from this point, it might get ugly

[mimitabby]

I'm going to pay a 10% restocking fee instead of a 25% one.
and he'll refund everything else.
Buyer beware.

I'll let you know when the charges show up paid back.
It's so good to have friends, thanks all.

[Bruno28]

Mimi - sorry you had such a bad experience after waiting so long.

The restocking fee sounds like a rip off but maybe you just want to walk away from the thing rather than have a fight with the guy.

[mimitabby]

Bruno,
you are exactly right. I know he can be nasty, I want to avoid all of that!

[Kathi]

Have you thought of reporting him to the Better Business Bureau? If he's a member and you threaten to report him he might reconsider the 10% restocking fee.

[Kathi]

I agree, for $15 I'd let it go too. I hope your next experience is better.

I have a male friend that wants to order a bike from "Bikes direct"

[wannaduacentury]

Have you thought of reporting him to the Better Business Bureau? If he's a member and you threaten to report him he might reconsider the 10% restocking fee.

Good idea, I'd report him anyway, bikes aren't cheap and customer service should match the product, actually exceed it. I know, easier said.

[snapdragen]

Wait 'til it's all over; the bike is returned and you have your refund. Then report him.

[Starfish]

Yeah, wait until you are all done with him, and then report him. Might save some other person (who isn't on TE!) what you have gone through.

[mimitabby]

I just wrapped that thing better than it was wrapped when I got it.
He said he'd reject it if he could shake it and anything inside moved.
It's bubble wrapped, plastic wrapped, taped, and then in a box filled with newspapers. the UPS guy shook it and said it was fine. I have the shipping number. After the jackazz told me he would pay shipping, I asked him how that would work. Just call in a pickup he said. Instead i went to a very close UPS
store. guess what. He has to send me a label BEFORE they'll take my box.
Result? I paid for shipping. I'm going to write to HIM again and ask HIM for more information? and then wait for HIM to send me a #$!@ label?
NOT.

and yes, i will definitely definitely report him all over the place.

[salsabike]

Excellent work, Mimi. Get the refund and leave him behind you.

[indysteel]

Mimi, what a nightmare. My blood is boiling just reading your posts. I applaud you for standing up to him (although I think the 10% restocking fee is just all kinds of wrong). What really infuriates me is that he had the nerve to jump down your throat with that previous email only to send you a bike that was far from what you were expecting. What a world class a-hole.

I'm not very patient either so I'm really sorry that you're back to square one. Hopefully, though, you'll get the bike of your dreams the second time around. Please keep us posted.

Kate

[mimitabby]

Thanks Kate. I think I have to modify my dreams a little. I only know of one
modern Italian bike builder who MIGHT be able to build me a bike, and I end up in the same place I am now. He's in Italy, I'm here. I want to meet the guy, look him in the eye.
You know?
I might just have to go with a great Northwest Builder instead.
But I have lots of time (not lots of patience) because my Bianchi is serving me well.. and bike expo is NEXT WEEKEND!

[Triskeliongirl]

I might just have to go with a great Northwest Builder instead.

You know Mimi, it could be much worse. Most of us don't have 'great builders' in our backyards. You seem to have a *selection* of local custom builders, so you have to be careful in weighing advice from folks that don't have that luxury. Another advantage of going local is they will better understand your interest in a bike that is fast AND accomodates fenders and wider tires. Where I live you would be told it can't be done. Where you live its de rigeur. Enjoy the bicycle show. I think that should be a great start. Enjoy your veloce, and just give yourself some time to figure out what YOU want your dream bike to do. A funny story on the Italian builder thing. When I got my custom orthopaedic crank set in california, I mentioned to him my idea to bring it to Italy on my next trip to europe, walk into a framebuiders shop, and tell him "Build me a bike around this" you know, like the faucet commercials. While I was half way joking I was half way serious, and he told me in no uncertain terms what a bad idea that was. First of all, you need to be able to communicate with your frame builder. Secondly their philosphy is very different. They are steeped in racing culture. To them a women is a small man, and they expect her to ride a racing bike in a deep aero tuck. They won't use wheels smaller than 700c, etc. He said even he wouldn't build me a bike cuz he is in CA and I live in TX. The crank set is different because I flew there to be fitted and that can be done in a day. But a bike, he would want to start by observing me ride my own bike, and then when he builds it put a fit stem on, and again observe me riding it, etc. as he tweaked it. Things that can only be done LOCALLY. So yes Mimi, I strongly support your decision to go LOCAL.

[mimitabby]

Trisk, I am fluent in Italian, and after reading two italian books on bicycling, I think i know their bike lingo okay too.
So don't you go trampling on my pipe dreams, okay?

(having said that, I'm not likely to buy an italian bike on my next trip... but you NEVER KNOW )

[KnottedYet]

My "pipe" dreams all involve Reynolds steel....

(when does a "tube" become a "pipe" anyway? And what about "pipettes"?)