Online bike purchase

[Katana]

Hi guys, just wanted your thoughts on a recent bike purchase from Cycle Exchange. As you may know that last month I bought a second hand bike(Trek Madone SLR 9) and traded in my bike also. Bike at the time of sale was advertised on their website as Trek Madone SLR9.9 2018. Now here are couple of discrepancies I found while I was searching for some original replacement parts on Trek website under bike serial number. Firstly it came as 2017 model and not 2018! Secondly it showed up as 9.0(entry level model)and not 9.9(top tier model). The main difference between two models is that 9.0 came with Ultegra mechanical groupset whereas 9.9 was equipped with Dura-ace Di2. Also 9.9 has one piece integrated handle bars whereas 9.0 came with usual two piece stem handle bars. Also different wheels. Apart from that both bikes share the same frame with proprietary rim brakes.
Right enough when I checked the small sticker on the top tube it does say Madone 9.0 and not 9.9!
At the time of the purchase I did confirm that whether it was 9.9 or else and it was confirmed by an email reply that it was 9.9 as it’s equipped with Dura-ace.
Now the most plausible explanation here is that bike was maybe upgraded later by changing the groupset and handle bar. As for the wheels it has after market Richey carbon wheels too.
To be honest other than that I cannot fault the bike and overall equally happy with the seamless experience with the bike shop. I am not suggesting here that I was deliberately mislead but my expectation was that all due diligence would have been carried out by them before it was put up for sale? I am personally not bothered as such that bike started its journey from the factory as 9.0 and later became 9.9. Equally it doesn’t matter to me if the sticker on the top tube says 9.0 instead of 9.9! However if and when I decided to sell the bike and if the buyer was quite anal about things then it could be an issue!
Therefore do you think I have a case here to claim some money back?
Eagerly awaiting to hear back from you 😊

 

[T4tomo]

Does your bike you received have Dura-Ace Di2 & integrated cockpit handlebars?

 

[PaulSB]

I was wondering the same thing as T4tomo.

Overall under the Sale of Goods Act I would expect to be able to return any item that wasn't supplied as described. You were offered a 9.9, did some due diligence and received a 9.0. It's clearly the supplier's fault. You're able to claim a full refund.

Whether you want to or not is another matter.

 

[Katana]

Does your bike you received have Dura-Ace Di2 & integrated cockpit handlebars?

Yes it did, as mentioned before maybe at some point in the past the previous owner must have decided to upgrade it. So technically it has now got the same components as 9.9. However my point was more along the lines of it being originally as 9.0 when it left the factory and not 9.9!

 

[Katana]

I was wondering the same thing as T4tomo.

Overall under the Sale of Goods Act I would expect to be able to return any item that wasn't supplied as described. You were offered a 9.9, did some due diligence and received a 9.0. It's clearly the supplier's fault. You're able to claim a full refund.

Whether you want to or not is another matter.

Nah to be honest other than that very happy with the bike so not going for refund.

 

[a.twiddler]

You could contact the seller and see what they say. If you're not unhappy with the bike maybe a partial refund, or even a voucher for parts or accessories in consideration might suit you both. Considering that you might have to wait for the appropriate 9.9 in your size in good used condition to turn up, if you sent it back for a full refund you'd be without a bike in the meantime. Realistically, any 8 or 9 year old bike might be expected to have had replacement parts or upgrades by now, so even a bike with the 9.9 sticker might not be as originally built. Ideally, you ought to get what you ordered, but if it wasn't deliberately mis advertised maybe the seller could justifiably refuse to replace it? You won't know unless you ask.

 

[fossyant]

It's the same spec as a 9.9. Thing is it may have started as a 9 and was upgraded by the original buyer over those years. Bonus is you probably have a newer groupset than would have originally been on it.

 

[T4tomo]

I was wondering the same thing as T4tomo.

Overall under the Sale of Goods Act I would expect to be able to return any item that wasn't supplied as described. You were offered a 9.9, did some due diligence and received a 9.0. It's clearly the supplier's fault. You're able to claim a full refund.

Whether you want to or not is another matter.

I'd disagree, sticker aside, he's received, as advertised, a bike in the 9.9 spec.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

You like the bike. It has the spec you want. So just ride it.

When you sell it down the line advertise it as 9.0 upgraded to 9.9 (if indeed it is); won't make much difference to the price of a third-hand bike.

 

[Katana]

You could contact the seller and see what they say. If you're not unhappy with the bike maybe a partial refund, or even a voucher for parts or accessories in consideration might suit you both. Considering that you might have to wait for the appropriate 9.9 in your size in good used condition to turn up, if you sent it back for a full refund you'd be without a bike in the meantime. Realistically, any 8 or 9 year old bike might be expected to have had replacement parts or upgrades by now, so even a bike with the 9.9 sticker might not be as originally built. Ideally, you ought to get what you ordered, but if it wasn't deliberately mis advertised maybe the seller could justifiably refuse to replace it? You won't know unless you ask.

Thanks buddy, words of wisdom 😊

 

[Katana]

It's the same spec as a 9.9. Thing is it may have started as a 9 and was upgraded by the original buyer over those years. Bonus is you probably have a newer groupset than would have originally been on it.

Yep that’s a good point, cheers 😊