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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:
Kona84 · 04/07/2021 12:34

Canyon sell extra race bikes but are very transparent about it.
I would feel very disappointed in getting a second hand bike thinking it was new.
I’ve haggled first ex display when it’s been the last one in stock and normally managed to get a discount and freebies- I didn’t want to buy a bike that’s been test ridden by numerous people for brand new price.
I especially wouldn’t want to pay £2200 for a bike that has been raced for 2 years without knowing.

Kona84 · 04/07/2021 12:35

That was meant to say Ex race bikes

BlueMongoose · 04/07/2021 12:58

Anyone saying carbon fibre is strong, yes it is, but that strength is relative to its weight. If it gets a knock it can seriously weaken or even break it- this year's TDF coverage showed a bike immediately after a crash where the CF frame had fractured in at least two places. It is still possible for steel to fracture, but it takes a greater impact to do that. Carbon fibre frames don't last as long as steel, and are not suitable for heavier riders. Many people may be surprised to know that not all bike frames are not designed for heavier people and even steel ones can crack if overloaded- if you're heavier than average, particularly if you plan to carry a lot of luggage, it might be worth checking what the advised weight load is for a bike when you're buying.)

igelkott2021 · 04/07/2021 13:06

@Etorih

I think the only point here is that the op was sold a second hand bike when she was expecting a new one. She wasn't provided with all the facts before buying the bike. It doesn't matter if what she was sold was a good deal or not. It's not for someone else to decide on behalf the op.
This. A retailer has to tell you if something is second hand (barring the situation where everything is second hand like an antique shop!) and this did not happen in this case so there has been a misrepresentation. As the OP wants to keep the bike, a discount on the price would be a reasonable outcome.

I hope that the OP comes back and updates us.

Turquoiseraindrops · 04/07/2021 13:32

Any update op,

LookItsMeAgain · 04/07/2021 13:34

@Turquoiseraindrops - the OP only started this post at 7:30-ish this morning....and you're looking for an update already???
Grin Grin Grin Grin Grin Grin Grin

BobLemon · 04/07/2021 13:46

OP, I WORK for a National bike selling retailer!

If you can get an email, write to the CEO. This is v fecking bad! I’d be appalled if my organisation did this, but I think it’s not mine Confused

GrandColombier · 04/07/2021 13:50

@Kona84

Canyon sell extra race bikes but are very transparent about it. I would feel very disappointed in getting a second hand bike thinking it was new. I’ve haggled first ex display when it’s been the last one in stock and normally managed to get a discount and freebies- I didn’t want to buy a bike that’s been test ridden by numerous people for brand new price. I especially wouldn’t want to pay £2200 for a bike that has been raced for 2 years without knowing.
Totally agree with this. Absolutely nothing against second hand bikes, often a well maintained top spec bike is better value for money than a cheaper brand new.

But that is a moot point as that was not the decision the OP able to balance and make.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 04/07/2021 14:19

I hope you get this sorted out - and don’t end up bike-less, @YellowBellyCat!

I would be very cross indeed, if a shop did this to me.

FijiCavanaugh · 04/07/2021 14:19

Yeah it's really not on. Good luck with them.

thecatsatonthewall · 04/07/2021 14:24

Carbon fibre frames don't last as long as steel, and are not suitable for heavier riders

What utter tosh.
CF is super strong if its used in the manner its designed for, ie not crashed.

As for comparisons with steel? what steel? it comes in a range of alloys and huge price ranges and its strength is totally dependant on the skill of the brazier.
CF is also completely corrosion proof.

Steel bikes from yesteryear, bent up when flying into a crash barrier, they were scrap regardless.

Plus i bet you Re-Carb could repair most of those broken TDF frames.

Original poster
YellowBellyCat · 04/07/2021 14:27

Sorry, I’ve been on cycling today….on my new/old bike. 😆

I’ve been to the bike shop and talked to the sales manager guy. The general manager Isn’t in and it’s him that needs to take a decision.

The bike is an “ex staff bike” which won’t have done “that much mileage”. When pressed about the mileage he reckons maybe 1000 miles which he says isn’t a lot. I disagree. I also suspect if she’s had the bike for two years it’s done a lot more. He is also adamant it hasn’t been raced and I told him I’ve seen fb posts to the contrary but he’s still sure it won’t have been raced. He’s adamant it doesn’t count as a second hand bike. I’m adamant it does. Apparantly as long as it’s a staff member who rides it that makes all the difference and it isn’t second hand. 🤷‍♀️ But he says I should have been informed it was an ex staff bike. He still believes it’s a fair price.

He says it’s had a new cassette, new chain and a new shifter as one was scuffed….which in my mind reinforces the fact it’s a second hand bike. He makes the point it’s been well maintained and serviced which I agree with….but it’s still a second hand bike.

He says they will want to ensure I’m happy. I got the feeling a full refund wouldn’t be an issue but he says they’re 10-11 weeks away from any comparable new stock. I’ve said at this point I’d rather talk price of this bike so that’s why we’re waiting for the manager. I’ve pointed out the same bike was being sold new for £1900 at the end of the season and I’d expect a second hand bike to be less. So we’ll see. He says the normal brand warranty stands. I’ve told him I can’t register it and he says it’s not an issue…they know they sold it to me, etc.

OP posts:
Thelnebriati · 04/07/2021 14:30

The mileage is irrelevant; they sold a used bike as new and you cant register or insure it. If the police pick it up for whatever reason, they'll return it to the person its registered to.

Just talk to Trading Standards.

Notaroadrunner · 04/07/2021 14:32

He said a lot didn't he! A lot of bullshit. Hopefully the manager has a bit more cop on.

SquashMinusIsShit · 04/07/2021 14:34

It is all very shady!

caughtinanet · 04/07/2021 14:35

@YellowBellyCat

Sorry, I’ve been on cycling today….on my new/old bike. 😆

I’ve been to the bike shop and talked to the sales manager guy. The general manager Isn’t in and it’s him that needs to take a decision.

The bike is an “ex staff bike” which won’t have done “that much mileage”. When pressed about the mileage he reckons maybe 1000 miles which he says isn’t a lot. I disagree. I also suspect if she’s had the bike for two years it’s done a lot more. He is also adamant it hasn’t been raced and I told him I’ve seen fb posts to the contrary but he’s still sure it won’t have been raced. He’s adamant it doesn’t count as a second hand bike. I’m adamant it does. Apparantly as long as it’s a staff member who rides it that makes all the difference and it isn’t second hand. 🤷‍♀️ But he says I should have been informed it was an ex staff bike. He still believes it’s a fair price.

He says it’s had a new cassette, new chain and a new shifter as one was scuffed….which in my mind reinforces the fact it’s a second hand bike. He makes the point it’s been well maintained and serviced which I agree with….but it’s still a second hand bike.

He says they will want to ensure I’m happy. I got the feeling a full refund wouldn’t be an issue but he says they’re 10-11 weeks away from any comparable new stock. I’ve said at this point I’d rather talk price of this bike so that’s why we’re waiting for the manager. I’ve pointed out the same bike was being sold new for £1900 at the end of the season and I’d expect a second hand bike to be less. So we’ll see. He says the normal brand warranty stands. I’ve told him I can’t register it and he says it’s not an issue…they know they sold it to me, etc.

That seems fair, he's not authorised but isn't pretending it's a new bike or saying that you can't get your money back. I'd say it's looking positive for a refund

How annoying for everyone who was sure there was all kinds of skullduggery going on that they'd said they want to make sure you're happy. Does he realise his reasonableness had disappointed several posters on the thread Smile

GrandColombier · 04/07/2021 14:36

Re the warrenty still standing even if you couldn't register it, if it's not an issue I'd want head office to confirm in writing this would be the case. Otherwise you have 0 proof if anything did come up.

As for ex. staff bikes being different to 2nd hand bikes... seriously?!?!?

CallmeHendricks · 04/07/2021 14:39

It's effectively been used as a demo model, in the same way that car dealers use cars for test drives or for the salesforce to use as company cars. When they sell those on a few months in with a low mileage, even if the reg plate appears to show it as being a new car, they knock a lot off the price.
Haggle!!!

WinterIsGone · 04/07/2021 14:43

How annoying for everyone who was sure there was all kinds of skullduggery going on that they'd said they want to make sure you're happy.

I've not posted on this thread before, but I actually am shocked by his reply, which suggests to me that there actually is skulduggery going on. You can't have staff members using the bike, then covering it all up by adding a "new cassette, new chain and a new shifter as one was scuffed". That is the very definition of skulduggery, surely!

merrymouse · 04/07/2021 14:45

Apparantly as long as it’s a staff member who rides it that makes all the difference and it isn’t second hand.

This is complete rubbish. Either the bike has been used by the staff member on behalf of the business (and it is therefore second hand) or there has been personal use and the staff member may be liable for tax (benefit in kind) and the bike is second hand.

I’ve told him I can’t register it and he says it’s not an issue…they know they sold it to me, etc..

If there is no legal agreement you have no warranty. What if the shop goes bust in 6 months?

Lougle · 04/07/2021 14:45

Naughty, naughty, very very naughty.... He can't say the bike is 'new' because it was only ridden by a member of staff.

christinarossetti19 · 04/07/2021 14:49

You've handled this well. OP.

If the general manager is obstructive, I would definitely say that I intend to escalate the matter.

Can you gather some info to indicate that the 'sold as second hand' price would be for this bike? I suspect that you may have this to hand Grin.

Even if it has been 'refurbished', it's not the same as buying new as they well know.

Gazelda · 04/07/2021 14:50

I know this is a ridiculous comparison, but if he were a bed salesman, would he say a bed wasn't second hand if a staff member had slept in it once a week for 2 years but they'd put a new mattress cover on?

I cannot grasp how he can possibly claim it isn't second hand.

But it sounds as though you'll get some satisfaction from the manager OP. Though I suspect neither you nor any of your cycling friends will buy from there again.

CallmeHendricks · 04/07/2021 14:51

"A new cassette, new chain and a new shifter as one was scuffed" rather suggests that the bike was hammered.

Howcanthisbe123 · 04/07/2021 14:52

If it’s won an important race isn’t a like a famous bike and you should be proud to own it? I’m not sure how bikes work so maybe not.

I’d want a serious reduction on the price.

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