Bought a set of wheels through here recently which were described as being in ‘good condition’ and running ‘straight and true’. Offered the chap his asking price as a gesture of goodwill in exchange for prompt delivery.
When they arrived, I noticed that half of the front hub cone assembly was missing (no washer or tightening nut on one side) and when spinning each wheel on a bike frame noted that both wheels had flat spots and the back wheel didn’t spin freely on its axle. In both wheels, the bearings are pretty much shot. All of these things are easily fixed by someone that knows what they are doing (which I don’t) or a LBS.
I emailed the seller immediately bringing all of this information to light and asking whether he would refund me in exchange for return of the wheels, or pay for them to be sorted out. His response was that he thought they were fine and that he wouldn’t refund me, but may consider a contribution towards their fixing.
I have since responded with a link to my LBS’s fixed-price menu for servicing hubs and trueing wheels and a suggestion fo a fair contribution. I have not received a reply to this email, or a subsequent email chasing up.
I know that it is a risk buying anything from a web forum and that if a purchase is made through Paypal Gift, there is no recourse through Paypal, and I know it is naive to expect everyone to be 100% upfront and straight, but it is nethertheless extremely disappointing.
I cannot see a way of taking any formal recourse against this STW member, other than to appeal to his honest nature.
As for what to do with the wheels, I can get them fixed (but am reluctant to chuck more money at them), or I could just throw them on the classifieds with a very honest description of their condition and sell them to someone who has more mechanical capabilities than me who can service the hubs themselves and true the wheels (so just incurring the cost of the parts).
So if anyone fancies a pair of black 317 Disc rims on Deore hubs (6 bolt) for £40 plus postage, let me know.
You live and learn!