Why did the Merlin thread get locked?

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Comments

  • On the plus side for ABG, I'd never heard of American Bike Group before this thread.

    But then I'd never heard of swine flu before I heard about it on the news.

    From now on I'll associate ABG with nothing much better than swine flu.

    I hate companies that don't treat their customers properly.
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • Percy Vera
    Percy Vera Posts: 1,103
    infopete wrote:
    Pokerface wrote:
    infopete wrote:
    NapoleonD wrote:
    Ask for the equivalent retail cash. Take your business elsewhere. It isn't a like for like.

    I don't think this guy is going to send me a penny, I think he expects me to take his offer and to leave him alone.

    But I don't want a Litespeed carbon of any flavour.

    Is it worth accepting his offer and selling it once you get it? Or would you be taking a bath on it?

    Judging by the response on here I'm not sure if I could sell it. Does anyone want to buy a Litespeed Carbon C1?

    Does it come with a Warranty?

    If I try to claim on the Warranty will you call the police?
  • OK, rather than go back to the ABG have been morons debate......lets get back to whether it is a half-decent deal for INFOPETE....

    How old was the Merlin Cielo frame INFOPETE?

    The Litespeed C1 (not a beauty I admit at first glance), retails for between £1700 and say £2300.....

    If they have no more Cielo's, then they cannot do a like for like replacement. Hate to say it guys, but from a business point of view, they aren't going to give a £3k Extralight frame if for example, the original Cielo was 2 years old.

    What I would do - take as much from ABG as you can get, then flog it for as much as you can get, to put towards a different frame all together that you like.
    Summer - Dolan Tuono with Sram Force and Dura-Ace 7850 CL Carbon wheels
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  • infopete
    infopete Posts: 878
    OK, rather than go back to the ABG have been morons debate......lets get back to whether it is a half-decent deal for INFOPETE....

    How old was the Merlin Cielo frame INFOPETE?

    The Litespeed C1 (not a beauty I admit at first glance), retails for between £1700 and say £2300.....

    If they have no more Cielo's, then they cannot do a like for like replacement. Hate to say it guys, but from a business point of view, they aren't going to give a £3k Extralight frame if for example, the original Cielo was 2 years old.

    What I would do - take as much from ABG as you can get, then flog it for as much as you can get, to put towards a different frame all together that you like.

    Ah but the Cielo is a classic. I don't want a new frame I want my Cielo repaired, under warranty, and sent back to me.
    Oh and please remember to click on my blog:

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  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    infopete wrote:
    Ah but the Cielo is a classic. I don't want a new frame I want my Cielo repaired, under warranty, and sent back to me.

    I'd stand firm on this but it's not unknown for companies to cut-up frames as part of their 'warranty' claim process, certainly if they suspect that you'd plan to get it repaired elsewhere and wouldn't want their reputation 'sullied' by an unwarrantied repair!

    Regardless of the age of the frame, you should be entitled to a like-for-like replacement and I woundn't consider the C1 like for like. One reason they're offering you one is that it's probably made in China and doesn't cost them the same - but that's another story.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • infopete
    infopete Posts: 878
    Monty Dog wrote:
    infopete wrote:
    Ah but the Cielo is a classic. I don't want a new frame I want my Cielo repaired, under warranty, and sent back to me.

    I'd stand firm on this but it's not unknown for companies to cut-up frames as part of their 'warranty' claim process, certainly if they suspect that you'd plan to get it repaired elsewhere and wouldn't want their reputation 'sullied' by an unwarrantied repair!

    Regardless of the age of the frame, you should be entitled to a like-for-like replacement and I woundn't consider the C1 like for like. One reason they're offering you one is that it's probably made in China and doesn't cost them the same - but that's another story.

    We'll find out soon enough as I'm just about to ask them to send my Merlin Cielo back and I'll have it repaired over here.
    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 :)
  • ask them to send back with the litespeed
  • infopete
    infopete Posts: 878
    ask them to send back with the litespeed

    I've just emailed the CEO and asked for my Cielo back. I'll see if they return it or if I get a reply.
    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 :)
  • Hondated
    Hondated Posts: 136
    but I will state it anyhow if no one has previously. You need to start a thread on the CTC site.
    I agree with you plans to get it repared and I know its a long shot but why not at the same time see if you can get a discount on the price of repairing it by saying that you will mention their name on this site and others.Your dilemma has certainly struck a cord with many of us and I am personally glad that when considering this make with others I opted to get instead one made by Roberts.
    There are what look like great small TI frame makers in the UK and I am sure some good publicity would pay dividends for them if they did agree to a discount.
    Still whatever you do keep us all informed of your progress and it would be great to see a picture of the repaired frame or even the complete rebuilt bike.
    hondated
  • infopete
    infopete Posts: 878
    Hondated wrote:
    but I will state it anyhow if no one has previously. You need to start a thread on the CTC site.
    I agree with you plans to get it repared and I know its a long shot but why not at the same time see if you can get a discount on the price of repairing it by saying that you will mention their name on this site and others.Your dilemma has certainly struck a cord with many of us and I am personally glad that when considering this make with others I opted to get instead one made by Roberts.
    There are what look like great small TI frame makers in the UK and I am sure some good publicity would pay dividends for them if they did agree to a discount.
    Still whatever you do keep us all informed of your progress and it would be great to see a picture of the repaired frame or even the complete rebuilt bike.

    Is the CTC forum a good place to continue with my quest?
    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 :)
  • infopete wrote:
    ask them to send back with the litespeed

    I've just emailed the CEO and asked for my Cielo back. I'll see if they return it or if I get a reply.

    I ment send back your frame AND the litespeed
  • infopete
    infopete Posts: 878
    infopete wrote:
    ask them to send back with the litespeed

    I've just emailed the CEO and asked for my Cielo back. I'll see if they return it or if I get a reply.

    I ment send back your frame AND the litespeed

    Yes I tried that last week and got nowhere.
    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 :)
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    Personally - I like the look of the C1. However I would not buy it. But I'm sure there are people out there that would. But it would have to be at a lower price than any current retailer.

    You'd be lucky to get £1500 for it (based on Evan's current price).

    As I'm not at all familiar with your broken bike - what did the frame originally cost you:?
  • infopete wrote:
    Anyway, the man from ABG says it's a Litespeed C1 or nowt!

    I'm increasingly tempted to de-transfer my Litespeed, as I don't want to give these tossers any free advertising. :evil:
  • infopete wrote:
    Monty Dog wrote:
    infopete wrote:
    Ah but the Cielo is a classic. I don't want a new frame I want my Cielo repaired, under warranty, and sent back to me.

    I'd stand firm on this but it's not unknown for companies to cut-up frames as part of their 'warranty' claim process....

    We'll find out soon enough as I'm just about to ask them to send my Merlin Cielo back and I'll have it repaired over here.


    Provided you withhold your intent to get it repaired by others, I can't see how they can possibly refuse to return it to you (albeit perhaps at your cost). Say that you want to hang it on your wall as art....
  • infopete
    infopete Posts: 878
    infopete wrote:
    Monty Dog wrote:
    infopete wrote:
    Ah but the Cielo is a classic. I don't want a new frame I want my Cielo repaired, under warranty, and sent back to me.

    I'd stand firm on this but it's not unknown for companies to cut-up frames as part of their 'warranty' claim process....

    We'll find out soon enough as I'm just about to ask them to send my Merlin Cielo back and I'll have it repaired over here.


    Provided you withhold your intent to get it repaired by others, I can't see how they can possibly refuse to return it to you (albeit perhaps at your cost). Say that you want to hang it on your wall as art....

    It's mine, I paid for it, I own it, It's my property and I've asked for it back. If they refuse I will telephone the police.
    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 :)
  • RDB66
    RDB66 Posts: 492
    Fair play to ya Pete, keep at um mate.

    Hope you get a good result.
    A Brother of the Wheel. http://www.boxfordbikeclub.co.uk

    09 Canyon Ultimate CF for the Road.
    2011 Carbon Spesh Stumpy FSR.
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    There MIGHT be something in the small print of the warranty that says it won't be returned to you and becomes THEIR property if you chose to have it replaced. That's somewhat standard I think?

    Different story if you want the bike back and don't take their replacement
  • infopete
    infopete Posts: 878
    Pokerface wrote:
    There MIGHT be something in the small print of the warranty that says it won't be returned to you and becomes THEIR property if you chose to have it replaced. That's somewhat standard I think?

    Different story if you want the bike back and don't take their replacement

    According to ABG it's not a warranty repair therefore it should be returned.

    The problem is ABG have different ideas about customer service and warranty.
    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 :)
  • infopete
    infopete Posts: 878
    I've emailed Lynskey to see if they can repair it.

    Had a reply already, not bad for a Sunday.
    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 :)
  • benji90
    benji90 Posts: 114
    Lynskey customer service is pretty special in my experience.
  • infopete
    infopete Posts: 878
    Lynskey don't want to repair my Merlin Cielo :cry:

    They're concerned about it becoming un-glued when they repair it.

    So, I need to apply more pressure on Merlin/Litespeed/American Bicycle Group.

    I think I should spread the word to other forums, which forums would you suggest?
    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 :)
  • the_prophet
    the_prophet Posts: 426
    edited December 2010
    what about some american forums, such as http://forums.mtbr.com/

    good luck

    EDIT - Just twigged, i've mentioned a mtb forum ..... :oops: never mind.
  • flasher
    flasher Posts: 1,734
    infopete wrote:
    Lynskey don't want to repair my Merlin Cielo :cry:

    They're concerned about it becoming un-glued when they repair it.

    So, I need to apply more pressure on Merlin/Litespeed/American Bicycle Group.

    I think I should spread the word to other forums, which forums would you suggest?

    You need to forget about the Cielo, it's probably already cut into small pieces, just get the best replacement frame you can and either build it up or sell it. You need to move on...........
  • infopete
    infopete Posts: 878
    Flasher wrote:
    infopete wrote:
    Lynskey don't want to repair my Merlin Cielo :cry:

    They're concerned about it becoming un-glued when they repair it.

    So, I need to apply more pressure on Merlin/Litespeed/American Bicycle Group.

    I think I should spread the word to other forums, which forums would you suggest?

    You need to forget about the Cielo, it's probably already cut into small pieces, just get the best replacement frame you can and either build it up or sell it. You need to move on...........

    On the forum, I have two conflicting bits of advice, one is to move on and the other is to get the Cielo back at all costs.

    Whatever bike I end up with from the Merlin or Litespeed won't ever be as nice as my Cielo; it is one of the prettiest bikes ever made.

    Anyway, the real point of all of this is to reach a satifactory conclusion to the way Litespeed/Merlin have conducted my warranty claim. So... moving on is not currently an option.
    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 :)
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    infopete wrote:
    I think I should spread the word to other forums, which forums would you suggest?
    What about the LGBT forum or whatever they're called? They certainly seem to know how to dish it out.
    Trouble is, they might not know what a hanger is.
  • d70ar9
    d70ar9 Posts: 139
    For what it is worth i definitely think you should do everything to get the Cielo back as it is absolutely beautiful and you clearly have an emotional attachment to it. Am i correct in thinking that earlier in the process you had contacted some British Ti frame builders to see if they could repair it? Id try them again as they might offer you a really good deal on a repair considering all the great PR they would get for fixing it. Anyway just a thought
    'All that is solid melts into air' Marx and Engels
  • bompington wrote:
    infopete wrote:
    I think I should spread the word to other forums, which forums would you suggest?
    What about the LGBT forum or whatever they're called? They certainly seem to know how to dish it out.
    Trouble is, they might not know what a hanger is.

    I'm not sure the lesbian gay bisexual and transvestite forum is the best place to ask.
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  • dodgy
    dodgy Posts: 2,890
    I'm not particularly a big fan of Twitter, but it's amazingly easy for a few words to be retweeted by a few, the recipients of which retweet again and so on, You can reach millions very quickly.

    Put a link to this thread using TinyURL or similar so people can easily pass on the URL. I'll put a link on my site to this thread if you like. Knowing how litigious ABG are (or at least some of their employees are), you need to stick strictly to the facts, which is what I will do if I put a story on my site about the whole sorry episode.

    Good luck.