I have had a carry on getting my new bike from Evans Cycles.. eventually got it about 5 weeks after it was originally due to arrive.. there is a chip on the paint. It looks like it was possibly done when fitting the shock. The paint is chipped down to the carbon but not carbon is not damaged. Desperate to get out riding again as this is a replacement after a theft... should I go through the process of returning it and getting a replacement bike or keep it and put in a complaint requesting compensation. I have bought invisiframe to put on the bike. Gutted its not perfect and worried it could flake or get worse. What's people's thoughts? Thanks
I got nearly £650 off a £5500 Levo for a tiny scratch. Good luck with Evans though. My gut is that they'll deny responsibility.
You could do a near invisible repair with some well-matched mail varnish.
I purchased a "shop Soiled" bike with a chip on it, that was heavily discounted. A bit of touch up paint and some lacquer and you can't even tell it was damaged. Not sure evans customer service is the best but I'd try for some discount. After a few rides the preciousness will wear off and you won't care about chips and scratches.
A chap **** I used to ride with kicked off about a chip on the underside of the fork leg on a heavily discounted kenevo SL, so they (Specialized concept store) upgraded him to the next model up for a small fee (like £500 for what should have been a couple of grand difference)
Proving good things happen to terrible people, and you never know your luck.
I'd probably be a bit annoyed initially but then I'd take it for a ride, fall off, scuff it, then return to my usual way of not caring.
If its the enduro that I PSAd weeks back then at that low price I'd care less.
I do appreciate the frustration though so maybe send a nicely worded and polite email saying you waited a long time and now it's arrived you're a little disappointed it's chipped. Then ask if they have a touch up paint. (you don't really want a touch up paint but asking might trigger them to apologise and maybe offer a little money back)
I don’t agree with the position of ‘it’ll get scratched anyway’. Obviously it’s true, but when buying a new product of anything, it should arrive with you in a new state, and that means no chips or scratches. Because that’s what you’re paying for. If you wanted to buy a scratched bike, you’d have bought a secondhand one.
But I know getting it replaced by Evans will be an utter nightmare, so I’d drop them an email with photos and politely ask them what they’d like to do about it. And then see where it goes from there, but I’d accept some money off. If they do offer to replace, then I’d take it.
I’d claim
its not ‘new’
As to wrap - be careful - I’ve read that, as it can pull off the surface on removal (if not heated enough or if heated too much), it can void Specialized warranty. The comments came up on a FB thread for SL owners - pics that starred the thread below - that frame had not been wrapped
Specialized carbon surfaces can flake. I never liked carbon for mountain bikes!
I'd probably take it back tbh. If I'm dropping a considerable amount of money on a shiny, new toy I'd expect it to be shiny and new.
Just to ad, I bought a new Whippet and when it arrived , in a paper thin box, the seat stay had a scuff on it. It just about buffed out but bugged me the whole time I had the bike. If the same happened again it would be going back.
I used to get serious OCB about stuff like this but then found solace in Japanese philosophy:
I'd complain and see if I could get some money back.
A few years ago I bought a Pinnacle Ramin frame and rigid fork from Evans. When it arrived the fork had knocked against the chainstay in transit and chipped some paint off. I complained and got a gift voucher for £30, approx 30% of what I'd paid for the frame and fork.
This was pre Sports Direct take over so things might have changed.