Siu Blue Wind

You paid for a bike to have by a certain date. I would have have graciously accepted it as a loaner as well. That way, you can truly compare.

a1penguin

I don't like dark bikes, and would not consider keeping a dark bike, even if it came with a discount. But that's a sexy looking bike! The celeste pinstripes really look nice! Tough decision.

Bah Humbug

If you keep it, try Finish Line Super Bike Wash (pink). It's what I used to wash my matte white P3, which got dirty instantly. Worked well.

02Giant 

I would keep the black w/celest accents. No question, for me.

WhyFi

This is kinda cool, I guess, but if I want a Celeste Bianchi bike, I want a Celeste Bianchi bike, not a Tron bike.

TakingMyTime

I stick by what I said. I understand your frustration regarding the long drive and all the effort you've put into this so far. But that does not negate the fact that they are trying to pass off the "wrong" bike to you. Personally, if it would have been me, I would have never accepted the "wrong" bike on any terms. Not only would I have asked for an immediate refund, I would have let them know that I would only re-purchase the correct bike at a considerable discount. You have been inconvenienced with a 4 hour drive (which is no small thing) and are now being asked (passively) to return again once the shop finds the correct bike.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to make this sound vindictive or prejudiced against the dealer, but if you do decide to stick with this shop (which might be your only option), I would be asking them to sweeten the deal one way or another. Maybe a set of extra tires, a helmet, some sort of deal on consumables that would normally set you back if you were to purchase them yourself.

Again, don't get me wrong. I'm not sitting here typing my response fuming with anger. I just think that you should get what you paid for. If it had been me, I would have never have even touched the bike they tried to pass off to you. I really would have been pretty pissed with such a obvious mix-up. For the kind of money I'm sure that bike cost... not only would I have expected the correct color, I would have had it up on a workstand at the bike shop and going over every aspect of the build and condition.

TakingMyTime

Exactly, he should be getting what he ordered.

jwh20

Celeste or not, that's a nice looking bicycle! As far as matte black paint, I have a year-old Look 675 Light (I think it's a 2015 or 2016 model though) with a matte surface and I have no issues with it. When I clean it up, all the things that appear to be marks or stains disappear.

kbarch

Initial disappointment is understandable, but don't let it spoil things. Just own the bike and enjoy it already! Stop worrying about whether you got what you (thought) you wanted or whether it's perfect, otherwise you'll never have any fun.

I, too, would prefer the full-on Bianchi celeste color, but a) I'd rather have an Infinito in any color than (just about) any other bike in celeste and b) if a celeste Bianchi was all I really wanted, I'd get something vintage instead.

jitteringjr

I thought you were talking that the bike you got was a 2018 model for some reason where the seat tube on the black bike is celeste and so are the decals. With this one only the pinstripes are celeste and thats just not enought IMO. I wouldn't want that one personally. This is the one I thought you got in black:

Infinito CV Ultegra | Bianchi USA

Bah Humbug

As true as that is (and I'd have expected them to tell me - before I drove out there! - when the bike showed up to them in the wrong color), there is such a thing as a happy accident. As much as I'd prefer the full-Celeste, if the OP likes the black/Celeste as much or more than he expected to like the full-Celeste, I'd suggest just rolling with it (at a discount or other concessions, if possible).

glowrocks

Addressing a number of points all at once :-) Thanks for all of the responses and feedback. Very helpful!

* The store didn't know it was the wrong color. A bike was ordered online for shipment to the store. A bike arrived, proper paperwork, it was assembled. No one noticed it was the wrong color because it wasn't obviously wrong until I pointed it out. According to the paperwork, it was the right bike! Once we looked at their web site, it was clear that what I ordered and what I got were different. It further turns out their web system was showing stock for the Celeste, but it was mis-coded and only Matte/Celeste existed.

Shorter version: they were shocked at the mistake!

* Immediate refund. I was angry and stunned. I was not sure what I was going to do when the manager pointed out given their generous 30 day return policy I should at least not drive home empty-handed. I agreed and will be going on my 3rd ride as soon as it warms up a bit.

* Celeste. That's the biggie. I really thought I wanted Celeste, but this bike is so good looking it makes it hard! Having said that, they are looking to find the right color, but it will have to be a 2018 model as the 17's are long gone.

* Matte black. Questionable, but with a sufficient discount, not an issue.

28 days still to decide. Meanwhile, I'm enjoying what I have now.

glowrocks

Well, that will be the one I get if they can find one. Which is ok with me, as on this one the Celeste is muted just a touch with the black fork and saddle (not post, but you know what I mean).

glowrocks

Thanks. I'll check it out if I keep the bike!

softreset

This is an odd shop, the more I re-read the initial post.

The 30-day return policy is certainly fairly unique, of all the shops I've visited over the years I don't think I've ever been to a shop that allow someone to ride a bike for 30-days and just bring it back, no questions asked. Heck, I ride with some guys that can put thousands of miles on a bike in 30-days. Which means the shop now has to sell a used a bike and deal with that, which can be difficult if it's a odd color or size.

The other issue is their inventory management. The shop I worked at was pretty meticulous with special orders for exactly this reason. We would pretty much triple confirm any special order, even more so with a bike. If the vendor shipped us the wrong size, color or model it would never even left the box. It wouldn't have been built and a customer certainly wouldn't have gotten a call to come in and pick it up.

"Your <insert random color> <insert random brand> has come in and is ready for pickup."

"Oh... I didn't order that."

"But it's your size and you can always bring it back if you regret it within a month."

glowrocks

Thanks! That's great to know. I'll try cleaning a small area and see if that works on this particular paint.

ljp3

My Cannondale (4 years) and Bianchi (3 years) are both matte black, I use the pink Bike Wash suggested by another user and have no issues with the paint other than normal wear and stupid stuff done my me.

ljp3

Unless I am completely misreading it, the shop did not do the special order. The OP ordered the bike from another online entity and had it shipped to this shop to assemble and the skews matched. The issue is that the online store had a celeste version pictured but with the matte black skew by mistake.

Edit: The 30 day I agree with you, seems really generous. I had one store give me a week because I wasn't sure on the fit and several place give 30 days on seats but that is exchange or credit only.

softreset

You are correct. The initial post indicates the OP ordered it and had it shipped to a shop. So then even more odd (of the shop). They would offer a 30-day return policy on a bike they don't stock and didn't order. Good on them for going above and beyond, but that's a crazy, unsustainable business model.

WhyFi

Erik's is a regional chain. Just like with an REI or BestBuy, if your store doesn't have something in stock, you can order it on their website and have them ship it to your store. They probably had it in-system (at a warehouse or another location), so not a special order.

glowrocks

It's a small chain of bike and sporting equip. Most of their stores are in Minnesota and a couple in NE Kansas.

So it was: order from their online site, with a deliver to store fulfillment.

The problem was their computer showed Celeste, but in reality pointed to physical inventory that was Matte.

glowrocks

Correct.

glowrocks

Here is their return policy. Now, the "like new" won't be true, but given the circumstances, I'm not too worried about that. If they have to sell it as used, that's the price for their screwup.

Return of Web Store Purchases
ERIK'S will gladly accept returns within 30 days of original purchase date. Items must be in new condition with original packaging and include all manuals and accessories provided with the product. You must also return any promotional or complimentary gift items provided with your original purchase.
Unsealed DVD's may not be returned.
You may return merchandise to an Erik's retail store or by mail. Please use return/exchange form and instructions provided with your purchase
Use the original shipping container and packing materials, if possible
You will be responsible for correctly packaging your return item so it is not damaged in shipping
You will be responsible for all shipping charges for returned merchandise
Refunds for a credit card purchase will be credited to the card original purchase was made on
Refunds for purchases made with an ERIK'S Gift Card or ERIK'S Store Credit will have a new store credit issued

glowrocks

That's great to hear!

Jeannean

I have the gloss black and love it. I originally wanted the all celeste, but got such a good deal on this bike and honestly, when I saw it next to the all celeste version, I kind of liked the black just a tiny bit better. I have celeste bar tape, pedals, and other celeste accents to "celeste" it up a bit. That said, I didn't care for the matte black. My TT Cervelo P3 has a lot of matte black on it and I don't like it. One of these days, it will be repainted with a gloss paint. If they give you a good enough deal, I guess it might be worth it if you like it "enough", but since I don't really like matte paint, it would be a deal breaker for me unless the discount was huge.