LBS recommendation for Hampton, VA area please
 

Hi,

I bought a Fuji Sunfire back in February this year and the bottom bracket is sounding like rice krispies (snap, crackle, pop). Fuji says that they have a one year warranty on parts, but the LBS says that it is not true and that Fuji only warranties the frame and that even if it were true that I would be responsible since it is a wear and tear item. Since this was told to me over the phone in short order, I have a feeling they just don't want to do warranty work.

I've tried contacting Fuji directly, but responded that they do not deal with warranty issues directly with the consumer.

So, does anyone know a LBS that is a Fuji dealer that will give me a straight answer on this?

Thanks
RK

Did you look a google doing... "Hampton, VA + bicycles" something has to come up man...

I don't speak for Fuji, but based on my decades in the industry, can say that things like BBs wearing out over time are not generally covered by warranties. Usually bike companies cover the frames, but not the components (which they buy). Most dealers cover parts for 30-90 days, some longer, and the factories tend to make good on any parts that fail when still very new, ie within 30 days.

I don't know how much you ride or to what extent (if any) weather is a factor in your BB's demise. Nor do I know the details of Fuji's warranty policy, so don't want to encourage or discourage you in this. In your shoes, I'd start with the Fuji netsite and the dealer locator there (if they have one). Then I'd phone Fuji and ask about the warranty policy. You could also visit any Fuji dealer, and ask to see a sample of the warranty paperwork that comes with new bikes.

Now one bit of bad news. Regardless of what Fuji's policy is, dealers other than the one who sold you the bike aren't obligated to offer you free warranty service (this varies by state). So even if it's covered, and even if Fuji replaces the part, a dealer would be within his rights to ask that you pick up the labor.

There are about a dozen shops in the Hampton/Newport News area. I've only dealt with one (as a supplier, not a client) but they are pretty knowlegeable and enjoy a decent reputation. That's Conte's in Newport News. But I don't know if they're a Fuji dealer.

The reason I asked in the forum was because I am from South Carolina and I am here in Hampton, VA on business. I was just hoping for a recommendation.

I contacted Fuji and the BB is covered for one year including for wear. I used Fuji's dealer locator to begin calling LBS in this area and finally found one in Virginia Beach (an hour drive away) that would do it. He told me that the reason most LBS don't want to do the warranty work is because Fuji can take a week or two to send the check. He said that he does it because it's good business. It brings people into the shop and his service gets them coming back. I brought my bike to him and he replaced the BB free of charge. He did this job "at risk" because he gave me my bike back the very next day before he even got approval from Fuji to begin.

This is a good LBS, not because of what he did for me, but because of what he does for everyone. He provides so much warranty service that he knows what they will approve and not approve and he does the work in a timely manner to boot. This is good business and I know that if I need work done, warranty or not, I will bring my bike to him.

RK

So how about you give us a name, and him some well deserved free advertizing.

Boardwalk Bikes of Virginia Beach, VA