mulzi

from memory Alpha Q (the brand of fork) is a brand associated with True Temper. There forks are used on Cervelo bikes. I don't think they r on specialized bikes or associated with them. (if memory serves correct)
There are ways you can get the fork tested to determine if there is any structural damage (non destructive)

aesmith

I hope I never deal with a shop where I'd feel the need to record and prove the condition of the bike before entrusting it to them. How would you "prove" it anyway?

Tony S

Johnny Nemo

I would go back at night and torch the shop.

-=(8)=-

Hmmmm....new user, first post defending shop ?
Im guessing someone contacted them.

roadfix

It's not like he got a bad hair cut.

christama

Working in a shop where we do tons of repairs, that is unacceptable. If i do anything on a nice bike/part, i make sure to be super careful. During a fork crown install, I would wrap the top of the legs in a CLEAN rag before I did anything. We also don't use the brass tool most places do to install them. We use a piece of PVC pipe with no sharp edges to avoid this kind of damage. We have some kids and even a guy a year older than me who build bikes, but are not allowed anywhere near repairs. If they mess up a new bike, it's easy and fairly cheap to remedy. On a customers bike, thats not possible.

Also, what I've started doing when taking in repairs is noting major damage. If a bike or fork or wheel comes in and is chipped up or dented or anything like that, I make clear notes on our copy and their claim ticket. This means that if someone comes in and hands the boss the claim ticket, he knows straight off we didn't have anything to do with it. It also keeps people from trying to say we damaged their bikes when they pick them up.

operator

This still reverts to a he-said, she-said type situation if something does come up. Although it's better than nothing.

Peek the Geek

Not if both have written mention of any existing damage prior to the customer leaving the shop.

christama

No, it completely eliminates it. It goes both on our copy of the work order, and though onto a carbon copy that is their claim ticket. If I write "Chips on downtube and R fork leg" and they come in and complain, I tell them, "You have a copy that states the same thing, you've had it the entire time we had your bike and I went over it when you dropped it off." They have to have the ticket to pick it up, so I put it right next to the work order and show them that they match. Most people will realize they are wrong at this point and cheer up considerably.

operator

Interesting. When we write our orders we do not give a copy to the customer, this is a good idea - i'm going to suggest it at our next shop meeting.

christama

It includes the damage, a price estimate, estimated time of completion and a full list of what we're going to do. We go over it fully with the customer. The customers copy includes the estimate, time and damage. It just reduces our headaches because we don't have to deal with "You quoted me this much and to have it back at this time" when it's all laid out on a copy they get and have to bring back to get the bike.

-=8=-

so basically...anyone can claim anything about what a shop does to their bike and it's gospel truth?

you know, the shop i drop my bike off at, recently lost a De Rosa King with full record, lew vt-1s, and a complete AX lightness kit. they owe me a new bike. although i have no proof. they're claiming that what i left was in fact a Trek 1500 with Sora and a gel seat. but they are wrong, of course.

-=8=-

exactly my point.

Rev.Chuck

Fact is, the average BikeForum membert takes better care of their bike than 99% of the average bike owners. Most bikes I get in for repair are filthy and have recieved no love til I get them in the door. As for checking every repair for every nick and ding, unrelaistic for most shops(often with one mechanic, working fifty plus) that are trying to keep turnaround under a week.

spider-man

The OP probably has a receipt for his new fork. Do you have a receipt for your De Rosa King with full record, lew vt-1s, and a complete AX lightness kit?

-=8=-

wow! that's was fast! you must own a "Jump to Conclusions" mat. perhaps you compete professionally? is there a league?

i'd expect nothing more from someone who lives in florida. congrats on that move.

chairmandave

UPDATE: The mechanic who did the work (who also happens to be an assistant service manager) said that he tripped and dropped the fork. This is contrary to the story I was told on my Sunday visit- the day manager stated that he called the mech at home and the mech said he didn't do it.

Additionally, the mech admitted that he did the cover-up and thought the desk staff would have mentioned the damage when I picked up the fork. He said he did not leave a note because it was busy. I find his passing the buck to the front desk suspect. The two employees that took my work order were the same ones who rang me up, of whom I joked with for a couple of minutes while they figured out what the cost was. I'd imagine they would remember me within the timespan of two hours.

When I stated that it is frustrating to bring in something brand new for service and have it returned damaged, his explanation was 'accidents happen' and 'it was busy' (his words, not mine).

I asked about the possibility of a swap for a new fork, of which he said 'it isn't up to me'. Thus, I asked to speak to whom 'it is up to', and was passed on to the parts manager. The parts manager, Jim, was considerably more interested in my situation. He called me later to say that a swap would be possible, with a new fork arriving next week.

We'll see how things pan out next week when the swap actually occurs. Special thanks to parts manager Jim!

humboldt'sroads

Nice! Be sure to drop Jim off a 6er of his favorite brew, and the mechanic his own stash of delicious poison hemlock roots...er....I mean...wild parsnips!

kenhill3

.........or roll him a big fatty, whatever seems appropriate.

melville

Glad to hear it! Part of the time I worked across the lake from the shop in question (20 years ago) I was employed by Stan, and he wanted to provide a 'Nordstrom' level of customer service when possible. I'm glad to see the message is still there when people get past their CYA tendencies.

Later

Mel

bellweatherman

Don't give a 6 pack to Greggs Greenlake Seattle bike shop for the inconvenience you got. A thank you is more than appropriate.

Cyclist0383

Jaa. Give a six pack to someone when they go beyond the call of duty, not when they correct a mistake they tried to hide from you.

une_vitesse

i beg to differ. if there is more than a .03mm difference between the ID of the fork crown race and the fork crown, Barnett suggests applying loctite, but not the red type, but loctite 680... the green stuff.

dwood

This question isn't directed specifically to you A.Winthrop . . . I just quoted you to make my question easier to post.

I'm no stranger to tools. Six months ago when I rekindled my interest in bicycles after a verrrry long lapse, I naturally wanted to do EVERYTHING when it came to working on my bike. I've purchased hundreds of dollars worth of Parks tools, plus a variety of other stuff related to bicycle repair. I've owned a machine shop for over 30 years so I already own all of the basic mechanics tools. I've taken my bike apart/put it back together and everything works.

When someone does 90% of their own work . . . what 10% does the average owner seek out the LBS for?

operator

They seek it out when you need a $200 professional shop tool to do a job that the shop charges $20 for. A job that only needs to be done once.