Angry almost-newbie - need to vent!

[hilldweller]

Last time I was on a bike was 9 years ago. Bought and paid for a new second-hand bike just before Christmas, bike was couriered from a bike shop in another part of the country, arrived with a broken fork (courier damage, not the bike shop trying to rip me off), and nearly four weeks later the courier company and their insurer still haven't got their act together, I've still got a broken bike that I'm not allowed to get fixed as they want to collect it and send it to the other end of the country to assess it, they seem incapable of sending someone out to collect it, the assessment will apparently take three weeks to 'process' , and then they'll send it back to the bike shop where it started from!!!!! So given that it'll be close to four more weeks and another three journeys during which the useless couriers might damage the bike further, I've asked the bike shop for a refund and the only person who can make a decision on that is away until next week. So I can't even go bike-hunting at the weekend Meanwhile the 100k ride I was hoping to do in April is looking increasingly unachievable given the need for as much training time as possible I am so mad

And I don't even know what to look for if/when I do get the refund. Finding a second-hand bike that looked like the right bike at the right price took several weeks. A brand new bike would presumably be a quicker option and would obviously have some advantages, but would mean more money for a lower quality bike.

Rant over.

[smilingcat]

Hi,

That's really terrible. I'm really sorry to hear of the mishap with your bike. You don't have to stop ranting. Venting sometimes is good. Just remember when dealing with courriers, try not to let your emotion get to you. I'm sure some of them are trying to help even though it may not seem that way. Sometimes, I want to yell at customer service too and its not easy to stay collected so I fully sympthize with your plight.

As for your 100k ride in April. is it near the beginning of the month or end of the month and is it a easy 100k not much hill or is it a moderate 100k with some hills. If its toward the end of the month, I think you can still be ready. May not go as fast, but I'm sure you can get your stamina up to doing it. Cross train by jogging uphill and walking down, weights, and don't forget to to do upper body training. Try to get your work out up to an hour to help with your endurance. Don't bother with speed or power. Just work out at a moderate level for longer period of time. This way, your body will be ready to handle a 4 hour-ish exercise, the 100k ride.

If you need to rant again, don't hesitate. I wish they get their act together and for a happy ending.

sincerely,
smilingcat

[crazycanuck]

Hey Hilldweller!

Certainly is one **&$&$&$ frustrating event & certainly hope the couriers/bike shop sorts themselves out! I know i'd be tearing my hair out! You'd think being a small country, enzed couriers would be a bit more on the ball. If you're dealing with NZ post though...

A thought in the meantime..are you able to visit a health club & use a spin bike? I know it's not economical but it's a thought..What about going to a pool?

If you do need to purchase another bike, what about SUB ones? They seem pretty econmical.

[cylegoddess]

So sad about cycle!
I agree.I have a SUB zero and its great! I want a good carbon one( of course!) but they are not so expensive( mine was 1600 Australian), and then you have cylce to general ride on( that wont get stolen) and a good cycle when you finally get your one fixed. ( if you can afford it). I love my bike. Its not flash but it has a carbon fork.The brakes and cogs are ok, not the best but decent.

[redrhodie]

Why do they need the whole bike, if just the fork is broken? I'd put a new fork on, and send them back the broken one, with the bill for the replacement, and labor costs for the repair. That way, you can start training for your ride.

Your LBS should be able to help you find a new fork that will work.

[tulip]

Such a bummer and so frustrating. I hope you get it resolved pronto. Spinning is a great way to get in and stay in shape, and I second that suggestion. My YMCA has spinning classes and do not require long term contracts like some gyms do (so you can stop when you get your bike).

For other people who may be looking to buy bikes online, this is a huge reason not to. Support your local bike shop and buy local. The service you get in return is way worth any extra money (usually minimal) that you pay.

best of luck to you!

[hilldweller]

Thanks for the moral support and training advice I'm already gymming so will continue with that and other endurance type activities.

redrhodie - exactly! That's my question too, since the rest of the bike is undamaged and I'm sure they wouldn't want to write it off just because of the fork. It's just their stupid policy Since the couriers still haven't collected it I've asked the bike shop again if they can convince their insurers they only need the fork and I imagine they'll try, but insurance companies can be very inflexible. I'm very tempted to take it into the lbs and see if they can replace the fork, but that might invalidate the claim and then I'd be stuck with the cost of the replacement fork (carbon, so presumably not cheap).

This bike is a sub zero pro and apart from the poor broken fork it looks great. I think it's about 3 years old - some carbon and mostly 105 components. If I have to buy new rather than second-hand it may well be another sub, but a lower spec given the price difference between a 3yo bike and a new one. On reflection, it's probably just as well the bike shop hasn't agreed to a refund yet. I'm in a somewhat calmer frame of mind but still likely to buy the first bike I see at the right price if I had the money in my hot little hand, regardless of whether it fits or has what I'm looking for.

[badger]

this may not be feasible, but can you just swallow the damage and move on? is it worth it to let go of the bike when you can replace the fork hopefully inexpensively?

I know you've already spent your money, but most of the bike is there. You've spent weeks already scoping it out and found what you want. Maybe the next one you buy will cost you more anyways, so why not keep what you've got, replace the fork, and if they say they can't honour it for insurance anymore, then maybe you just have to factor that in as the overall cost of the bike? Who knows, they MAY still honour it. I'd say if they give you flack, maybe take them to small claims? seems odd that they would want to fork out money for shipping it three times across the country.

Sometimes you end up paying more to have what you already have... sucks, I know, but sometimes that's the best option.

Hope things work out!

[lunacycles]

I have had to deal with bike damage from couriers before. I ship bikes a lot. It can be very frustrating, drawn out, and in the long run, often futile.

You need to know it was insured and packaged properly. That is your LBS' job to provide that proof.

If you want your claim to be paid you need to be persistent. I hate to say it, but I think these companies hire people just to make the whole process of claims very difficult with the hopes that you will give up. Unfortunately, it is probably the bike shop that has to follow through more than you (assuming they were the ones who actually boxed it up and handed it the courier, and bought the insurance)

If the bike is otherwise okay, I'd probably let go of the claim. I don't know what kind of bike or what kind of fork you had, but a fork replacement isn't usually that big of a deal, and will get you on the bike again fastest. Your LBS should be VERY motivated to work with you on this, especially given the delay you've encountered after entrusting your bike to them, and it would be appropriate for them to offer you a heavily discounted fork if you request it.

[Biciclista]

yes you're right, Margo, unfortunately, but the fact is insurance companies have to make a profit too. It's their job to find out what the exact liability is and pay it.
and in some cases, you have to prove it, and that's part of what is so hard.

[Fujichants]

If your frame is carbon as well, i'd double check everything to make sure nothing else is damaged.

[hilldweller]

Hmmmm.... well bike is STILL here and if I can finish work early today I might take your advice and at least take it into the lbs and see what they say about the cost of a replacement fork and the condition of the rest of the bike. Good idea to get them to check it over in case there's any other damage I haven't spotted (I'm certainly no bike expert LOL). The rear stays are carbon and I think the seatpost is too but the frame itself isn't, so hopefully it's just the fork. You guys are right that a replacement fork would get me on the bike fastest, probably quicker even than a brand spanking new bike.

[lunacycles]

yes you're right, Margo, unfortunately, but the fact is insurance companies have to make a profit too. It's their job to find out what the exact liability is and pay it.

I absolutely agree! However, as a small businessperson I need to make a profit, too.

Let's see, rough analysis: I've paid approximately $6 for insurance per bike/frame I have shipped over the last 13 years. That's about $180 year (30 bikes/yr) x 13 = $2340. Losses I have incurred for damaged bikes as a result of shipping through these couriers = approx $3500. Total costs I have incurred due to paying insurance and having couriers damage my bikes: approx $5840. Total amount the couriers/insurance have paid out to me when I have made claims on those fully insured bikes: $0 .

That seems like a pretty good profit to me!

My point wasn't to bash insurance companies--gotta have insurance, regardless if they pay their claims--but to warn the OP based on my experience shipping bikes, and many stories I have heard from others in the bike industry.

I now take pictures of all of my bikes covered in bubble wrap before I put them in the box, then more pictures of the box once the bike has been put in it and sealed up.

I have even had folks at the desk of one of these couriers tell me not to bother with buying insurance, as it is rare that any claim will be honored (wink wink). But, of course, I insure them, anyway.

[hilldweller]

Wow! You've never had an insurer pay out on any of your bike claims? That's appalling.

I've made my decision - going to hang onto bike , and I saw some pretty blue handlebar tape for it in the shop Being pre-loved as well as abused by couriers it could use a bit of a spruce up. A nice blue seat-bag might look good too if I can find one....

LBS has ordered a new fork, and I took the broken fork and battered cardboard box (minus the rest of the bike) into the couriers to do with what they will. New fork is $300 which is less than I had expected . With luck there will eventually be an insurance pay-out but in the meantime at least I can get on with the bike and if not, I'll forget about the $300 after a while.

New fork is probably two weeks away, so that'll leave 8 weeks to the Graperide Anyone got a training plan for zero to 100k in 8 weeks? It doesn't look like a particularly hilly course which is lucky, but it may still be too much too soon. I guess I'll have a better idea in a couple of weeks

[tulip]

Don't wait until you get your bike up and running to get yourself moving. Any old bike will do, or you can swim, walk, run...just get some aerobic exercise and that will help with your ride.

And yes, you can certainly train for 100k in 8 weeks. There are some good training programs mentioned in these forums (use the Search feature). There are some for an English century in 8 weeks, and a metric century is really not so bad at all.

Just get moving.