gruppo

A four year wait and still no frame. I'll start by saying Matt Chester and I were friends, and our two shops had a positive cycling business relationship. Four years ago, in 2008, I visited Matt's shop and ordered and paid for a frame. He assured me the frame would be built and ready late the next spring. Per Matt's specifications, I also ordered a hand-made fork & stem from another builder and a custom head-badge which was sent to Matt for installation. Two and a half years passed with minimal communications, but always numerous promises that the frame was ready to ship.

After enduring years of endless good natured ribbing from many in the bicycling industry, I was finally fed up and requested a refund in August, 2011. I received a token partial refund in October, 2011, and nothing since. The ribbing and head-shaking, but not so good natured now, continued at NAHBS in Sacramento, and as a result I've finally given up all hope.

So I'm out the remainder of the frame's total cost, funds sent to install the head-badge & ship the frame, and the expense of the handmade fork, stem, and head-badge. Had I dealt with any of North America's trustworthy and responsible builders, and there are many, I could have been enjoying my bike for the past three years instead of wasting considerable money and time.

I don't advise doing business with Matt Chester, but if you must, it seems wise to protect your interest by involving a Canadian attorney.

hamfoh

wow I can't believe you waited that long. sounds like a total POS

bbattle

Sounds like time to pop a can of whoop-ass on that hoser.

Philasteve

Go to small claims court f that dude.

markaitch

you're a bit late, there's been complaints on mtbr about this guy for several years...

you oughta get togther with delacrank, the World's Smartest Bike Messenger, to see which one of you is better at throwing your money away

Humenbean

I wouldn't even consider them in the same ballpark. Idiot buys 2k bikes and leaves them outside (probably tied to a baby tree) and OP who was good friends with builder and his shop was as well. And this is 4 years and running. Not like he went and did this yesterday.

Lao_shi

Not to mention there was no process of, "Hey, here's my dumb idea, tell me how dumb it is so I can ignore you all and do it anyways." Followed by, "wtfmybieksgone."

Sucks about the frame, sorry to hear it.