MOA mileage contest always makes me feel like a criminal

[Ridealot]

Every year I go into my local dealer in April and October to have my beginning and ending mileage form signed. And each time I end up feeling like I'm doing something wrong.

This is a multi brand dealer. They have had BMW for at least 20 years. If I get one of the salesmen they will usually just sign it no problem. If I get the owner he asks me why I bring the form in. He then questions me on why I keep bringing the forms in. Every time I explain it is just a yearly mileage contest for the MOA.

To make matters worse, this year I filled out the form for having 200K BMW miles about 3 months ago. So today he is really not happy to see me with another form. I walk in with the MOA form and pictures showing my mileage as of last Sunday. He starts questioning me about how is he supposed to know when the pictures where taken. I show him the date the pictures where taken. I also tell him that if he walks out and looks at the odometer on the bike I'm riding he will see the mileage is about 200 miles higher now.

He grudgingly signed the form, but I feel like I was trying to do something against the law. I think this is the last time I am going to bother. I usually end up with around 10k-15k miles a year during the contest so I am in no jeopardy of winning the grand prize. :laugh And last time I checked the grand prize was still nothing.

Does anyone else have a dealer who doesn't like to sign the forms?

[PGlaves]

Every year I go into my local dealer in April and October to have my beginning and ending mileage form signed. And each time I end up feeling like I'm doing something wrong.

This is a multi brand dealer. They have had BMW for at least 20 years. If I get one of the salesmen they will usually just sign it no problem. If I get the owner he asks me why I bring the form in. He then questions me on why I keep bringing the forms in. Every time I explain it is just a yearly mileage contest for the MOA.

To make matters worse, this year I filled out the form for having 200K BMW miles about 3 months ago. So today he is really not happy to see me with another form. I walk in with the MOA form and pictures showing my mileage as of last Sunday. He starts questioning me about how is he supposed to know when the pictures where taken. I show him the date the pictures where taken. I also tell him that if he walks out and looks at the odometer on the bike I'm riding he will see the mileage is about 200 miles higher now.

He grudgingly signed the form, but I feel like I was trying to do something against the law. I think this is the last time I am going to bother. I usually end up with around 10k-15k miles a year during the contest so I am in no jeopardy of winning the grand prize. :laugh And last time I checked the grand prize was still nothing.

Does anyone else have a dealer who doesn't like to sign the forms?

I know that dealer distribution isn't all that good - but I have to say that if I needed to deal with a dealer with that attitude - I wouldn't. I'd go further pretty fast.

That said - for the mileage contest one Chartered Club officer, one Ambassador, or two members of BMW MOA are sufficient to verify the forms. Why suffer the indignities of this guy when a Chartered Club officer, Ambassador, or two members ought to be easy to find. We live 53 miles from the nearest town and more than 400 miles from the nearest dealer - and finding a club officer or two members isn't all that hard.

[Ridealot]

I hear ya. Non of my BMW friends live very close to me. The dealer is 1/4 mile from my work so it is very convenient.

If I do bother signing up again next year I will try something different. I have one dealer 60 miles North of me, and another 60 miles South. Maybe I will use one of them in the spring and the other in the fall.

[Muriel]

You can also have a notary sign the form.

Best,
Muriel

[108625]

I hear ya. Non of my BMW friends live very close to me. The dealer is 1/4 mile from my work so it is very convenient.

If I do bother signing up again next year I will try something different. I have one dealer 60 miles North of me, and another 60 miles South. Maybe I will use one of them in the spring and the other in the fall.

Hard to relate.
We have one dealer in the whole state, a 350 mile round trip over the mountains from home.

[beemerred]

In the past I have filled out the forms and they have not entered the figures and once I filled out the forms late and never even got a response saying "forget it " or anything. So fill out the forms and wait and see because these people are volunteers and do the best they can or just look on your odo and think I had a good year or I need to ride more because I want to. In any case, we are not all in it for the same reason- period. Therefore, if it makes you feel like a criminal (because there is no "honor system") then do not waste your time doing it. I am not retired (yet) and my job is not selling heated vests or luggage (although I wish it was so I could mesh my livelihood with my hobby ) so I do the miles I can and enjoy them as much as possible. My 45K on my `02 k12rs are just as important to me as the 100K that Ardys did in a single year for her! That`s the best I can do with my circumstances and so I`m liking it.

[BubbaZanetti]

Hard to relate.
We have one dealer in the whole state, a 350 mile round trip over the mountains from home.

my local is five miles away and sometimes it takes hours to get there.:laugh

[yngswen]

my local is five miles away and sometimes it takes hours to get there.:laugh

Sounds like you need a new air filter :bolt

[John Brase]

... Why suffer the indignities of this guy when a Chartered Club officer, Ambassador, or two members ought to be easy to find. We live 53 miles from the nearest town and more than 400 miles from the nearest dealer - and finding a club officer or two members isn't all that hard.

Easy for you to say since you both sleep with an Ambassador from time to time. Or so it is rumored.

John

[GrafikFeat]

Does anyone else have a dealer who doesn't like to sign the forms?

I'd tell him the next time I sign a check it won't be in his business.
My dealer(s) signed mine and even talked about it and said tons of folks came in to have 'em signed.

Find a new dealer. Form signing is way too trivial for that kinda attitude.
Really.

[BubbaZanetti]

Sounds like you need a new air filter :bolt


what i really need is a bridge and tunnel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_and_tunnel) filter.:laugh

[SheRidesABeemer]

I show up on my dealers door step in much the same manner, it's always disapointing to me that they don't know, and/or don't care about the mileage contest. But they stamp my form and I'm on my way. I didn't make it over this weekend, I think I'll just bring the form with me this weekend and get it signed by someone who has never seen my bike :dunno as if that validates it.... :whistle
And why are two members "worth" one director? :confused:

[Jfixit]

I'm 70 miles from the dealer so I find it easier to take the form to the bank with me and have it notorized. No charge if you have an account there it only takes a minute and I'm there anyway.

[Voni]

I show up on my dealers door step in much the same manner, it's always disapointing to me that they don't know, and/or don't care about the mileage contest. But they stamp my form and I'm on my way. I didn't make it over this weekend, I think I'll just bring the form with me this weekend and get it signed by someone who has never seen my bike :dunno as if that validates it.... :whistle
And why are two members "worth" one director? :confused:

Which makes me wonder . . .

What does the signature really mean???????????

I've always presumed it means I'm vouching that the person is who they say they are.

Voni
sMiling

[gened12]

My experience is as follows: Salesmen will be your best pal until you buy a bike. Then they don't remember you. Shop owners are worst since they don't want to see you unless you spend money every time you walk in the dealership. I managed to get my form signed in the spring but they were so suspicious, it made me feel like offering them money for the 2 minute exercise. I decided to forget about the closing form.:dunno

Cheers
Denis R1200RT

[Muriel]

My experience is as follows: Salesmen will be your best pal until you buy a bike. Then they don't remember you. Shop owners are worst since they don't want to see you unless you spend money every time you walk in the dealership. I managed to get my form signed in the spring but they were so suspicious, it made me feel like offering them money for the 2 minute exercise. I decided to forget about the closing form.:dunno

Cheers
Denis R1200RT

Denis, in all due respect, but isn't that liking cutting off your nose to spite your face? Forget the dealer (or continue to go just to aggrevate him/her!) and either get an officer/director of a BMW MOA club or two members - or a notary - to sign your form. Don't let some snarly dealer put you off :whistle You're playing his/her game!

Best,
Muriel

[bobs98]

Hopefully you visit your dealer more than the beginning and end of the mileage contest. I'm in there at least once a month, not always buying, but building a relationship. If the only time you see them is when you have a problem, it can make it difficult to have a real conversation. I fill out the form and someone (parts mgr, sales guy, etc) is happy to sign, I even let them check the odometer.

There are also the other witness options listed previously.

[GrafikFeat]

...it made me feel like offering them money for the 2 minute exercise. I decided to forget about the closing form...

I would never allow myself to feel that intimidated by any salesperson.
:brow "'scuse me? Just sign the damn thing..."

Me personally have no need for salespeople.
I ain't buyin' so I don't need the attitude of a two wheel car car dealer.
I go right to the parts guys.
They have rubber stamps too and are the ones more familiar w/ me and my ride(s) anyway.

[SheRidesABeemer]

I am always impressed with a certain dealer in my area. For two years I used to stop in quarterly to take a certain model bike out for a long spin. I'd also stop there for open houses and the like. I never bought anything bigger than an oil filter there. I am well known for buying used bikes using a certain online auction vendor. Despite all that, the owner always says "hi" to me by name, giving me the impression that he is happy that I've come into his store. Customer relations, some people just get it, some never will.

[BuddingGeezer]

My question is, Why don't the members of this organization trust each other on how many miles they rode? You should not have to have anyone to verify mileage, if you value your honor.

Ralph Sims

[PGlaves]

My question is, Why don't the members of this organization trust each other on how many miles they rode? You should not have to have anyone to verify mileage, if you value your honor.

Ralph Sims

Ever look into the rigor with which the Iron Butt Association requires riders to document the rides they claim. This is not about distrust. But it is about making the award of the certificate mean something. If any old yahoo can just write in and claim to have ridden a ride, with no verification required, the certificate or published results soon have no value because they have no credence.

And the MOA contest is the same thing. As much as we all like each other - and we are all totally honorable - and we would all never, ever, claim something not true - nonetheless the small modicum of verification gives credibility to the results. It is not to keep "you" honest. It is to keep the collective "everybody" honest.

And if finding two members, one club officer, one Ambassador, or one notary public, (even if you hate your dumb dealer) is too onerous a burden, then ........... don't enter the contest!

[BuddingGeezer]

Ever look into the rigor with which the Iron Butt Association requires riders to document the rides they claim. This is not about distrust. But it is about making the award of the certificate mean something. If any old yahoo can just write in and claim to have ridden a ride, with no verification required, the certificate or published results soon have no value because they have no credence.

And the MOA contest is the same thing. As much as we all like each other - and we are all totally honorable - and we would all never, ever, claim something not true - nonetheless the small modicum of verification gives credibility to the results. It is not to keep "you" honest. It is to keep the collective "everybody" honest.

And if finding two members, one club officer, one Ambassador, or one notary public, (even if you hate your dumb dealer) is too onerous a burden, then ........... don't enter the contest!

I guess we can agree to disagree.

If I shot a hole in one in golf, I still made the shot even if I had no witness. If I ride 1000 miles in 24 hours doesn't change whether or not it was documented.

If everyone was honest there would be just as much credence to witnessed or non witnessed miles. I am the on that knows if I accomplished the task or lied about it.

If I told you I caught 20 bass on a lizard, you could take that to the bank, because if I zeroed, I'd tell that also.

I never entered the mileage contest when I had a BMW, even though I would place fairly high for the state I'm in. I am BMW less at the moment and can't enter if I wanted to.

Ralph Sims

[BeemerMike]

If I shot a hole in one in golf, I still made the shot even if I had no witness.

True enough . . . but if you wanted Titlelist to give you a little recognition prize for using one of their balls, I suspect they would probably want some witnesses.

[Easy]

Sounds like it is time to find a new dealer.

Easy :german

[osceola]

True enough . . . but if you wanted Titlelist to give you a little recognition prize for using one of their balls, I suspect they would probably want some witnesses.
Shot a HIO in 1996 and my buddy told me to call Titleist and tell them. I did that and on my word alone they sent me a HIO certificate with all the info and a HIO bag tag with my name etc on it.
No witness was required.....

[GrafikFeat]

Customer relations, some people just get it, some never will.

+1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 on that.

There is one salesman at the dealer near I wouldn't pee on if he were on fire.
The others are pretty "stand up" folks...

[BeemerMike]

Shot a HIO in 1996

1996? I understand they are a little more stingy these days.

[osceola]

1996? I understand they are a little more stingy these days.
The stuff was free too. That was in the pre-Tiger days though so you could be right.....:dunno

[gened12]

I am not intimidated by the dealership, just put off by the whole attitude for such a banal exercise. I did 2 Ironbutt rides (a Silver NPT and a Great Lakes challenge) the second ride required full witness documentation. I did as suggested and stopped by my local police station and faced such a hard time getting my odometer certified, they finally ran my papers through the computer and I had to explain multiple times what the exercise was about.

I got the IBA certs, but I am really put off by people's attitude in general and that includes my local dealer and a whole lot of people these days. I guess the mileage contest was not THAT important to me. I rode, I had a good time and who cares if I get my mileage published or not. :p

Cheers

Denis R1200RT

[The_Veg]

My experience is as follows: Salesmen will be your best pal until you buy a bike. Then they don't remember you.

Really? The salesman who sold me the one bike I ever bought new asks how the bike is doing every time I set foot in the place, and I've only spent maybe $40 there since buying the bike.