I just bought a new Tandem from my LBS. It is a Burley Rivazza and it is a Last Years Model.

Thursday I called the bike shop, the day before I bought it, and they said they were having a blowout sale of the last years models and gave me a price over the phone.

Friday I went to the bike shop and the price was marked as he said over the phone so I purchased the bike and took it home.

I got the bike all dialed in with new pedals, seats, computer, cages, Tubes Tires Liners and fitted then proceeded to ride the crap out of it all weekend.

I was gone all weekend with the new tandem and they left numerous messages for me but I did not return the call until Monday morning.

Monday they are telling me to bring the bike back or give them more money because they sold it to me too cheap. "What???" I said.

I knew the bike was reasonably priced but since it was a last years model, totally stock without a race package or options and because I am not that versed on the price of Burley Tandems I didnt think twice about what I thought was a good deal. I guess the manager figured out the price was too low after I bought it. They said it was mismarked.

Apparently they think I should have paid 900 bucks more than I did.

Opinions or thoughts on what the heck I should do...

Thanks in advance...

Eric

They gave you the price over the phone, then had it on the floor marked with the same price that they quoted you. You paid that price, and have a receipt showing that you paid the price that was marked. As much as I like to support my LBS, this is clearly their mistake, not yours. I don't think my shop would have the cajones to ask for me to come back and pay more. I certainly wouldn't, your buying decision was based on the price they gave you. Painful mistake for them, but again, their mistake, not yours.

I would tell them you are sorry for their mistake but that they need to be better business people. The price was agreed to and paid. You owe them nothing.

Wow...I'm amazed that they even had the nerve to call you. What total bullsh*t. They quoted you the price up front, confirmed it in the store and were happy enough to ring up your purchase and take payment at that amount. Title passed. Sold is sold.

I love my LBS too, but no frikkin way I would even think twice about the deal. If they had mis-keyed the price at checkout or something, maybe that would be different. But they had plenty of opportunity to set the correct selling price. And either way, you did absolutely nothing wrong here. Enjoy your bike and don't even feel bad about the way things worked out. If they had any brains they would be pumping you up about what a great deal that you got to bring you back the next time.

Hope this helps.

If you tell them no, you are effectively ending a business relationship with them, even if you are in the right. Alternative -- build some good will. Tell them that the bike is a completed sale, but you will agree to purchase other items from them -- locks, tires, whatever. After all, you got something cheaper than "market" pricing so you can afford to throw some additional business their way. That would make them see you as more than a one time buyer and a satisfied customer. As Mark L has pointed out before, the price of bike is a fraction of what we spend on our bikes. The margin is typically higher on clothing and accessories. So they would have the chance to make a fair proift on any purchase going forward. If they refuse this generous offer and insist that you pay them more, then quit dealing with them.

Let me echo the comments of the previous two posters: the transaction is complete. They quoted a price, you agreed to the terms of the sale, and the "deal" has been completed. No need to belabor the issue.

Anything else you'd like to do to protect your karma, etc... would be in the name of goodwill / kind heartedness.

They gave you the price over the phone, then had it on the floor marked with the same price that they quoted you. You paid that price, and have a receipt showing that you paid the price that was marked. As much as I like to support my LBS, this is clearly their mistake, not yours. I don't think my shop would have the cajones to ask for me to come back and pay more. I certainly wouldn't, your buying decision was based on the price they gave you. Painful mistake for them, but again, their mistake, not yours.

Thanks for the quick reply. I do have a receipt and it does have model and serial number on it. I just hope the nice sales kid does not get fired, he was so helpful with loading the bike and great customer service. I doubt it was him that mismarked the bike.

Eric

Let me echo the comments of the previous two posters: the transaction is complete. They quoted a price, you agreed to the terms of the sale, and the "deal" has been completed. No need to belabor the issue.


Thanks Guys... I really appreciate the input. I let you know how it turnes out.

Eric

For what its worth: In Mississippi, a store is required to sell you an item at the price that it is marked. Otherwise it is considered false advertising.
I'm not sure what I would do in your situation, IF I wanted to continue the relationship with the LBS, IF they had a history of treating me fairly and IF the price was VERY much below their cost I might consider splitting the difference with them. But maybe if LBS did this to me I would consider that they weren't very smart and didn't deserve any more of my business.
(Side note: our only LBS here is so bad I now drive 60+ miles for bike items, and I drove 300 miles to purchase our tandem.)

Jack

Congratulations on purchasing a Rivazza. We are totally loving ours. We're sorry to hear that the purchasing experience has turned out so negatively ---- due to the outrageous behavior of the lbs.

In our opinion, the only conceivable way in which you could be "morally" in the wrong would be if the price was so low that you "should have" realized it was a mistake. But since you were buying last year's model during a "blowout" sale, I'd think it would have to have been practically free for this to apply. Obviously, you did not know it was a mistake and you bought it based on the price you were quoted. End of story.

I'd be nervous about doing business with a LBS that would call and ask for more money under these circumstances. If there are any other stores in your area, maybe you should develop a relationship with them.

You could (not that you should) calculate the value of your time spent preparing the bike and the time to return it to the condition when you bought it, and offer to sell it back to them for purchase prices plus the value of your time.

Congratulations on purchasing a Rivazza. We are totally loving ours. We're sorry to hear that the purchasing experience has turned out so negatively ---- due to the outrageous behavior of the lbs.

In our opinion, the only conceivable way in which you could be "morally" in the wrong would be if the price was so low that you "should have" realized it was a mistake. But since you were buying last year's model during a "blowout" sale, I'd think it would have to have been practically free for this to apply. Obviously, you did not know it was a mistake and you bought it based on the price you were quoted. End of story.

I'd be nervous about doing business with a LBS that would call and ask for more money under these circumstances. If there are any other stores in your area, maybe you should develop a relationship with them.

Thanks for the response. The LBS is not my normal shop I do biz with already, I only drove all the way up there to get to the BlowOut Sale they were having on last years tandems. It was not too far in miles but I did have to drive by a few other shops to get there (about 25 miles). I probably would only go there again for my free tune ups and tandem specific things. Free tune-ups are suspect at this point and I think I will just pay for them somewhere else.

**** Update *****
I called the shop again to try to finalize the thing and the manager was not there but sales girl said the owner was there and she would put me through to him. The sales girl put me on hold and then came back a minute later and said the owner would not talk to me. She said that the owner said "the manager screwed up and the manager will fix it."

I told the girl if the owner doesn't think this is important enough to take my call then I am done.
I will keep you guys updated. Thanks for all your thoughts...

Eric

New Update on the Situation

The other owner called me back. He was super nice. He said he would still honor the 2 free tuneups and he wanted me as a customer. He said the mismarked price was thier mistake and I got a great deal on a tandem. He also added if I wanted to take mercy on them that he would like to negotiate me giving additional money to the LBS but it was solely up to me.

This was a far cry from the first guy saying bring us the bike or a grand.

Eric

I'd say that what cedo said, go buy some extra gear from them, would be a good solution. Throw them some extra sales but still get something for your money, not just give them more because they'd like to have it.

I totally agree. They made the mistake, and they expected you to pay for it. They should realize their mistake, apologize for bringing you in on their problems, and encourage you to continue shopping with them. I drop more money on stores with all the extras I buy than the actual cost of the bike. Example- I have $400 in Performance coupons. I could not imagine what I would do if they told me to bring a bike back they messed up the price with. I'd bring in my Performance coupons and ask them if they'd prefer my loyal business or if they wanted to correct their mistake. I betcha anything they'd shut up real quick.

Koffee

I wonder if your LBS owner or employees read this forum?

Jack

I wonder what would be the case if the situation was reversed and you found out that you had paid $900 more than you should have... You think if you rang the shop and said give me $900 i paid too much they would care? Like hell they would, they would laugh in your face. So you should laugh too, all the way to the bank

I don't own a shop, but 2 of my best friends do. I know from first hand experience how tough it is to keep tandems on the floor of a shop for sale. Most tandem buyers who buy from a shop are going to order exactly what they want. Year old bikes end up being sold at cost or less. In the interest of helping the shop promote tandeming you should try to work out something that is a good deal for both of you. I don't know how big this shop is but $900 is a big loss for most shops. IMHO a good deal isn't benefiting from someone else's mistakes no matter how careless.

How's the view from that high moral ground Tim. :p

The key to me is the way they demanded: bring the extra money or bring the bike back! Because of that, I would not hesitate keeping the bike and not giving them any more money or future bussines. If, on the other hand, they had been as nice as the fellow that help you load it.... I would not hesiate helping them any way I could.

Keep the fricken bike.

How's the view from that high moral ground Tim. :p

Just stayin ahead of the wolves brother.

I don't understand.
You bought a bike.
Enjoy it.
You have done nothing wrong.
The maroon that priced the bike or rang you up should be the one that pays the difference.

Enjoy

I guess those that are perfect have nothing to worry about. For the rest of us, this may present a bit or a moral question. While I love a bargain, if it comes at the expense of a private retailer, I would at least try to work something out with the shop owner so that he is not at a great loss. Lost markup is one thing, but as someone noted, if this was sold way below cost, that can greatly impact a shop. If you understand retail turnover, you know what I'm talking about. Of course, it this was a giant chain, all bets are off. That's my 2 cents.

Take the bike back and get ur money back. What's the big deal u got to ride it for free for a few days, what are u out? Nothing.

That's the wonderful thing about having my own morale code, it still works even if society doesn't agree.

**** society, live with urself.

I guess those that are perfect have nothing to worry about. For the rest of us, this may present a bit or a moral question. While I love a bargain, if it comes at the expense of a private retailer, I would at least try to work something out with the shop owner so that he is not at a great loss. Lost markup is one thing, but as someone noted, if this was sold way below cost, that can greatly impact a shop. If you understand retail turnover, you know what I'm talking about. Of course, it this was a giant chain, all bets are off. That's my 2 cents.

Oh i understand. You have a selectable moral and you use it as needed.

This has nothing to do with morals...

1. A business advertises it is having a "blow-out sale".
2. A consumer makes an inquiry and is provided with a price for something they are interested in buying.
3. Because the price is attractive, they go to the business to pursue the purchase.
4. On arriving at the business the product is priced as quoted over the phone.
5. The transaction is completed.

After all, if the buyer was "mis-quoted" a price on the phone and then arrived at the shop to find the bike was priced differently then it was quoted, I suspect this forum would have suggested the bike shop was engaged in deceptive pricing practices. In fact, there are discussion threads that convey that very scenario.

Again, the mis-marking of the product is an internal problem that the owner of the business needs to resolve internally, either by having his employees make up the difference, by terminating their employment, or whatever. The consumer should not have been placed into a situation where he needs to deal with a moral dilemma or be asked to help fix an internal business issue.

Business owners assume a level of risk when they hang out their shingle. Employees add another level of risk to running a business. In this situation, the employees failed to do their jobs properly and the owner must deal with that.

When the 'deal is done' the deal is done. The negotiation process is where both parties need to understand what they need to have coming away from the deal to have a win-win situation. The buyer entered the deal with a price and money to make a purchase. The seller didn't know what his costs were and agreed to sell the bike for a price that he agreed to on four occassions: 1-when deciding what to sell the bike for, 2-when marking the price on the bike, 3-when quoting the price on the phone, and 4-when executing the transaction. Deal over, business owner needs to deal with the internal ramifications.

Anyway, just my .02.

My 2 cents -
The Burley Rivazza list price is around $3,500+, so $900 (25% off) isn't an unreasonable 'blowout' price. It is a good deal, but everyone is looking for a good deal. Also, the bike stop didn't loss $900 cash, they lost $900(+-) of profit. Hard lesson learned.

Secondly, I wouldn't take my bike back, even for a free tune up. It sounds like the manager and one of the owners are such poor business people that they may try to hold your bike for ransom. I know this is extortion, but crazier things have happened. Anyway, you can't trust them anymore.
Enjoy the ride.

- Michael

Its called a contract. You paid and they delivered the goods. They cant now seek to undue the contract and demand more money because they now realized they may have made a mistake in calculating the price.

Oh i understand. You have a selectable moral and you use it as needed.

Apparently you don't understand. I would hate for a small, privately owned bike shop to suffer a $900 loss, no matter what the reason. Something like that can greatly affect their future business. If it was a chain like Supergo, it would be such an inconsequential amount, it wouldn't worry me. They probably give away that much each month in tubes and water bottles.

Oh i understand. You said it in the first place.

Well, now that you worked things just about out. Keep an eye on that LBS for they might have more great deals to come.
It is the price of doing Business PERIOD. You do not have to do anything for that bike shop. Not sure about you but I like to keep as much money as I can. You got a great deal but stick with your local bike shop. It sounds like you have some what of a relationship already.
I have 3 great LBS to work with. I commute and love to Tandem with my wife. I get 10 percent off at all 3 LBS just because I asked. I only really trust one. I got burn on a few items from each. But one time I needed a crank set for our MTB tandem and my LBS had a tandem that the owner upgraded his cranks so I got his for less than half price brand new!
Now enjoy your Tandem its yours to have fun with.

"Snip"It is the price of doing Business PERIOD. You do not have to do anything for that bike shop.

He certainly doesn't have to do anything for them, although they've done something for him. You've obviously never been in business for yourself. The shop made an error, agreed. It's their other customers that will suffer for it when they don't have that extra bit of capital for more inventory. I don't have a solution, but I certainly don't see this as a victory for the consumer or retailer.

"Snip"

He certainly doesn't have to do anything for them, although they've done something for him. You've obviously never been in business for yourself. The shop made an error, agreed. It's their other customers that will suffer for it when they don't have that extra bit of capital for more inventory. I don't have a solution, but I certainly don't see this as a victory for the consumer or retailer.

I still have my businesses and I help other business out as well. If you sell something you do not ask for it back. The Other customer are not going to pay for it either! I do understand were your comming from but I see that you care for both and I respect that. To me our fellow tandem rider got a really good deal.

"Snip"

He certainly doesn't have to do anything for them, although they've done something for him. You've obviously never been in business for yourself. The shop made an error, agreed. It's their other customers that will suffer for it when they don't have that extra bit of capital for more inventory. I don't have a solution, but I certainly don't see this as a victory for the consumer or retailer.

Victory? Nobody said it was a lose or a victory. You have a business and a bunch of bottles of soap for sale. I look into the back and find a bottle you left the old,less price tag on. Opps on you and i buy it. He was told the price on the phone and if that price hadnt been on the bike then they can say it was a mistake but not when its on the bike also and after the call. Good deal for the buyer,they should eat it and smile about it and make the best out of it they can and consider it word of mouth advertizing that it happened and they stood behind it. In the long run it might gather some business. Jack in the box throws in an extra taco,i'm not going back just like all the times they leave one out,i dont go back. It evewns out in the long run unless you keep repeating the mistake,then close up shop. Oh,btw i have a business and if something is mispriced,we stand behind it and thats it.

We're not talking about a bottle of soap, or an extra taco. If you can stomach them, Jack In The Box can afford to give away a few free tacos. My point was that regardless of who made the error, $900 in lost income is a lot to a small retailer.

I'm sure you'll stand behind your prices, even if something is marked wrong. Have you ever let something go for $900 less than you should have?

I understand where you are coming from expat, I guess it depends entirely on what this guy feels he should do. There is no right or wrong answer to the problem, its more of a moral dilemma than anything, so I guess whichever way he chooses to go he gains a bit and loses a bit as well. I'm glad its not me, I wouldn't know what to do (hence, I guess the reason for posting in the first place) although I would probably keep the bike, keep the change and voice my concerns with the owner regarding servicing, future custom, ill-feelings that might be had between each other and any other issues that may arise, but at least talk about it to the guy or girl that counts, not some dude on the phone who realised he made a mistake and is trying to cover himself. The owner needs to know you will come back, you need to know if you do go back that they will continue to look after you...

Well it would be quite troubling to quote a price on the phone,tag that price to the item,sell it and then call and ask for it back. Bad business.

Well it would be quite troubling to quote a price on the phone,tag that price to the item,sell it and then call and ask for it back. Bad business.

I'm guessing that the guy that called him was in a bit of a panic. He may have worried that he would lose his job, or have to make up some of the difference.

I feel bad for the business owner, and bad that this may have tainted the joy of owning a new tandem as well. Ok, I'm over it.

No one is that dumb. This is a joke it was a friend that called you pretending to be the LBS. Seriously on one would sell you the bike and then call saying it was the wrong price even if it were.

Joe

I would ask them to pull there invoice w/ serial number and you pay them exact cost on the item, not a penny more, since it was there mistake..

What I find most disconcerting about this entire episode is that the shop you purchased the bike from has the gall to call you and ask for more money or to return the product after the transaction has been completed. This show a complete disregard for business practices and is fact, an attempt to leverage the price up by playing on the buyer's good nature.

Weather the shop lost money on the sale is irrelevant. The buyer is under no obligation to do anything and should not even be approached under this scenario.

Just to go on the record, I would consider writing the shop a letter spelling out the fact that the sale was for the agreed upon price and that you do not appreciate them contacting you in an attempt to renegotiate the deal and asking for the bike back. I would tell them that you expect them to honor the services included in the sale. I would send a copy of the letter to the Burley so they know what their dealers are doing.

"Snip"What I find most disconcerting about this entire episode is that the shop you purchased the bike from has the gall to call you and ask for more money or to return the product after the transaction has been completed.

Like I said, I'm sure it was a case of panic on behalf of the guy that screwed up. I can't imagine anyone would actually conduct themselves that way otherwise.

Take the bike back and get ur money back. What's the big deal u got to ride it for free for a few days, what are u out? Nothing.

That's the wonderful thing about having my own morale code, it still works even if society doesn't agree.

**** society, live with urself.


Tell them you want your money back plus $450.00 and see what the say, perhaps they will be interested in reducing the loss by 50%?

Just ride your new bike.

Just to clarify...

The -900 bucks was off the already low blowout price. They asked that I pay to get it up to the sale price not the 3500. I talked to a friend who owned a bike shop before and he said I actually did them a favor. He told me that people that spend 3k and up on tandems dont buy them off the show room floor, they order them exactly how they want them. He told me there is a reason why that bike had been sitting for almost 2 years in this shop... it was not going to sell until they made the price attractive enough to get someone to take the floor model.

I have decided that I am going to write the shop a nice letter. I am also going to tell everyone I know what a great deal I got and how helpful the staff at the LBS was.

Thanks for all your input everyone...

Eric

My 2 cents -
The Burley Rivazza list price is around $3,500+, so $900 (25% off) isn't an unreasonable 'blowout' price. It is a good deal, but everyone is looking for a good deal. Also, the bike stop didn't loss $900 cash, they lost $900(+-) of profit. Hard lesson learned.

Secondly, I wouldn't take my bike back, even for a free tune up. It sounds like the manager and one of the owners are such poor business people that they may try to hold your bike for ransom. I know this is extortion, but crazier things have happened. Anyway, you can't trust them anymore.
Enjoy the ride.

- Michael

Just to clarify...

<snip>

I have decided that I am going to write the shop a nice letter. I am also going to tell everyone I know what a great deal I got and how helpful the staff at the LBS was.

Thanks for all your input everyone...

Eric

Now that will probably do the shop some good and turn a very sour lemon into lemonade.

Doc

Interesting read, so what was the price you paid for the bike? Like others have stated I'm sure the manager or whoever sold you the bike was in trouble when the owner found out they finally moved that bike at "THAT PRICE". So in panic he called asking for more dough or the bike, which is laughable. I'm not sure I would take it back for any tune ups. You said you had to drive 25 miles to this shop and passed many on the way, we have 3 shops next closest is 90 miles rountrip.

Hi Eric - what a lousy situation. Maybe I'm just a cynic but me - I would forget the tune-ups - learn to do your own maintenance - and make very sure they NEVER get their hands on the bike! This guy sounds like he has been made to pay out of his own pocket and he might well try to hold the bike to ransom for the extra money.
Here in the UK the problem would not arise as we have legal protection - if a product is labelled with a price, and you agree the price with the dealer for any extras, then that is it - you pay, he gives his receipt and that is binding in law - perhaps the US population needs to get together on this and push for the same protection. The same applies to ALL products and services - the price you see is the price they get - and they are not even allowed to ring you and complain - it is totally their liabillity. Whatever you do, do not give in to this guys 'blackmail' for that is surely what it is - trying to give you a guilt-trip!
Anyway, you and your partner, get out and enjoy your tandem and remember you are in the right!
Malc (Yorkshire UK)

malc we do have this protection it falls under contract law. This guy has entered into a contract (even verbal) and does not have to return the phone call.

If thier are any real lawers out thier let me know if im wrong

offer .. to buy the bike / shop's offer to sell the bike

acceptance .. I will pay this for the bike / the bike costs this much. phone call, tag on bike ( I think even if the sales clerk ring's it up wrong.)

consideration.. the exchange of money and the bike


In no way did the buying party do any thing to breach the contract and the bike shop's only damages is the loss of money. Which is at their own error.


Now the person who bought it might have a moral issue and that is really what is being discussed here.

was the bike shop wrong in calling after the sale .. no i don't think so. If it were me I would of made the party aware of my bone head move but not demanded .. mabye pleaded a bit. beged or grobbled .. to see if he could help right my error.


was it good business ? I dont know Im just a mechanic.