Dodgy Practices

[Johan Bornman]

I came across a case of suspicious distributor behaviour yesterday.

 

A customer brought in a GT Avalanche 2.0 - an entry-level mountain bike. The wheels comprise Formula hubs, Jalco rims and unknown (R-stamped)straight-gauge spokes. Arguably entry-level wheels.

 

The wheel bearings and freewheel body needed attention. The freewheel body was in fact, near the end of its life, rumbling like a supressed volcano. The cones have flaked their hardened surface and needed replacement.

 

Simple job but no. The distributor does not support Fomula hubs. His excuse was that Formula doesn't have a ZA agent and won't allow them to keep small parts. We're sorry but we can't do anything for you, he said.

 

So what now?

 

We can sell you an upgrade wheel, he said. OK, how much? R500, he said.

 

Upgrade for R500? Yes, it has a nice brand-name rim on (can't remember now what it was, Alex?).

 

The spokes? Still straight-gauge.

 

And the hubs? Wait for it....Formula.

 

Is this disingenious or what?

[Capricorn]

i take it the distributor in question didnt advertise his products don't come with full afer-sales support...

[covie]

If the bike is still under warrantee the customer should not care weather the distrobuter can support it or not if there is no local support but a valid warrentee they have to replace it with something similar spec.

[Johan Bornman]

I have no idea how old the bike is. It looks newish and the gaurantee could be one route to follow. However, a replacement wheel or hub from a brand they won't support will simply delay the customer's pain.

 

We have the same story with Merida bikes specc'd with Magura forks. No local support and no spares for Magura.

[MobileBikeTec]

Shops in S.A is all about pushing to sell stuff. Go to the bigger shops in the U.K and U.S and you'll see the shop focused more on giving the client a good service and build a customer relationship through the workshop... Thats where our shops is failing, and the reason for that is coz all of them know the've got useless mechanics! I dont know of one shop that advertise a mechanic job that qualification is required.

[MobileBikeTec]

I have no idea how old the bike is. It looks newish and the gaurantee could be one route to follow. However, a replacement wheel or hub from a brand they won't support will simply delay the customer's pain.

 

We have the same story with Merida bikes specc'd with Magura forks. No local support and no spares for Magura.

 

 

Hey Johan, if you ever need Magura parts, give me a shout! I've got most shock/brake spares for most models

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Sounds a little odd, surely if you distribute a line you keep spares for it.?

 

Or how do's it work, will each distributor go back to the local agent with his claim.? Seems like a long tedious process.

 

I mean Toyota dos'nt make wheel bearings, and Suzuki dos'nt make drive chains, but because they distribute the product they supply the entire range of spares, and if you need one they will sell it to you, why is it differant here.?

[Weight Weenie]

Johan give Rush Sports a call (think it's Andre?), they are the local formula agents.

Were very helpfull with all my queries when I wanted to buy new brakes.

 

http://www.formula-brake.it/en/distributors/africa

[Mecnic]

Aren't formula brakes and formula hubs 2 different companies?

[Weight Weenie]

Dunno, I guess thats why there's an issue then ?

Saw on the net Formula are bringing out wheels and a fork, assumed it was the same company...

[Wyatt Earp]

Thats where our shops is failing, and the reason for that is coz all of them know the've got useless mechanics!

That is quite some statement.

[covie]

That is quite some statement.

 

Have to agree just like there are dodgy shops there are dodgy mechanics, but there are some great shops that does deliver great service, trick is to find them

[Mecnic]

This seems to be becoming an interesting thread.

 

In regard to shop,

 

The dodgiest thing I have ssen was one shop actually cut a headtube shorter to accomodate a shorter steerer tube on a fork???

 

I suppose this to can be a dodgy practice aswell pressing out shorter steerer tube with a press and re-pressing in new longer ones.

 

 

What you guys/ladys (I don't discriminate) think?