OK first up I really do like the bikes!
Decide to get the Son a new bike for Christmas.
Get the local Shop to check on stock from distributor. 54" no problem in stock, will ship overnight 3 days max - make payment 14th Dec. $3900.00.
1 week later - LBS has not received frame, they phone distributor and are assured the frame left on time, distributor will check with freight co. and get back. They fail to do so.
1 week and 4 days. LBS has no news. I phone distributor direct and am assured the frame has left and been DELIVERED to the LBS. LBS denies all knowledge - no frame on the premises. I again phone the distributor and am advised that the driver who delivered the frame has gone on holidays - nothing in the van no one has any idea where the frame has gone.
3rd Jan 15days late. Frame appears at LBS no explanations offered. I take delivery and chalk it up to experience.
Saturday 1 Year later ..... Aaaaagh!! Frame with a lifetime warranty has a crack.
Go to my New bike shop - yup cracked they will contact distributor on Monday. On Monday distributor says must go back to LBS where purchased. OK fair call not a problem.
Monday mid-day drop bike with LBS, they check and say should be no problem covered by warranty we'll ask for a warranty form.
Me "States competition in a month cannot afford not to have a bike - Best I get another one while they mess around."
LBS "dont bother It is really quick 2 weeks at the most and you'll be back on the road"
Wednesday - Call in at LBS, they can tell me nothing, no warranty forms received. They phone distributor while I am there, no one knows anything, but they will fax a warranty form. This happened, form was completed and returned.
Email the Pro tour mechanic who recommended and built the bike and ask if he has had any experience with this frame cracking. In response receive a very nice pic of his dogs and shop. No comment on the frame issue :-)
Advise LBS I am not really interested in the same frame and whatever the outcome I will take another model, select next model up which is about $1500 more. Told to wait and see as certainly all over shortly and we can then sort out models etc. Really good people trying to save me from myself :-)
FRIDAY - "how goes my bike?" LBS has heard nothing advised they are now waiting for a "number" in order to be able to return the frame. Bike has been stripped and frame boxed ready to send.
Monday - Start of week 2. LBS no news - dont worry should be right by friday.
Wednesday - Still waiting for the Return number cannot send frame without this magic number!
I return home and phone distributor - phone is answered by the owner. Give him the story. He goes and checks and calls me back. Advises the LBS received and email an hour earlier with the Magic Warranty return number. Bike sent.
FRIDAY - The day it is all supposed to have cleared up by. Distributor has contacted the dealer with questions regarding the claim. He will send an email to the manufact. and we may have an answer by Monday.
I leave but not before telling them what I think of the local Distrib. and the whole process.
Then told of another warranty claim with same distributor which goes back to November 07 which has still not been resolved.
I request they have the distributor return the cracked frame which I will get repaired. I guess much like insurance companies/legal profession they delay and stall until you give up.
Visit to local manufacturer (who I know did a warranty claim on a crashed bike in 3 days) - we will be returning on Monday to test ride a couple of Pro bikes and will take home a frame if they are to the liking of the youngster.
Now 4 weeks to States comp. and Nationals selection.
So would you trust them and get another or change to the local outfit who make international class road, TT, TRI and track frames?
Taxi for young triathlete
Cervelo P3C - Cervelo P4 Evo - Cervelo S3.
Col Stewart Tricoach - alive, well and still coaching :-)
Decide to get the Son a new bike for Christmas.
Get the local Shop to check on stock from distributor. 54" no problem in stock, will ship overnight 3 days max - make payment 14th Dec. $3900.00.
1 week later - LBS has not received frame, they phone distributor and are assured the frame left on time, distributor will check with freight co. and get back. They fail to do so.
1 week and 4 days. LBS has no news. I phone distributor direct and am assured the frame has left and been DELIVERED to the LBS. LBS denies all knowledge - no frame on the premises. I again phone the distributor and am advised that the driver who delivered the frame has gone on holidays - nothing in the van no one has any idea where the frame has gone.
3rd Jan 15days late. Frame appears at LBS no explanations offered. I take delivery and chalk it up to experience.
Saturday 1 Year later ..... Aaaaagh!! Frame with a lifetime warranty has a crack.
Go to my New bike shop - yup cracked they will contact distributor on Monday. On Monday distributor says must go back to LBS where purchased. OK fair call not a problem.
Monday mid-day drop bike with LBS, they check and say should be no problem covered by warranty we'll ask for a warranty form.
Me "States competition in a month cannot afford not to have a bike - Best I get another one while they mess around."
LBS "dont bother It is really quick 2 weeks at the most and you'll be back on the road"
Wednesday - Call in at LBS, they can tell me nothing, no warranty forms received. They phone distributor while I am there, no one knows anything, but they will fax a warranty form. This happened, form was completed and returned.
Email the Pro tour mechanic who recommended and built the bike and ask if he has had any experience with this frame cracking. In response receive a very nice pic of his dogs and shop. No comment on the frame issue :-)
Advise LBS I am not really interested in the same frame and whatever the outcome I will take another model, select next model up which is about $1500 more. Told to wait and see as certainly all over shortly and we can then sort out models etc. Really good people trying to save me from myself :-)
FRIDAY - "how goes my bike?" LBS has heard nothing advised they are now waiting for a "number" in order to be able to return the frame. Bike has been stripped and frame boxed ready to send.
Monday - Start of week 2. LBS no news - dont worry should be right by friday.
Wednesday - Still waiting for the Return number cannot send frame without this magic number!
I return home and phone distributor - phone is answered by the owner. Give him the story. He goes and checks and calls me back. Advises the LBS received and email an hour earlier with the Magic Warranty return number. Bike sent.
FRIDAY - The day it is all supposed to have cleared up by. Distributor has contacted the dealer with questions regarding the claim. He will send an email to the manufact. and we may have an answer by Monday.
I leave but not before telling them what I think of the local Distrib. and the whole process.
Then told of another warranty claim with same distributor which goes back to November 07 which has still not been resolved.
I request they have the distributor return the cracked frame which I will get repaired. I guess much like insurance companies/legal profession they delay and stall until you give up.
Visit to local manufacturer (who I know did a warranty claim on a crashed bike in 3 days) - we will be returning on Monday to test ride a couple of Pro bikes and will take home a frame if they are to the liking of the youngster.
Now 4 weeks to States comp. and Nationals selection.
So would you trust them and get another or change to the local outfit who make international class road, TT, TRI and track frames?
Taxi for young triathlete
Cervelo P3C - Cervelo P4 Evo - Cervelo S3.
Col Stewart Tricoach - alive, well and still coaching :-)