HELP PLEASE, What come back does OH have with Bike Shop?

cyberspi · 20-03-2010 11:27am #1

Hi all, I'd appreciate you're input on this one if you've ever had to experience similar...
My OH is a complete newbie to road cycling, he went to a bike shop to try a few bikes out and posted here and asked the usual questions about what to go for starting off. He decided on a NEW Specialized Allez 16, Large (56cm) frame - (the bike shop measured him up).
He's paid it off and picked it up at Christmas. He currently has 200 miles up on it.
It hasn't been feeling right (siting/riding position) and he brought it to a well known and recommended local bike fitter this morning.
This guy got out the measuring tape and said even though the bike is labeled large its actually a Medium (54cm) frame, and he has had to max out the saddle and handlebar height for the hubbie in order for it to be right. (he did say its actually an XL frame he should have got first day but not much he can do about that now.. )

What I'm asking is this - seeing as the bike is 3 months old and has 200 miles up on it, does he have any come back with the original shop to provide the correctly sized frame as ordered?
thanks for any help you can provide, he's on the way to the original bike shop as we speak so I'll update once I hear how he gets on..

72hundred · 20-03-2010 11:41am

IF sold as a medium but actually a different size (i.e. rebranded) refund is fair and legal (see below).

Under the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980, anything you buy from a retailer must be:
of merchantable quality

fit for its normal purpose, and reasonably durable

as described, whether the description is part of the advertising or wrapping, on a label, or something said by the salesperson.

cyberspi · 20-03-2010 11:52am

thanks for that 72hundred, wasn't sure if that still applied seeing as the hubbie has been using the bike for 3 months unknowing there was a problem.. just checked the dimensions on the specialized website and although the label on bike says 56cm it does indeed measure to the 54 specification..

cdaly_ · 20-03-2010 12:03pm

cyberspi wrote: »

he did say its actually an XL frame he should have got first day but not much he can do about that now..

When you go back to the shop, try to spin it as a factory mistake (labelled large on a med frame) so you're not in a fight with the shop itself. That way you could look for an XL as the replacement.

chakattack · 20-03-2010 12:29pm

I know someone in a similar situation. They were sold a bike based on recommendation from the sales person which was far too big for them.

The manager of the shop apologised for the mistake and has offered to take back the bike and replace it with a heavily discounted upgrade model.

This way the shop is getting some business and my friend who has now gotten the bug is getting a much better bike for a small supplement to what was originally paid.

My advice would be to speak with the manager and point out that the wrongly sized bike was purchased in good faith based on the recommendation of the sales person (who should know how each of the bikes in the range they sell are measured and how to select the right size bike for someone).

I don't think trying to argue that Specialized put the wrong sticker on the bike is a good idea because it more than likely not true. Consult the Specialized website geometry charts to see for yourself.

cyberspi · 20-03-2010 12:31pm

Well its a good outcome - the bike shop owner agreed that it was measuring small and has ordered in the next size up, he is going to swap out the wheels etc. and give the OH the bigger frame.. Thanks to you all for your input, much appreciated!

chakattack · 20-03-2010 1:31pm

Glad to hear it worked out.

72hundred · 20-03-2010 2:06pm

cyberspi wrote: »

Well its a good outcome - the bike shop owner agreed that it was measuring small and has ordered in the next size up, he is going to swap out the wheels etc. and give the OH the bigger frame.. Thanks to you all for your input, much appreciated!

Result!

seamus · 20-03-2010 2:34pm

cyberspi wrote: »

Well its a good outcome - the bike shop owner agreed that it was measuring small and has ordered in the next size up, he is going to swap out the wheels etc. and give the OH the bigger frame.. Thanks to you all for your input, much appreciated!

That seems fair for all concerned. Nice one.
Name and praise the shop?

cyberspi · 20-03-2010 3:17pm

seamus wrote: »

That seems fair for all concerned. Nice one.
Name and praise the shop?

Joe in The Bike Shop in Limerick, OH actually went there based on recommendations from a number of people including here and now we know why he is thought of so highly, there was no argument and the issue was resolved promptly leaving one satisfied customer who is bound to return no doubt now that he's caught the bug

72hundred · 20-03-2010 3:46pm

cyberspi wrote: »

Joe in The Bike Shop in Limerick, OH actually went there based on recommendations from a number of people including here and now we know why he is thought of so highly, there was no argument and the issue was resolved promptly leaving one satisfied customer who is bound to return no doubt now that he's caught the bug

Ah good old Joe, nice guy.

Jumpy · 20-03-2010 5:30pm

Something about bike shops and limerick. Both the Bike shop and An Siopa Rothar are the height of customer service.
I know An Siopa Rothar always has the "we are busy, no more" sign, but he never enforces it

Lumen · 20-03-2010 6:11pm

Jumpy wrote: »

Something about bike shops and limerick. Both the Bike shop and An Siopa Rothar are the height of customer service.
I know An Siopa Rothar always has the "we are busy, no more" sign, but he never enforces it

Something about bike shops outside Dublin, more like.

I was pleasantly shocked by the efficiency of Spokes in Waterford when I ordered some wheels from them.

HELP PLEASE, What come back does OH have with Bike Shop?

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