Ripped off

[Favu]

OK, the deal is, I spent about £100 on work on my bike, this was verbally specified as being the following :

NEW brake system front and rear taken from a new bike that had been upgraded to hydraulic disks.

NEW bottom bracket

Convertion to single-speed setup

Trueing up of my wheels.

Now, I am upset, because, not only did this cost me a bomb but also, the "new" brakes are definatley NOT new, hell the levers don't even have matching bolts. The wheels are not straight, and I don't have a single-speed settup, - the guy just went and put a normal middle ring on and took off the mech. I am not at all happy with this. Further more, half a year previously said mechanic was supposed to build me a new wheel, he still hasn't. He then, in a panic, I presume, switched my screwed up wheel for one that he had taken off another bike, he still has my old rim, tyre (which I would like back as he didn't swap them) and dust cap.

[danrok]

Is it a business/shop you were dealing with or an individual?

You can always get Trading Standards to put a rocket up his backside.

[Favu]

It's a shop. The "mechanic" is the owner.

[aghastpumpkin]

Trading standards are very harsh these days. They wouldn't deal with my Overclockers UK problems, despite damning evidence against OCuk and their illegal activities.
I'd be surprised if they help with this - unless it's become common.

[cloasters]

Ooh, ooh. I hate this kinda horse crap. Maybe a visit from Domenic and Vito is called for?

[danrok]

Well, most regulators and the like will not help you until you can show them that you've done all you can to resolve it, yourself.

Trading Standards have offices in each county, AFAIK. So, they won't all be the same.

Also, they probably already have 1000 & 1 cases re: OcUK, to deal with and weren't up for taking on more!

BTW, it is not a good idea to say that a company is operating illegally without backing up your claim. At least not in public. Especially if you intend to take action over it.

[aghastpumpkin]

They operated against the law. It is illegal to charge a premium rate phoneline without clear, prior notice. There is nothing on their site to say it is premium rate. That - is illegal.
I could go into it. But I have so many times now. All I will say is OCuk are, and I know this, a group of people who are careless for their customers. They did not help me, they treated me disgustingly and I will never buy off them again.

[danrok]

Originally Posted by aghastpumpkin

They operated against the law. It is illegal to charge a premium rate phoneline without clear, prior notice. There is nothing on their site to say it is premium rate. That - is illegal.

Sorry, but that is incorrect.

This is currently a growing concern for OFCOM and is under review, but the 087 numbers do not currently have the same controls as premium rate numbers. The price does not have to be displayed for 087 numbers.

[aghastpumpkin]

Really? Thats...ridiculous. I was sure it was illegal...

[Favu]

Right, an update -I took the bike back, and told him that the brake levers where not what we agreed, he replaced them with the ones he had actually shown me, so that's good, at least.

However the chain was still flying off without provocation, and today, in about a mile of gentle riding (just up/down kerbs, the usual for any sort of bike) the chain came off three times, throwing me over the handlebars once and causing me to miss my train, because I kept haveing to get off to fiddle it back on. Needless to say I wasn't happy, and went straight to the bike shop to let him have a piece of my mind.

So, he has now taken some more links out of the chain, as I asked him to , I the hope that the increased tension will stop the chain coming off as much, either way, I don't think I will be going back to him in a hurry.

[raphael2040]

Bleh. I hate people like that. Sorry to hear you're having a problem, Favu.

Hope everything works out for you! =D

[kellamne]

Would that be in Aber?
Just so I know not to got there when I spring service my bike.
I'll probably go to Brecon or more likely I heard some guy in Llangynidr is reasonable.

[danrok]

I always used to fix my bike myself. Bit of a pain, but at least it gets done properly.

Keep your eye on your new chain, they do tend to stretch after a while and need adjusting again.

[aztec61]

You need to find a capable, trustworthy bike wrench that will do your work. Then become friends, and stick to him. Let him know you appreciate his work once in a while by bringing him a 6'er or two of decent beer. Don't argue with him when he tells you that you should do this or that about the problem. And spent your money in his shop instead of buying online.

I can offer this advice because I am a wrench myself.

Either that, or learn to do your own repairs & adjustments.