Peed off - advice needed.

[Vron]

My Ebay purchase has just arrived. The seller has packaged the bike well in a box but there is a large dent about 50p sized on the downtube that wasn't mentioned when I asked her (it may have been done in transit). Also from the ad I didn't expect the pedals to be removed and the bottle cage as they were on the photo for the price I paid.

Heres the ad

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

I have emailed the seller and am awaiting a response. So - do I just return the bike for a refund or ask for some money off? Also can the dent be repaired?

[john_p]

Is the frame out of alignment?

It's tricky, because they've not mentioned any damage on the ad, but neither have they said that it is in good condition or anything like that.

No pedals or bottle cage is naughty though, but again, it is not mentioned on the Bianchi website which she has used to refer to the "full spec"

Did you ask any questions about the bike before bidding?

[Vron]

Yes I asked about any damage to the frame which she said a small mark on the downtube which there is - a chip on the opposite side to the dent. Pedals etc I know but she didn't say they would be removed, its just making me a bit suspicious about the whole thing now.

The frame loks OK but I wouldn't know if it didn't to be honest.

Edited by Vron on Thursday 20th May 14:47

[HDM]

Vron said:

Yes I asked about any damage to the frame which she said a small mark on the downtube which there is - a chip on the opposite side to the dent. Pedals etc I know but she didn't say they would be removed, its just making me a bit suspicious about the whole thing now.

The frame loks OK but I wouldn't know if it didn't to be honest.

Edited by Vron on Thursday 20th May 14:47

How does the box look, is there any marking on the outside that would correspond to the downtube dent, if so, it may be transit related, if not, there may have been some economy with the the truth.

Notwithstanding the above, pedals are a tricky call, most riders will have their own preference when it comes to pedals (and thus cleats), I would not be surprised if a bike was sold without pedals secondhand, but I think it should possibly be noted, especially (and with all respect for you - I do not know your cycling experience) if the purchaser is new to the sport. As for the bottle cage, that seems to be penny pinching.

[Vron]

The way the box was packaged doesn't really correspond to the position of the dent as its too low down for the spindles on the wheels to have dented into it - there is some damage to the box but not where the dent is and its a re-used Trek bike box so could have been there anyway. I am not that fussed about the pedals as I have my own its just I expected them to be on as they were on the photo - most bike ads say what will be removed and she got a good price for it.

[itsnotarace]

Take a picture of the damaged area and post it on here, at least we will then know what the score is.

Hope you got insured courier/postage

I would certainly ask for discount regarding the pedals and bottle cage as they are clearly visible in the photo and the advert does not state they will be removed.

[CVP]

That kind of ding in an aluminium frame I would be concerned about. If the ding does not match the box I'd be sending it back as it clearly did not match the description of "ex-demo and litle used"

[RRS_Staffs]

I would not be happy with the damaged frame

[Gachet]

I can see why they took the photo from the other side. I used to work in a bike shop and didn't see many dents as big as that.

[BliarOut]

Is that rust on the scratches by the dent?

[scubadude]

Get a refund and send it back, dent of that size could comprimise the frame....

Certain things I am willing to buy unseen off ebay (and I've bought alot!) but some items (Bikes, cars and a Rebreather!) I went and inspected the items first... unless you can afford to gamble with £900 I'd get it back quickly.

[coupeboy]

Return it and get a refund.

[TwistingMyMelon]

scubadude said:

Get a refund and send it back, dent of that size could comprimise the frame....

Certain things I am willing to buy unseen off ebay (and I've bought alot!) but some items (Bikes, cars and a Rebreather!) I went and inspected the items first... unless you can afford to gamble with £900 I'd get it back quickly.

Too true, with ebay if you can't afford to write off the money always try and inspect the goods in person!

[Vron]

True - but the seller lives about 150 miles away so not really practical and the feedback was good.

I have had someone look at the dent and they don't think the frame is comprimised so I am going to ask for a discount and see what happens - apart from that it does look virtually brand new.

[cheadle hulme]

Alu frames get their rigidity from large cross sections, but with thin tube walls. Think of how much weight an empty Coke can will take. Now place a dent in the side and see how much weight it will take.

Your frame is fundamentally weakened I'm afraid.

[CVP]

Does your contact have deep knowledge of aluminium frames? I only ask as I have always been lead to believe any decent sized knock has the capcity to cause issues at any time as aluminium alloys do cannot be worked on like steel and once it's banged then it can either last ages or crack the next time you're out. Once cracked you're snookered and into new frame territory.

The discount would have to be huge plus is your Mrs ever really going to be happy riding a dinged frame?

[Chris B.]

I think that is a big dent and top dollar price!

[Gnarlybluesurf]

Would you have paid ANYWHERE near that price for the bike if you had known about the dent?? My guess is it would have only sold for the value of the parts second hand which would be about half of what you paid if the dent had been shown.

I would definitely contact the seller, contact ebay's resolution centre, definitely send it back, put it down to experience and start again... I think you will only regret it otherwise. You've paid top dollar for a bottom dollar bike because it wasn't as described correctly.

Edited by Gnarlybluesurf on Sunday 23 May 23:05

[Vron]

I have had someone else look at the frame he is an Engineer and doesn't think the frame rigidity is comprimised - I am aware of the 'coke can' analogy. Putting the bike back in the box the ding could have been made by the wheel hub as the frame was upside down in the box now I think about it and the seller had taped card over both sides of the spindles one of which had 'punched through' the cardboard. I really cannot fault how the bike was packed and I think it is down to Parcelfarce. I have spoken to the seller on the phone and she was genuinely mortified.

Naturally I wouldn't have bid the amount I did for a damaged frame. I have negotiated a significant discount off the bike and am happy at that and with an (other) expert opinion. I have cleaned the frame up with some autoglym and there is no rust and the black marks have gone but of course there is still a dent.

Thanks for all the replies. The bike will probably be bored with next year and replaced with something else anyway!

[okgo]

always collect things like this in person I reckon. courriers do not give a fk.