dispute with bike shop
This isn't probably the best forum for this but I always find good advice here so here we go:
I bought a half link narrow 3/32 chain from a bike shop over the Internet. The make is YBN, it's a nice and strong, although overpriced (£30!) chain for my singlespeed. Now the chain arrived packed in a box identical to one used for a wider version (1/8") of the chain with a paper sticker saying it was the narrow version. I installed it, but after a while, became a bit suspicious - there was quite a lot of play between the chain and the chainring. Later 2 independent LBS confirmed it was the wide version of the chain - which is BTW much cheaper.
The shop who supplied the chain now refuse to exchange it because I've used it. They say it must have been the manufacturer's mistake - they put a wrong chain into a box or wrong label. They don't refund the price difference either.
What should I do? Shall I argue with them and possibly escalate - name the shop, send some emails - or just leave it (after all I should have noticed when I received the goods).
Sorry for the rant - it had to go out.
Pavel
I bought a half link narrow 3/32 chain from a bike shop over the Internet. The make is YBN, it's a nice and strong, although overpriced (£30!) chain for my singlespeed. Now the chain arrived packed in a box identical to one used for a wider version (1/8") of the chain with a paper sticker saying it was the narrow version. I installed it, but after a while, became a bit suspicious - there was quite a lot of play between the chain and the chainring. Later 2 independent LBS confirmed it was the wide version of the chain - which is BTW much cheaper.
The shop who supplied the chain now refuse to exchange it because I've used it. They say it must have been the manufacturer's mistake - they put a wrong chain into a box or wrong label. They don't refund the price difference either.
What should I do? Shall I argue with them and possibly escalate - name the shop, send some emails - or just leave it (after all I should have noticed when I received the goods).
Sorry for the rant - it had to go out.
Pavel
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Comments
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That's not a rant. It's too well reasoned!
I'd check up on consumer law but my understanding is that they've breached the Sales of Goods Act as they've sold you an item that differs from the description of it. A letter that points this out, in clear, neutral language would be a first step. State what you expect them to do too, i.e. either a full refund or the proper chain. If that fails then a call to your local trading standards office would be a logical next step.0 -
Seeing as your from Glasgow I would have though a brick through the window would be your best bet!!! (only kidding!)
I would have thought the Office Of Fair Trading would be a good bet, although I don't know if it's worth it for a 30 quid. Have you had a word with the owner? Surely he/she can see that upsetting a customer over a chain could be detrimental to future purchases.
Another suggestion is that you could do a Julia Roberts and go and buy lots of bike stuff from a different bike shop, walk in your LBS and say "big mistake, BIG maistake"!!!
Probably not very helpful, sorry!!0 -
They're directly responsible for the goods that they sell you, so don't let them try to fob you off with telling you it was a manufacturer's mistake.
Their duty is to put things right with you. If they want to then approach the manufacturer for their own recompense that's up to them and no concern of yours.__________________________________________________________
<font>What we need is a new, national <b>White Bicycle Plan</b></font>0 -
If we'd done that where I work (a bike shop), I don't think any of us would try to argue that we shouldn't replace it.
If the distributor made a mistake, it's up to the bike shop to resolve it with them.0 -
not dave hind (number one bike bits) by any chance, this is one of his tricks...??dont knock on death\'s door.....
Ring the bell and leg it...that really pi**es him off....0
