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AIBU?

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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:
Roselilly36 · 04/07/2021 08:38

I agree with PP’s yes contact Trading Standards if they do not resolve the matter to your satisfaction, clear misrepresentation to sell a product as new when it’s not, also how did you pay for the bike? if you brought the bike via credit card or credit they may be able to help you reach a solution. Good luck.

topcat2014 · 04/07/2021 08:39

what does your receipt / invoice say?

If it is 'used' from a shop then it should clearly say so.

Does this shop sell other 'used' bikes?

Original poster
YellowBellyCat · 04/07/2021 08:40

The really bizarre thing is that I had to plead to be able to test ride it round the car park. Sales assistant said he wasn't sure I'd be allowed and had to go and get permission. I was under strict instructions to stay on the tarmac not the gravel. Again giving the impression of a new bike

OP posts:
DobbyTheHouseElk · 04/07/2021 08:40

This is fraud. I’d contact the head office immediately.

SunshineCake · 04/07/2021 08:40

I hope you get it sorted.

Original poster
YellowBellyCat · 04/07/2021 08:40

@topcat2014

what does your receipt / invoice say?

If it is 'used' from a shop then it should clearly say so.

Does this shop sell other 'used' bikes?

No, it doesn't say used. No they don't sell used bikes.
OP posts:
DobbyTheHouseElk · 04/07/2021 08:41

@YellowBellyCat

The really bizarre thing is that I had to plead to be able to test ride it round the car park. Sales assistant said he wasn't sure I'd be allowed and had to go and get permission. I was under strict instructions to stay on the tarmac not the gravel. Again giving the impression of a new bike
Incase someone recognised the bike while you were outside?
Crockof · 04/07/2021 08:41

Sorry but it is true, you said "heavy impact" thats not wearing out, thats misuse.
As the OP knows the bike, she'd also know if its been crashed, if it has, ask for full refund

She wouldn't know if it had been dropped or mishandled or anything

Original poster
YellowBellyCat · 04/07/2021 08:43

I'd only know if it's been crashed if they're honest with me which I don't trust them to be. It would have been used for training as well as actual races. I'd guess you don't race in a grand prix on a bike you haven't trained on.

OP posts:
candycane222 · 04/07/2021 08:45

Wondering if the chain has a social media account? Can't imagine it would do them much good to have you share your story and tag them, would it? I'm sure they'd prefer to give you a retrospective discount as a "one-off payment in recognition of the inconvenience" or some such weasel wording.

Shouldbedoing · 04/07/2021 08:46

Go straight to the CEO. You.love the bike, but it has been fraudulently sold. You want to pay the correct price for that bike when second hand

SeanChailleach · 04/07/2021 08:49

Good grief the first point is the shop with a "seems to have been some sort of mistake", and take it from there. It's not clear what happened or why, but you will have to update is OP.

Sobeyondthehills · 04/07/2021 08:49

Op

I would ask MNs to edit this bit onto your innitial post

"It’s wear and tear on the parts, the frame. The frame is carbon and they can crack internally of dropped on the ground, etc and I have no idea if that’s happened. The £1900 bike was exactly the same spec."

Because like some other people, I couldn't understand why it would make a difference to you, if you were happy with the price, but this along with other things makes a difference, but no one else will read (at my time of reading) 5 pages

igelkott2021 · 04/07/2021 08:49

Hi OP this website is helpful - aimed at businesses, but provides a good overview of the law. Under the Consumer Rights Act goods have to be as described and under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations a trader cannot mislead by omission - ie they can't not tell you that a product is second hand.

www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/goods/accurate-descriptions

www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/goods/the-sale-and-supply-of-goods

Hopefully this will help. An email to the head office so you have your position in writing is probably best.

TedGlenn · 04/07/2021 08:49

Shocking that the bike even ended up in the rack with the others. I wish you the best when you negotiate today. I fear you may need to threaten with publicity when you negotiate, as you otherwise run the risk of being given the choice of e.g. a free cycle helmet or a full refund. Start highball - £1000 off and have your £700 cutoff in mind. Remember to big up the humiliation -proudly turning up to the bike club with your 'new' bike and being laughed at....

Lockdownbear · 04/07/2021 08:50

I'd go to their Head Office. Someone in that shop is trying to pull a fast one. The shop will cover it up but the business needs to know.

FluffieBabies · 04/07/2021 08:51

I think it is against the law to sell a second hand item as new. It should have been described as reconditioned.

Crockof · 04/07/2021 08:52

Because like some other people, I couldn't understand why it would make a difference to you, if you were happy with the price, but this along with other things makes a difference, but no one else will read (at my time of reading) 5 pages

I've not quoted in case op wants it removed but the other bike wasn't in stock and the price she paid for her bike was acceptable on the basis it was brand new, not second hand.

winewolfhowls · 04/07/2021 08:54

I think if this had happened to me, it would have really marred my enjoyment of the bike, sorry this has happened. I think you need to pick your hill so to speak, couple of hundred quid back, and a yearly service for x years if you can't get the warranty. What utter gits

rc22 · 04/07/2021 08:55

Contact trading standards. They should be able to sort this for you for free whereas a solicitor will charge you!

NotMeNoNo · 04/07/2021 08:55

I'd start with the shop manager, it may be a franchise and he/she will be very aware of their reputation locally. Give them a chance to apologise in case it was an error/mix up and sort out a refund/warranty. If they give you the brush off then you can take it further.

caughtinanet · 04/07/2021 09:00

@Lockdownbear

I'd go to their Head Office. Someone in that shop is trying to pull a fast one. The shop will cover it up but the business needs to know.
How have you come to that conclusion?

The shop won't even be open yet for the OP to start a conversation but you are sure it's all part of some organised scam. Please explain how you know that

warmfluffytowels · 04/07/2021 09:02

The shop won't even be open yet for the OP to start a conversation but you are sure it's all part of some organised scam. Please explain how you know that

If it was all above board, OP would have been told the truth when she went in to look at the bike.

jasjas1973 · 04/07/2021 09:03

@Crockof

*Sorry but it is true, you said "heavy impact" thats not wearing out, thats misuse. As the OP knows the bike, she'd also know if its been crashed, if it has, ask for full refund*

She wouldn't know if it had been dropped or mishandled or anything

CF is a very strong and reliable material, look at the tdf riders jumping curbs or Paris Roubaix, where they are raced over cobbled farm tracks

Any impacts would damage the paint and be obvious.

My partner got a 2nd hand LOOK frame because it was still in its box, LOOK allowed the warranty to be transferred, maybe the shop can get Giant to do this for the OP?

Point here which seems to be ignored is the OP got the bike for 1000 off the 2019 rrp and a new pro 1 is over 4k and the bike is in very short supply.

CallmeHendricks · 04/07/2021 09:05

That FB post reports on how the bike handled a whole range of challenging terrain, including gravel. So it's clearly been put through its paces.
Yet she was told not to go on the gravel in the car park when trying it out?
If gravel is such a risk to a "new" bike, then this bike is possibly not in tip-top condition.

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