Barry,
Did you purchase this through eBay or privately. If through eBay you might file a complaint, although I'm not sure how really good eBays buyer protection plan is, but it's worth a try.
Regards, Peter ~~~~~
Peter Naiman Alias Hetchinspete Owner: Cream City Online. Registered Ebay Sales Broker/ Trading Assistant Glendale, WI USA 53217-5034
From: Marc St. Martin <marc.stmartin@earthlink.net> Subject: Re: [CR] damaged Bates received in the mail from the UK To: "pbbikes" <pbbikes@gmail.com>, "classic" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Date: Saturday, February 26, 2011, 1:13 PM
Barry,
In 2004, I purchased a Bates Vergrandis from a seller in the UK who represented the frameset as only having "surface rust." Well, when I took it to my frame painter, he stripped it and confirmed that the seat stays (yeah, those pencil-thin ones) were pretty much Swiss cheese with rust. It's still in his shop and has become a wall decoration ;^) I don't remember how much I was into it, but with shipping it was a good amount. Well, there are lots of neat bikes out there and I have since moved on!
Marc St. Martin Livermore, California USA
-----Original Message-----
>From: pbbikes <pbbikes@gmail.com>
>Sent: Feb 26, 2011 10:50 AM
>To: classic <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
>Subject: [CR] damaged Bates received in the mail from the UK
>
>Hey Guys. I just bought an early Bates BAR froma seller in the UK. i had a
>friend ship the bike to me. The finish is rough, what I expected ad it was
>going to be my commuter.
>
>As i was going over the bike i noticed a sort of hole/crack near the bottom
>of the right seatstay. barsically one of the fender mounting studs had been
>ripped off leaving an indent, that looks like asemicircle crack/dent
>
>The stays on these bikes are pencil thin.
>
>im over 200 pounds and will be riding on a dirt road with bags and racks
>
>the seller admitted to knowing about it but didnt think it was a big deal in
>mentioning it.
>
>Were being cordial at thois point but he wants me to go through all kinds of
>pics and having pros look at it and all that,.
>
>i paid alot for the bike -not cheap at all- so i expected a turn key
>operation.
>
>Any one know about having these Bates seat stays repaired. findinga proper
>fender brazeon is a bear im sure .
>
>In this position im gonna get screwed either way. I have to have it
>repaired which sucks time wise nd no garuntee i'l get money for it. Its
>chrome so gonna look like butt.
>
>The other option is to send it back which i'll eat $100 on shipping im sure,
>the seller pointed out t me that he used the money on a new apartment-not
>really my concern but sounds like he doesnt want to retur my loot.
>
>bog deal like i saidim on the north side of $1000 for this F & F
>
>Anybody have some suggestions or similar experiences.
>
>ciao Barry Scott
>mount shasta ca usa