RomeoTango

A couple weeks ago my left 105 shifter broke on my 2009 Scott CR1 Team. I figured I could call one of three organizations for warranty replacement: Jenson where I bought the bike, Scott or Shimano. I arbitrarily chose Scott. The guy I worked with was accommodating, but sent the wrong color shifter the first week, and now sent a pair of silver shifters. My originals are black. So my questions are:

1. Should I hold out for the original black color? I guess it's no big deal (silver or black).
2. The shifters Scott sent out look like they were taken off an already built bike. The backside of one still shows some bar tape remnants. I expect they're new, but should I be concerned about this? Would Shimano have sent a new boxed item?
3. How do I know if I actually received either 2009 or 2010 parts? Call Shimano about the parts? Is the silver color vice my original black any indicator? Surely Scott would not jeopardize their reputation by doing something underhanded, right?

ScrubJ

4. Another good reason to deal with your LBS?

You're lucky Scott will deal directly with you, not sure of Shimano's stance on this. In my industry (being completely different than bikes) you would have to take your product to your dealer for warranty repair.

akansaskid

When the rear derailleur cable broke the second time in my right 105 shifter, the LBS mechanic was unable to extract the cable head from the shifter. He called Shimano, not Specialized, and had a new shifter for me the next day.

Eclectus

OP, you got silver instead of black. I might try to negotiate a black, but if negotiations are not working, I'd take a silver.

I have no idea why somebody can't get the cable removed from the shifter, Dremels are really good at this kind of thing. Put some loupe-magnifiers on, and go carefully and slowly to break up the stop-head, use a shop vac to remove the remnants but if you can get a new brifter for free, that's great.

akansaskid

The stop head was buried. Couldn't shift to high gear to bring it back in view.

roccobike

Apparently Shimano is having a problem with triple shifters that are used in a double application. One of the ladies I ride with had her left shifter sieze with the chain on the large chainwheel. When we brought it to the LBS they asked if she had to force the shift to get the chain onto the outer chainwheel. She stated that was correct. The LBS then informed us that they've seen this happen when the cable stretches slightly and the rider has to use a little extra force to make the move to the large chainwheel. They contacted Shimano and have the replacement left shifter being sent in. The new shifter will be a double.
As for the OP, black, silver who cares. You got a free replacement under warranty. I'd be happy with what I received. You can try for the black set, but I wouldn't push it if they decline.