A sad end to a sorry tale

The Witcomb is being returned for a refund.

I had an exchange of views with Barrie this morning which left me with no other option.

After sixteen weeks and a lot of phone calls Project Witcomb bites the dust.

The frame was originally delayed with a paint problem, and had to be returned to the enameller.

When it was finally ready I collected it, but when I got it home I found one of the lugs on the fork crown was poorly dressed. When I removed the fork I found it rattled too. The fork was returned and more time elapsed. I was told that a new one was being made, but when I collected it last night it was clear that the old fork had been poorly repaired and repainted.

I phoned Barrie this morning, and his immediate reaction was "I don't know why you don't just ride the bloody thing! I build frames and you're quibbling over a bit of finish."

Shortly followed by "You're annoying me now, just bring it back and I'll give you your money back."

So that's the end of that.

shit kowalsi, like many on here, i have followed your witcomb trials and tribulations with some interest. you get a consoling pint from me next time i see ya.

have you started thinking of your plan B? or is too early yet?

That's horrific. Apologies for your loss and I hope you can find a suitably beautiful replacement from a company who understand people.

Please accept my condolences... was insanely jealous that you had planned to get one of the last olde skoole frames. Damn.

sorry to hear that, I've been following your witcomb saga on the forum, and it feels like Barry has betrayed your trust and faith in his whole operation, maybe you can invest the cash in a bob jackson or a mercian.
Another bastard thing about this whole saga is the fact that whichever route you choose to go down, its still going to take a while to get the bike up and running...

what splendid customer serivce. what fools they are at witcomb

Well fuck them.

What a great shame! Can't believe he said that. Surely it's in his interest to sell the bike. The thing is, that bike which was made especially for you is gonna get flogged to someone else. £££
Is there no way round it? I'm not siding (and after your ordeal, I guess you don't want a bike advertising 'witcomb') but is it worth trying to reach an agreement? It might've been his 'time of the month' and you never know what's going on behind the scenes. Can you get a reduction and buy without the forks?
After everything...it sad for you both to part company on such a downer.

I've never seen so much focus on a forum regarding one bike maker. They need to sort it out!

how much to buy it off you instead of sending back??

it seems he/they are not bothered about the publicity witcomb are getting....first the huge price change and then this....fortunately no one is going to have to experience poor customer service from them anymore because no one can afford them.

plenty more bikes in the sea....

There are load in the river, I see them all at low tide.

No dogs that is not where I got my bike from.

aidan plenty more bikes in the sea....

There're bike in the sea? Where? Shotgun!

As this thread:
http://www.londonfgss.com/discussion/1715/witcomb-cycles/

Is on the first page of Google Results for "Witcomb Cycles", perhaps you want to document your experience in there?

TheBrick(Tommy) There are load in the river, I see them all at low tide.

No dogs that is not where I got my bike from.
you sure, i'm positive the sand in the frame had to come from somewhere!

ohhh dave.....i was unaware that url is http://fglondon.com as well as the normal one....did i miss a post somewhere describing this?

It's balest to slow me down so I don't leave you for smoke.

That's a real shame. It's not the first time that I've heard of less than ideal customer service from Witcombe. It's pretty unacceptable at any price but makes a real mockery of their new pricing scheme.

jonny shit kowalsi, like many on here, i have followed your witcomb trials and tribulations with some interest. you get a consoling pint from me next time i see ya.

have you started thinking of your plan B? or is too early yet?

cornelius blackfoot
Another bastard thing about this whole saga is the fact that whichever route you choose to go down, its still going to take a while to get the bike up and running...

To get back on the road I'm probably going to pick up a Fuji, so if I have to wait for an ordered frame or wait for eBay to throw one up at least I'm mobile again. Then prob sell the Fuji later.

Momentum That's a real shame. It's not the first time that I've heard of less than ideal customer service from Witcombe. It's pretty unacceptable at any price but makes a real mockery of their new pricing scheme.

As does Barrie's remark that I was being overly concerned with the finish.

Which is what the New Model Witcomb is selling us....

Prices have been cut by 10%, btw.

So now they're only 90% overpriced? :)

to quote from witcomb cycles home page

Our legendary steel bicycles. We aim hand-make the best bicycle possible for you.

as well as getting Borat to write and build the website it sounds like they're letting him have a go at the 'before they were art' era frames

what would tony 'dafoney' maloney make of Barries apparent lack of regard for the visual arts. tsk tsk

[Shitter for you tho Mr K.... sorry you didn't get the bike you were waiting for]

bad news man, after the dolan, now this..

it must be dark not having a bike..

v sorry to hear that, K.

Let's hope plan B works out better for you.

Plan G is afoot....

Should be back on the road by Saturday.

Impulse buys. Sod this "everything comes to those who wait."