LBS Ripped Me Off
10-01-07, 08:31 AM
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Substituted parts on stock bike
UPDATE: I confirmed that the changes made to the bike were done at the factory. My fault for jumping to conclusions. I am still concerned about the parts changes, but I was wrong to assume the LBS made the changes. I am just glad I didn't disclose any names.
Last edited by Totoro; 10-01-07 at 10:11 AM.
10-01-07, 08:35 AM
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There have been many discussions here about why we should buy from a LBS rather than an online seller. I won't repeat the reasons. Anyway, my first road bike was purchased at an LBS and I recently decided to upgrade to a better bike. So I went to another LBS that had a 2005 model on clearance. The bike was a very expensive high end bike with Dura-Ace components. I was told that it was a stock bike, including stock wheels. They offered about $800 off retail. When I got it home, I realized that they had swapped the stock wheels and stock crank (worth over $800) with cheap wheels and a cheap crank ($300 value). I won't say the store yet, since I want to talk to the owner first and have him explain himself first. I also plan on talking to the manufacturer about it since this is one of their authorized dealers. I did an extensive search on the net to see if they ever manufactured this model with the cheaper components, and I came up with nothing, not one hit. So it looks like they tried to rip me off. I will return it and if they won't accept the return, I'll dispute it with my credit card company. So...is buying locally really better?
10-01-07, 08:36 AM
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Bike is a Felt. The wheels were swapped for Ksyrium race (MSRP $229) and the crank for Tru-Vativ.
Stock description on the Felt website is:
Dura-Ace 20-speed shifters & derailleurs, FSA SL-K MegaExo 2-piece carbon cranks, and Velomax Circuit wheels
https://www.feltracing.com/05/2005_bikes/2005_f35.html
Stock description on the Felt website is:
Dura-Ace 20-speed shifters & derailleurs, FSA SL-K MegaExo 2-piece carbon cranks, and Velomax Circuit wheels
https://www.feltracing.com/05/2005_bikes/2005_f35.html
Last edited by Totoro; 10-02-07 at 11:04 AM.
10-01-07, 08:39 AM
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It's entirely possible that the bike's spec changed during the season. This is not uncommon. Manufacturers will sometimes run out of one part and substitute another in its stead.
Please go in to the shop asking questions instead of slinging accusations. There is no reason to play with a jump to conclusions mat just yet.
Please go in to the shop asking questions instead of slinging accusations. There is no reason to play with a jump to conclusions mat just yet.
10-01-07, 08:40 AM
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It's entirely possible that the bike's spec changed during the season. This is not uncommon. Manufacturers will sometimes run out of one part and substitute another in its stead.
Please go in to the shop asking questions instead of slinging accusations. There is no reason to play with a jump to conclusions mat just yet.
Please go in to the shop asking questions instead of slinging accusations. There is no reason to play with a jump to conclusions mat just yet.
That's why I am going to talk to the manufacturer first.
10-01-07, 08:40 AM
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10-01-07, 08:40 AM
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10-01-07, 08:47 AM
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So what was on the bike now and what was supposed to be on the bike? What are the differences?
10-01-07, 08:48 AM
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See post #8. I don't know if any other parts are non-spec, but the crank and wheels are the most visible. The parts on it appear to be lower end versus higher end for the stock versions. Maybe someone more knowledgeable about these parts can explain the differences.
10-01-07, 08:50 AM
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Yes, I know, but I not as expert as many of you. I saw that it had dura-ace and I guess I just trusted the owner. He seemed like a nice person.
Bike is a Felt. The wheels were swapped for Ksyrium race (MSRP $229) and the crank for Tru-Vativ.
Stock description on the Felt website is:
Dura-Ace 20-speed shifters & derailleurs, FSA SL-K MegaExo 2-piece carbon cranks, and Velomax Circuit wheels
Bike is a Felt. The wheels were swapped for Ksyrium race (MSRP $229) and the crank for Tru-Vativ.
Stock description on the Felt website is:
Dura-Ace 20-speed shifters & derailleurs, FSA SL-K MegaExo 2-piece carbon cranks, and Velomax Circuit wheels
You didn't bother checking out the bike to see what components it had, in the store.
You were given an $800 discount.
The bike was sold to you, as is, in new condition.
I hate to break it to you, but you got a fair deal. Any LBS is entitled to sell a bike in whatever configuration they deem appropriate. They bought it from the manufacturer, and decided not to sell it "stock". They priced it accordingly, in their mind, for the spec level, and you bought it.
Would you be complaining if they threw a Dura Ace crankset on it, and you were given a $600 discount instead? It didn't come stock, and they had the balls to not tell you! The shock, the horror.
Probably not.
10-01-07, 08:51 AM
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Again, this could be a shady shop, but it may not be. And without having some specifics on the spec change, it's impossible for anyone to really determine how good or bad of a situation this is.
10-01-07, 08:51 AM
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What a whiner.
It is very common for bikes (in shops) to have parts which differ from those pictured and described in catalogs and websites, for various innocent reasons - one or two of which are cited above.
If you looked at the bike and it had Ksyrium wheels and a Truvative crank and then you paid for it, YOU GOT WHAT YOU PAID FOR.
It is very common for bikes (in shops) to have parts which differ from those pictured and described in catalogs and websites, for various innocent reasons - one or two of which are cited above.
If you looked at the bike and it had Ksyrium wheels and a Truvative crank and then you paid for it, YOU GOT WHAT YOU PAID FOR.
10-01-07, 08:52 AM
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Maybe you can shed some light on this by letting us know what the original spec was versus what's on the bike you bought? That will help a lot.
10-01-07, 09:00 AM
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Again, the above is pretty much irrelevant, anyway. You presumably saw the bike and could have asked questions before buying, but chose not to. The shop may give you some consideration (a further price rebate in form of refund, or a parts swap), but that will be because they want to keep you happy and don't want you ruining their reputation, NOT because your complaints have any merit.
I get so sick of people refusing to take responsibility for their own actions.
10-01-07, 09:02 AM
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And a big ol' FYI...they did NOT have to give a discount simply because it was NOS. I've seen several shops take an older bike and build it up with a variety of parts, with a steep discount. Pretty common practice.
I view this like buying a car, new or used. The dealer might get the car in one spec, and upgrade or downgrade wheels, etc. to suit the market. The consumer is responsible for doing the research and knowing what he/she is buying.
10-01-07, 09:08 AM
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What did the merchant "misrepresent"? Did they show you one bike and then put another bike in your car? Or did they show you a bike and then, while running your charge card, replace the crankset and wheels with the cheaper models? Tell us: what part of that statute did your LBS violate?
Buyer's remorse is not protected under the law. Grow the **** up.
Buyer's remorse is not protected under the law. Grow the **** up.
10-01-07, 09:17 AM
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What is this demonry?!
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What did the merchant "misrepresent"? Did they show you one bike and then put another bike in your car? Or did they show you a bike and then, while running your charge card, replace the crankset and wheels with the cheaper models? Tell us: what part of that statute did your LBS violate?
Buyer's remorse is not protected under the law. Grow the **** up.
Buyer's remorse is not protected under the law. Grow the **** up.
10-01-07, 09:18 AM
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So should they have explained what portion of the discount came from each and every part, then?
In my mind, the parts switched are approximate to the discount recieved, and then some.
You recieved, really, a $200 or $300 discount.
In my mind, the parts switched are approximate to the discount recieved, and then some.
You recieved, really, a $200 or $300 discount.
10-01-07, 09:20 AM
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well the way i see it is...he saw the bike, decided he might want to buy it and had the store put it in back while he thought it over. Also a good practice which might get them to drop the price even more. Comes back a few days later to buy it, assumes everything is the same and goes and pays for it. It is his fault for not looking over the bike, But it is also the shops fault for selling him a bike without explaining what "stock" is if in fact it is different from the manufactures stock version.