from this point, it might get ugly

[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.

[KnottedYet]

Mimi - If you want to do your next Mondonico thru Robinson Wheel Works (Chris is AWESOME) you and I can do a road trip or two or three down there. I'd be HAPPY to go to CA with you, and I have room inside my station wagon for a bike (your new Mondonico wouldn't even have to ride outside on a bike rack).

Let's see... one trip down for initial fitting and ordering... visit Trek
second trip down to check frame is perfect and start build.... visit Trek
third trip down to test ride and pick up bike... visit Trek

Yup, sounds great to me!

[mimitabby]

Mimi - If you want to do your next Mondonico thru Robinson Wheel Works (Chris is AWESOME) you and I can do a road trip or two or three down there. I'd be HAPPY to go to CA with you, and I have room inside my station wagon for a bike (your new Mondonico wouldn't even have to ride outside on a bike rack).

Let's see... one trip down for initial fitting and ordering... visit Trek
second trip down to check frame is perfect and start build.... visit Trek
third trip down to test ride and pick up bike... visit Trek

Yup, sounds great to me!

THanks, Knot, that's a very sweet offer. I'll let you know.
Off to see my lawyer friend for a walk, be back later!

[salsabike]

Mimi, I am not positive about this but I believe you can dispute a credit card charge even after it's shown up on your bill--that's the whole point of the credit card dispute process. It's not like having a check cashed and now irrevocable. You file a dispute with your CC company saying you did not get what you ordered.

I'd try to return it for a FULL refund and find someone easier to work with, myself.

[Xrayted]

Mimi - maybe no one from CT has spoken up, but I'm only about an 9 hour drive from there. Just give me something to mapquest and I'm gone.... (Kit is definitely rubbing off on me. )

[xeney]

I am going to suggest a slightly different approach, which is to keep the credit card option as a backup, but try to resolve it with him first. I'm with the people who think you should just return the frame -- you are in a position where you are going to need really good customer service now to make sure that you get what you ordered without having to wait a very long time, and this guy has demonstrated that he is not going to give you good customer service.

But the way I understand it, you can't dispute the credit card bill until you've given the merchant a chance to make it right. So you have to go to him first. I wouldn't, if it were me, give him the option of fixing the frame; I'd first make a list of all the things that weren't done (was the bridge moved to accommodate fenders? I didn't see if that question was answered), and then I would write him a letter listing what he said he would do vs. what he actually did, and then I would ask for a return shipping label so that you can return the frame. I would send that letter certified mail along with copies of anything you have in writing (including e-mails).

I might also e-mail or fax him a copy of the letter so that it gets there more quickly. Give him a deadline, as well: you want the return shipping label within two weeks and you expect to have your money refunded within 30 days after you return the frame. Don't be snippy or snide, just be very matter of fact. That works best in these situations.

He will probably comply. Most business people do when they get a certified letter. If not, wait out the thirty days, and then take it up with your credit card company. (You might want to call them to verify any time limits, but I am pretty sure that they are going to require you to attempt to settle the dispute with him first.)

[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!!!!)

[Triskeliongirl]

.... 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!

Could you please expand? Who is Margo, just to save us from making the same mistake.

[Kathi]

Mimi,

Sorry about your experience. I looked at the shops website and I have to wonder if these bikes are so special why are they being mass marketed through dealers on the internet? For example, if you look at Serotta and Seven's website, you either deal with the company directly or go to a bike shop. Many companies, Trek for one, will not sell bikes over the internet or allow the shop to ship them to another location.

Two other points, when I got my custom frame, the fit technician remeasured me, even though I had my old frame refit, it was perfect and right there in front of us. Also, they only asked for a deposit and I did not make final payment until the bike was built and I was able to ride it and was happy with it. If there were any issues I could have refused final payment until the issues were resolved.

I agree with those who posted on this forum, find a shop you trust, let them be your guide and you'll have a wonderful bike that you will love and that will last for years.

[mimitabby]

Well, this morning I composed a letter and sent it to my lawyer, who rewrote it, making me sound brilliant. I am going to ask for my money back & ask him to send me a return authorization.

I then went to the shop that built my husband's bike (Elliott Bay Bike) and let him see the frame.

He said; "well, you got a nice race bike" He showed me how even if they had put brazeons where you need them for fenders, that there was not enough clearance anyway between the back of the seat tube and the rear tire. He then took me all around his shop (which is filled with race bikes, custom bikes, cyclocross bikes and antiques) and showed me how some bikes have barely a finger's clearance there and others have 3 fingers clearance (what you need for fenders)
He laughed when he saw the forks, again he said they were great, but not for folks that might want fatter tires and fenders. So that sort of clinched it for me. He did explain that there was not an Italian bike on the market that was made the way I want. (and he's right, I've been looking!) and it's not like HE doesn't like Italian bikes. He has a big assortment of Colnago's Masi's and Bianchi's. He likes Italian bikes. They just don't make them for us webbed footed Seattle folks. So now I'm going to send my polite, succinct letter to smart cycle and hope that he is reasonable and takes the bike back without me having to use force (credit card, etc)
thanks all, I'll let you know.

[KnottedYet]

Not that I'm saying a custom Mondonico couldn't do this but...

Flosshilde-the-Waterford-Cyclocross has *easily* 3 fingers space in the front fork and the back. (that's why her head tube is so darn short!)

Good luck with Mr. Lying-thru-his-teeth-Dumpster!

[mimitabby]

Not that I'm saying a custom Mondonico couldn't do this but...

Flosshilde-the-Waterford-Cyclocross has *easily* 3 fingers space in the front fork and the back. (that's why her head tube is so darn short!)

Knot, Waterfords are really one of the nicest bikes around! What kind of fork do you have on yours?