How do I get bike back from distant bikeshop ignoring me.. PLEASE HELP!

[Noodle]

Hi,
a small trader who used to be reputable adjusted my bike frame last year and fitted it with new components. There were serious issues with the components he chose (eg mismatched changers and gears, wheels not the spec agreed, handlebars way to big for me or the bike) which became clear in the first 100 miles riding the bike. He had been paid in full (1250) and took the bike back to fit the components he had originally agreed to fit, due to complete this in August 2024.

So now he has my money and my custom built frame and all the old components and also in fact my old Cannondale complete in Shimano 600 that I gave him to use for parts. He has lost all the parts that came off my bike (Shimano 105 - Durace plus 3 Mavic MA40s)

I have emailed and phoned and left messages many times now but he doesn't reply. He seems to be ignoring all my attempts at contact.

I'm 200 miles away. If he is sick, or gone bust, it's a long way to go to find he isn't in.

Can anybody please suggest next steps (especially anyone who lives near Shipley who might be able to see if he is still trading.... ). Clearly I have a small claims court claim but I'd like my bike back, and if he's struggling I don't want to be horrible. I was generous initially because he's a small trader. But losing my custom bike was not part of the deal!

If you live near Shipley and are prepared to verify if he is trading, please message me for the name...

[Carlton green]

I do not know if this will help but there might be overlapping information for the OP in this thread: viewtopic.php?p=1852574&hilit=Ellis+briggs#p1852574

[simonhill]

I know you don't want to cause trouble, but it seems they are causing you plenty.

You could try contacting their local Trading Standards Office (Council service).

[nirakaro]

A polite but firm letter warning of impending court proceedings. Sent recorded delivery. Shows you mean business.

[gbnz]

A polite but firm letter warning of impending court proceedings. Sent recorded delivery. Shows you mean business.

+ 1. If you've confidence in your abilities, a face to face meeting does work wonders. Given the distance involved, definitely worth determining what you want beforehand and prearranging the meeting. Does show you mean business, whilst being pleasant in sorting it out (Nb. and worth determining the £'s to be spent, as opposed to £'s it'll cost to sort stuff out, given the distance / cost involved)

In any discipline, have always found a face to face agreement, is by far, the cheapest & the most effective approach.

Don't normally, ever use a cycle shop, but they agreed this week, as did the police (Nb. Disability abuse), supermarket managers (Nb. Substandard products). NHS proved most difficult, being a professional, state monopoly, but they have agreed to what they're to do. Had 3 of the above leave messages today.

Wouldn't place over reliance on judicial / statutory systems. £'s in cost, huge delays & 50/50 chance something might be achieved. Is often cheaper to write off £'s, rather than try the judicial / statutory approach

[rogerzilla]

The no.1 rule in complaining to any organisation is to specify exactly what you want them to do. Compliance is easier for them than thinking about it and prolonging the correspondence, which all costs money. Admittedly this works best for larger organisations where there is probably an ex-gratia limit.

[TrevA]

How did you pay? If by credit card, then consider using the Chargeback service. Contact your card provider and ask them to start a chargeback against the shop.

Or threaten to contact the Police, as they have effectively stolen your donor bike. This worked for a friend of mine, when the local bike shop suddenly ceased trading and went into liquidation.

[cyclop]

I suppose an obvious question is why did you accept and ride the bike at all in the first place.?I had cause to take someone to small claims court .I had booked a bike mechanics course with quite a well known person in biking circles and decided to cancel well within the full refund period.I got excuse after excuse until it twigged......He,s taking me for a mug.I got my refund plus costs.On another occasion,I changed energy supplier who attempted to keep our deposit until threatened with small claims again.Playing hardball worked for me.Persistance,firmness,keep it polite....kid gloves and all that.

[simonineaston]

Hi,
a small trader who used to be reputable adjusted my bike frame…
So now he has my money and my custom built frame and all the old components…
I have emailed and phoned and left messages many times now but he doesn't reply. He seems to be ignoring all my attempts at contact.
I'm 200 miles away. If he is sick, or gone bust, it's a long way to go to find he isn't in.
Can anybody please suggest next steps (especially anyone who lives near Shipley who might be able to see if he is still trading.... ).

As we wend our way towards the Xmas/new year break and therefore, more lost time… I’m wondering how this issue is panning out. Any news, noodle?

[Grldtnr]

Hmmm, I had a small claims, on a motorcycle I bought from a small trader, I tried to sort it out by emails, phone calls, and a face to face meeting, which I had thought had solved the problem, it didn't.
So I went the Small claims court, It was resolved in my favour in the end, I didn't get the full value of the bike back ,or the original bike, but I had enough to go and buy a replacement bike, I had the motorcycle for 4:months before the engine failed, it was a used bike,near enough new.
I appreciate that may not be the outcome you want, you would like your goods back and a refund, which may not be possible,
If you can, have a face to face meet, document what was said and agreed, and if not resolved resort to the Small claims process, it only causes hardship if you have had a relationship with them ,
It's a business , you will need to be hard-nosed and persue it, get a resolution ,then shake hands and forgive.
It isn't about making trouble ,but getting a fair resolution , if they are doing to you , then they are doing down other people.
Once the courts have issued a settlement,they will enforce it, or proceed to prosecute them for failing to comply.

[Steve]

There's at least one other customer with similar difficulties who's recently posted a Google review (unless that's the OP). Small claim is very likely the best way to go.
The company is still trading.

[Cyclewala]

Hi OP, just seen this. I’m in Shipley.

The two well known shops in Shipley (All Terrain and Ellis Briggs) are still trading though EB are open reduced hours and fewer days.

Neither sound like they would provide the bad service described above.

You keep referring to an individual rather than a business, which makes me think you might be dealing with a lone frame builder in Keighley (8 miles away). If so, I’ve got his mobile number.

Pls PM me if you need further help,

[Paulatic]

Neither sound like they would provide the bad service described above.

You keep referring to an individual rather than a business, which makes me think you might be dealing with a lone frame builder in Keighley (8 miles away). If so, I’ve got his mobile number.

Pls PM me if you need further help,

Lots of negative reviews for Ellis Briggs on Google.

[1942alexander]

There is a solo frame repair man in the old Ellis Briggs shop. Ellis Briggs were great but they closed down and this new repair man now works in the shop. When I was last in the shop it was a complete disorganized mess. It didn't give me any confidence in the quality of his work. I think he bought some assets from EB but I don't know if he bought the brand name. If this person has your stuff I can only wish you the best of luck.

[The Path Racer]

Seemed OK to me the last time I popped in, over the summer. I'm local and I happened to be passing. Looked more of a workshop than a retail space. Plenty of tools on display and I think I spotted a lathe or two.
I had a chat with (I guess) that 'repair man'. Seemed knowledgeable and friendly enough.
Of course I've no idea what he's like in terms of his business practice. It's quite possible that he's good at the practical side of the job but lacking in customer relations and the day to day running of the business.