AIBU or are Evans bikes?

[Landoni112]

Sorry bit of a boring one, but I am upset about the situation, and am wondering what is reasonable?
My dh bought me a new bike so I can ride to work and go on bike rides at the beginning of the summer.
I have used it probably about 10 to 15 times and it has about 4 chips in the bright blue paintwork. I ride on-road or cycle paths only.
My dh is into cycling and has about 4 bikes in the garage at any time, I also have a bike which is about 10 years old which was too heavy for me which is why we got a new one. None of them have chips in them and are several years old and well used.
My bike is stored on rubber hooks in the garage well out of the way of all the other crap and I really take care of my things, I didn't have much money growing up and and not extravagant so when I get something new I really take care of it. New bike cost £600 originally (but we got it in sale as was last years model)
We asked Evans bikes to give us some paint to touch up the chips, but they don't have any. They are also disappointed on our behalf that the paint is chipped, but other than that don't give a shit. The paint is Matt glow in the dark, other wise I would just go to halfords and get a close match, but it would look shit.
AIBU to expect a better response from Evans? I genuinely thought they would offer a replacement frame/respray as by this rate by the end of the year I an going to have no paint left on the damn thing!

[TrollTheRespawnJeremy]

Sorry Yabu. If the paintwork isn't as good quality as your old bike then maybe it's just not as good-rather than being faulty.

[Landoni112]

Old bike only cost £150, although that was 10 years ago

[Champagneformyrealfriends]

From a retail POV- you bought a reduced item, have used it 10-15 times and it has some marks due to usage. It's not the stores responsibility to repair paint damage unless somewhere in the specifications it said "chip proof paint" or something similar.

Go to a dulux trade centre and have some matt paint matched up in the same colour.

[TrollTheRespawnJeremy]

If the bike has been used then the staff in the shop can't possibly vouch for how it has been used-carefully or not.

I'd just suck it up. Accrue more paint chips and eventually respray the whole thing.

[Landoni112]

I promise you I have been really careful with the bike and haven't even noticed the chips til later in the day, as I haven't been aware that I have knocked into anything etc to cause the chips.
The bike was reduced as it was last years model and was ordered from the warehouse, so wasn't shop display or anything so I would expect it to still be fit for purpose. Similarly if I buy clothes etc in the sale.

[MarkRuffaloCrumble]

Might be why it was reduced? Perhaps the special paint isn't as hard wearing?

It sounds off to me and I'd also be complaining - none of my or my DCs' bikes have ever ended up with chips in the paint, it just doesn't happen through normal use.

Have you thought about a Twitter row?! It seems to be the way to get a more favourable response these days!

[Champagneformyrealfriends]

In what way isn't it fit for purpose though? Is it chipped right down to the metal? The metal will have been primed so it's unlikely to rust.

[Champagneformyrealfriends]

Can you post a photo?

[MarkRuffaloCrumble]

I've also returned jeans after a couple of months due to thinning/holes etc which my DBro said was really cheeky, but to me, they shouldn't wear out within a couple of months, I expect them to last me for a few years. Similarly I would expect a bike to remain chip free for many years.

[KoalaDownUnder]

How long have you actually had the bike (or did I miss that)?

[TondelayaDellaVentamiglia]

would they sell you some paint?

tbh I think chips are just wear and tear on a year old bike.

[MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet]

I think you should review the Consumer Rights Act (came out in October 2015). Any good/service you purchase since then should last for a reasonable period of time, which relates to the price you paid for it. A bike costing a few hundred pounds should last a while I would think (not being a bike person!).

In terms of faulty goods, if the fault arises within 30 days you have the automatic right to a full refund from the retailer as the fault is deemed to be inherent as of when you purchased it. Up to 6 months, there is a similar clause but the retailer would need to be able to prove that the fault on the product was NOT there at the time of purchase to refuse you a refund. Beyond that time frame, you might need to prove the fault existed but either way I would expect them to sort this out for you.

I'm not sure what relevance it being on sale has, you might just need to check that element out. If on sale because of it being damaged - then that's one thing. But if on sale because if being an older model, surely that isn't relevant? It should still last the same unless a fault is flagged to you?

I think the Which? website has the best lowdown on this Act which I'm sure applies here.

[Landoni112]

Photo attached...most of the chips are to the metal like this.

[LadyPenelope68]

anything could have caused it to get chipped. You light have accidentally caught it, stones fly up from the ground etc, etc. Unless it's been kept totally indoors and not used then the reality is its not going to stay perfect. You can't expect the bike store to do something about the paintwork in a used bike!

[TellMeSomethingNew]

YANBU to be annoyed but YABU to expect the shop to replace the frame/paint given that given that you've used it.

[Landoni112]

Bought bike in April/May this year.

[Landoni112]

I know shit happens and things get damaged when used, but are this many chip reasonable after such light usage? I am going to end up with no paint on the frame! I have never had this with my old bike, nor has my husband with all his.
I also don't complain to shops etc very often, usually if you have a complaint about the standard of the product you have bought the shop refunds/replaces things for you no bother. Evans says they can't give/sell me any touch up paint.

[Enidblyton1]

How bad are the chips? How annoying. I find it hard to believe they can't find the paint - maybe try speaking to someone else at Evans. Perhaps the paint will magically appear if you offer to pay for it? Agree it's not great customer service, but bike paint does get chipped and they are under no obligation to respray or change the frame.
Also depends how much hassle you are prepared to go to make your bike perfect again. If there is an issue with this particular bike/paint, isn't it likely that more chips will appear as soon as you've painted over the other ones?

[Welshrainbow]

If it has some special matte glue in the dark paint then it is probably a thicker paint and easier to chip than the paint in most bikes. Especially if you ride on the road gravel is always hitting and chipping my old bike. Honestly I don't think you should expect a new frame etc but I'd expect them to sell paint to touch it up.

[davos]

I thought Matte paint was notorious for chipping and scratching?

The bike is fit for purpose. But the paint is damaged. They can happen on any bike ride.

The fact that a different bike hasn't chipped is neither here nor there.

[PuraVida]

hang on! your bike glows in the dark???

[Landoni112]

Thanks everyone for your replies, my first AIBU so happy to have survived! Will keep plugging away at Evans to try and get some paint off them to patch up the chips.

[GemmaWella81]

Apologies but why would Evans have the paint? Surely that's the bike manufacturer?

I've never been into Evans and seen an array of bike paints etc.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Evans are very very very unlikely to have touch up paint. You'd be better off trying for a rough match at Halfords

[GemmaWella81]

TBH I don't see the issue... You got a relatively decent bike at a reduced price.

I'll be chipped through normal wear and tear. A bike is to be ridden, not just looked at and all that jazz. It sucks but I wouldn't sweat it.