Friday, August 24, 2007

Sad Question

Those of you who read this log regularly know that I was waiting all season for a custom frame. The frame finally arrived just before 9 Mile. Unfortunately, it was the *wrong* frame. The seat tube is two inches too long and the top tube is too short. This after waiting all season for the frame; it was ordered in February and delivered July.

I called the builder. He wanted to build another frame for me. I decided that I would rather have my money back and move on to another project. The builder agreed, and said they would send me a check by the end of the week. That was three weeks ago, and now he is not returning my e-mail.

My question is this: What should I do? I can't use the frame, and I'd hate to embarrass the builder by putting his $1500 frame on ebay for $650, which is what I paid. Would someone even buy a 'custom' frame built for someone else?

Oh, and should I be 'outing' this builder by describing my experience here and on the boards?

Thoughts and advice appreciated.

4 comments:

Carl Santiago said...

Sad it is Joe:(. So the guys is not answering phone and emails? I would give him one more chance and call him. Is he local? A Visit might be in order. If that does not work, do you have a lawyer friend that can call him with a little persuasion? If that does not work, sell the thing on ebay for more than you paid and make a profit. Let the guy know that you will not do business with him again and that I will let my friends know about this. Word of mouth is the best and worst advertisement. Businesses die because of this.

Namrita O'Dea said...

That would really piss me off. Sorry you even have to deal with that at all. I've heard one too many stories about the same builder..sad.

Funny enough, that frame would probably fit me perfectly. You could try selling it...there are lots of women built like me with super long legs and super short torso.

Endurosnob said...

Perhaps this post was enough to reopen communication?

WUNNSPEED said...

Been there. It so sucks! Good luck. I actually know Rob. Sounds a bit bizarre for him to vanish though.