I have a worse horror story. I bought a Vitus frame and fork from a Dutch eBay seller that was supposedly shipped AIR FREIGHT on Sept 10, 9 1/2 weeks ago, and I still don't have it. The communications have been good, but I think I am going to have to ask for a refund, as I have lost hope of ever receiving it. This is simple incompetence on the part of the Customs Service, or perhaps just arrogant contempt for the public. No amount of inspection can possibly justify a 10 week delay in receiving a parcel. I also suspect there is some theft on the part of Customs employees, as I've had shipments of goods from Canada disappear in the past, long before 9/11. I've never had this occur on US shipments, so I don't think theft by USPS employees is to blame. Oddly, in the time I have been waiting for the Vitus, I received a shipment of two boxes from Renaissance. One box took 4 days more than the other, but the second arrived just one month after shipment, which I've come to regard as pretty fast from Holland. Maybe Customs has opened enough parcels from Renaissance to realize that they are not engaged in the drug trade.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Houston, TX
"kohl57@starpower.net" <kohl57@starpower.net> wrote: Awhile back there was some discussion about the relative merits of Dutch eBay sellers.
Whilst I am reticent to recommend anyone to this list based on my own experience, I took delivery of a TI Raleigh Team Pro yesterday. Yes, the "Gerrie Knetemann" bike that was kicked around a month or so ago. And no, I really don't care who was alleged to have owned or ridden it. It is c. 1975 (SB 159), 59 cm and is Reynolds 753 tubing with what must be 531 forks. Cost me $1176.00
The dealer's eBay handle is: GABGOGH
The good news: excellent communication. Took a plain 'ol personal cheque on an American bank with no nonsense or added "fees". Superb packing job by a cycle shop, no extra charge. Low shipping cost ($70 when the box said 80 euros and thats still lots cheaper than any other UK or European dealer). The company that did the shipping is amazing... this box was totally unmarked, just pristine and perfect. Bike was as advertised. Has mostly non original (or at least later than the frame date) NR components which I plan on replacing with 1st gen. SR if I can get it.
The not so good news: through no fault of the dealer, this took six weeks to be delivered. Why? Same reason I've had stuff from Renaissance Cycles delayed: US customs. Anything from the Netherlands is assumed to be packed with Ectasy or something and they just sit on it forever. You just have to be aware of this potential delay. Apparently all of the bikes from this dealer's auctions destined for the US were equally delayed. And I see one buyer gave the dealer a "Neutral" feedback owing to the delay. Personally, I don't think that's at all fair. But that's just me. He has 180 perfect feedbacks and to blot his copybook over US customs nonsense is bad form methinks.
I would gladly buy from this seller again. Not a recommendation, just an opinion. Mine.
Peter Kohler Washington DC USA
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