Quote:

---

Insightdriver wrote:
Dave Thompson,

I have a few questions I would like to ask you. It was not clear from the post you made whether you sent the bike back to Calfee and what their response was.

Without having seen the original emails that you mention I would like to know if it was unambiguous. Seems to me, if it was in writing, you could have used that to your advantage.

You said you were "forced," to sell it. Why was that? How were you forced?

I am interested in getting a Calfee and wish to know of the details of your experience.

---

First let me say, having owned three Calfees and my wife still owning one, that the bikes are very good or better.

The basic (in a nutshell) story of my Luna Pro was that after having received it from my LBS I noticed very prominent sanding marks on the crown of the fork. Looked like 40 grit sandpaper had been used. Also noticeable sanding marks on the lugs, and many small voids on the carbon tubes. I'm not an anal person, but these were more than just a little. I e-mailed Stella (Sales Manager at the time, and a person whom I'd had previous contact with) and sent pictures. Basically her response was send it back and Calfee would take care of it. I said that I would like to keep it for the season (this was early March 2003)and send it back at the end of our riding season. She stated that was agreeable with her.

The end of the season comes around, I e-mail Stella, reminding her of what had transpired, with copies of the original e-mails and pictures. Her response to me, in several e-mails, was for me to send the bike to Calfee, they would have a look and then make a determination. What this said to me was that they may, or may not, do what they had said earlier in the year. If they did do what they said they would, fine. But if I were to send the bike to them and they said everything was normal, I would be out the round-trip shipping costs at least, or a charge to refinish the bike at worst. I felt they had reneged on what they had said earlier in the year. Up until that time I was a strong Calfee advocate as many on this forum can testify. I took Calfees apparent rejection of their original offer personally. Because of the way I conduct my business I often expect others to do theirs the same. Calfee didn't, and rather than live with a bike whose company let me down, I was forced (in my way of thinking) to sell the bike at a significant monetary loss.

I cannot recommend Calfee as a company. This one experience with them was negative, and left a very bad taste in my mouth. The person at Calfee who was responsible for this is no longer there and cannot defend herself. I realize there are others whose interactions with Calfee, and Stella, were positive. Mine was not, hence no Calfee for me.

--------------------
Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.

Post Extras