rareposter wrote: ↑10 May 2022, 3:42pm
That one won't wash.
The LBS has said "it's a crack, don't ride it".
Sonder / Alpkit have not yet seen the frame and are not in a position to comment on anything.
If he rides the frame and it fails, it'll be entirely his fault for ignoring the advice of the LBS pending inspection by Sonder.
Standard process on warranty is that the manufacturer needs to see it. The request to go to the LBS first may have been a sort of failsafe to ensure that they are actually receiving a potential warranty claim back and not just a slightly scratched frame.
I agree and I think this is exactly why they asked me to bring the bike to the LBS.
Psamathe wrote: ↑10 May 2022, 3:18pm
Maybe highlight that you need a bike for whatever reason (e.g. commuting) and now that they have been notified of the crack, should there be a catastrophic failure resulting in injury you will be holding them liable. Either they accept it is a dangerous fault in which case they replace/refund or they deny it is a fault in which case they must assume liability should the "worst" happen (i.e. you are continuing to ride it based on their maintaining there is no fault and their rejection of your LBS).
I'm not going to threaten them with accident liability as I don't think this will help anyone. I've made my point clear that they have sold me a faulty product that is not fit for their purpose and I'm holding them against their warranty.
I did mention in passing that I have an event that I've paid for in less than 3 weeks and this could be a reason that I lose the entry fee.
Let's see what they come back with tomorrow. Out of the options I gave, I think it makes the most financial sense for them to arrange and send a new frame. It would be more to give a full refund or a full replacement considering they would get back a used bike with a faulty frame.
Although personally I would prefer if they gave a partial refund for the frame so that I have an excuse to buy a frame from elsewhere.