Bike held hostage! Any trained negotiators here?

[Sara_H]

I got the OH an old Dawes Galaxy for his birthday in July.

Being an old bike it needed a few bits and pieces sorting, including something to do with the cranks which I don't understand.

We took it toa bike mechanic nearby - we've used him numerous times before and always been very happy.

Anyhow, quite soon he was saying that he couldn't get the parts, he'd ordered a part and it didn't fit blah blah blah. It got to the point where we realised he was taking the widdle and asked for it back, every time we've arranged to pick it up he's found a reason to cancel. Last week he couldn't find the peddles. Rearranged pick up for today, he's just text to say he'd forgotten it was valentines day and e's got to take his Mrs out, so we can't pick it up.

I'm going to shock you now and tell you that he's had our bike since SEPTEMBER!!!!!

Any top tips for getting back? Without causing a breach of the peace?

And if you're reading, bike mechanic man - we've found another bike repairer who is better than you - you wont be getting anymore bike buisness from us!

 

[Kies]

Breach of the peace time!!!

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Park outside his premises then call him on your mobile, when he answers walk up to his door and demand your bike back if he refuses tell him you will call the police if you dont get it back in the next 5 mins then leave with bike

 

[Radchenister]

Could call on my mate 'Big Dave' and a few of the other 'trained' negotiators from the rugby club?

They're certainly trained, not necessarily in negotiating ... but they'll get your bike back!

 

[Kies]

I reckon he has turned it around and sold it

 

[Sara_H]

Park outside his premises then call him on your mobile, when he answers walk up to his door and demand your bike back if he refuses tell him you will call the police if you dont get it back in the next 5 mins then leave with bike

Don't really need to - he only lives round the corner! But he's always had an excuse not to hand t over that would be difficult not to challenge without causing offence.
I suspect he either asn't got the bike or he's damaged it in some way, so a confrontation is imminant. I hate confrontation.

 

[PaulB]

Don't really need to - he only lives round the corner! But he's always had an excuse not to hand t over that would be difficult not to challenge without causing offence.
I suspect he either asn't got the bike or he's damaged it in some way, so a confrontation is imminant. I hate confrontation.

He's the one causing offence so why you'd be reticent after getting on for six months is beyond me. He's abusing your tolerance and easy-going attitude. I LOVE confrontation, me and enjoy wading in to situations like this. My mother taught me the right way and the only way to deal with these matters and it's never let me down. If you can't do it face-to-face, then e-mail him or send him a letter, registered mail telling him you are getting the police involved as this is clearly a matter of theft. And why haven't you named and shamed him on here? We all need to know who's good and who to avoid.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Don't really need to - he only lives round the corner! But he's always had an excuse not to hand t over that would be difficult not to challenge without causing offence.
I suspect he either asn't got the bike or he's damaged it in some way, so a confrontation. is imminant. I hate confrontation.

I fix computers for a living and I have seen this sort of thing happen a few times, where a customer takes a pc into a computer shop and they sit on it for ages or demand a large sum of money to return it and I always tell them to march round there and demand it back and it they refuse either call the police or report them to Trading Standards.

I know you dont like confrontation, most people dont, but the the longer you leave it the harder it will be.

 

[brucers]

Have you seen it in that time? I'd certainly go in the shop (with someone) and get him to show it to you at the very least....I wonder if he's done some irrepairable damage to it. Don't leave till he has, keep talking to him when other customers come in. If he does bring the bike out don't let go of it!

 

[EltonFrog]

Is this person a legitimate business/shop? I wonder what his game is?

Go and get the bike. It looks alike confrontation is unavoidable, but try and do it politely.

 

[Sara_H]

He's the one causing offence so why you'd be reticent after getting on for six months is beyond me. He's abusing your tolerance and easy-going attitude. I LOVE confrontation, me and enjoy wading in to situations like this. My mother taught me the right way and the only way to deal with these matters and it's never let me down. If you can't do it face-to-face, then e-mail him or send him a letter, registered mail telling him you are getting the police involved as this is clearly a matter of theft. And why haven't you named and shamed him on here? We all need to know who's good and who to avoid.

Oooh. Can you come round please?

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Avoid confrontation by sending a registered letter, then a solicitors one, then the courts....you'll get money for your time spent as well. He loses, no confrontation needed.

 

[SquareDaff]

If you don't like confrontation and you assume the previous reasons are legitimate then ring him back and arrange another date and time for as soon as possible. State clearly that you've been let down, that this isn't acceptable, that you expect that appointment to be kept and not cancelled and that you expect the return of your bike in whatever state it may be in. Stress that this will be the last time you will be this reasonable.

That's your starting point anyway. If that doesn't work then it's time to take advice from Trading Standards and/or the police. As others have said, if there's no legitimate reason for him to be holding onto your property then it's theft!

 

[Sara_H]

Is this person a legitimate business/shop? I wonder what his game is?

Go and get the bike. It looks alike confrontation is unavoidable, but try and do it politely.

He works from home in his basement, but seems to be a bonafide buisness. I've used his services for a few years with no problem, though he did once keep one of my bikes for a couple of weeks "waiting for parts".
We haven't seen the bike since we left it there. I suspect he's damaged it, and is too scared to fess up.

 

[Radchenister]

Seriously now, IMO confrontation is not required, assertitive action is different to confrontation. I would tell him he's had it a fair while now and that you'd like it back and push for an immediate time within hours, if he wriggles, ask him in a straight forward but 'parental' sort of tone if there's a problem he needs to tell you about - there is no way he has any right to be offended: it's your bike not his, if he reacts badly the issue is his not yours. I would stay calm and simply deal with it, no need for excessive emotions, it's a cut and dry thing to sort out.