from this point, it might get ugly

[mimitabby]

Hi guys, I got my beautiful new frame from the UPS man tonight. At precisely 6:01 pm.

The frame is beautiful, but there are problems. The promised brazeons are not brazed on.

I just printed out 11 pages of emails back and forth between me and the guy at Smart Cycle. In his very first email to me he said he could put brazeons on the frame. Then later, i ask him again for brazeons, and he acted like he was going to make sure of it.

There are some other minor problems but they are no big deal (like he said that he was painting the crown of the fork and a promised decal is not there)
The brazeons are a big deal.
And of course, I am totally intimidated because he got nasty with me when
after 2 weeks of it being "in transit" I got discouraged and then the bike miraculously appeared.

Suggestions, girls?

Thanks for listening if nothing else.

[Dianyla]

Wow. Just, wow.

Forgive me, I haven't been following it so closely, but is this guy the highest person in his company? Is there anyone above him you can escalate this to?

[mimitabby]

he's the owner
here's his signature line. oh yeah. and he never sent me a bill of sale (i paid with visa, but no receipt!)

Alex Stanek
Owner - Manager - Famous Bike Fitter - Mechanic - Gopher - Custodian - Wheel Builder
Training Wheel Installer - Accountant - Marketing Director - Dumpster Cleaner!
Smart Cycles, Inc.
303 Strawberry Hill Ave
Norwalk, CT 06851
203-831-9144
203-831-9129 Fax

[Wahine]

Ooooooooooo. Not good.

I don't envy you at all. I have trouble returning things under the best circumstances. I don't think I could handle something like this.

Good luck Mimi.

[Xrayted]

I know you've been going through all kinds of stuff with this guy from the beginning. What an azz.

Mimi, I wonder what he thinks is going to happen when you see that frame and it's not what you asked for? No braze-ons at all or what? And if you send it back to get fixed, how long is it gonna take this time? It'll have to get repainted and everything. I say let a couple of the TE ladies up there in the NE states go in there and kick his shins in for ya.

I'm so sorry that you are still going to have to deal with this d*ckhead some more. Good luck and keep us posted.

[LBTC]

Sending reconciling communicating satisfaction producing butterflies your way. Hey, they might help!

Good luck!
H&B
~T~

[Triskeliongirl]

I am soooo soooory this happened to you Mimi. I think you should definitely return the bike. I just sent you an email with more thoughts on this matter. Be strong, at least you have a bike to ride you enjoy, and just take your time getting this worked out. After the bike is returned, if I were you I would return to the PT you liked so much, and let him design you the frame of your dreams, and install the parts you bought. A good frame builder will consider both fit and function, building it to take the range of tire sizes and fenders that you, the customer, want, as well as fitting you like a glove. So, cheer up, if you handle this correctly you'll still end up with your dream bike.

[roguedog]

Awww.. bumming mimi.

Hmm.. did he charge you extra for the brazeons? If not you can take it to.. the shop that did dh's bike to do it?

If so,.. well, that's stickier..or maybe not since he charged you more and didn't deliver. seems pretty straightforward??? No?

[Dianyla]

(i paid with visa, but no receipt!)

*emphasis mine* This is a very important leverage point - most credit card companies offer some protection to you as the buyer. They may be able to give you a complete refund and then they'll take it up with this guy.

Then you can then take your money and your frame business elsewhere.

[wannaduacentury]

he's the owner
here's his signature line. oh yeah. and he never sent me a bill of sale (i paid with visa, but no receipt!)

Alex Stanek
Owner - Manager - Famous Bike Fitter - Mechanic - Gopher - Custodian - Wheel Builder
Training Wheel Installer - Accountant - Marketing Director - Dumpster Cleaner!
Smart Cycles, Inc.
303 Strawberry Hill Ave
Norwalk, CT 06851
203-831-9144
203-831-9129 Fax

Can you look at your card statement on when the sale went thru- then you can contact the cc company and complain about the purchase to them-incl the no receipt thingy. I hate you're going through all of this. He better start making that receipt. and get the bike you want too.

[mimitabby]

Can you look at your card statement on when the sale went thru- then you can contact the cc company and complain about the purchase to them-incl the no receipt thingy. I hate you're going through all of this. He better start making that receipt. and get the bike you want too.

Oh yes, i have the statement right here, that is not a problem.
At least I have a nice bike I can ride, my Bianchi, while I wait.

[Bad JuJu]

Well, the whole ordeal just sucks, Mimi. I have nothing to add to all the sage advice already provided, but just wanted to add my bit of encouragement for when you return the bike. It certainly will be uncomfortable, but that'll be temporary, and once it's behind you, it sounds like you now have a line on a responsible LBS that will help you get what you really need and want in a bike.
Good luck, and stand your ground!