Mountain Biking - Advertised vs. Delivered

I have been intrigued by another thread (LBS not honest) in which someone reported a delivered bike with different components than the advertised. The general consensus on that thread seemed to hammer on the them that the LBS should deliver exactly what was advertized.

I had a similar experience. I am a fairly new rider. I bought a bike (Trek Nav. 300). At that time I really did not know what to look for. I have since read a lot and found some differences of my bike with the Trek advertisement. (different seat, different front derailler (Shimano C101 instead of C102) and a different crank set (C201 instead of C203).

I wrote both Trek and the dealer and their explanations were the same. The seat that was advertized was not available in time for that shipment, the derailler and crank set are really the same as the last character is simply an indication of the year model.

Now here are my questions. 1. How is the average guy supposed to know whether the official answer is fact or fiction? 2. If my case is indicative, then a buyer might very well have components that are different than advertized and is this not covered by the wording found in most advertizements? In this case, using the term dishonest may be somewhat strong.


:confused:

What most people don't know, is that Manufacturer's have a little note in all their literature and even their websites, that states that accessories may not be exactly as specified.

In about 95% of the time, if the manuf. switches an accessory, it is usually of the same level and quality, or an improvement. Seldom if ever is it a downgrade. In Justen's case, going from an 8" to a 6" was definately a downgrade and she had an arguable case. The bike shop DID accomodate her. Probably at their expense (however minimal) in order to keep the customer happy.

What happens, is the manuf. buys a lot of parts OEM directly from the accessory manuf. If they under order and need more, they sometimes will not get the same exact product. If you buy early in the season, chances are it'll match the spec sheet. Later in the season, your chances of a different product showing up is greater.

There is no way I can think for a shop to "PROVE" this.

In a couple of instances, I've seen two of the same bike model, same order, with different seats (or even shifters). GO FIGURE!

I guess, it's a bit of a leap of faith with the owner of you LBS. Just remember, they're usually not getting rich from owning/operating a bike shop!

L8R

Originally posted by a2psyklnut
What most people don't know, is that Manufacturer's have a little note in all their literature and even their websites, that states that accessories may not be exactly as specified.

In about 95% of the time, if the manuf. switches an accessory, it is usually of the same level and quality, or an improvement. Seldom if ever is it a downgrade. In Justen's case, going from an 8" to a 6" was definately a downgrade and she had an arguable case. The bike shop DID accomodate her. Probably at their expense (however minimal) in order to keep the customer happy.

What happens, is the manuf. buys a lot of parts OEM directly from the accessory manuf. If they under order and need more, they sometimes will not get the same exact product. If you buy early in the season, chances are it'll match the spec sheet. Later in the season, your chances of a different product showing up is greater.

There is no way I can think for a shop to "PROVE" this.

In a couple of instances, I've seen two of the same bike model, same order, with different seats (or even shifters). GO FIGURE!

I guess, it's a bit of a leap of faith with the owner of you LBS. Just remember, they're usually not getting rich from owning/operating a bike shop!

L8R

I think that is my point. Actually early in the season may be when some parts may be scarce if they are a new item. :)

How would standard person know.. well you could do exactly what you did contact the manufacturer and talk to the LBS you bought the bike from, if answers match up 99% chance it is the truth.

Before buying a bike you could check the spec's on it, via their web site or contacting them. And if anything is different question your LBS why.

All this talk makes me aware that I will do a lot of research before I buy my next bike! I'm not getting ripped if I can help it.

KB

Chances are if you go to your LBS, you WON'T get ripped off. It's really not in their best interest to be swapping parts. The labor alone makes it more a hassle than what it's worth.

The only reason that comes to mind of why a shop would swap parts or pull a part off of another "in-stock" bike is for a warranty claim. If a customer brings in a bike with an obvious warranty claim, the shop wants to make that customer happy and fix his bike quickly. If the part isn't in stock, the LBS may want to "pull" a part from a bike on the sales floor. Problem is, the LBS has to replace that said part with the warrantied part when it "finally" comes in. All the while, the LBS's got a new bike that should be on the sales floor sitting in the repair area. That, or the LBS orders the part from a supply house and has to EAT the cost in order to keep a customer happy!

Online retailers? That's a different story. If a local shop does unethical things, they tend to lose a lot of customers. Onliners tend to care about the sale first service last. LBS's MUST give good service, or there is no point in their existence.

L8R

Koffee-come see me and I'll take good care of you. Only 6.5% tax out in Lake county too.