from this point, it might get ugly

[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?

[Triskeliongirl]

I think this problem is way bigger than a lack of braze ons. I wonder if the frame even has clearance for fenders. If not it could mean moving the bridge, and even adding braze ons means repainting (and there may still not be fender clearance under the fork). This man has had enough time to make it right, so I think the frame should be sent back. Moreover, I am now concerned if this frame will even fit Mimi. After all that she has been through I did a bit of sleuthing. I know he told her it would fit, but it bugged me right from the beginning when I asked her about the frame geometry that she said she didn't know. So, I looked up this info. Now, I may be wrong about the sizes, and her veloce may be diff. from the 2006 I found the stats on, but based on what I found out I am not sure this frame is even going to fit her. By that, I believe the fit on the Mondonico and Veloce will be very similar, but I thought she wanted the new bike to both take fenders AND have a shorter reach (and at one point take 650c tires which neither bike does).

These are the stats I found:

Mondonico geometries are from this site: http://www.bikyle.com/Mondonico.asp
Veloce's are from this site: http://www.bianchiusa.com/06_veloce.html

49 cm veloce has a sta of 76 and TT of 51.8.
48 cm mondomico futura leggero has a sta of 76.5 and TT of 51.5, but if you correct for the steeper STA, its like a TT of 52. So it will feel 0.2 cm longer.

Mimi, did you understand when you ordered this bike that it would fit just like the veloce? If you didn't the seller misled you. If I were you I would use the lack of braze ons to return it for a full refund. Then take your parts to that nice PT that fit you, and have him build you the bike of your dreams. Since you have emails documenting that it would have the braze ons, perhaps you can get the VISA company to phone him for you and agree to a FULL REFUND.

[Velobambina]

Mimi--I would send it back. It's a lovely frame but it isn't what you ordered. You paid for the braze ons? Will you really be able to enjoy this bike, knowing that it isn't exactly what you wanted? Will it remind you of the "Dumpster Cleaner?" I'm with the others---get your credit card company to help you with the refund and send it back. Maybe you can send a letter to his local better business bureau, reporting what happened.

[Bluetree]

Mimi, I agree with the others – get your refund. Credit card companies tend to favor customers over retailers, especially is you have the documentation. You should be overjoyed and satisfied with your new frame... you should not be looking at it with associations of anger, regret or resentment. You deserve better... {{{Mimi}}}

[7rider]

Bummer.
Perhaps "Smart Cycles" should change there name by adding "Not Too" to the front!
I would definitely talk to Visa about options. Then call Mr. Gopher/Dumpster Cleaner when you have some ammo (other than the big Nuke - a bike that doesn't meet your order).
Mom always told me "you catch more flys with honey than with vinegar" - but something tells me you're past the point of trying to sweet-talk this guy. Sounds like the only option is to send it back. Sux with these cross-country purchases.
Good luck and may better bikes (and better bike dealers) be ahead for you in the future!

[lizbids]

I don't know if it's b/c you're a woman (I hate to play the gender card, but man, it's used often!), but I find that retailers and sellers in general often give women less respect. And I can't tell how many ladies of color are out there on this forum, but people of color get it all the time too, man or woman.
They don't fulfill needs that you want, and then after giving you something you don't want, they try to talk you out of your original idea. It all depends on the person. One bike shop I went to: the guy was great, and I bought some shoes. He was friendlly and knowledgeable. The LBS is great too (well the owner es.). But then I found myself in one of the biggest stores in NYC for sports ,and the seller was a total tool. Was barely concerned with helping me and not addressing my issues. Next store: even worse! Had a seller ARGUE with me when I asked for MTB pedals for a tour rather than road. Very obnoxious and aloof.

You know though? I used to be the type to scream and yell, but now I just quietly demand and hold my ground. Once they realize you're not going away, that you WILL be that thorn in their side before they change their tune, they usually acquiesce. STAND YOUR GROUND. To me, success is reserved for those who are persistent.

[mimitabby]

I don't know if it's b/c you're a woman (I hate to play the gender card, but man, it's used often!), but I find that retailers and sellers in general often give women less respect. And I can't tell how many ladies of color are out there on this forum, but people of color get it all the time too, man or woman.

You know what though? I used to be the type to scream and yell, but now I just quietly demand and hold my ground. Once they realize you're not going away, that you WILL be that thorn in their side before they change their tune, they usually acquiesce. STAND YOUR GROUND. To me, success is reserved for those who are persistent.

Lizbids, KimmieT mentioned this also. THe way he shut me down, I am sure you're right. But he never tried to change my mind, I think he FORGOT what i wanted (and didn't write it down??!?)and then it was too late (bike already painted) so he just kept bs' ing me.
I couldn't figure out why (in his last emails to me) that he kept saying i was going to have to be CREATIVE to put fenders on it.. that's a damn far stretch from what he said in his first email;

I also have a 48cm Mondonico Women's Countach ($1099). It has a 50.5cm top tube which sounds exactly like what you are looking for. A Countach is the same thing as a Futura, except it is tig welded and not lugged. It is a very neat women's setup.

You can equip these frame with forks that will accommodate fenders no problem. The rear triangle of the frame can have braze-ons installed so you can attach racks or fenders as well...

[East Hill]

You know though? I used to be the type to scream and yell, but now I just quietly demand and hold my ground. Once they realize you're not going away, that you WILL be that thorn in their side before they change their tune, they usually acquiesce. STAND YOUR GROUND. To me, success is reserved for those who are persistent.

Yes, sometimes you have to be willing to stand there and make all their customers feel uncomfortable .

East Hill

[Trek420]

I don't know if it's b/c you're a woman (I hate to play the gender card, but man, it's used often!), but I find that retailers and sellers in general often give women less respect. And I can't tell how many ladies of color are out there on this forum, but people of color get it all the time too, man or woman.

Oh yeah, ask me about my cleats.

Mimi, you wanted braze ons, you were told you would get braze ons, it does not have braze ons....tell Learning-Disabled Cycles you're sending it back. You should be delighted with a Mondonico not dissapointed.

I PM'd you Chairman Bill's e-mail address juuuuuuuuust in case you need to escalate further up.

Trek-loves my Mondonico-420

[mimitabby]

Thank you all for your wisdom. Thanks for reminding me of my Visa protection.
My visa account is actually with my credit union, so this should help too (they're very accessible)

To calm Trisk's concerns, The geometry of this bike is NOT what she found on line, it has woman's specific geometry, the top tube is 50.5 cm and the bianchi is 51.5, i measured it first thing (right after i searched for the brazeons!!)
after she asked me about the dimensions, i asked this guy what they were
and he blew me off.

But this morning I am walking with a lawyer friend. hehehehe and I will talk to her about this. I think you guys are right, I should send it back despite the fact that it's beautiful and I finally have a custom italian bike and it's even the color i wanted.


Velo, I have NO IDEA what I paid for (other than the frame and fork) because
he never sent me a bill or receipt.
I know what we TALKED about. Midway through negotiation he called me and he listed the things I wanted (which unfortunately I didn't record!!!)
and I didn't get all of those things either. so go figure.

[Trek420]

I got my Mondonico here:

www.robinsonww.com

I am very happy with it. Yes, it took a while to get the full custom bike from Italy but I had very good service.

[caligurl]

mimi.... i'm sorry to hear you are going through this.... but you were SO smart to pay with a credit card! i made the mistake of trying to be nice and save margo money when i was going to get a a custom from her..... so i had no protection and never did get all my money back from the useless twit! UGH!

good luck! (and definitely use the credit card company.... they can be VERY helpful!!!!)