Waves77

A while back I got a caad9-5 (my first road bike) and decided to ebay the wheelset since I knew it wouldn't hold my weight well. Based on some of the recommendations I had read in various threads, I decided to get a custom set and Mike's name popped up positively several times.

Got a hold of Mike after 2 tries on the phone, seemed like a really nice guy, very knowledgeable and some great prices. That was on April 16th (Thursday). According to him, all parts were in stock and he would send out the wheelset the next Friday (24th), or maybe even Wednesday (22nd).

Things were delayed (never got a call, email or explanation) and I finally got a paypal invoice the 29th (late in the evening), which I paid right away the morning of the 30th (Thursday). According to the email, the wheels would go out that Thursday or Friday (1st of May). Eventually a Fedex notification was sent on Monday (4th) - wheels would arrive today, again, never an email or call.

Wheels were scheduled to arrive today, but according to the tracking and Fedex customer service, the label was generated but never scheduled to be picked up ("not been tendered to FedEx for delivery") - that's 6 business days!

Problem is that I explained to Mike right away that my only constraint is that I'm getting ready for a century (Santa Fe) on the 17th of May. I've been training on my MTB for months now, and haven't even been able to ride my new road frame to get used to it. I have a friend flying in from another state to do the century as well, no way of renting a bike on such short notice (+2000 cyclists expected, nothing left to rent out) and not really looking forward to doing a century on a MTB (at least if I had known in advance I could have gotten a bigger chainring etc.).

I'm seriously not happy right now, awaiting to hear back from Mike (eventually). Even if he ships on Monday it would probably not get there til Friday, I'm already supposed to be in Santa Fe that day (I live in Albuquerque).

Had I known this I would have never ever ordered my set from him, I would have happily paid the extra money to get it elsewhere...

Even if manage to file a successful dispute with Paypal, I doubt I would get the money back on my account on time to buy a decent set of factory wheels at least. Can't really afford it either. My last hope would be that he get his act together to ship this out on Monday with upgraded faster shipping than ground. I'm starting to wonder if the set is even built by now...

UPDATE 5/15/2009

I've been meaning to update this. Mike called me back the 12th - he was very sorry for the mix up. According to him he had left town, and his assistant was supposed to send out my wheels. Assistant mixed up my order (and obviously never checks voicemail or fax). Whatever happened, Mike did his very best. He overnighted the wheelset, and included free titanium skewers.

I've done a couple of commutes and did a 30 mile ride today - I love the wheels.

So I guess that's the bottom line - great wheels at a very good price, communication can be a hassle, delivery dates will probably be off.

I'm just glad it got sorted out and I'm ready for the century.

Long deKlein

Back at the start of this you were looking at Neuvations and Bicycle Wheel Warehouse IIRC, both of whom ship very promptly and communicate quickly and clearly. Addition to my comments in that thread: Since then I put the Neuvation M28s back on my bike (those ceramic bearings just spin so nice) and broke a rear NDS spoke at 60 miles (was able to ride home by opening up the brakes). Neuvation customer service suggested I lower my tire pressure to 125PSI (was running 140+ in Vittoria Revolutions) and the wheels are performing beautifully--haven't budged at all since I replaced the spoke 150 miles ago. Hope you can get some wheels on that thing in time for your century!

sac02

My first thought is to call and raise hell every hour, on the hour, starting tomorrow at 8am until he has your wheels in the mail and has agreed to upgrade you to overnight shipping. Do you happen to have the your mention of the time requirement in writing (email)? That would strengthen your case a lot.

Other options include:
1) canceling your order and demanding a refund and just buying a cheap set of Aksiums or something else relatively bombproof
2) Borrowing a set from a friend or local club member (I know very few people who only have one wheelset)
3) Renting a wheelset online

Mac

Waves77

Yeah, I checked out the Neuvations, but I found enough problem reports with the wheels, regardless of good customer service, to make me not want to take the chance.

BWW didn't get back to me at all (email) and so I didn't really pursue calling them on the phone after I talked to Mike. I'll probably give them another try if this MG deal doesn't work out.

Soul was awesome to deal with but recommended against their set for now (total beginner and at 225 lbs).

Seems I have really sucky wheel karma thus far

rbart4506

Soul recommended against you getting their wheels?? That is awesome that a company would do that. It's refreshing to see a company that doesn't just push their product on anyone, even customers that really shouldn't be using their product...

Hmmmmm....might just have to seriously look at the S4.0's...

Of course that won't be until next year since I just bought some WW Sys30's...

dgasmd

1. Put the dispute with Paypal NOW.
2. Cal MG and leave him a message, as I am sure he won't answer, telling him that either he overnight the wheels or to send you a refund.
3. Put the claim with PayPal immediately as you won't hear from him anyway.
4. Borrow some wheels from somewhere.
5. Do the century.
6. Live and learn.

rufvelo

Mavic Open Pros or CXP33s with 32 spokes would have worked just fine - plus you would have had wheels under you today.

The lesson to be learnt is don't plan on something exotic or custom to show up in in time for an event, always have something to fall back on, which while not being top performance wouldn't really slow you down either. Also if you don't have sufficient resources (i.e. to have to wait for wheels instead of walking in and buying a set today from your lbs), you're probably going to experience situations like this. Same with putting everything into that $4K bike for cat4/5 racing, unless you can walk away from a trashed frame and not really care, something will happen and you'll be stuck without options on race day or for the next race.

FormerBMX'er

I feel you pain man!

My Serinity/Velocity Helios hubs showed up last week from Bikemania.biz. Of course I was in MG Limbo for 10 ten days before he canned my order all together.

Waves77

No luck with the phone calls so far. I will try again tomorrow (just in case) and Monday, if not I will file the dispute in the evening. I'm still interested in the wheels based on the quality feedback, I'd just like to know what the F is going on after a delay of several weeks...

I will also call around to see if I can find any local wheel rentals. Any advice on places online to rent?

JayC

Youre wasting your time. At this point, all thats going to happen is a refund is mysteriously going to show up in your Paypal account and you wont have any more communication with Mike. That's his MO.. once things go wrong, he'll just refund you and hide and wait for the next sucker to come along.

DrPete 

Well, if you want to get some reeeeally nice wheels for your century....

www.racedaywheels.com.

Waves77

Yeah, owner was really great to talk to (email). Definitely the best out of the bunch in that regard. After I drop some more weight (about halfway there ) I might look into a set of white S3.0's (got the white caad9).

Very tempting! And they are close (CO -> NM).

DrPete 

I've got a couple orders in for my higher-priority tri's... they come highly recommended.

bravo106

Probably too late to do anything now on such short notice, but I'd recommend giving Dave Thomas of Speed Dream a call. Even if you get a set of his handbuilts after your event next week, you'll have them for anything else in the future. He's out of Arizona, so he's not that far from you.

He built me a set of 1356g wheels (AC front hub, Tune rear, Velocity Aerohead rims, Wheelsmith spokes) that are still going strong 3 years later. I see he now has something even lighter. For you, after speaking with him, I'd bet he'd come up with a build that would be suitable for your weight (though not as light as his "stock" road sets).

yak

You could consider asking if Jeremy at Alchemy Bicycle Works could build you a set in time for the event. He's in Santa Fe.

Waves77

Thanks for the tips on builders guys. I might get an '09 Ksyrium Elite set instead, we'll see what happens this week.

Camilo

If you just want a set of wheels to tide you over, you can get really nice wheels of different varieties for <$200 US (which you probably know). Then you'll have a backup set which - as you're discovering - is never a bad idea in general, and not that expensive of a deal.

Waves77

Tried calling all weekend, today Monday I called probably every hour from 8AM to 8PM. Also sent a fax with all my contact info (email, phone, fax). Nothing.

Just opened a dispute with Paypal. I escalted from "dispute" to "claim" right away. The seller has now 10 days to respond through paypal. If not I will automatically receive my money back, if he hasn't moved it elsewhere yet.

Looks like I'm f'ed for the century, and out of riding my new bike the weeks to come. No luck with a wheelset rental either...

I'll keep this thread updated, hopefully it'll be a warning for anyone thinking of ordering anything from Mike Garcia (oddsandendos.com).

Rosso Corsa

+100

I have a set on my commuter which costed $150. Deore hubs (super smooth if adjusted properly, and won't die in the winter) and some mega heavy alex rims (750 grams per - the poor mans deep V) laced with 36 14ga spokes. Machine build but hand-finished by an awesome wheelbuilder. They may be heavy, and overkill (probably stronger than what many DHers run) especially for my weight, but they are damn reliable and good for training. When you get better race wheels (you can afford to go lighter and more delicate as race-only wheels since they won't be ridden everyday) they will feel that much better, and in a race you will get that much more pumped.

kergin

Ugh, wheels are wheels... The smartest thing you can do is find a competent local wheel builder and ask them to build to spec. Its not like any of these online superstars are capable of anything your local builder isn't. Additionally, the local builder is accountable to you in person.

GPB

Aren't ROL and Williams in your neighborhood? Their wheels aren't that expensive, have great reviews...and I think ROL might even offer a return policy (not suggesting abuse of such). My Soul 3.0's came in faster than your issues with MG and I had to wait on Sean to get some parts. Shipping from Singapore was seven business days (to ohio). He did a beautiful job...but at 185, I guess they're strong enough for me. Good luck!

(back to lurking)

Waves77

Not really. MG got rave reviews on here and the prices were really hard to beat: DT Swiss 240 hubs, less than 1600 gr for the set, $500 delivered at my door. I got this bike with the intention of riding aggressively, so yes, I do want to get something light (hence the interest in the '09 Ksyrium Elite's). Maybe it's a noob mistake, time will tell and it's my mistake to make, but that doesn't mean I should be OK with hanging in limbo while somebody else has my money.

Waves77

Yeah, also looking at the ROL Volants as well. Right I don't have enough cash for them though (pedals, new shoes, tires, etc.). So as long as my money is tied up in this there's not much I can do

Thirstyman

While I understand there was a small initial delay, other than lack of direct communication, I'm not sure I see your problem. If the wheels are indicated by FedEx to arrive today or so (5/11). Unless, I've misunderstood the facts you'll have your wheels in plenty of time for your event on the 17th. I understand you are nervous but you sound like a whiner looking for an excuse to over-react before things play out and probably workout fine. I've never done business with Mike but it sounds like your being a bit premature to go ranting.

Waves77

Your reading comprehension is failing you here. Doesn't seem like other people are missing it.

The wheels have not even left FL, not even sure if they are even ready or not. On top of all this he never reacted to ANY type of communication, be it email, phone or fax. Mind you I paid for it the 30th (I even offered to pay part of the money in advance, but he said he would send me the bill when the wheels were ready to be shipped).