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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be angry with bike shop for selling me a second hand bike as new?

432 replies

YellowBellyCat · 04/07/2021 07:23

I bought an expensive bike last week from a well known National bike shop chain. Bike was reduced from £2700 to £2200 as I was told it was last year’s model. It’s a seriously well specced bike.

Turned up for a club ride yesterday and people there recognised the bike, it’s had custom bar tape put on it which makes it distinctive. Someone who works at the bike shop was there and made a comment about how the bike had won a National Grand Prix. I didn’t click at first and thought he meant that make/model. But later on other people were saying oh that’s x’s old bike. I’ve now found public posts from x on the bike shops fb page dated from 2019 with photos of her with the bike saying how she’s entered numerous races with the bike.

I tried to register it with the manufacturer yesterday on their registration scheme and can’t register it as it’s already registered.

So they’ve basically sold me a 2yo second hand bike and pretended it’s new. Don’t get me wrong…it looks in good condition, they’ve obviously cleaned it well, possibly they’ve put a new chain/cassette on 🤷‍♀️ But I wouldn’t have paid that amount of money for a second hand bike. At the end of the 2019 season another National chain were selling them new for £1900!

I’m going back to the bike shop today to attempt some serious price negotiation but not sure how far I’m going to get. If they don’t budge on price I think I will have to insist on a refund as it’s just making me angry now. A similar spec bike in this year’s models is about 4k though as the bike model has been seriously redesigned and upgraded (disc brakes from rim brakes) and I can’t afford 4k. They’re also all out of stock.

A friend was with me when I bought it and she’s as shocked as me, says she also thought it was a new bike. It was lined up with this year’s bikes.

OP posts:
dextermorgan00 · 05/07/2021 15:42

If the refund is in full why dont u take it? Get a bike elsewhere and be sure to complain to head office in the meantime

Original poster
YellowBellyCat · 05/07/2021 15:45

@dextermorgan00

If the refund is in full why dont u take it? Get a bike elsewhere and be sure to complain to head office in the meantime
There's no bikes anywhere in my size which are suitable. I'm looking at a 12 week wsit. I'm going on a cycle holiday on Sat
OP posts:
christinarossetti19 · 05/07/2021 15:48

I think OP is worried about being bikeless over the summer - there's a shortage of stock.

But yes definitely if OP can find another bike that she likes that is available.

I agree with telling them that your next move will be escalating it up the chain.

Are you on bike forums etc? Given the shop's rather nonchalant attitude, I wonder if this is something that is known to go on in the industry, and once someone's decided they like their bike they're happy to get anything eg store credit as they want to keep it.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 05/07/2021 15:50

Could you ask for some time to consider your answer, @YellowBellyCat - say a fortnight - take the second hand bike on your holiday then turn it in for the refund. It’s a bit cheeky, but that pales into insignificance besides their outrageous cheek in selling the bike amongst the new ones, and without stating it was used!

Or could you hire a bike for your holiday?

ProfessorInkling · 05/07/2021 15:50

I’ve been following and I’m really disappointed for you OP.

Can you go back and say no thanks, I don’t want a refund, I don’t want store credit, I want to have paid a fair price for a used bike, so a partial refund?

Is there a way to loan a bike for your cycle holiday?

Or postpone dealing with it further until you’re back. I don’t see why you should miss out purely to have it resolved before then if you want to ride it.

Twoforthree · 05/07/2021 15:53

So what did you say?

christinarossetti19 · 05/07/2021 15:56

@SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius

Could you ask for some time to consider your answer, *@YellowBellyCat* - say a fortnight - take the second hand bike on your holiday then turn it in for the refund. It’s a bit cheeky, but that pales into insignificance besides their outrageous cheek in selling the bike amongst the new ones, and without stating it was used!

Or could you hire a bike for your holiday?

Yes, good plan.

The store has already conceded that a bike that has been ridden by someone else isn't actually second hand or in anyway inferior to a brand new bike.

RogueMnerHidesUnderABigHat · 05/07/2021 16:01

That offer is an insult!

TheQueef · 05/07/2021 16:06

There's not much good will there.

3Britnee · 05/07/2021 16:16

I'd want a full refund, and to keep the bike.

Crockof · 05/07/2021 16:21

Apologies if it's been said but did you buy it on credit card?

Lockdownbear · 05/07/2021 16:22

I'd still be getting in touch with Head Office and I'd be asking questions on as many cycling groups as possible. Just spreading the word, upping the pressure.

'Hi looking for advice, I was sold a new bike by x store in x Town, I later found out that it was second hand. The shop as admitted they passed off a second hand bike as new. They've offered a refund or £200 off it. - what do you think?Hmm'

SeasonFinale · 05/07/2021 16:29

I would say I want £500 (or Whatever) refund and I won't report you to Trading Standards

notimagain · 05/07/2021 16:30

@christinarossetti19

Are you on bike forums etc? Given the shop's rather nonchalant attitude, I wonder if this is something that is known to go on in the industry, and once someone's decided they like their bike they're happy to get anything eg store credit as they want to keep it.

That’s not a bad idea… I think a carefully worded post/question on one or two of the cycling forums might well be the way to go…it’s small world and all that as the OP has already established.

EveryoneIsThere · 05/07/2021 16:35

Don’t blackmail them! I’d go for a full refund but o on holiday with the bike first. 😅

Mumski45 · 05/07/2021 16:50

Op the list price for your bike (2019 Liv Langma advanced Pro 1) was £2799.

There is a different spec 2019 Langma recently sold on eBay for £900 which would have had a list price of £1999 so a 55% discount.

If I apply that to your bike a second hand eBay price would be around £1250-£1300. However you do have to bear in mind that yours will have had a lot of brand new and expensive components which an eBay sale wouldn't have had.

I would therefore think a reasonable price to pay would be in the region of £1750 unless they can show that they have spent a lot more than £500 on new components.

At this stage I would also be wanting some compensation for the disappointment of not getting the brand new bike you were expecting and them being underhand about it not to mention the lack of warranty.

A £200 voucher is just not enough and only really compensates for the disappointment.

I have a Langma (different spec to yours) and I love it very much please don't let this take the shine off enjoying your bike and see it as an opportunity to get a bit of cash back.

Just think in years to come when RD might be more famous you can boast that she used to ride your bike.

If you can avoid it don't give them the bike back, if you must let me know as I know someone who would love it 🤣.

NewbieoneKinewbie · 05/07/2021 17:27

Managing director details:
www.linkedin.com/in/ian-beasant-19844847?originalSubdomain=uk

QueenBee52 · 05/07/2021 17:29

What a pitiful response from this store..

It's a first offer OP.. they are seriously chancing their arm..

The fact that Staff use these bikes (for 2 years) and then sell them off as NEW.. is a seedy fraudulent behaviour and worse passing it off as regular co policy.. Im sure Joe Public would beg to differ..

You should not accept this feeble offer 🌸

ImitationofBeing · 05/07/2021 18:53

So their business model is to put in bikes used by the staff into sale as new bikes?

Sounds like a lot of customers have been ripped off.

kumquat365 · 05/07/2021 19:01

Take out a claim at the Small Claims Court. Email the salesman you spoke to today and get it in writing that this was a two-year-old staff bike that could have done 1000 miles and has had to have parts replaced, yet isn't counted as a secondhand bike. Get your screenshots of the previous owner's FB pages and any other evidence showing her racing it. Evidence too that you cannot register the warranty because it was registered two years ago.

Present some evidence to support the monetary base of your claim: details of how secondhand bikes are valued.

I'm not a lawyer but I don't think they've a leg to stand on and as long as you are reasonable in your expected reduction in price I'd be very surprised if they defended the claim. What can they say? They've told you it's standard company practice to sell off used bikes as new. I think Trading Standards will want to take them up on this. Huge mistake on their part. They could have bought you off for £500 and instead they'll have to engage lawyers and suffer terrible publicity.

Minionbums · 05/07/2021 19:18

In your position I’d probably be doing this in writing now, to head office rather than the store. I’d mention trading standards and the press as well, although to be honest you should probably be reporting to trading standards anyway, they would not like this at all.

Tistheseason17 · 05/07/2021 19:40

Are they a National chain on Twitter? Tweet them LOADS- It does work

winewolfhowls · 05/07/2021 19:54

I don't even cycle but im watching this thread avidly

CallmeHendricks · 05/07/2021 19:56

Not only is £200 a derisory offer, but you have to spend it IN THEIR STORE!!!
They can get to fuck with that!

Ohdeariedear · 05/07/2021 20:02

I’d probably say to them that you’ll take the full refund on the basis that you will use the bike for your cycling holiday, then return it after that. I reckon you’ve got enough leverage to get them to agree to that.

Personally, I would not want to keep the bike, the concern over any knocks to the frame would override any benefit from the reduced cost/replaced components etc.

In store credit would be of no interest as I would never be shopping there ever again!