Has anyone tried a bike from Evans then sent it back

[sarahm]

There is a Specialized bike that I would like to try from Evans, none of the bike shops near me have this bike. The problem is is that if I try it and don't like it will i be able to send it back. I know they have a 30 day trial of some bikes but not this one. They say you can send a bike back but only in the condition that it arrived in. I can clean the bike but will that be good enough, I would only try it on a dry day, wouldn't want to get it splattered in mud. Has anyone else sent a bike back to Evans after trying it?

[eileithyia]

Where do you live and is there really not a stockist any nearer? What about the various specialised concept stores?

I confess have never had to send to a bike back but then usually have a pretty good idea of size and what I need, but have never purchased a bike mail order other than years ago when it was handbuilt touring frame.

[PeterJ]

Hi Sarah

I've never bought anything from Evans, but if you bought the bike from them over the internet, or by phone or mail order, you are covered by the UK distance selling regulations (http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/busine ... 698.pdf%20).

Three relevant points:

1. You have 7 days to examine the bike. If you decide you don't want it you have to send it back to them within 7 days. You pay for the return postage.

2. Evans must then refund you (including the delivery charge) within 30 days, irrespective of whether the bike has reached them.

3. You must take 'reasonable care' of the bike. I take this to mean that you can try it out as if you were buying it from a shop (ie, ride it around the street but not take it out on a long day ride). Unless you have damaged it, clearly used it more than just to examine it, or sent it back in a filthy condition, Evans would not be able to claim that you had not taken reasonable care of it. Note that the argument 'we can't sell it as a *new* bike now' carries no weight in law. Even if they think you have not taken reasonable care of the bike, they can't withhold the refund. They can only pursue you separately for recompense.

Of course, this is only what the law says. Evans might still try and be difficult, and you might have to chase them for your refund. But you do have a lot of rights under the Distance Selling Regulations.

Pete

[JohnW]

Where are you Sarah? - isn't there an Evans within reasonable distance of you? Is there another Specialised agent near you?

When you're, shall we say, a little older than average, and you've spent most of your life in the saddle, and you do what many people think of as unimaginable mileage, and everyone in your village only ever sees you on a bike - they ask questions of you - like what bike should they get? - where from? - how much does a bike cost? etc etc etc - and the current favourite is which e-mail establishment is best. I don't really answer, because my answer is to go to a bike shop near you and buy from there.

Younger people think that's ridiculous, but the number of people who ignore the advice, and then call at my door asking what they should do about this, that or the other and what does the doctor mean, when he diagnoses a bruised prostate, by suggesting that the saddle needs looking at?

I know so many people who buy without going to a shop and getting sized up and seated on a suitable bike. Evans have big shops in big towns, and if your Forum focus on a certain ride on the Isle of Wight is a pointer, then you may be an occasional visitor to London, and Evans have a shop just across the road from Waterloo Station.

Good luck with this Sarah - and let us know how it all works out. Buying a bike is a major event - much more personal than a car.

[sarahm]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I live in Hampshire, the nearest is London. The problem I have is that there only seems to be one bike left in my size with Evans. The bike is sold out everywhere else and the new 2011 version is coming in which is £200 extra. By the time I've decided what to do the bike will have probably been sold. I may purchase it and then try one very similar in a local shop.
I did try a Specialized bike about a week ago but is only had flat pedals and I wear cleats, I never realised how much I pull my foot up whilst cycling until my foot kept coming off the pedal, very strange. They did say I could bring my own pedals in and give it another go.

[eileithyia]

No you're right there isn't an evans in the south of england other than London environs, can't believe they have not looked to tap the SW market by having a store in the Southampton area!

I also find it very surprising that the Specialised shop you tried were not willing to change the pedals to something you can ride, it is hardly rocket science and if they cannot do that small job then frankly they do not deserve your business.
Many shops will retain the supplied pedals and do you a deal on the pedals you want.

I am sure Evans returns policy must be favourable and compliant within the law etc., I seriously do not think they would have made it as big as they have if they treated customers shoddily..

Good luck

[Edwards]

If the bike you want in your size at the price you want is only available on line, then my feeling is to get the thing.
Evans do have a bike size calculator on line. I would use this to confirm the size. As others have said Evans would not be such a large online store if they did not have a decent returns policy.
I would phone to check they actually do have stock before placing the order.
To comply with the conditions be careful where you ride it. You should be able to decide if the frame is the right size in a short time, then decide if you need to change the stem and to get the height and handlebar reach right.

[Ivor Tingting]

I bought a Kona Kula from them a couple of years ago through their Spittalfields branch. I did a few test rides of various sizes chosing a slightly larger frame size as opposed to the one that felt ....well smaller. After one week I was convinced I had made the wrong choice of frame size as the bike felt ...... big, so took it back to exchange it for the smaller frame. They were fine about it. I was pleased I did, as I now have a much more manoevrable and enjoyable bike to ride. Though I had to fit a longer seat post that's all, a Thompson 390mm which I got on eBay for £40 new. Evans wouldn't do a deal on the seat post or pedals. I wasn't too bothered as the price I got the bike for was quite a reduction in their end of season sale and Konas are pretty nice bikes for the price. I didn't use couriers but went down on the train on both occasions. I guess I am the same distance north of London as you are south. The south coast to London is only one hour by train anyway. I would go in person if you want the bike that much. They will reserve it for you which is what they did for me.

The bike that I took back I only rode on clean dry roads near my house as I was wary of getting it dirty meaning Evans may have declined to exchange it. I didn't take it on any downhill black runs or ride muddy tracks.

[groberts]

Not sure where you are in Hampshire but if you could get across to Gatwick (not far from Hampshire), Evans have their main warehouse and shop there; I also find it less frantic than the London branches and easier and more pleasant to do business and look around – of course as the main warehouse it has everything on the spot too. Don’t know what bike you’re looking at but I was recently there with my daughter for a ladies Specialized Dolce – which was soon to be replaced by the 2011 version (sounds familiar!) – they also had some very good Scott and Trek alternatives though. If this is the type of bike you are considering a trip to Gatwick could be worthwhile, just a thought. Bye the way, if you are not aware they will also give 10% discount to CTC members.