Aluminium frame corrossion
Discussion
I have a Giant TCX SL2 cyclo-cross bike. I've had it from new and it is about 20months old.
It has a load of bubbles under the paint on the down tube, right along the length. The paint is not broken so the bubbling is coming from the inside out as it were. The rest of the frame is unaffected. I have taken it back to the supplying shop who have taken photos to send to Giant whose frames are covered by a ten year warranty.
What to you think the corrosion mechanism is and what do you think Giant will do?
I'm not very impressed as I use the bike for competing on and don't want a weakened frame when bouncing down a rutted hill.
Steve
It has a load of bubbles under the paint on the down tube, right along the length. The paint is not broken so the bubbling is coming from the inside out as it were. The rest of the frame is unaffected. I have taken it back to the supplying shop who have taken photos to send to Giant whose frames are covered by a ten year warranty.
What to you think the corrosion mechanism is and what do you think Giant will do?
I'm not very impressed as I use the bike for competing on and don't want a weakened frame when bouncing down a rutted hill.
Steve
No progress yet.
Am I correct in my understanding that although Giant may warranty the frame, as I bought the bike from my LBS, my contract is with them, not Giant, and so it is up to them to make good any fault? I know that there are reasonable time clauses or suchlike in the Sale of Goods act but I would have thought it was reasonable to expect a bike frame to last longer than 18months.
Steve
Am I correct in my understanding that although Giant may warranty the frame, as I bought the bike from my LBS, my contract is with them, not Giant, and so it is up to them to make good any fault? I know that there are reasonable time clauses or suchlike in the Sale of Goods act but I would have thought it was reasonable to expect a bike frame to last longer than 18months.
Steve
HJE said:
Steve, you should deal with your LBS. Do you have proof of purchase or are you such a good/frequent customer they'll remember you?
I had the misfortune of a cracked aluminium Giant Revolt frame in the summer after 15 months of light use. Took the bike in to LBS, they phoned Giant whilst I was there and agreed a new frame and fork would be sent ASAP - well, they proposed a blue frame and the original was grey, so wouldn't match.
Your LBS will feel the pain - Giant warrant the frame but the LBS covers the cost of strip and rebuild. All turned around in 5 days.
Yes, a good customer there. I've bought 4 bikes from him (one each for me, the boy, my daughter and wife) as well as numerous bits and bobs, all my servicing etc.I had the misfortune of a cracked aluminium Giant Revolt frame in the summer after 15 months of light use. Took the bike in to LBS, they phoned Giant whilst I was there and agreed a new frame and fork would be sent ASAP - well, they proposed a blue frame and the original was grey, so wouldn't match.
Your LBS will feel the pain - Giant warrant the frame but the LBS covers the cost of strip and rebuild. All turned around in 5 days.
He is being a bit awkward with this matter though, having still not been in touch with Giant even after me taking the bike in last week.
Steve
I am waiting to see if I can get proof of purchase from a Giant Dealer - that is where the bike originally came from via my LBS before tackling Giant or the LBS more directly.
I know it gets mentioned a lot on PH, but surely the Sale of Goods Act and small claims court may be useful to me here.
Steve
I know it gets mentioned a lot on PH, but surely the Sale of Goods Act and small claims court may be useful to me here.
Steve
ALawson said:
SixPotBelly said:
At first sight it appears you're in a bit of a pickle. A manufacturer is only obliged to warranty the original purchaser, and only then if that purchaser is a consumer. Since it was originally purchased by a business, I don't think they (your LBS) has a legal recourse on Giant.
However, since they are a business and you are a consumer, you may have a case against your LBS. I believe it would boil down to whether the frame failed within the time frame it should reasonably be expected to last for considering the amount paid. And obviously it has. The LBS may not be able to claim from Giant, but that's not relevant to your claim on them.
At least that's what I understand. You could do worse than calling Citizen's Advice just to know where you'd stand if it came to it.
That would be my understanding, your contract is with the LBS. If doesn't matter that they don't have an agreement with Giant as an AD. They haven't potentially sold you something that is of sufficient quality, I suppose there is a precedence that stuff should last 6 years so try that approach! However, since they are a business and you are a consumer, you may have a case against your LBS. I believe it would boil down to whether the frame failed within the time frame it should reasonably be expected to last for considering the amount paid. And obviously it has. The LBS may not be able to claim from Giant, but that's not relevant to your claim on them.
At least that's what I understand. You could do worse than calling Citizen's Advice just to know where you'd stand if it came to it.
Edited by SixPotBelly on Wednesday 21st October 12:28
Steve
Well the LBS has supplied me a receipt showing that they bought the bike through the trade from a Giant dealer to sell on to me. They want me to approach this dealer but I am starting to get a bit miffed. I think I'll contact the CAB to get their opinion.
Any other good advice from the PH massive. The shop doesn't have a lawn at the front, so that course of action is ruled out
Steve
Any other good advice from the PH massive. The shop doesn't have a lawn at the front, so that course of action is ruled out
Steve
What is the PH opinion of this potential responce to the LBS.
[i]I have consulted Citizens Advice for advice on this mater.
As you sold me the bike, my contract is with XXX and it is your responsibility to repair the faulty goods. Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979, goods should be of a satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. My rights under The Act have been breached because the bike you sold me is faulty. I would like a repair which of course would mean a replacement frame.
It is reasonable for an expensive bike frame (in fact any bike frame) to last a lot longer than 18months and so this failure means the bike is not fit for purpose.
As XXX Cycles purchased the bike from YYY, the Giant warranty is with the first owner, which is XXX so I cannot pursue a claim with YYY.
I am away for the next 7 days. The bike has been returned to the shop , inspected and photographed, so I believe that it is reasonable to expect that there will be some degree of advancement before then.
I look forward to hearing from you.[/i]
Thanks in advance!
Steve
[i]I have consulted Citizens Advice for advice on this mater.
As you sold me the bike, my contract is with XXX and it is your responsibility to repair the faulty goods. Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979, goods should be of a satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. My rights under The Act have been breached because the bike you sold me is faulty. I would like a repair which of course would mean a replacement frame.
It is reasonable for an expensive bike frame (in fact any bike frame) to last a lot longer than 18months and so this failure means the bike is not fit for purpose.
As XXX Cycles purchased the bike from YYY, the Giant warranty is with the first owner, which is XXX so I cannot pursue a claim with YYY.
I am away for the next 7 days. The bike has been returned to the shop , inspected and photographed, so I believe that it is reasonable to expect that there will be some degree of advancement before then.
I look forward to hearing from you.[/i]
Thanks in advance!
Steve
ALawson said:
I assume the receipt doesn't state second hand? Only thing to add would be sending the letter recorded and setting out clear time frame to resolve.
I expect they are in a pickle, they presumably cannot get a warranty replacement from Giant, have you thought about what you think is a suitable replacement that they can get hold of through there suppliers?
The paper trail is like this...I expect they are in a pickle, they presumably cannot get a warranty replacement from Giant, have you thought about what you think is a suitable replacement that they can get hold of through there suppliers?
Receipt from Giant dealer to my LBS saying nice new Giant bike sold to LBS.
Cycle To Work Scheme receipt and sale/loan agreement showing that I collected a nice new Giant bike from LBS.
The LBS only stocks 'mid' range bikes since he lost his 'high' range agency. I won't name the brands as it may make the LBS easy to name for anyone local to me.
Steve
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