can pull together. I told him I’d call him back and let him know within the hour.”
I thought it would be a good deal IF I could pull it off. I had the money, but it was budgeted for other things and I didn’t want a bike build to turn into a financial noose around my neck. Bear called me no more than five minutes after I got off the phone with him. “They’ve sweetened the deal. I told him that you were looking at your finances and he said he has this (certain brand name that I don’t remember) fuel tank that has a small dent in it. He’ll throw that in for free if we can close the deal tonight. It’s a $700 fuel tank. So you’re getting $2,900 worth of products for $600.”
“Alright, let’s do it. See you in 20 minutes.”
So Bear said he ordered the stuff, but when it came in he was going to take it to his house because he didn’t want his business partner Jerry to know that I was paying their cost on the bike. “Jerry thinks we need to make money on everything that goes through here and he won’t understand the value of the website you can build for us.” That made me uneasy. Are we hiding stuff from your own business partner? At the time I didn’t care because he did write me a receipt so I had proof that I paid for it. What goes on between he and his business partner is between them.
A few weeks later, I brought another $1,200 in cash. This time, Bear wrote me two receipts, one for $800 and one for $400. He put the $800 in an envelope and asked me to drop it off to Jerry since he lived down the street from me. The other $400 went in his pocket. Alright, uneasy #2, but again, I’ve got receipts.
A little over a month goes by and I still haven’t seen a frame or a fuel tank nor any other part that I gave him money for. I decided then that I wasn’t putting money towards anything until I started to see progress. He calls in a “last minute panic” wanting to purchase an ignition system for the bike. He apparently found a deal on a $400 ignition system that he could get for $150. I told him I didn’t have the money. He kept asking for less and less, so I took him $30 and he said he’d be able to get it. WTF. Anyway, just keep track of the money…
Fast forward a few weeks when Bear makes me a “partner” in the company. Because I’m impatient and knew that my money had probably already been spent, I asked for Project X to be my compensation. My deal was simple: I’m supposed to get a free bike in exchange for running the website for two years. Since the stuff I ordered wasn’t there but Project X was already a rolling chassis, that would put me ahead. Bear agreed no problem.
We organized an Open House event at the end of the 2010 season to display work that the shop has done. I wanted it so they would hit panic mode and be slightly embarrassed and be really ready for 2011. I stated the only thing I wanted was for Project X to be painted and set up as a rolling chassis. Afterall, that was the only bike in the shop that was a shop original.
Bear hit me up for money for paint a week before the event. I told him I wasn’t putting money into anything until I saw progress on the bike. He kept going round and round and I asked him how much it would be. He said the total was $300 so I gave him $150. Paint never was purchased.
When the shit hit the fan and I decided to leave Kodiak, I told them I wanted my money back and wanted to part ways. They wanted to come up with some sort of payment plan but not offer anything as collateral. I said, “Here’s an idea, give me my frame and fuel tank I already paid for and we’ll work out payment on the rest of the money.”
Bear said my frame was being used on another customer’s bike and the tank was on yet another customer’s bike. Funny, no frame came in that place after I started hanging out there. So, which lie do you want to go with, Bear? That you actually ordered the stuff and are using it on other customers’ bikes or did you just not order them at all?" (www.kodiakmotorcyclessuck.com)
They are very interesting to me, because they are so similar. I would like to know how this guy gets away with it.
"
yea ran into bear a few years ago and i waited all summer long for an old friend to get his four wheeler fixed and bear did exactly like some of the stories I’ve heard, calling Mason saying, “hey i need $20 to get this part, I need $65 to get…” blah blah. It was every time random amount from $10-$200. Needless to say he spent almost $1500 to get his four wheeler motor rebuilt.
Bear took it to his house behind Saint Joe and a black guy lived with him. We found out where he lived and bear kept the quad outside in the driveway in plain site for anyone to steal or whatever. We looked at it and damn he acted like he did some work and it was a busted casing and bolts and everything missing. Well we had to chase Bear down. It started in like April ’07 and didn’t get his quad back till about October and he ended up taking the quad somewhere else to get fixed.
From what i understood bear was put in prison for doing same thing to other people and selling stolen bike parts n not doing what he was suppose to do with the money. I stumbled upon Topix.com and seen it and read some of the stories. Seems someone needs to see if he still under probation or anything OR everyone get together and just show up to the shop or his home and let him know they’re fed up with his bullshit and see what can be done about getting their money back". (www.kodiakmotorcyclessuck.com)
"
I was interested in a custom motorcycle and began talking to Kodiak Motorcycles. I met Bear Latimer, the owner, and began looking at different styles of bikes and the options that were available. I let him know right from the beginning that I wasn’t in a rush, my cash flow had me limited on what I could do, but wanted to get an idea of what I would be spending.
Bear said that since I had several friends interested in building bikes as well, he would be willing to make my bike a “program bike” – apparently he could get special pricing on items from time to time and I could take advantage of this pricing for all parts on my bike. So essentially I could get a $18,000 bike for around $12,000. I said that was fine, but I never had a bunch of money sitting around to jump on every deal that came around. I stressed that I wanted my build to take a year if we started early.
Two days later Bear called me around 8pm.
“I know you’re not in a rush to get things started, but one of the frame vendors called me with a killer deal that I think you will want to take advantage of.”
“Bear, I haven’t even looked at my finances, but I already told you I can’t get started on this for a while.”
“I know, but you really will want to jump on this. It’s a Rolling Thunder frame that retails for $2,200. I can get it TODAY for $600.”
“That’s a good deal, but I just don’t know that I have the money to do anything right now.”
“Why don’t you look at your finances and see what you can pull together. I told him I’d call him back and let him know within the hour.”
I thought it would be a good deal IF I could pull it off. I had the money, but it was budgeted for other things and I didn’t want a bike build to turn into a financial noose around my neck. Bear called me no more than five minutes after I got off the phone with him. “They’ve sweetened the deal. I told him that you were looking at your finances and he said he has this (certain brand name that I don’t remember) fuel tank that has a small dent in it. He’ll throw that in for free if we can close the deal tonight. It’s a $700 fuel tank. So you’re getting $2,900 worth of products for $600.”
“Alright, let’s do it. See you in 20 minutes.”
So Bear said he ordered the stuff, but when it came in he was going to take it to his house because he didn’t want his business partner Jerry to know that I was paying their cost on the bike. “Jerry thinks we need to make money on everything that goes through here and he won’t understand the value of the website you can build for us.” That made me uneasy. Are we hiding stuff from your own business partner? At the time I didn’t care because he did write me a receipt so I had proof that I paid for it. What goes on between he and his business partner is between them.
A few weeks later, I brought another $1,200 in cash. This time, Bear wrote me two receipts, one for $800 and one for $400. He put the $800 in an envelope and asked me to drop it off to Jerry since he lived down the street from me. The other $400 went in his pocket. Alright, uneasy #2, but again, I’ve got receipts.
A little over a month goes by and I still haven’t seen a frame or a fuel tank nor any other part that I gave him money for. I decided then that I wasn’t putting money towards anything until I started to see progress. He calls in a “last minute panic” wanting to purchase an ignition system for the bike. He apparently found a deal on a $400 ignition system that he could get for $150. I told him I didn’t have the money. He kept asking for less and less, so I took him $30 and he said he’d be able to get it. WTF. Anyway, just keep track of the money…
Fast forward a few weeks when Bear makes me a “partner” in the company. Because I’m impatient and knew that my money had probably already been spent, I asked for Project X to be my compensation. My deal was simple: I’m supposed to get a free bike in exchange for running the website for two years. Since the stuff I ordered wasn’t there but Project X was already a rolling chassis, that would put me ahead. Bear agreed no problem.
We organized an Open House event at the end of the 2010 season to display work that the shop has done. I wanted it so they would hit panic mode and be slightly embarrassed and be really ready for 2011. I stated the only thing I wanted was for Project X to be painted and set up as a rolling chassis. Afterall, that was the only bike in the shop that was a shop original.
Bear hit me up for money for paint a week before the event. I told him I wasn’t putting money into anything until I saw progress on the bike. He kept going round and round and I asked him how much it would be. He said the total was $300 so I gave him $150. Paint never was purchased.
When the shit hit the fan and I decided to leave Kodiak, I told them I wanted my money back and wanted to part ways. They wanted to come up with some sort of payment plan but not offer anything as collateral. I said, “Here’s an idea, give me my frame and fuel tank I already paid for and we’ll work out payment on the rest of the money.”
Bear said my frame was being used on another customer’s bike and the tank was on yet another customer’s bike. Funny, no frame came in that place after I started hanging out there. So, which lie do you want to go with, Bear? That you actually ordered the stuff and are using it on other customers’ bikes or did you just not order them at all?" (www.kodiakmotorcyclessuck.com)
Kodiak Motorcycle Truths
This blog will contain accounts that have happened to myself and others. Here are my accounts over the past few months:
I brought my motorcycle to Kodiak Motorcycles for repairs on July 27th, 2011. These repairs were being covered my my insurance company, Geico Insurance. When I brought it in, I was given the completion date for the repairs of August 13th, 2011. When this date came, I was told there was a problem with the parts ordered, and the motorcycle was not fixed. No work had actually even began on it. I am a government employee, and am in the DC area for training. I was told by Kodiak Motorcycles that they would deliver the motorcycle to me on August 20th. I called on August 19th and 20th with no response. They called me back days later with an excuse and told me I would have it on August 27th. I called on the 26th and 27th with no response. They again called me days later saying there was a paint issue on the motorcycle, and I would have it delivered on September 3rd. I called Kodiak Motorcycles on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th with no response. Finally on September 5th I got a hold of an employee that was new. He informed me that my motorcycle had not even began to be worked on, and that it was in pieces. The owner of Kodiak "Bear", told me that my motorcycle was completed and was awaiting inspection. This was an obvious lie. Not only was my motorcycle not repaired, it was not delivered. Kodiak Motorcycles rarely returns my phone calls, and lied to me repeatedly.
I was informed by the general manager of Kodiak Motorcycles, that my motorcycle will be delivered this weekend (September 10,11). This is the same thing I have heard for the past 4 weeks about the delivery. I was ensured It will be delivered on September 10-11. I can not trust this will happen because of past events. I will write after this weekend for an update.
I got in contact with the owner (Bear) today 9-9-11. He told me he was going to try and deliver my motorcycle on Sunday 9-11-11. This has been the standard tactic used in the past weeks. I get in contact on the Thursday or Friday before delivery. Then I will not be able to get in contact during the weekend it is supposed to be delivered. I have multiple voice mail evidence from this company, ensuring me that I will have my motorcycle. I also have the owner (Bear), on voice mail, saying he knows he has been late on the delivery and hasn't come through. It i non stop excuses and lies.
9-11-11
I talked to the owner yesterday (Bear). I was told there should be no reason I would not have my motorcycle delivered on 9-11-11. I was supposed to have been called last night for a time on when my motorcycle was going to be delivered. I never was. I called this morning and this afternoon, with no response. This is the same thing that has happened for a month now. Almost exactly a month ago is when my motorcycle was supposed to have been completed. I have a witness hearing and seeing the owner tell me this. I now have multiple voice mails of the company admitting fault for me not having it, and ensuring I would have it each week, for the past 4 weekends. The owner (Bear), told me there must have been a misunderstanding. But, I have voice mails from both general managers and him, stating other wise. Small claims court in Kentucky only covers up to $2500.
9-12-11
I called Kodiak Motorcycles today. Both the numbers I have go straight to voice mail, which means their phones are turned off. I called a lawyer today, and am awaiting his call back for further action. I have tried everything possible to settle this without a civil suit. I work for the government, and am deploying to Afghanistan in a few months. This company knows this. I feel discriminated against because of this, and feel this may be one of the reasons they will not deliver and work on my motorcycle. Instead, they have took my money, with no work or delivery.
9/17/11
I asked my insurance adjuster to go over to Kodiak motorcycles to see if he could help me with this situation. The owner, told the insurance adjuster, that I would have my motorcycle on 9/18/11 "come hell or high water". There is now an official witness for this situation. The insurance adjuster told me he will help me out anyway he can. I called yesterday and today to Kodiak, with no response. This has been the exact same situation as the past 6 weekends. I also talked to a lawyer this past week to discuss my options. I am set up to take the civil path if I do not receive the motorcycle tomorrow. I was hoping that the BBB complaint would help resolve this issue. It seems like it has not.
9/18/11
I was again supposed to have my motorcycles delivered by Kodiak Motorcycles today. As in my last statement, my insurance adjuster was told I would have it delivered "come hell or high water". Now this company is not only lying to me, but my insurance company. On a phone conversation with the owner on 9/14/11, he would not take responsibility for what had happened. He first blamed his employees for what has happened. He then blamed Honda for putting bad paint on the motorcycle. He then went on to blame me. Saying I was making a big deal of this, because it was nice weather and I wanted to ride. He then told me that I need to retract my complaint with the BBB. He said this in an aggressive manor. The lies and excuses never stop. I have been scammed and hustled by this company. It is obvious after researching this company, I am not the first this has happened to. It is now 5 weeks past the date that the motorcycle was supposed to be finished. I was asked to pay in advance so the motorcycle could be finished in this time frame. It is apparent that the money I gave up front was not used to repair my motorcycle. I am a government employee that will be deploying to Afghanistan in a few months. The owner of Kodiak motorcycles is very aware of this fact. I feel discriminated because of this.
9/19/11
I called Kodiak Motorcycles multiple times with no answer. I even called from different numbers with the same result. I talked to my insurance adjust who was shocked he had been lied to by the owner. After some research today, I found that there many, many cases of the same thing that has happened. Almost identical stories. This company has took money from many people, without performing a service. The words that were used to describe the owner in every review I read was "liar, thief, scammer". I am not sure how he has not been complained on yet to the BBB. Though Kodiak motorcycles was shut down some years ago cause of similar things. It somehow reopened, and continues to steal peoples money. I hope this does not have to happen to more people.
I brought my motorcycle to Kodiak Motorcycles for repairs on July 27th, 2011. These repairs were being covered my my insurance company, Geico Insurance. When I brought it in, I was given the completion date for the repairs of August 13th, 2011. When this date came, I was told there was a problem with the parts ordered, and the motorcycle was not fixed. No work had actually even began on it. I am a government employee, and am in the DC area for training. I was told by Kodiak Motorcycles that they would deliver the motorcycle to me on August 20th. I called on August 19th and 20th with no response. They called me back days later with an excuse and told me I would have it on August 27th. I called on the 26th and 27th with no response. They again called me days later saying there was a paint issue on the motorcycle, and I would have it delivered on September 3rd. I called Kodiak Motorcycles on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th with no response. Finally on September 5th I got a hold of an employee that was new. He informed me that my motorcycle had not even began to be worked on, and that it was in pieces. The owner of Kodiak "Bear", told me that my motorcycle was completed and was awaiting inspection. This was an obvious lie. Not only was my motorcycle not repaired, it was not delivered. Kodiak Motorcycles rarely returns my phone calls, and lied to me repeatedly.
I was informed by the general manager of Kodiak Motorcycles, that my motorcycle will be delivered this weekend (September 10,11). This is the same thing I have heard for the past 4 weeks about the delivery. I was ensured It will be delivered on September 10-11. I can not trust this will happen because of past events. I will write after this weekend for an update.
I got in contact with the owner (Bear) today 9-9-11. He told me he was going to try and deliver my motorcycle on Sunday 9-11-11. This has been the standard tactic used in the past weeks. I get in contact on the Thursday or Friday before delivery. Then I will not be able to get in contact during the weekend it is supposed to be delivered. I have multiple voice mail evidence from this company, ensuring me that I will have my motorcycle. I also have the owner (Bear), on voice mail, saying he knows he has been late on the delivery and hasn't come through. It i non stop excuses and lies.
9-11-11
I talked to the owner yesterday (Bear). I was told there should be no reason I would not have my motorcycle delivered on 9-11-11. I was supposed to have been called last night for a time on when my motorcycle was going to be delivered. I never was. I called this morning and this afternoon, with no response. This is the same thing that has happened for a month now. Almost exactly a month ago is when my motorcycle was supposed to have been completed. I have a witness hearing and seeing the owner tell me this. I now have multiple voice mails of the company admitting fault for me not having it, and ensuring I would have it each week, for the past 4 weekends. The owner (Bear), told me there must have been a misunderstanding. But, I have voice mails from both general managers and him, stating other wise. Small claims court in Kentucky only covers up to $2500.
9-12-11
I called Kodiak Motorcycles today. Both the numbers I have go straight to voice mail, which means their phones are turned off. I called a lawyer today, and am awaiting his call back for further action. I have tried everything possible to settle this without a civil suit. I work for the government, and am deploying to Afghanistan in a few months. This company knows this. I feel discriminated against because of this, and feel this may be one of the reasons they will not deliver and work on my motorcycle. Instead, they have took my money, with no work or delivery.
9/17/11
I asked my insurance adjuster to go over to Kodiak motorcycles to see if he could help me with this situation. The owner, told the insurance adjuster, that I would have my motorcycle on 9/18/11 "come hell or high water". There is now an official witness for this situation. The insurance adjuster told me he will help me out anyway he can. I called yesterday and today to Kodiak, with no response. This has been the exact same situation as the past 6 weekends. I also talked to a lawyer this past week to discuss my options. I am set up to take the civil path if I do not receive the motorcycle tomorrow. I was hoping that the BBB complaint would help resolve this issue. It seems like it has not.
9/18/11
I was again supposed to have my motorcycles delivered by Kodiak Motorcycles today. As in my last statement, my insurance adjuster was told I would have it delivered "come hell or high water". Now this company is not only lying to me, but my insurance company. On a phone conversation with the owner on 9/14/11, he would not take responsibility for what had happened. He first blamed his employees for what has happened. He then blamed Honda for putting bad paint on the motorcycle. He then went on to blame me. Saying I was making a big deal of this, because it was nice weather and I wanted to ride. He then told me that I need to retract my complaint with the BBB. He said this in an aggressive manor. The lies and excuses never stop. I have been scammed and hustled by this company. It is obvious after researching this company, I am not the first this has happened to. It is now 5 weeks past the date that the motorcycle was supposed to be finished. I was asked to pay in advance so the motorcycle could be finished in this time frame. It is apparent that the money I gave up front was not used to repair my motorcycle. I am a government employee that will be deploying to Afghanistan in a few months. The owner of Kodiak motorcycles is very aware of this fact. I feel discriminated because of this.
9/19/11
I called Kodiak Motorcycles multiple times with no answer. I even called from different numbers with the same result. I talked to my insurance adjust who was shocked he had been lied to by the owner. After some research today, I found that there many, many cases of the same thing that has happened. Almost identical stories. This company has took money from many people, without performing a service. The words that were used to describe the owner in every review I read was "liar, thief, scammer". I am not sure how he has not been complained on yet to the BBB. Though Kodiak motorcycles was shut down some years ago cause of similar things. It somehow reopened, and continues to steal peoples money. I hope this does not have to happen to more people.
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