This isn't exactly fixed specific, but it involves a fixed gear frame...
Seven weeks ago I ordered a Gunnar Street Dog frameset with no decals from my LBS. I asked to pay in full ($1,050, $40 of which was a charge for not puttinng decals on it), and they told me it should arrive in two weeks. Five weeks later it arrived with decals (Gunnar puts their decals on under a clearcoat, so I couldn't just scrape them off). The shop sent it back and told me it'd be another week. Two weeks passed, and now it's here... with a decals on the head tube and seat tube. And the shop says I still owe them sales tax ($84), which was never mentioned when I paid for it. I have to go in today and talk to them about it.
I was trying to do the right thing and support a local business, so I was willing to pay $1,010 in stead of the $925 it would have cost mail order from Speedgoat (that's including shipping), but if I'd known it was going to cost $1,134 and take at least eight weeks (as it will have if I let them send it back to be fixed instead of just demanding my money back), then I'd have gotten a custom frame from Jon Kendziera instead.
What do you think I should do? How mad should I be? Comments? Advice?

I would vote for "stark raving mad".

That one's never let me down.

I had a similar experience a month ago, but the shop went out of business underneath me. I'm still trying to reverse the charges on my credit card.

On a good note, I found an even better shop, but I have to drive a little further to get to them.

Ask for a full refund and go spend that cash elsewhere.

Does your receipt say "paid in full"? If so, then the sales tax is BS. And even if it doesn't, that should have been included when you paid.

I can't stand when businesses try and rip their own customers off. I feel your pain man.

do you have an invoice, or sort of order or contract stating that there would be an additional tax? (at the end of it all?!) Sounds like the LBS is trying to slap on that retail "pain in the a$$" fee. I am in no way saying your a PITA... not at all, but retail places hate when THEY mess up, and the customer calls them on it, and they get all defensive and start slapping on extra charges. its a crock of sh*t. straight up. They've made you wait this long, and refuse to make good on it? wtf? talked to the owner yet? manager? gunnar?

i say, in truth, cut your losses, take the frame, enjoy it... at some point (tax returns??) have the damn thing stripped and repainted to your exact liking.

full refund. I'm ordering a Thylacine and he's got a Tephra for under a grand. jeff

Custom!!

Don't hesitate to demand exactly what you ordered or request a refund. I've been in a similar situation with my LBS over a new wheel I am having built. They had one built, but someone made a mistake and the hub was silver rather than black as I had ordered. I am having them order the correct hub and rebuild it. The color is purely aethetic, but for the price I expect to get exactly what I ordered. The same certainly applies to you especially given what you have already paid for your frame.

No itemized invoice, just two reciepts that don't say much except what I was charged... I'm going in to talk to the owner in a few minutes.

$1k plus for a frame? and it's not made of titanium? does anyone know why it's so spendy?

Do know a lawyer? If not, befriend a lawyer, explain your situation, and have him or her draft a letter to the shop stating the circumstances. People hate lawyers but they're afraid of them even more so. It may cost you a few bucks but would be advantageous in the long run.

It's made by Waterford. Think Waterford crystal. Bling.

It's 853 and True Temper OX Platinum... and it's made by Waterford

This is the kind of dangerous generalization that leads to people wanting to bomb Iraqi bike messengers.

i have never dealt directly with a bike shop in the situation, but every other time i have dealt with customer service representatives i have good luck. my tactics include.

1) get mad but don't yell. this only makes the situation worse but i express discontent and the possibility of them losing a future customer, they seem to remedy the situation quickly. you just always have to border on the line of blowing up or passing it off. this has worked for me each and every time. just go in with confidence like you own the world and don't take 'no' for an answer. pretend your king arthur and set things straight. explain how it has been a hardship and how you wanted to support them rather than go the cheaper/quicker route. hell, say it was a gift if you want as well to sweeten the story.

2) if that doesn't work, public smear campaign.

Get your money back and support a local framebuilder. For that kind of cash - you can get a nice handmade track frame to YOUR specs.

Another vote for stark raving mad.

I would go into a fit of rage. I would start yelling and then throw a few bikes around the shop.

Finally, I'd ask to use their bathroom and take the biggest dump you've ever taken. Be sure not to flush.

Dude, I was offering some sound advice. Quit acting like a hippy.

Again, I'm not giving stupid advice to trash their shop (like the one 2 posts up), if you have a problem that involves ALOT of MONEY I suggest you get the LAW on YOUR side. Dig?

Dangerous generalization, huh?

Do you dish out slop at Food Not Bombs after your messengering duty?

Nah. **** in their tank.

****ting in the toilet's flush tank seems wholey appropriate.
-brad

Easy there ace. I was referring to the thread about the guy that got run into by the hypothetical messenger and equated it to attacking Iraq.

I promise not to leave my sarcasm smileys at home anymore.

Get a lawyer as soon as possible.
You are in the early stages of a big rip-off.

I'm also a lawyer. That was supposed to be part of the joke, too.

See how much funnier it is when I walk you through it step by step?

Okay, truce.

I just hope this guy gets his dough back.

I've been unjustly overcharged & underserved by shops in the past but this situtation is a nightmare.

what about lawyers who ride fixed gear? like me?

ahh, i just read above that you are a lawyer too. cheers.

Thumbs up for the top shelf.