Galen wrote....
Phil & all,
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>I have purchased several items from The Sultan
and he has always been fairly
quick to answer questions and very honest in his
descriptions. Sometimes too
honest, and some good items go for low bids. I
once purchased a derailleur
from him that had a barely perceptible crack. Not
really noticeable, but
enough to discourage me from using it for
anything except display. He fully
refunded my money, including the shipping fee,
and never asked for
"confirmation." Brooks is an honest guy, and your
experience seems a little
out of the norm for him.
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I was going to chime in on this earlier, but decided against it. But reading the above made me change my mind. I purchased some SR cranks which were represented as immaculate and ones he (the sultan) would be proud to put his own bike. The pics (no backshots) showed cranks that appeared to be just that. So I bought them. Got them, glanced at them and promptly gave him good props.
I took them out later and turned them over. Major deep scratch on one spider on the back. Lots of dings and nicks on the spider. Lots of toe strap wear. I can live with toe strap wear...it is to be expected for used cranks. But immaculate cranks do not have the kind of scratches and dings that this one had.
So I wrote him, asking that he take them back. I was summarily rejected. He asked why I gave him good feedback if they were screwed up. And I told him, I do not use feedback as a weapon. In another note, I included pics of the problem areas and a dictionary definition of immaculate. He told me I was being too picky.
As it was clear get to me I would not get satisfaction, I gave up, telling him that while he may think he won, he had lost. And in my mind, he has...I will not trade with him. I doubt he misses my business, but it is a matter of principle for me.
Maybe I hit him on a bad day. Maybe it is out of the norm for him. I was polite and handled myself in a professional manner. Why he would guarantee satisfaction on every other auction (it is usually in his description) and not this one is beyond me. I even asked him that. Considering how I was dealt with, I do not think I would have had any different results had I examined the cranks thoroughly and contacted him before leaving feedback.
I did resell them and provided clear pics and a precise description.
There is no need to relay this to Brooks. It is over and done and provided only as a counterpoint.
Lynn Travers
Hazelwood, MO...Kings Bay, GA for now