dwmckee

I am just saying something does not add up here. Any manufacturer would warranty that frame and an Open dealer could easily mic it and determine it is out of spec to file a claim. For it to be that bad, and they do not respond, and that wacky paint job, and no details about where owner bought it... A warranty issue would be handled by the dealer that it was bought from; why not even try and go back to the dealer for resolution? And a good dealer would stand behind it even if Open did not to save face with a high-spending customer... Too many things just do not add up.. I am not trying to defend Open, but sounds like a distinct possibility this is a gray market or counterfeit frame that was bought on ebay, had problems and owner sent to Hambini without admiting the truth about how they acquired the frame.

Seriously, if you had a problem with a Specialized frame you would first take it back to where you bought it, not call Specialized. Of if you did call Specialized and did not get an answer you would go back to the dealer. Unless you bought it as a bargain on ebay shipped direct from China. Then maybe you take it to Hambini...

There are plenty of cases where high-end but defective parts are slipped out the back door of factories and sold on ebay as bargains direct from China. There is even an industry term for it - Gray Market... And also plenty of cases where people try to warranty all sorts of gray market purchases to resolve problems and hope the manufacturer will not realize the item is not a factory spec item. There are cases all of the time for carbon handlebars, seat posts, etc. sold on ebay...