Go or no go???- London Brompton Limited Edition
 

Last week, I felt lucky when a local London Brompton dealer told me they have a couple left of 2012 Limited Edition on stock in their warehouse. No second thoughts, I put a down payment for the two ( one for my wifey :) ). Yesterday, got a call that they are ready for pick up. Popped-in today at the dealer which to my dismay that the two were badly scratched, one was missing the authenticity papers/lithograph!, brompton tag, boxes and manual for both. The two LE's like a second hand Brompton that has been thrashed around! I was thinking last week if ever we can ride them, for this kind of masterpiece tend to be "for display only". But how? when they are both utterly incomplete!They said that they were delivered without boxes from their warehouse. The staff told me that the store manager will give me a call tomorrow...We'll see what they will say.

If you paid for new bikes, run far and fast.

Very poor customer service. If there were any indication to the dealer that something was amiss and they did not pass that info to you, not good. Now if the dealer thought that bikes were intact/complete/new and got them in that condition, they should have contacted you first to see if you still wanted them rather than calling with "ready to be picked up." At best, these are now secondhand bikes with a limited appeal.

Don

Get your money back. Pfft!!! I paid for new and I expect new,...:notamused:

Thanks for all your response. The staff who assisted me doesn't even know what's included in the package ( should we believe?) and they concluded that the bikes might have been pulled out from other branches, taken back to their depot then shipped to them. Reason why there's no box, scratches, missing papers,etc.They offered me 10% off and I refused. They still have my deposit though.

Good that I was aware and thoroughly inspecting the units. What if a customer just picked them up and later find out the flaws. I am sure they will have their hands off... Funny, they even told me that they will ask Brompton to give them another set of lithograph and authenticity papers hahaha.

Feel like dealing with them again? If not, and you paid the deposit via credit card, immediately put the charge into dispute. If you paid with some other method, time to have a sit-down with the owner, not the manager. You might also want to contact Brompton UK to let them know the type of shenanigans the dealer is up to.

Don

I this the bike?
http://www.calhouncycle.com/productc...ee-95p2885.htm

Don: I've used my credit card and it's ok with them to refund my deposit. I just wanted to see how they will handle this situation. I went to the Brompton factory two weeks ago, asking if I can buy decals for my older Bromptons but they pointed me to a dealer. Lady there was a bit cold. I don't think if I talk to them regarding this situation, they'll just give a cold shoulder for they turned over the bikes all complete to the dealer. Maybe someone in the company nicked the stuffs!

Dynocoaster: Yeah that's the one.

Are you comfortable with identifying the shop here? If not, no problem, but it is a bit distressing.

We know these bikes will sell eventually -- used brommies seem to do well all over the world, esp in the UK -- but if anyone is considering a new purchase there, might want to consider a different dealer.

At the very least, calling you and saying "ready for pickup" is just odd. They should have called you with a condition report immediately. I would expect nothing less.

Don

The gal at the counter may not be the person to talk to. E-mail brompton and tell them how this dealer is handeling the Brompton name and quality they are trusted with. May not change the situation much for you but the dealer should be reminded (from Brompton) what buisnes he is in.

Don: I will divulge the dealer's name once our deal won't push through. The reason why I still left my deposit is to see if they can do some remedy to it.

Yesterday, the store staff told me that the store manager will give me a call at 10 am. That call never came, so I called them up at 430pm. Alas, the manager picked up the phone and told me he's not aware that he will call me up in the morning... He reasoned out that the bikes had been mishandled somewhere and that he offered me a 10% off and asked me how much I am willing to pay. I told him that I will buy both at the price of the ordinary Bromptons for almost everything is missing ( like buying a bnew Rolex or Panerai sans its papers! from an authorized dealer that is!) He bluntly and rudely replied that he can't and he will not sell it at my offer...NOW THE STORE- EVANS CYCLE Brentford Branch. No customer care and very rude manager.

Aha he may have forgotten that they still have my deposit of 100 quid for the bikes.

Yup, now we know who not order our brommies from. Thanks for the tip, and sorry about your complete lack of customer service, but at least your experience will be valuable to other prospective buyers. Plenty of brommie dealers to choose from!

Don

what a shame ... the brommie guys put extra effort into these rare bikes, treated them as their firstborn ( I am sure ) and than down the pipeline they get abused, misstreated, missunderstood ......

get that money back, write a nice letter to the Brommy folks and let them search, who has a pristine sample in stock for you to buy

I love the "great" service some brick and mortar stores give to their customers .... LOVE it !!!!
thor

Refund baby, get that REFUND!!!

what goes around... I have a thousand quid voucher for a bike to work purchase burning a hole. Was going to Evans in my locale today to scope some Terns - as my desired airnimal won't fit a b and w case. But now, forget it.

Mr Mulleady and myself looked at the brompton celebration model in the bike shop at charing cross arches the other sunday, we were both of the view that it wasn't worth the extra money, and didnt in fact look as pleasing as the standard colour schemes, certainly wouldn't see it as an investment.

I think this version is rather cool...
http://www.calhouncycle.com/productc...on-95p3173.htm

I knew it was Evans! They have a tendency to employ people who have no clue about bikes. What an unprofessional way to treat any customer and such a big order too. I recommend you visit a proper folding bike specialist like Fudge Cycles in Kensal Rise (not far from Paddington on 18 bus). They have a lot of stock Bromptons and possibly even a limited edition left. They would never treat you like that.

A University Cycle to work scheme aha! :roflmao2:

I thought an Airnimal would fit in most larger cases much easier than a Tern? Yes Evans is a place you shop in spite of the service not because of it!

It is a matter of taste of course but I'd be inclined towards buying normal Bromptons in nice colour combos. I am not sure the graffiti artwork will have great resale values but hey it's just an opinion! Either way lose Evans and tell the Brentford manager where to get off!

The faculty folders strike again:thumb::thumb:

You're right, I think about case fit. But the 999 quid airnimal joey only fits a suitcase too large for check in, so was shopping around. May have to go BF.

Professor Gringo_gus

Ahh maybe bigger fold than a Chameleon? I'd suggest looking at the Pacific Reach IF too from Fudges Cycles. A mighty fine bike and will possibly fold into the required case with the wheels off without further disassembly!

Lol faculty folders!

Here is the link of a possible contender for your perusal. I believe they have a nicer colour than white.

http://www.fudgescyclestore.com/index.php?p=167086