Steve,
Please don't misrepresent the facts.
Since our beginning in 1976 we have had a published price list that has been
mailed out by the thousands and on our website since 1990. It is so detailed
that I sometimes have people complain that it's like a tax form! Generally
people are impressed with the attention to detail and that it presents many
options that they may not have considered. That's what Custom service is
about. A one price fits all is like saying one size bike fits all. Our
warrantee has always been clearly stated & it has never been less than 2
years. Any shipping damage is covered by our insurance. Here is a link to
our order guide: http://www.cyclart.com/
Jim Cunningham, CyclArtist Vista, CA http://www.cyclart.com
-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Steve Neago Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 4:30 AM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Re: [CR]CyclArt Quality & Overcharge Concerns by Pergolizzi
I wonder if CyclArt is being selective on facts regarding "published prices" because these have not always been fully disclosed in the past. My past experience years ago with CyclArt regarding a frame repaint quotation was not the best. The initial "basic" email price from CyclArt at that time in no way resembled their far higher final price quotation by the end of the later telephone quotation. This is why I chose not to do business with CyclArt. It sounds like Pergolizzi had a similar experience like me with CyclArt on "floating prices". Fortunately, I did not experience Pergolizzi's pain in receiving a frame and paint job allegedly "damaged in shipping" according to CyclArt.
I know that CyclArt's quotation to me for a "basic" frame repaint included numerous additional charges not fully disclosed in their "basic" price at that time:
frame paint stripping & prep charges, head badge removal/reinstall charges, parts removal charges for only a headset frame alignment charges, frame minor ding charges, fancy lug charges, frame paint masking charges, fork painting charges type and color of paint charges, multiple layer paint spray charges, paint special application charges, decal purchase charges, decal application charges, pinstriping charges, multiple clear coat charges, packing and box charges, shipping charges, shop material charges, and a possible 10% undeclared miscellaneous charge on top of that!
After all of those charges, the CyclArt paint warranty was only for 3 months. The CR archives has documented some past concerns with CyclArt quality. Meanwhile, other CR members said they are completely happy with the quality of work performed by CyclArt.
Companies change pricing over time and CyclArt may have changed their policies, but I maintain that CyclArt adds numerous required charges that literally "nickel and dime" a customer with higher costs. A more reasonable business policy would be to create a "one price does all" instead of all these incremental charges. The bottom line is that the listed "basic" price is not what you will finish with because there may be numerous required additional charges disclosed on their website. This is why I purchased my own HVLP spray equipment to paint my frames for my projects!
CAVEAT EMPTOR regarding CyclArt!
Regards, Steve Neago
Cincinnati, OH