Rider Down and a Sick Harley Dealership
by Dave Aldridge
Jim Jard - FLHRCI, Wayne Hayes - RoadStar, Bob Bindon - FXSTS and myself - FLSTS rode to Arkansas for a long weekend.
Perfection...
But things were conspiring to go very wrong.
We approached a blind, descending curve to the right. I was lead bike followed by Jim, Wayne and Bob. Because I couldn't see what was coming, I chose a line that kept me well low of the double lines. As the curve opened up for me, I saw that we had three vehicles coming at us. I sensed Jim high and on my left and when I passed the apex I checked my left mirror and saw the Road King cross the oncoming lane and fly off of the mountain.
I heard someone yell Noooooooo... It was me.
When I got turned around, back up the hill and off the road. I started running to find Jim. I saw Bob sliding down the ledge wall ahead of me and saw Jim at the bottom of a shear 20 foot drop off. Bob reached him first...
Jim's injuries included a broken scapula, 6 broken ribs, a punctured and collapsed lung, right leg broken below the knee and above the ankle plus a myriad of other injuries. Wayne was also injured when he twisted his left knee fighting his bike to miss the car that ran through his lane. I don't know what happened but things went from perfect to out of control in the wink of an eye. Jim was taken by Lifeflight and Wayne by ambulance to St. Joseph's hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
The next day, I would need to arrange for two bikes to be returned to Houston. I went to the most logical place (I thought) to coordinate that... Jones Harley Davidson. Bob and I first bought several items in the store and then asked the store manager, if I could use a phone to make a few collect and credit card calls to arrange things. She told me I couldn't use their phone but I could find a pay phone at the convenience store down the street.
Bob and I left the store and rode out of the parking lot past a guy on a Road King coming in. I was seething and wanted to stop and tell the guy of my experience with that store. About 6 blocks later, I found that I couldn't stand it. I pulled to the middle lane and told Bob that I was going to return to get the manager's name so I could properly credit her with her gracious hospitality.
I rode back and asked her for a business card. The business card read:
Jones Harley-Davidson Shop
4446 Central Avenue/Hot Springs, AR 71913
Phone: 501 520-4442 FAX: 501 525-7568
www.jonesharley.com Email: jhd@aristotle.net
Brooke Martin
I then reiterated the facts:
I told her that I had been in her store in August on my way to Sturgis and that this was the second time in 8 weeks that I had purchased things in her store. I also told her that I was fundamentally offended by her lack of interest, compassion and help. She began explaining that it was company policy. I asked her if she was the manager and she said "yes". I told her that I didn't want to be rude to her so I was going to leave without further discussion.
I walked to the parking lot and the fellow who had come in as we left the first time came out and asked me to let him finish his business and we could then go to a restaurant where I could use his cell phone to "make all the calls" I needed. This fellow's name is Ray Ryle and before things were over, I learned that he is an ex Texas Ranger (that's strong) and had the honor of meeting his bride Phyllis. These are two people as good as they come and they are in the planning stages of opening a place called Cycle World. Ray told me while I was waiting for him in the parking lot, Brooke sent for her wrench and asked him to go tell me off or get me off the property or something like that. Ray explained to the wrench what had happened and he looked at Brooke and said "you called me up here for that... Damn..." and walked back to his shop.
I have since spoken with Rick Jones at the Little Rock Harley dealership and learned that Brook was entirely correct and within the intended company policy when she refused to allow me to make phone calls from the Hot Springs store. Rick said that he really appreciated our business (we had spent about $120) on shirts but that they couldn't risk people charging long distance calls to them.
I lack the writing skills to adequately convey my feelings on this subject. I don't think Brooke Martin is evil. The words that keep coming to my mind are "prissy bitch". She truly needs to be doing something other than managing a Harley dealership. Rick might be evil. He created the policy and selected Brooke as manager. When I was talking to him, two things stood out. Every other phrase he uttered was about appreciating my business. He also told me that Brooke was acting properly and within company policy and that he would need to check with her to learn what happened. Hell man, I just told you what happened.
Let me tell this straight. These are not good people. They were not in the least interested in the fact that we were a long way from home with a problem and when Rick Jones kept telling me how much he appreciated my business, I just found that it made me feel like I was touching something slimy. Any asshole is appreciative when you hand them cash. Duh!
I don't know if Rick is evil or just stupid and totally uncaring. I do know that I will never again in my life set foot in a store that Rick Jones or Brooke Martin have anything to do with. This is currently Jones Harley-Davidson in Little Rock and Jones Harley-Davidson Shop in Hot Springs Arkansas.