*Pro Cycles* and MiWay - Where there's smoke...

[hayleyearth]

I say *Pro Cycles* because it is NOT the shop in Benoni, but an independent name that Ian McKechnie operates under according to the owner of Pro Cycles, Paul Farrance (so please let us maybe rather use Ian than Pro Cycles when referring to a relationship to MiWay). 

 

I am busy compiling my email with all facts to MiWay, and will put my full story here when I am done, but in the meantime I would like to hear all the stories from other hubbers please. (In short, Ian went ahead and did 'repairs' to my Aluminium frame (bending) without the claim even being authorised yet and me not knowing about the procedure they will follow - hence now I can not even get second opinions).

 

I know there are stories between these two companies under these threads below already, but I think we need to put it all here to see if there is a fire. Something seems unprofessional to me and I am ready to dig deeper.

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/153538-bicycle-insurance-help/page-10

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/155386-miway-insurance-claim-goes-one-way/page-8?hl=procycles&do=findComment&comment=2750195

 

 

[Skylark]

Good luck, seems like Miway claims dept found a "cheap" service provider for bicycle related claims.

 

There must be something in the policy that gives you some latitude of choice with the service provider, like you can demand "VW approved" panelbeater to repair a VW, not whatever dodgy workshop they contract in?

[eddy]

H

 

Can you not get someone who does non destructive testing to assess your frame after the "repair"?

 

I don't believe that the aluminum can be cold bent in two directions without the stresses being discernible.

[DIPSLICK]

I use a guy in Cape Town who does analysis, point of origin failure,he is very good and very busy reasonably priced, (for his skills) he has done a few technical reports on bearing failures. If you want I'll forward you his details, I believe he is a roadie also, he is often in joberg, we once had an accident that would have been exponential and his findings were bullet proof, if you want to throw money at something it might be worth a phone call, pm me if you want his details, don't know if the frame would justify the costs but sometimes you just need to say vaaaark it, this is wrong someone must stop it

[raptor]

my story, my mavic cosmic carbone is damaged took it in to cycle centre and was told it can't be repaired so, I maid a claim with miway about 6 days later they phoned and said I should go to cwc for a quote. got the quotation for wheel then the following day I received a call from miway to say that they found a cheaper quote in jhb from procycles to repair my wheel that is without them seeing the wheel. Got a call from velosport in Paarl to say that they have been contacted to get my wheel and repair it. Received my claim authorization mail that states procycles in Benoni is the service provider.

[Bub Marley]

Pretty sure they're not allowed to force you to use their repairer. They can recommend an repairer but as a consumer you're allowed freedom of choice.

[Rocket-Boy]

Good luck, seems like Miway claims dept found a "cheap" service provider for bicycle related claims.

 

There must be something in the policy that gives you some latitude of choice with the service provider, like you can demand "VW approved" panelbeater to repair a VW, not whatever dodgy workshop they contract in?

I think this is the most valid point here, what kind of approval or scrutiny is the repairer subject to?

It sounds like its a case of you just have to accept that his opinion is correct and that you cant claim otherwise.

[Patchelicious]

Also ask them if the repairer then carries a warranty on their work, as you might lose manufacturer warranties if repaired....

[raptor-22]

Manufacturer warranty went out the window after the product was damaged

[andydude]

Manufacturer warranty went out the window after the product was damaged

 

That is why you should get a new frame?

 

With a bicycle they should put you in the same position as before and your bicycle is insured at new value and not second hand/replacement?

[Procycles]

Hi there Guys, the new Paul Farrance Procyles Here! (Recently new to Bike Hub)

 

Please feel free to give us a shout here!

 

As mentioned above the "New" Procycles doesn't deal with MiWay at all, If we get a query from either them or their clients we forward them straight to Ian McKechnie.

 

Again, please send a mail to Josh@Procycles.co.za or post here!

 

We'd be more than willing to help out when and where we can!

 

Happy Riding! 

[CAAD4]

Welcome Paul, long time....

[hayleyearth]

Tomorrow it is 3 weeks since my frame and other parts (see spread sheet below) has left my side and I am still without a bicycle and even without the damaged parts.

I have never witnessed such unprofessionalism from claimed professionals in my life. Honestly.

 

I have even been very polite and trying to be understanding through this whole process and I think I have followed all the right steps too (I am sure Paul can also say this from my conversation with him on the phone), but honestly I am close to cracking point.

 

The value of parts in Ian from *Pro Cycles* possession:

 

What has left me shocked this morning is that 2 days ago Ian contacted me to arrange delivery of my frame with parts (not fixed because I did not accept the 're bend of the AL swing arm' and I have to order parts from USA myself which I don't/never mind doing myself anyway). I replied the next morning to give him my work address as I assume those hours to drive is more desirable than after hours and I never heard back from him to say when he planned to come or or or....the rest can be seen in the email I just sent MiWay:

 

The emails between Ian and myself the last 2 days (as in the attachment in the email above):

 

And then the last couple of emails between me and MiWay the last few weeks....here you can clearly see that I have been following up more than receiving information back:

 

(the last email on the last attachment was actually me forwarding a picture to the MiWay consultant that was dealing with the claim AFTER she approved the 're bend fix' but actually never saw what was wrong with the bike although she said she had a damage report....).

 

I will be adding the content of those emails here soon. It is actually scary to think that in most of my emails sent to MiWay writing all the details down I had 3 MiWay managers on copy (2x Claims Managers and 1x new customers or something like that) and this morning it was the 1st time any of them replied after all the issues.

 

Lets see where this go. *breath in and out Hayley-Ann and count to 10 (a thousand times)*

[jimmycool]

Tomorrow it is 3 weeks since my frame and other parts (see spread sheet below) has left my side and I am still without a bicycle and even without the damaged parts.

I have never witnessed such unprofessionalism from claimed professionals in my life. Honestly.

 

I have even been very polite and trying to be understanding through this whole process and I think I have followed all the right steps too (I am sure Paul can also say this from my conversation with him on the phone), but honestly I am close to cracking point.

 

The value of parts in Ian from *Pro Cycles* possession:

value.jpg

 

What has left me shocked this morning is that 2 days ago Ian contacted me to arrange delivery of my frame with parts (not fixed because I did not accept the 're bend of the AL swing arm' and I have to order parts from USA myself which I don't/never mind doing myself anyway). I replied the next morning to give him my work address as I assume those hours to drive is more desirable than after hours and I never heard back from him to say when he planned to come or or or....the rest can be seen in the email I just sent MiWay:

miss call.jpg

 

The emails between Ian and myself the last 2 days (as in the attachment in the email above):

claim.png

 

And then the last couple of emails between me and MiWay the last few weeks....here you can clearly see that I have been following up more than receiving information back:

emails_2.jpg

emails_1.jpg

 

(the last email on the last attachment was actually me forwarding a picture to the MiWay consultant that was dealing with the claim AFTER she approved the 're bend fix' but actually never saw what was wrong with the bike although she said she had a damage report....).

 

I will be adding the content of those emails here soon. It is actually scary to think that in most of my emails sent to MiWay writing all the details down I had 3 MiWay managers on copy (2x Claims Managers and 1x new customers or something like that) and this morning it was the 1st time any of them replied after all the issues.

 

Lets see where this go. *breath in and out Hayley-Ann and count to 10 (a thousand times)*

Shame Hayley, I hope you can get everything sorted soon and back on the trails.

I know for sure where I won't be going for insurance ever.

[Patchelicious]

Maaaaybe this is a sign that you should stick to Carbon Road bikes

[GLuvsMtb]

Its a real shocker! Is there no way that you can take them to the insurance ombutsman for resolution of this claim?

http://www.osti.co.za/