Anyone Had Problems With Made To Order British Frames?

JackT was less than happy with my criticism of a frame Ron Cooper built for me. As an ex-collector of British Lightweight Classics, I have a great affection for the small framebuilding firms. I have to say, though, that I have had my share of real dogs. Among the older frames which have been disappointing, I must rate my beautiful Paris Galibier as the worst, closely followed by a small Les Ephgrave which seemed to have a total aversion to climbing hills.
I've also had bad frames built, the worst of which was a Jack Taylor curved seat tube model which I bought for my wife. She rode it three times, then went back to her favourite Stan Pike.
Am I unique in having bad experiences with frame builders, or are there other people who have also had troubles?

kowalski had problems with a whitcomb frame. A search should through it up.

Who's JackT? A forum member or frame builder?

A recent f-up at a well known Derbyshire firm resulted in tika's track frame's seat-stay bridge going awry recently ... too low to get a wheel in, and shipped to customer like that. Sh*t happens I suppose. They've rectified it without quibble.

Who's JackT? A forum member or frame builder?

A forum member

Am I unique in having bad experiences with frame builders, or are there other people who have also had troubles?

I have been having a lot of trouble with my Mercian.
Got a custom build from them not long ago. Ever since i have had the frame it's leaned to the left (noticeably whilst riding no-handed). Took the bike built up to Mercian, who told me that the wheels weren't dished correctly which was DEFINITELY causing the problem.
Took the bike home, got the wheels trued and dished perfectly, and the problem continued. Finally, after loads of friends, family, LBS's etc. troubling over the frame/set-up of bike, i think the problem has finally been located:
Brixton Cycles, have told me it appears that one of the seat stays is a couple of mm longer than the other. One of the track ends is 10mm, the other is 11mm. And the front fork arms are out by about 1mm.
All of these problems are hopefully what is causing the lean (i'm sure that they are). Mercian aren't open till Thurs, but they will be getting a call from me. Hopefully they will offer to pay the cost of posting the frame up to them (they probably won't).
Glad to hear other have had problems with there frames (i mean that in the niceset way possible), just nice to know that i'm not alone in my anguish!!!!!!!!

The above makes me think they ought to have offered to check out the wheels (and subsequently the frame) themselves, really, rather than you having to do it all yourself. They probably won't accept a fault 'til they have tried their own wheels out, then measured up themselves, anyway.

I feel your pain, forms.

Had problems with Mercian recently with my Holdsworth restoration (apart from waiting 14 weeks!).
All in all though, all the problems were sorted out quickly and any cost incurred (posting or LBS charges) were refunded by them.

Would rather there were no problems but at least they were helpful.

Mercian built me a frame that that was four cm too small this after having travel to Derby to be measured by them - I know do my own measuring

In fact I only bought a British frame because everyone on here told me they were SO good - right now I am talking with the Italians - and if that don't work out - I am turning Japanese

they ought to have offered to check out the wheels (and subsequently the frame) themselves, really, rather than you having to do it all yourself.

Yeah, i agree. After the guy had seen the wheels were out of dish, i actually thought he treated me quite badly. He obviously thought i was a mug who didn't know what i was talking about.
I asked him if he could have a go at getting the wheels dished properly so i could ride it and see if it sorted the lean. He worked on both wheels for under 10mins, and charged me £23.50.
In hindsight, i can't believe they didn't check the frame as well. I'm a little ashamed that i didn't force them to, actually. But having been into Brixton Cycles for 10-15 mins, they were able to tell me so much more than Mercian were in over half an hour.
The frame cost enough, i'm just fucked off that i've spent money in petrol, spent a lot of time and effort, not to mention stress. And now i'm going to have to send the frame to them, and hope they can fix the problems, and re-imburse me!

Ok, thought i'd update this (as much to get it off my chest as anything else). I called Mercian today, and spoke with Jeff (the guy who usually measures people up for custom frames). He wasn't around when i took the frame up to Mercian to be checked, which is a shame because he would have probably helped me a lot more than anyone else there. He listened to my entire tale of how distraught i am about the frames lean etc. and offered to send parcel force round tomorrow to pick it up. He said that once they locate the problem, it/they will be fixed. If the problem(s) can't be fixed, they will build me a new frame. I may also be able to change things (like the fork crown) if a new build is required.
Basically, Jeff was awesome, and has totally restored my faith in Mercian. With a bit of luck my frame will be sorted!

... if that don't work out - I am turning Japanese

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWAwrMFtSvM&feature=PlayList&p=7BCFEFABE7145D0E&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=11"]YouTube
- The Vapors Turning Japanese totp2[/ame]

Good to know you're being listened to properly now.