[Closed] Time for a what would singletrack do?

Ask for a refund and buy the very close second on the list

That's what I would do.

And is also how I’m strongly feeling currently.

I'd just wait.

Smallish company? Cut them some slack, though they should really have refunded you and asked for a deposit instead of sitting on your cash.

I had a 4month wait on my last frame and got abused on here by the distributor at the time for having the audacity to ask others experience of buying off the company I went with 🙂 I had similar issues of just been kept in the dark.

However it's all water under the bridge and the bike is great and still going strong, and I will most likely buy another next time round.

If you want this particular frame enough then once you get it you'll soon forget the grief once out riding.

Discuss a refund and then how much good will they are willing to show if you stay with their firm and final promise date

Is it only bike? If so, get next one on the list and get out riding.

Ring them up. Explain nicely that you are disgruntled and why.get them to knock 10% off the already reduced close second and refund you the difference.

Yep refund and get the other one for me. If they can't be bothered answering emails when they have your money I wouldn't care about spending my money elsewhere.

Unless they see this thread and offer you a discount....

I would have my antenna up with that process.

In business I found that when a company was tardy with supplying stuff it was often because they were having cashflow problems and not paying their suppliers in a timely fashion. Often the precursor to the company going into administration after a period of being an arse to its customers on refunds, warranty etc.

Get your money back, and if they are arses about it, then you have your answer.

You then at least have the option of what to do next, wait or buy an alternative.

Ring them up.

as I’ve had no reply to email and can’t seem to get through by phone.

To be clear I emailed them after the first failed call and then phoned again next day. Only a couple of days have elapsed since that first call but it was end of September I ordered and paid.

I’d be hugely surprised if this company was struggling in fact I’d suspect it was the other way round after some Stella reviews of a number of their bikes - I already own a Hardtail made by them.

I’ll be honest I really wanted to own this frame, I guess it’s a moment of panic and frustration. You’ve all basically suggested all the options, although not sure the discount will fly.

I waited 10 months for a Cotic Rocket during the 'building them in Britain' fiasco, at least Cy had the good grace not to take any money off me, but it meant I didn't have a FS for that whole period.

I'd get a refund and move on, there's so many good bikes around now, there's always another option.

A refund would be a good start although on that basis you wouldn't be compensated for the interest free loan they've had. Id consider keeping the bike (order, I guess) but on the understanding that the final price will reflect the opportuneity cost and dicking about.

Get a refund immediately. You can then wait for the frames to come back in stock if you want, or can buy a different one. Really the company in question should have refunded you already.

I actually quite like the company and its work.

After they've treated you like a **** after you paid for a frame?

Move on.

That’s a very good point lol

Anyone worked out who it is?

Guess the company thread ensue...

Easy enough to figure out but I'm not saying.

I've worked it out because I'm waiting for the same frame 🙁 I'm a bit annoyed not to be told of the delay and finding out this way.

Best not if we don’t mind, more a situational question than anything else.

Get a refund immediately. You can then wait for the frames to come back in stock if you want, or can buy a different one. Really the company in question should have refunded you already.

This does look like a good plan B there if you are ready to give them another month and want some options
Oh and written my answer on a bit paper 😉

Easy enough to figure out but I’m not saying.

Indeed. Make room for some back-pedalling....

Do you feel a bit Sick about it?

OP's history tells all.

I waited 11 weeks for my HB160. Was tempted by other shiny things before I put the deposit down, but JTFC, it was worth the wait

Looking at past post history is definitely cheating!!!

Surprised that you had to pay out £1700 for a frame back order. Always thought a deposit would have been sufficient, see nobeer post earlier for same retailer.

I wouyld have had my money back from them long ago - perhaps telling them to let me know when the thing was in stock again so I could consider ordering then

No way would I let them hold on to that much money for so long.

The initial purchase was for an in stock item, turned out to be a stock error but very short delay in full filling. That has slipped a few times to where I am now. I think had it been a pre order I’d have purchased option number 2 or waited to pre order after the demo day.

Get your money back to wait so long without regular updates is a joke and they should be embarrassed. Is it not possible to use another dealer I would as a matter of principle, I suppose you was going to spend the money anyway so not to be missed but 4 mths - Customer experience 0

I think if there’s no response from them after multiple attempts (email and phone) and you paid by card I’d be approaching my bank to ask them for a chargeback to be done on he basis the retailer hasn’t performed. Hopefully you’d get refunded then.

Assuming it’s a hardcore hardtail there are plenty of other options on he market from companies who will hold accurate stock levels and it would also save you a stack of cash. If it’s a full suss (I can’t quite work out which model you’ve ordered) then again there are other companies doing the long / low / slack thing within your budget.

If you don't buy the second, you know you'll chip or dent or scratch your perfect frame on its first ride!

Not good and a bit of a surprise. I’m sure you’ll be very happy with it when it arrives but I’m also sure there are other options that are just as good. As you suggested, it may just be a case of a small(ish) company having a few successful releases and struggling to cope with demand. Still disappointing though.

Surprised Cotic are not replying to you, Paul normally take a couple of days but doesn't ignore messages IME.
Sounds like an unfortunate sequence of events, but you should be able to get a full refund or majority of your money back - leaving a bit as a deposit.
Probably worth the wait IMO, their bikes are a bit of a unique proposition and you may regret going with something else.

Surprised Cotic are not replying to you

Haha! See that 10 month wait I mentioned earlier in the thread? You know how much I had in the way of comms from Cy to me? Yes, that's right, **** all.

I appreciate it was a very difficult time for Cotic, they were taking a very admirable punt that didn't come off, but an email takes a few minutes and courtesy costs nothing.

I can imagine the frothing on here if one of the direct brands, or heaven forbid the anti-christs at Santa Cruz had behaved that way. 😂

If you can last this long without the bike you've actually bought...

I'd be getting a refund and putting the cash away as i clearly don't need the bike!

I ordered and paid for a rather special frame from Stanton back in May (my choice to pay up front). They first told me it would be end of the year, then that it would be further delayed, probably to Spring, because they'd decided to move manufacturing to the UK. Not ideal, but they've kept me up to date and have always responded quickly to any queries. From my point of view it's just part of doing business with a small specialist company. I can just dream of a bling hardtail in the Spring sunshine as I'm slogging through the Dark Peak muck over the winter.

Is this the red one? Looks nice. There was a thread on facebook a couple of weeks back, same issue. Guy was totally gutted.

Haha! See that 10 month wait I mentioned earlier in the thread? You know how much I had in the way of comms from Cy to me? Yes, that’s right, **** all.

I'm writing about their current customer service, as I pre-ordered and purchased a frame less than a month ago. Probably more useful to the OP than your experience?

Probably, but having bought 4 frames from them, I'm pretty sure I'm fairly qualified to comment?. 😊

Just as an update and to kind of tie a knot on it, spoke to Paul at Cotic (if you hadn’t guessed already). We had a chat, he explained frames are en route and should be here end of December but plus a bit for shipping etc. For me personally I’ve elected to take a refund and consider my options.

I may possibly regret it however the whole delay has kinda tainted it, I have no intention of selling my Solaris and would certainly consider a frame from them again I’ll just make sure it’s in stock for real next time lol.

Paul/Cy if you’re reading this I totally understand why the delay was there, I just wish I’d been kept a bit more informed after the intital delay so as to make a more informed choice.

If you’re waiting for one I’m sure you won’t be disappointed

i figure customer service and sending an email doesn't cost anything and at the end of the day they are earning interest on your money.

Not much interest though, so it's hardly a massive scam to enable them to retire to The Bahamas. Around £6 per month (based on 5% PA and that they're paying tax on the interest) they've had the OP's money so it's more like a bit of shitty customer service than a reason to phone Interpol.

I’m going to go with accidental oversight. 👍🏻