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Frame postage to America..... My Merlin is DEAD

infopeteinfopete Posts: 878
edited November 2010 in Road buying advice
My Merlin Cielo snapped and has to go back to America to be fixed, thankfully, under warranty.

The warranty doesn't cover postage :cry:

So, what's the cheapest way, with insurance, to post my Merlin Cielo back to America so I can get it fixed?
Oh and please remember to click on my blog:

http://americanbicyclegroup.wordpress.com

The more clicks I get the higher it creeps up the google radar :)

Posts

  • peter101cyclepeter101cycle Posts: 298
    DHL it......won't be cheap but they are pretty good, plus, you will have tracking on the shipment.

    Pack it in the original box if you can, or maybe, ask a favour and grab a used box from your LBS.

    Just out of interest, where did the frame snap?
    Summer - Dolan Tuono with Sram Force and Dura-Ace 7850 CL Carbon wheels
    Winter - old faithful Ribble winter bike
    SugarSync cloud storage referral link (better than DropBox atm imho) https://www.sugarsync.com/referral?rf=mzo2tcrhm5gn
  • infopeteinfopete Posts: 878
    Hi Peter,

    The rear hanger snapped off at the weld :cry:

    I have a frame box and lots of bubble wrap. I've also taken lots of pictures just in case it gets damaged in transit.

    I'll look at DHL prices now.
    Oh and please remember to click on my blog:

    http://americanbicyclegroup.wordpress.com

    The more clicks I get the higher it creeps up the google radar :)
  • bendertherobotbendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    The answer is, I am afraid, not at all cheap.

    Use Parcel2Go for the absolute best price (UPS and DHL etc).

    The crucial thing is not weight but dimensions. Have a fiddle around with the dimension boxes to see what a difference a few CM can make.

    Oh, and DHL could be quicker than UPS at the moment ;)
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • infopeteinfopete Posts: 878
    OMG 5% insurance on top of the postage :? :cry:
    Oh and please remember to click on my blog:

    http://americanbicyclegroup.wordpress.com

    The more clicks I get the higher it creeps up the google radar :)
  • moonshinemoonshine Posts: 1,021
    would it be cheaper to send it to Enigma for a repair?

    http://www.enigmabikes.com/frame_repairs.html
  • Monty DogMonty Dog Posts: 20,614
    It's broken anyway - saw it in half and it'll fit in a smaller box to save on shipping costs :lol:

    Seriously, American Bicycle Group (owners of Merlin) have an office in Swindon and shouldn't they be dealing with UK warranty enquiries rather than you having to ship it to the US? Google them - details on web.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • infopeteinfopete Posts: 878
    Moonshine, yes I will email Mark at Enigma.

    Monty, they closed a few years ago. The new distributor for the American Bike Group is Evans however, they are not doing Merlin.
    Oh and please remember to click on my blog:

    http://americanbicyclegroup.wordpress.com

    The more clicks I get the higher it creeps up the google radar :)
  • infopeteinfopete Posts: 878
    Looks like it has to be UPS as they charge 1% for the insurance whereas everyone else is between 4 and 5% Eeeeeeek.
    Oh and please remember to click on my blog:

    http://americanbicyclegroup.wordpress.com

    The more clicks I get the higher it creeps up the google radar :)
  • Monty DogMonty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Serously, Google people's experiences of USPS before you give them your bike and make sure you take out insurance
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • bendertherobotbendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Monty Dog wrote:
    Serously, Google people's experiences of USPS before you give them your bike and make sure you take out insurance

    UPS mun. NOT USPS
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • andypandyp Posts: 8,856
    I've always found these guys to provide the cheapest prices for international postage;

    www.interparcel.com
  • infopeteinfopete Posts: 878
    interparcel look amazingly similar to parcel2go

    Cheaper shipping but I can't work out the insurance costs. I'll phone later.
    Oh and please remember to click on my blog:

    http://americanbicyclegroup.wordpress.com

    The more clicks I get the higher it creeps up the google radar :)
  • blackrockracerblackrockracer Posts: 86
    All Litespeed and Merlin warranty must be carried out by ABG in the US. posting a frame back with probably set you back about £80 , not cheap but your frame with get professionally repaired and they usually clean it up and relapce the graphic's too.

    This is probably a better option than putting it on the scrap pile , lifetime warrranty??
  • infopeteinfopete Posts: 878
    It looks like postage is going to be about £110 with a £1,000 maximum insurance.

    Thanks Andy, it looks like I'll be using interparcel.

    Now all I need is lots of those little polystyrene bits.

    Thanks everyone, I'll let you know how I get on.
    Oh and please remember to click on my blog:

    http://americanbicyclegroup.wordpress.com

    The more clicks I get the higher it creeps up the google radar :)
  • forcuttyforcutty Posts: 1,055
    infopete wrote:
    It looks like postage is going to be about £110 with a £1,000 maximum insurance.

    Thanks Andy, it looks like I'll be using interparcel.

    Now all I need is lots of those little polystyrene bits.

    Thanks everyone, I'll let you know how I get on.

    Don't use polystyrene bits there useless bubble wrap and air bags are better IMHO.
    That and more cardboard if your under your weight limit. oh and lots of tape.
    Last time I was sent to manage our despatch department. I gave everyone a warning out about shoddy packaging. :twisted:
    The MD gave me a rise when the customers who had been moaning about damaged goods were then moaning they could not get into the boxes :lol:
    I just simply said they could not have it both ways and they agreed.
    So wrap that frame extra well. So when it gets thrown in the back of the van it'll survive.
  • infopeteinfopete Posts: 878
    Thanks forcutty, I was just about to cycle to a friends shop to arrange the polystyrene, I'll cycle somewhere nicer now as the sun is shining.

    Oh the benefits of not having a proper job :)

    Though I won't be on my Merlin :(
    Oh and please remember to click on my blog:

    http://americanbicyclegroup.wordpress.com

    The more clicks I get the higher it creeps up the google radar :)
  • infopeteinfopete Posts: 878
    Seriously Bad News :cry:

    I've just been informed by the American Bike Group that they think my Merlin Cielo was damaged by some impact and they will not repair it under warranty.

    My Merlin was my pride and joy and has never been in any accident or impact, until it snapped it was perfect.

    Looks like I may have to take legal action :(
    Oh and please remember to click on my blog:

    http://americanbicyclegroup.wordpress.com

    The more clicks I get the higher it creeps up the google radar :)
  • TMRTMR Posts: 3,986
    infopete wrote:
    Looks like I may have to take legal action :(

    Be realistic. It'll be cheaper to buy a new bike. Ask them if they'll give you 50% off a new one...
  • bendertherobotbendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    infopete wrote:
    Seriously Bad News :cry:

    I've just been informed by the American Bike Group that they think my Merlin Cielo was damaged by some impact and they will not repair it under warranty.

    My Merlin was my pride and joy and has never been in any accident or impact, until it snapped it was perfect.

    Looks like I may have to take legal action :(

    Did you buy it on the 'net?
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • ScrumpleScrumple Posts: 2,665
    So just how did the bit fall off if it wasn't an impact?

    Titanium is not something that normally falls to bits! What caused the "snap"?
  • moonshinemoonshine Posts: 1,021
    i would have sent it to Enigma to get it fixed and payed for it rather than send it to the states for a warranty repair.

    Now you are out of pocket from sending it, have no frame, and i assume they will want you to pay carriage for it back as they have refused it under warranty...
  • andypandyp Posts: 8,856
    The Cielo frameset is made from a mix of Ti lugs and carbon tubes, so sending it to Enigma wouldn't be much use.

    @ the OP - you never said how it came to break. What happened exactly?
  • moonshinemoonshine Posts: 1,021
    andyp wrote:
    The Cielo frameset is made from a mix of Ti lugs and carbon tubes, so sending it to Enigma wouldn't be much use.

    @ the OP - you never said how it came to break. What happened exactly?

    as it was a broken rear hanger, it may have been able to be repaired by a Ti framebuilder. that was my thinking.

    Clearly if it was involving the carbon bonding to Ti, it may have been outwith Enigma's expertese, but if it was only ti welding, then they surely could have done something.
  • ScrumpleScrumple Posts: 2,665
    I'm guessing the mech hanger is all Ti?

    Most expensive frames have replaceable drop outs... surprised this doesn't.

    Safe bet is to discuss this politely. Sabbath have a "lifetime" g'tee on my bike, but they do a half price crash replacement too. Responsibilty is either way here - cracks in frames are usually down to faults, but bits snapping off aren't. See if Merlin have any advice, or if they will do a good faith deal.

    Merlin will argue it is a crash (or damage beyond what is wear and tear). You are arguing failure of the frame on a qulaity issue.

    I can't see a mech hanger snapping off due to frame failure... there must have been impact damage? Don't bother with legal claims, as this is a US sale? UK law may not apply?
    Besides, you are better off appealing to them to do you a deal... Or, just get a Ti welding experienced frame maker to deal UK side.
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