So my new custom Nobilette frame arrived Saturday, and FedEx managed to damage the paint on the right seat stay. The tube isn't damaged, but there are four places (one not visible in the photo), obviously caused by the box being punctured by something sharp. The hole in the box lines up perfectly with the chipped area. The bike was packaged quite well, BTW.


I understand that it's not that bad, and the painter sent a touch-up bottle with the frame, so I can probably make it look OK - I'm reasonably adept at that stuff. Every bike I own has some paint chips here and there, but geez, it'd sure be nice to start out with something fresh and perfect. "Can't have nothin' nice", as my father used to say. The thing is, this bike represents at least 10 years of saving, parts collecting, and planning. I'm quite sure I'm overreacting, but I'm a little sick about the whole thing.


I did a little research on the web and read a few other horror stories involving FedEx and bikes. It appears it's almost impossible to get them to cough up any money on damage claims. The painter, who's also understandably upset, has offered to fix it at a big discount. So, if I wanted to spend another $200+ with shipping and all, and wait another month, I could get it made right.


Anyway, my question to the panel is "What would you do?"

Just put on a drop of touch-up paint.

Build up the bike.

And ride it like crazy. Hopefully getting some more "wear"

What would I do? Cry. I feel it. It's one thing on a used bike. But a brand new frame of that quality?
Really sad.

I guess I'd consider now that the bike has lost its virginity...so I wouldn't have to worry about its first scratch.
But that is still hard to swallow.

it's going to happen again down the road.
Paint it and love it.
I like your pump peg.

Press Fedex for compensation. They owe you. They may keep telling you no unless you persist. For future reference, Fedex doesn't actually do insurance. To properly insure anything, better to send it via a pack and ship type place with 3rd party insurance.

Then touch it up and keep the money. Up to you though. It will get its first chip(s) sooner or later, better to get it out of the way. You won't see those after touch up until you look really close. Bikes always get scratched eventually. It's the nature of it.

I'd cough up the $200, get the repaint and go after fedex.

It's one thing to get the normal nicks and scratches from everyday use. It's quite another when the shipper malfunctions. That's not your fault. Whether you can recoup the $200 from fedex, who knows, but it's obvious you're not happy with the result.

Definitely let FX know they did a sh@ty job, might not get you anything but it will help back down the emotion over the distressed paint job.

I want to see a full frame shot regardless.

I think that's my plan - I'm off to my buddy's shop to get the headset installed, threads cleaned up, etc.


If I had chipped the paint myself I would be bummed, but C'est la vie. My plan was to build it all the way up, handlebar tape and all, before it moved an inch. I would have just liked it to be pristine and perfect ONE TIME.


The painter, Ollie Cleveland at Dark Matter Finishing (who did a stunningly good job), has offered to write me up a repair bill if I want to go after FedEx. Might just have to do that.

Thanks for the kind words. I'm probably overreacting.

I would be quite unhappy (actually @#$#@$#!!!!). One thing for you to scratch with use. I would call until someone covered that. Thats not light handling. That is a puncture.

I get it and completely understand. I would have the exact same reaction. That said, it becomes an equation of Time/Money/Happiness. You have to figure out the correct ratio.


I would go after Fed Ex with a finite amount of time allocated for fighting them. I would also touch the bike up myself and get it on the road. Riding it and enjoying it is sure to lessen the sting. If you can get some consideration from FedEx for the bad job they did, bonus. +2 for full frame shots. Looks awesome and congratulations.

One thing.

I've bought used frames where the seller would wrap absolutely everything in pipe wrap. Far more than could be damaged with a frame simply bouncing around inside of a box.

Buy a $2000 frame, and I would expect the company to spend more than $5 to pack it. Every inch should be covered with a good wrap. The fork should be immobilized against the frame. Dropouts should be supported. And it all shouldn't move inside of the box.

+1

I have visions of a dart game on break.
Big disappoint. Note to all having been down a similar road, when you sign for a package, Any and All visible imperfections, collapsed corners, dents, punctures, moisture damage, needs to be noted by you the recipient.
They will hem and haw, but even that electronic handheld can pull up a screen to note stuff.

This is really sound advice - thank you so much.


I promise more pictures soon. Here my plan was to start a thread to show off my great new custom frame, and instead we're talking about how FedEx messed it up. How sad is that?

This is a good point. I was thinking, but didn't want to presume, that if the frame had been properly protected by the sender, this may not have happened.

Was it properly wrapped, S-LJ?

It was actually packed quite well - everything supported and protected as it should have been. The tubes were covered in cardboard sleeves. I agree though, foam pipe insulation is the best way to go. I did that once when I shipped a Bertin frame that I sold to BertinJim. Really easy solution.


Mark said that this is only the second time he's had a frame damaged in shipping.

This
and this

Why is this your problem?

Why wasnt it sent to you from the painter or builder insured for the amount that you paid?

I don't understand why this damage is on you financially....

I agree. While what happened is annoying, I'd instead focus on the positives - of which you listed many, such as your dream bike finally coming to fruition.

I'd imagine it's a gorgeous frame, I had a too-small-for-me Nobilette a couple of years ago, and Mark's work is wonderful. It's kind of like buying a brand new car and the sales flunkie brings the car out front for you and then smacks the door into a pole when he gets out. You'd tell the sales manager to bring you another one just like the one you wanted, but it was the only one he had in that color.

About the paint, it's metallic paint, correct? That's very hard to touch up no matter what you do, because if you sand it to level the touchup paint spot with the surrounding paint, the metallic surface of the touchup spot is visibly a different color, due to the way the metal floats in it. I'd just touch it up and go.

All else aside, you're a lucky man to own a Nobilette, can't wait to see the pics.

I wouldn't build it up until you contact FedEx and have each damaged spot documented with them and well photographed. Once you lay a wrench to it, or put a part in place, they will have a convenient way of sluffing this off on you. Your call, just something I have seen happen.

I fully agree with your feelings, also, this is an important bike to you, rightly so. Those are beautifully crafted bikes, I still look forward to see a build thread with pictures when you get underway.

Bill

id be bummed out about that chip, but id be more bummed out about the incompetance of the "professional" who ****ed up his job

Bummer, but it could have been much worse. Thank goodness the tubes weren't damaged!

That said, I'm with Fender1. Worth pressing FedEx, not worth obsessing over. I certainly would use the repair estimate from the painter to try to get compensation from FedEx, but I would still touch it up myself regardless of the outcome. For me, it wouldn't be worth the $200 + shipping expense to have those chips repainted by the original painter. Not to mention the agonizing wait and risk of another shipping debacle. I think the chips can be touched up pretty easily, and you'll hardly see them once the bike is built up. If you are successful in getting a little money back, it'll take some of the sting out of it not being 100% perfect out of the gate. Either way, I'm sure it's going to be awesome.

Good point from repechage re thoroughly inspecting upon receipt before signing off on package.

You're right - it could have been much much worse. I just wanted to say again how much I appreciate all the advice and empathy. I knew you folks would understand and be able to make me feel better. You did, and I do. Much thanks for that!


I think I'm going to do what many of you have suggested: Get a written estimate from the painter, and rattle FedEx's chain some. Even if I don't get anything from them, I think it'll make me feel better. No plans to send the frame back to the painter. It's just not that bad. Geez, couldn't they have at least dinged it on the non-drive side? When I signed for the box I did take note of it's condition, I just missed seeing the gouge. I'll know better next time.


I'll start a thread later with more photos of the frame and completed bike, since there seems to be some interest. It'll take me a while to get it built up because I travel for work, and I really want to take my time with this one. I the mean time, here's a teaser:





(That's NOT a wrinkle on the decal - it's a piece of fuzz...)