Cavalletta is home... LBS problem

[Running Mommy]

hmmmmm....
Shops handle repair work differently. But they always should have some sort of write up when the bike comes in. Otherwise how would they remember what they need to do? Bike shops get busy, and after awhile they all look the same.
Did they at least write up some sort of work ticket? Most of us call them "walking birds" because that's the name of the company that makes the forms.
I would ask them to see the work ticket.
And I would also strongly suggest to the owner that she/he put all work in writing, and have the customer sign the form at the time of drop off.
We used to use walking birds, but now we do it in our POS (point of sale) system. We put everything in the system and print out two copies. We go over the ticket with the client, one is signed by client and attached to the bike (signature authorizes work) and the other is for the client.

Doesn't help you now. But at least maybe it won't happen again.
And hopefully the owner "does the right thing" and gives you a refund. As owners we hate to "eat" things. But it's far more important to eat a few dollars, than to alienate a good customer, and possibly lose even more business due to a sullied reputation. She/he needs to look at the big picture!
Good luck!

[Biciclista]

thanks Running mommy. They wrote up a ticket after the fact. I didn't see it until it was time to pay. I did see it, the receipt they gave me is itemized. It really frosted me to see how much it cost to chrome my fork.. I liked it the way it was! i didn't ask for a chromed fork!
the signature authorizes work thing sounds like a good idea to me!

[Triskeliongirl]

I hope you work it out Mimi, but the bike looks beautiful. I think it is very expensive because the chrome needs to be plated onto the metal. However, I think over time it will be more protective than paint, so it may save you in future paint jobs, prevent rust, and increase the longevity of the bike, which are all good things.

I think the lesson for you is that even if you really trust a shop, that putting it in writing (including the price) just makes sure everyone is on the same page. But since that wasn't done, it seems to me that some compromise is in order on both sides, perhaps you could offer to pay actual costs rather than profits on the extra work. I wouldn't ask them to strip it though, that could get very expensive and it does add value to the bike. And, even if it wasn't what you wanted aesthetically, it does look really nice, so its probably in your interests to work with them on this.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

[Triskeliongirl]

Hey Mimi-let us know how you made out at the bike shop! I hope you came to an agreement you are comfortable with. -e