[CR]Opinion needed, ebay gone wild.

(Example: Component Manufacturers)

Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2004 10:45:53 -0500 (EST)
From: "wspokes" <wspokes@penn.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Opinion needed, ebay gone wild.

I need some opinions on an Ebay deal gone wild...

I won a bike on ebay. Reynolds 531 frameset, nicely lugged. The size was somewhat inaccurate in the posting and inaccurate in an email I received. It turned out to be grossly large. Next, it arrived with what I can barely even describe as minimal packing. Foam on both sides of the BB and taped. A fork protector in between that was taped in place. Great. Nothing in the rear dropouts. The box itself was horrible and flexy from being cut down. There was NO other packing inside. It was just floating around the box getting tossed. So, I am upset. I believe I have the right to be upset in this case. The seller agrees on the 21st to refund shipping. I still haven't seen that come back but at this point....? I highly doubt he will make good on this.

So last evening, I am settled down enough to go and look at this bike and see what I can do. I put it up for sale on the list and was going to wipe it off and clean it up. I remove the kickstand to find the rear crimped and crushed under the kickstand. Caveat Emptor? Am I just stuck with this lemon? This isn't even remotely worth the funds I paid for it now and I am really irritated. First, besides ruining the bike cosmetically, it needs a repaint anyway...I would have described the paint and beat up and well used...not as "the usual scratches and blemishes!". Is this frame structurally sound being crimped in that area?

What leg do I have to stand on with this bike? any? any advice appreciated.

Walt Skrzypek
Falls Creek, Pa