Cracking Advice - Keep Your Receipts

McHattie

I recently took my Specialized Allez in for a service at my LBS, as it was feeling a bit skittish and I just had a sense that it needed some attention. A few hours later I went to pick it up, only to be told that they could not let me have it back because it was not safe.

Sure enough, the mechanic pointed out two big cracks in the frame.

The good news was that Specialized frames come with a lifetime guarantee, so they would replace the frame free of charge - as long as I had my original receipt.

After a quick search at home I found the precious pieces of paper and my frame was duly replaced (and upgraded, as it happens). Phew.

I dread to think of the lengthy arguments I might have had though if I hadn't held on to my receipt - which was from four years previously.

There's a lesson here. Keep your receipts - you never know when you night need them.

st68

i cracked my bianchi last year they replaced it wih a newer model but took 6 weeks though oh well small mercys

McHattie

Must be our sheer power, eh, st68?

3leggeddog

I once tested out blackburn's lifetime warranty with a 12yr old mini pump which had failed.

Spotty teenage shop assistant "have you got the reciept"

Me "its 12 years old"

Spotty "have you got the reciept"

Me "have you got the reciept for the power rangers toys you were playing with 12 years ago?"

Spotty "OK have a new pump"

Doobz

3leggeddog wrote:

I once tested out blackburn's lifetime warranty with a 12yr old mini pump which had failed.

Spotty teenage shop assistant "have you got the reciept"

Me "its 12 years old"

Spotty "have you got the reciept"

Me "have you got the reciept for the power rangers toys you were playing with 12 years ago?"

Spotty "OK have a new pump"

priceless

chuckcork

Having had the rear gear changer recently snap off my new bike after 3 weeks of owning it and only doing 400 miles, the bike shop I bought it from - SpaCycles - flatly and immediately told me the warranty was not with them, it was not with Dawes even, it was with Shimano, who of course have refused to replace it on the grounds that such and such must have occured, so sorry but tough.

With that attitude I could expect that if the frame went I'd be expected to chase some subcontractor in China and at my own expense.

If Specialized are prepared to go to that extent, then I'm by comparison impressed (rather than feeling let down and out of pocket).

blorg

Well that is ultimately why you pay Specialized- to deal with the subcontractor in China for you :-D

tabmaster

Well, as I understand it, I believe that you have a legally binding contract with the shop you purchased from - provided you have the reciept. If that is the case then they are legally bound to either replace or repair the item (provided it has failed due to a manufacturing fault). If in doubt the citizens advice people should be able to clarify matters. If all else fails then one could try mentioning 'trading standards officers' to the shop - that might shock them into doing something positive.

Nuggs

tabmaster wrote:

Well, as I understand it, I believe that you have a legally binding contract with the shop you purchased from - provided you have the reciept. If that is the case then they are legally bound to either replace or repair the item (provided it has failed due to a manufacturing fault). If in doubt the citizens advice people should be able to clarify matters. If all else fails then one could try mentioning 'trading standards officers' to the shop - that might shock them into doing something positive.

IIRC:

I think for a manufacturer's warranty, your relationship is directly with the manufacturer (as the warranty extends beyond the shop's legal obligations).

For a failure which contravenes the Sale of Goods Act, then your primary contact will be the shop.

rustychaincp

Spa are taking the pi55. They sold you the bike, the contract is therefore with them.

Contact Consumer Direct and they will set you straight.

tabmaster

Spa are taking the pi55. They sold you the bike, the contract is therefore with them.

Is what I said...

nferrar

Yeah for the LBS not to even make an effort to get a warranty claim through is poor. What bike make is it? I broke a brake lever on my Giant MTB a month after getting it (my fault, was a crash which I told the LBS) and they managed to get a new lever under warranty from Giant (and even bled and fitted it for free ). I would have thought most/all complete bikes should have the warranty with the manufacturer/assembler rather than the individual component makers.

acorn_user

Spa are usually pretty good. They are probably thinking improper use. What model rear changer is it? I got through 2 Altus mechs before swapping up to Deore LX with nary a hint of warranty help. Components do break with use, sadly. Frames are a lot more clear cut...

chuckcork

Spa did send it on to the Shimano rep, it was he who did the we believe such and such happened so no warranty claim. But Spa denied it had anything to do with them in the first instance, and just agreed with Shimano.

I'd agree that parts go with use, on the my commuting bike in the bit over a year I've had it and done 9,000km I've been through I don't know how many tyres, chainrings sprockiets and chain, cables, had the bearings start going on the front wheel and so on.

But I didn't have a fairly critical part fail for what to me seems like no reason at all, a fairly short period of time after buying it, and after what (for a bike marketed as "Audax"!) was relatively little distance.

But then again the "new tyres" that came with bike already are starting to look as if the rubber is going, with small cracks in the sidewall too, and had the cranks just about come off after riding for less than 100km, so maybe I shouldn't expect too much?

An anecdote is that I bought a Dahon bike from the CTC a bit over a year ago and before I could even ride it I had to true the front wheel it was out of shape. Maybe being stiffed is what I should expect from an online purchase?