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MountainBikeReview.com's Forum Archives - - Passion -
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Ellsworth, being a pain... (10 posts)
|  Ellsworth, being a pain... | phishin
Mar 27, 2002 12:41 PM | | Im about to buy a new frame. My top pick is the Ellsworth Isis. The problem is that all the parts are going to come off my current bike, making it useless. My frame is fitted with a brand new AD-12 (only 10-20 rides on it). I called Cane creek and they confirmed that with some new spacers and a new valve assembly ($25) my AD-12 would fit the Isis perfectly. So I e-mailed Ellsworth and told them what the situation was and that Id like to purchase the bike without a shock for a reduced price. They said, "because their bikes were fitted with shocks that were built custom for them" that they could not. That, of course, is a load of BS because Cane creek makes a shock that is spec'd on that bike and they have assured me, again, that, with a new valve, my shock will match the Isis' shock perfectly.
Is Ellsworth being uncooporative here, or is it just me?
I guess I could go with the other bike that is spec'd with this size shock. Its not an ellsworth though, its a Titus SB.
Maybe Ellsworth has gotten large enough to not give a $}{!+ about taking care of its customers on a personal level.
Im not knocking Ellsworth products, I just dont see them going the extra mile anymore like I hear they use to or like Titus, or Intense would.
Any opinions? |
| Just sell the old frame WITH the shock. . . | Stick
Mar 27, 2002 12:47 PM | | and use the money to offset the cost of the Isis.
You said yourself the old frame would be completely useless (to you) anyway, so why not sell it for whatever you can get.
It's the logical thing to do. You'll get a BRAND NEW shock with no retrofitting necessary, and how much are you expecting Ellsworth to knock off of the price anyway? $100? Unless your old frame is completely trashed, you'll easily be able to recover that much from the sale of the frame and AD-12.
$0.02 |
| old frame in bad condition | phishin
Mar 27, 2002 1:09 PM | | My LBS here sells specialized frames without the shock for a couple bills less than the retail. I figure Ellsworth would do about the same.
Anyway, I would have no problem with this at all except for the fact that the shock is brand new. My old frame is worth about the price of the shock. Its pretty battered, hence the need for the Isis frame.
thanks for the input though,
JB |
| retail vs. wholesale value. . . | Stick
Mar 27, 2002 1:34 PM | | Ellsworth is not in the business of selling shocks. Your LBS can knock off 'a couple bills' when selling a frame w/o shock because they can sell the shock for close to its retail value and turn a profit off both the frame and shock.
For example, suppose they buy a brandX frame from the manufacturer for $600 and the frame comes w. an AD-12. They list the frame and shock for $1000. Customer buys the frame without the shock for $800. Shop nets $200 on the frame sale, and still has a shock they can toss in the display case w/ a $240 price tag.
All Ellsworth can do w/ the shock you don't want is use it on another frame. At best, all they can be expected to deduct from their price is their wholesale cost for the shock. Guessing, but wholesale for the AD-12 is probably ~$140. Maybe less. |
| besides | Steve-O
Mar 27, 2002 1:01 PM | | Having an extra air shock is a good thing with full suspension bikes. The CC shock is pretty trusty; however, if it goes down then you've always got a spare. |
| looks in wallet... | phishin
Mar 27, 2002 1:11 PM | | not as useful as this $200 here. I like to refer to this green stuff as rent money :) CC Warrantees shocks in 3 days anyway, they are a great company.
JB |
| I would talk to E on the phone. | Biking Viking
Mar 27, 2002 1:18 PM | | It's a much more efficient communications channel for discussions than e-mail.
BV |
| Ellsworth, heard similar story... | Cucucachu
Mar 27, 2002 1:31 PM | | Was at my LBS comparing the Ellsworth Id vs. the Turner XCE. The owner said he is discontinuing his Ellsworth line. He said the Ellsworth isn't a lesser quality bike, but he is loosing customers because Ellsworth's poor post-sale service. He said Turner is still looking for the return customer... |
| re: Ellsworth, being a pain... | WarrGuru
Mar 27, 2002 2:48 PM | | Ellsworth probably orders the same amount of shocks as frames he intends to build. If he takes care of you and sells the frame w/o the shock, then he has a tiny bit of extra work to keep track of the extra shocks (for ordering purposes).
Having said that, for what Ellsworth charges for the frame, you'd think he would go the extra foot and give you what you want.
Now that I've said all that......Don't screw yourself. If you really have your heart set on that frame, bite the bullet and get it with the shock.....So you'll have a spare for emergencies.
If, on the other hand, you are concerned about after sales service from Ellsworth.....then you have to do some more thinking. Never buy something from someone that you don't trust. If you do, and something goes wrong....even something that really isn't their fault, you'll kick yourself.
Just my $0.02 |
| re: Ellsworth, being a pain... | Gomer
Mar 28, 2002 9:46 AM | | I would say Ellsworth is being perfectly reasonable. They sell the frame w/ a shock. Keep your other shock for a backup.
My $0.02. |
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