Bike Stolen @ Single Track Hazeldean

[VT-2]

 

Hi Everyone,

 

Went to Single Track at the Hazeldean shopping centre to pick up my bike that went in for a fork service. Whilst waiting I was informed that they could not find my bike. They suspected they could have given it to the wrong person.

 

I had to get back to work and told them to phone me. I mentioned that I am leaving later that day for Algeria and that I hope we could sort things out before then - at least confirm what has happened. They phoned me about two hours later to inform me that my bike was stolen from their wash area at the back and that their security company captured it on cctv footage (or showed it to them).

 

(My bike is a Giant VT2 that is insured for 10k although it cost me about 15k five years ago.

 

I phoned my insurance company which told me we both had to go and register a case with the police. I was in a hurry to get to the airport but still stopped at the police station.

 

Before leaving I also phoned single track and told them that I was going to the police station and what my insurance company told me.

 

After completing the forms the station commander stopped me and told me I should not fill in the form. He told me they should register a case or claim from their insurance since I will loose all the way by claiming (higher premiums). He told me it was their responsibility and they lost my bike.

 

Any way I was late and had to go to the airport. I decided to write an email to single track from the airport informing them that I did not register a case and will not be claiming. I told them they should claim from their insurance or claim through mine...

 

After failing to get back to me I had to write them another email this morning. They responded saying they take no responsibility and that their insurance told them I should claim since it is my bike. They offered to assist with this and help with getting a new bike as cheap as possible.

 

I must also mention that they did not provide me with any job card containing any disclaimers.

 

I feel I am losing double here - a bike, higher premiums and having to go through all the trouble of registering a case etc.

 

Any advice?

 

Anyone had a similar experience?

 

I will only be back in the country on Thursday  and hope to speak to them face to face then. But so far I cannot say that I am very happy with single track...

 

VT-22010-06-15 12:49:27

[VT-2]

I forgot to mention I went to pick up the bike last week Friday (morning).

[Cassie]

How can they not take responsibility?

You have left the bike in their good care to fix etc. etc.

Give'em horns!!

 

It will take some effort from your side, but do not just roll over....it is what they expect you to do!!

 

Blixems!!

[Mojoman]

To me that is negligence of the shop and they should hold themselves responsible, how could they just leave expensive bikes unattended in an area where there is potential theft? Mojoman2010-06-15 13:02:18

[DownhillGuru]

.....and I live right next door to Hazeldean!

Ok. This is not cool. It would be in both your and Single Track's best interest to communicate. You're obviously peeved at their response to the issue. It would appear that they're trying to get off lightly. I'm looking forward to their comments.

 

VT-2 Don't back down brother. I don't think that a waiver (which may appear on their wall somewhere) will cut it if you go the legal route.

 

In my opinion you should have laid a charge of theft whether you were going to claim from your insurance or not!

 

Singletrack - do the right thing here and correct this situation!

 

Did they really have the 'sorry, it's not our problem' attitude? Unbelievable!

 

Guys! Communicate, communicate. Sooner rather than later!

 

Steve

 

 

 

 

[baie-sukkel]

Thanks for the heads-up, I will not support them again !!!!

[DownhillGuru]

Thanks for the heads-up' date=' I will not support them again !!!![/quote']

 

No Boet, don't judge them so easily.

 

I've never supported them 'cos they don't cater for my riding discipline, but the one day I did walk in there, I had the most awesome reception. Friendly, receptive and very keen to help me.

 

So lets give them a chance to fix things (which I'm sure they'll do) before anyone passes judgment.

 

Furthermore, as an owner of a (small) business, I know how tough it is 'out there' right now. Chances are that their cash flow really doesn't need s#!t like this right now (hope I'm wrong).

 

They shouldn't have any problem claiming from their insurance? unless they don't have the right cover? doh!!

 

Maak reg.

 

I'm sure we'll see a positive outcome to this.

 

[Weight Weenie]

I know the owner quite well, Bennie, real stand up guy, so one wouldn't expect something like this from him. Think I'll chat to him so he can post, one needs his side of events as well.  

Think you must perhaps talk to the mall managers as well as their security and look at the tapes yourself to see what really happened.

 

Hope you get this resolved as I've always wondered what would happen if thye broke into a shop and stole my bike when it was there for a service....

[VT-2]

Hi Everyone,

 

I plan to speak to the owner when I get back on Thursday. I think I have been diplomatic so far and have only stated the facts.

 

I understand the pressure of a small business and that times are tought now. However sometime last year a optometrist lost my evil eyes with the lense insert. Someone also stole it from the shop. They had no problem replacing the glasses with a brand new pair. I agreed to pay for the original broken piece that I wanted repaired.

 

Ok, it is not a bike but for me that was a far better attitude.

 

I dont expect a new dual suspension bike from single track but just to at least help with the insurance - claim from mine or theirs. 10k vs 20k+ is a huge compromise on my side. Even if they get a bike at cost I will have to fork out a bit just to have a bike again...

 

Any way lets see what they say. I had good service up to this point and they certainly appear to be a good bunch from the few visits I have made to the shop.

 

[Mr. G]

So lets hear from the owner, sounds like bad business practice.

[VT-2]

I also think there is a difference between a robbery at gun point or when they break into the store VS your bike getting stolen from their wash bay. It is more negligence than anything else...

 

I have his reply on email in black & white. I will give him an opportunity to respond but otherwise I will post it here...

 

 

 

[mtb_Josh]

wow, thats not good. I would be really upset and would probably be throwing my toys at this point. Don't roll over, keep at them as you are in the right. I was considering starting using singletrack as my LBS as I think they offer better service than the other shop I use, but now I'm not so sure...

[The expat cyclist]

DAMN!

 

I live in PTA east "almost" next door to Single Track. And like WW said, Bennie is really a good guy. Hannes as well. I have had my bike there for a shock service and recently some new wheel bearings. Never had problems.

 

I'd like to hear their side of the story as well.

 

This is bad...But then again, it could have happened anywhere...

[99rs250]

VT-2, I`m rooting for you here, that doesnt sound like good business practice. They should also have at least registered the case too because it was stolen from their premises. LBS needs support from the community, and i have also dealt with them and agree they are a great bunch of dudes. But having said that, if this is how they treat the customer when it really counts, what does it mean for the rest of us if something happens?

I think this will work out in the end, maybe it was just a stressful Friday because of the World cup!

[Singletrack Cyc]

Hi Helgard,

Lets discuss this issue once you're back and see how we can best deal with it.

It seems we are all getting different advice from the parties involved eg your insurance, my insurance, the police etc., please let us agree on a plan forward once you're back.

I think it is very unfortunate that you decided to publicly humiliate us before we could even start sorting this out, but that is your choice. The crime situation in South Africa is not our fault, shoplifting happens on daily basis, even at other bike shops. I have called a number of local shops and they have all had cases like this before, sometimes negligence and sometimes not. You simply blaming us and making demands before we have even assessed all the alternatives is quite disturbing, and in my mind, unfair.

Looking forward to resolve this issue as soon as possible.

[gummibear]

Hi Helgard' date='

Lets discuss this issue once you're back and see how we can best deal with it.

It seems we are all getting different advice from the parties involved eg your insurance, my insurance, the police etc., please let us agree on a plan forward once you're back.

I think it is very unfortunate that you decided to publicly humiliate us before we could even start sorting this out, but that is your choice. The crime situation in South Africa is not our fault, shoplifting happens on daily basis, even at other bike shops. I have called a number of local shops and they have all had cases like this before, sometimes negligence and sometimes not. You simply blaming us and making demands before we have even assessed all the alternatives is quite disturbing, and in my mind, unfair.

Looking forward to resolve this issue as soon as possible.

[/quote']