You are reading a single comment by @Sanddancer and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
London Fixed Gear and Single-Speed is a community of predominantly fixed gear and single-speed cyclists in and around London, UK.
This site is supported almost exclusively by donations. Please consider donating a small amount regularly.
@Sanddancer
Maybe a controversial nomination here, particularly coming from someone new around here and he's somewhat of an institution, but Hilarystone.
It’s been 2 weeks since I paid for some handlebars and I haven’t received the bars or a single acknowledgment from him to say he’s received the money or that he’s going to post the bars. I’ve sent a couple of polite PMs since to confirm that he’s received the money and that he’ll be posting the bars, but I’ve had no reply.
You only need to take a look through the pages of visitor messages on his profile to see that this isn’t an uncommon occurrence, with people having waited longer than I have without getting the stuff they’ve paid for. It’s particularly galling since my bike is off the road until I get these. Because of the lack of communication, it’s not like I can even tell him to refund me and I’ll get some bars elsewhere.
I don’t think for a second he’s trying to rip me off or steal my money, but it’s bad trading anyway, especially for someone that’s a proper trader. I could understand a purchase getting missed with all of the sales he must have to deal with, but not ignoring follow up PMs. I’d bet a month’s wages that if I sent a PM asking to buy something, he’d get back to me quickly enough. He’s managed to post half a dozen threads selling more stuff and reply to plenty of other people in the meantime. He’s keen enough to stress that dibs for an item must be followed with a PM and payment the same day…shame his desire for promptness doesn’t work both ways.
So I’m left with no bike indefinitely unless I buy elsewhere in the knowledge that at some point in the future I’m probably going to have some redundant bars turn up that I’ve wasted money on. Poor form.