Shop is refusing to refund bicycle?

Physicskid9 · 25-01-2021 4:28pm #1

I recently bought a giant content bike using the cycle to work scheme. Had intended on commuting but unfortunately now realise that it's not practical to do so.

The shop refuses to allow me to return the bicycle despite the fact it's only been cycled three times. Would it be possible to get my employer to stop making payments to the store from my wages?

wench · 25-01-2021 4:30pm

If there is nothing wrong with the bike, they don't have to take it back.

For the bike to work, your employer will normally have paid them up front, and just reclaim it from you over the year.

TheChizler · 25-01-2021 4:31pm

Employer would have paid up front, so even if you had the right that wouldn't work. Under consumer law this would be a change of mind so there's no obligation for them to take it back.

banie01 · 25-01-2021 4:31pm

A change of mind or circumstance in your commuting need does not allow you a right of return.

The shop sold you a bicycle that is perfectly fit for purpose.
You have encountered a circumstance that has changed your need for the bike.

That's your problem, not the shops.

Physicskid9 · 25-01-2021 4:31pm

wench wrote: »

If there is nothing wrong with the bike, they don't have to take it back.

For the bike to work, your employer will normally have paid them up front, and just reclaim it from you over the year.

Yeah but I was hoping to return the bike and they could refund my employer. I really don't want to be making payments for a bike I won't use.

ibebanging · 25-01-2021 4:32pm

Your employer pays for the bike up front then makes the deductions from your wages, so it would be your employer that you would be attempting not to pay.

Doop · 25-01-2021 4:33pm

Seeing as there is nothing wrong with the bike there is no obligation on the bike shop to take it back... even less so now that its been used albeit only 3 times. Check your consumer rights.

Also have a read up about the bike to work scheme. Your employer has effectively 'lent' you the money for the bike, they have paid for it and are making the relevant deductions form your pay to facilitate you paying them back.

I'm afraid you've made your bed here..

weldoninhio · 25-01-2021 4:34pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

Yeah but I was hoping to return the bike and they could refund my employer. I really don't want to be making payments for a bike I won't use.

Probably easier to sell the bike privately.

mfceiling · 25-01-2021 4:34pm

I bought a bag of crisps and I ate a few of them but I didn't like them. Why won't Tesco take them back?

harr · 25-01-2021 4:34pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

Yeah but I was hoping to return the bike and they could refund my employer. I really don't want to be making payments for a bike I won't use.

That’s your issue not the shops .. the bike is now a used bike and I am sure all the paperwork has been done for the bike .
Were you really expecting the shop to take the bike back?
Try selling privately and keep the money to pay for it .

Physicskid9 · 25-01-2021 4:35pm

mfceiling wrote: »

I bought a bag of crisps and I ate a few of them but I didn't like them. Why won't Tesco take them back?

That's a ridiculous analogy.

Mystery Egg · 25-01-2021 4:35pm

As has been said here, you've no right to expect the shop to take it back.

Your best bet is to sell it yourself.

Physicskid9 · 25-01-2021 4:36pm

ibebanging wrote: »

Your employer pays for the bike up front then makes the deductions from your wages, so it would be your employer that you would be attempting not to pay.

If I sold the bike could I pay the money up front?

Kimbot · 25-01-2021 4:36pm

mfceiling wrote: »

I bought a bag of crisps and I ate a few of them but I didn't like them. Why won't Tesco take them back?

Because they are Dunnes Stores own brand :pac:

Physicskid9 · 25-01-2021 4:36pm

Mystery Egg wrote: »

As has been said here, you've no right to expect the shop to take it back.

Your best bet is to sell it yourself.

Probably not going to be able to sell for the price I bought it though?

Kimbot · 25-01-2021 4:36pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

If I sold the bike could I pay the money up front?

You will have to ask your employer that.

Bikerman2019 · 25-01-2021 4:38pm

You need to accept you are wrong here. You cannot buy something, then just decide you don't want it and demand a refund.

Some places may offer a change of mind refund, but that is purely good will. In the present climate with so many places struggling and or closed, I think you have no chance of getting them to change their minds claiming it would be goodwill.

thejaguar · 25-01-2021 4:38pm

This might be a crazy suggestion - but why not keep the bike and use it?

blindside88 · 25-01-2021 4:39pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

Probably not going to be able to sell for the price I bought it though?

No but there’s a tax saving on the bike to work scheme isn’t there? This would off set some of the loss you’d have to take on the bike

TheChizler · 25-01-2021 4:39pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

Probably not going to be able to sell for the price I bought it though?

Depending on your tax rate if you get half the price paid you break even.

Physicskid9 · 25-01-2021 4:39pm

Bikerman2019 wrote: »

You need to accept you are wrong here. You cannot buy something, then just decide you don't want it and demand a refund.

Some places may offer a change of mind refund, but that is purely good will. In the present climate with so many places struggling and or closed, I think you have no chance of getting them to change their minds claiming it would be goodwill.

I personally think it's bad form as it's not as if me having rode the bike a handful of times will impact their ability to sell it. Where as me forking out over 1k over the course of the year for a bike I can't use is obviously a big deal.

wench · 25-01-2021 4:40pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

If I sold the bike could I pay the money up front?

Probably best not to, it would mess up the tax free status

dmc17 · 25-01-2021 4:40pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

Probably not going to be able to sell for the price I bought it though?

Neither will the shop

Physicskid9 · 25-01-2021 4:41pm

thejaguar wrote: »

This might be a crazy suggestion - but why not keep the bike and use it?

If you'd read my initial post I already said it's simply not practical.

Kimbot · 25-01-2021 4:42pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

I personally think it's bad form as it's not as if me having rode the bike a handful of times will impact their ability to sell it. Where as me forking out over 1k over the course of the year for a bike I can't use is obviously a big deal.

Its now a second hand bike so the value has dropped. The shop are not going to refund you the full price and try sell a second hand bike on at full cost!

Mystery Egg · 25-01-2021 4:42pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

I personally think it's bad form as it's not as if me having rode the bike a handful of times will impact their ability to sell it. Where as me forking out over 1k over the course of the year for a bike I can't use is obviously a big deal.

You've not much sense. You're not seeing clearly. This is your mistake and your problem, not the bike shop.

If the bike's price was €2000, you could conceivably sell it for €1500. Given that your employer will pay half of the original cost, you'll actually make a profit here.

irelandrover · 25-01-2021 4:42pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

I personally think it's bad form as it's not as if me having rode the bike a handful of times will impact their ability to sell it. Where as me forking out over 1k over the course of the year for a bike I can't use is obviously a big deal.

Of course it will affect their ability to sell the bike. They have to sell it as a second hand bike.

Kimbot · 25-01-2021 4:42pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

If you'd read my initial post I already said it's simply not practical.

You dont need to use it for commuting, use it for staying fit.

thejaguar · 25-01-2021 4:43pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

If you'd read my initial post I already said it's simply not practical.

It might not be practical to commute but you can still use the bike. It could be the start of something wonderful...

Physicskid9 · 25-01-2021 4:44pm

Kimbot wrote: »

You dont need to use it for commuting, use it for staying fit.

I'm not interested in staying fit, I need a means of getting in and out of work.

TheChizler · 25-01-2021 4:46pm

Took me a week or two to get used to it myself, maybe if you keep at it?

dmc17 · 25-01-2021 4:46pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

I'm not interested in staying fit, I need a means of getting in and out of work.

Just pop down to your local car dealer and buy a new car and when you're finished with it you can return it and get your money back

qb123 · 25-01-2021 4:46pm

As a matter of interest, why don't you regard the commute as practical? Have you tried it on the bike? As you're stuck with it, it might be best to see if you can make it work for you before offloading it at a large loss. (and no, company will continue to deduct the amount monthly from your pay - you can't give them the money back.)

Physicskid9 · 25-01-2021 4:48pm

qb123 wrote: »

As a matter of interest, why don't you regard the commute as practical? Have you tried it on the bike? As you're stuck with it, it might be best to see if you can make it work for you before offloading it at a large loss. (and no, company will continue to deduct the amount monthly from your pay - you can't give them the money back.)

It ends up being a 12k commute every day and I find I'm exhausted by the time I get to work, not to mention the cold and rain. I just don't think it's practical in this country and there are no amenities for cyclists.

thejaguar · 25-01-2021 4:48pm

It seems you're stuck with the bike - or best case scenario you'll have to sell on the second hand market. I'd suggest two things:

1. See if anyone on here would be interested in buying the bike - there's generally good interest in picking up a bargain.

2. Shed some light on why commuting is not practical - there may well be some good suggestions that might help you.

jim o doom · 25-01-2021 4:49pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

I'm not interested in staying fit, I need a means of getting in and out of work.

Regardless of what your preferences in the situation are, the shop sold it and cannot sell it as new again, it would have to be sold as second hand. There is zero reason for them to take it back.

You entered into a contract and now you must abide by it. This is what being an adult and entering into contracts entails. You may lose money if you choose to sell it, well that's the luck of the draw.

Physicskid9 · 25-01-2021 4:49pm

dmc17 wrote: »

Just pop down to your local car dealer and buy a new car and when you're finished with it you can return it and get your money back

Smart arse. I was trying to return the bike within a few weeks not years later.

lawrencesummers · 25-01-2021 4:51pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

That's a ridiculous analogy.

It’s a little cheesy alright.

mfceiling · 25-01-2021 4:52pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

Smart arse. I was trying to return the bike within a few weeks not years later.

Still a second hand bike. You can't just buy something, use it then decide you don't want it and expect the shop to refund you. The retail world would never survive.

Tzardine · 25-01-2021 4:52pm

One of the strangest threads I have seen in a while.

25-01-2021 4:53pm

OBVIOUS TROLL ffs

Physicskid9 · 25-01-2021 4:53pm

mfceiling wrote: »

Still a second hand bike. You can't just buy something, use it then decide you don't want it and expect the shop to refund you. The retail world would never survive.

That's not how I would run a business but I guess most don't see that way.

wench · 25-01-2021 4:53pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

It ends up being a 12k commute every day and I find I'm exhausted by the time I get to work, not to mention the cold and rain. I just don't think it's practical in this country and there are no amenities for cyclists.

Presumably your employer hasn't moved since you got the bike, and the weather is as it always has been.

secman · 25-01-2021 4:53pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

Smart arse. I was trying to return the bike within a few weeks not years later.

Exact same principal applies, try returning a car after using it 3 times. Just face the facts you are trying to sell a second hand bike , simple as.
Thus is all on you, you obviously didn't do proper research on logistics of commuting on a bike.

Kimbot · 25-01-2021 4:54pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

I'm not interested in staying fit, I need a means of getting in and out of work.

Physicskid9 wrote: »

It ends up being a 12k commute every day and I find I'm exhausted by the time I get to work, not to mention the cold and rain. I just don't think it's practical in this country and there are no amenities for cyclists.

12k isnt all that much. Are you trying to do the 12k as quick as possible?

Get soem decent wet gear and you wont have an issue.

wench · 25-01-2021 4:54pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

That's not how I would run a business but I guess most don't see that way.

You wouldn't stay in business long.

TheChizler · 25-01-2021 4:54pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

It ends up being a 12k commute every day and I find I'm exhausted by the time I get to work, not to mention the cold and rain. I just don't think it's practical in this country and there are no amenities for cyclists.

Each way or in total work and back? Either way not too bad but just takes more than 3 trips to get used to it! Honestly get a set of waterproofs and you won't even notice the rain.

Kimbot · 25-01-2021 4:55pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

That's not how I would run a business but I guess most don't see that way.

Well tell us what business you open and we will try buy something off you and get a complete refund after using it a few times.

Physicskid9 · 25-01-2021 4:56pm

Kimbot wrote: »

12k isnt all that much. Are you trying to do the 12k as quick as possible?

Get soem decent wet gear and you wont have an issue.

No it takes about an 50 minutes into work and then the 6k home is usually a little slower as I'm already tired from cycling in as well as working all day.

Physicskid9 · 25-01-2021 4:57pm

TheChizler wrote: »

Each way or in total work and back? Either way not too bad but just takes more than 3 trips to get used to it! Honestly get a set of waterproofs and you won't even notice the rain.

It's more so the dangerous wet/icy roads, not to mention dangerous drivers etc.

wench · 25-01-2021 4:58pm

Physicskid9 wrote: »

No it takes about an 50 minutes into work and then the 6k home is usually a little slower as I'm already tired from cycling in as well as working all day.

How have you been commuting so far?
Could you cycle one way and bus the other until you get used to it?

Shop is refusing to refund bicycle?

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