Originally Posted by Ratspeed

much too long

Originally Posted by Peruano

I think you are asking too much of the system. Work face to face with someone who fits and or builds bikes if you want a custom; or shop extensively if you want to try something off the shelf.

Originally Posted by Ratspeed

Aren't Dutch Omafiets, Opafiets and kruisframe Pastoorfiets known for their upright riding position? I thought that's what characterized them? I can't link it yet due to lack of posts, but Not Just Bikes' YT video "Why Dutch Bikes are Better (and why you should want one)" talks specifically about this. They're very common in Netherlands.

Originally Posted by Ratspeed

I apologize. I didn't come here to complain needlessly. I came to ask if anyone else has had a similar experience.

Since it seems past experiences were positive, that suggests this may be a kink in Azor's new sales workflow when they introduced the new configurator tool in 2020. I don't think the 3rd party dealers are prepared to handle the change, and Azor should fix things.

Azor advertises highly customizable bikes. In 2016, Azor released a YT video called "Het Azor systeem; design your own bike," where they describe:

1. choosing a parts kit
2. filling out an order form
3. selecting a frame that matches the kit
4. then adding optional items

It sounds like everything was handled centrally through Azor. Part incompatibilities were probably sorted out prior to forwarding the order to a 3rd-party dealer, but Azor's new tool changed the workflow entirely. The new flow leaves it all up to the tool, but there are flaws and bugs in it, so human intervention became inevitable in my case. Azor removed their email address from the site, so that puts the responsibility of dealing with these bugs onto their 3rd-party dealers.

For example, some part descriptions say "test" on them. The red incompatibility "question mark" info button stopped functioning a couple weeks ago, leaving the newbie customer clueless why a part doesn't work. When I configured my bike, it took lots of deductive reasoning to determine some problems. Other conflicts had no apparent logical cause, (such as a rear fender suddenly going incompatible when a Bafang ebike assist battery was introduced, yet was compatible with the Shimano battery). Possible bug? No way to tell without asking. Therefore, I don't think I was unreasonable for addressing these questions to the dealer.

For a new prospective bike owner, this was daunting. I depended completely on the expertise of my salesperson. Without a store to walk into, complex email tag with someone several time-zones away was the only recourse. I think this is a major problem and needs to be worked out.

I think it would be better solution to return bike configuration support directly to Azor. That way if any flaws are discovered (which I did find and report a few) they can be handed swiftly to their web developer. 3rd-party dealers shouldn't have to deal with bug reports.

All these technical issues aside, Amsterdam Bicycle Company is a single person working form a home office in a Dutch single-family dwelling. The US office is staffless and based in Delaware. It does not have a shopfront. It has no phone number. As U.S. demand for Azor's highly customizable bikes continues to climb, I don't think he will be prepared for the challenges. I'm not putting the blame entirely on Steven; Azor needs to work out their kinks; but I still think it was horribly out of line for Steven to bait and switch my friend, accuse me of creating a false identity, and suddenly be expected to accept a bike with no warranty, or lose over $100 in processing fees over a cancellation refund which my friend did not even initiate, all because of a salesperson's frustration. That does not seem like acting in good faith at all.

Originally Posted by Ratspeed

All these technical issues aside, Amsterdam Bicycle Company is a single person working form a home office in a Dutch single-family dwelling. The US office is staffless and based in Delaware. It does not have a shopfront. It has no phone number. As U.S. demand for Azor's highly customizable bikes continues to climb, I don't think he will be prepared for the challenges. I'm not putting the blame entirely on Steven; Azor needs to work out their kinks;

Originally Posted by Ratspeed

As U.S. demand for Azor's highly customizable bikes continues to climb, ...

Originally Posted by Ratspeed

but I still think it was horribly out of line for Steven to bait and switch my friend, accuse me of creating a false identity, and suddenly be expected to accept a bike with no warranty, or lose over $100 in processing fees over a cancellation refund which my friend did not even initiate, all because of a salesperson's frustration. That does not seem like acting in good faith at all.

Originally Posted by Ratspeed

My heart is set on a kruisframe Pastoorfiets...

Originally Posted by Ratspeed

Incidentally, I really want to say, I am hoping in the future for more positive discussion on bike issues. If all works well, and I can find a Dutch bike importer willing to make a few grand on a sale, I would love to show off the product once I receive it and give a review!

Originally Posted by Ratspeed

I appreciate that input! My heart is set on a kruisframe Pastoorfiets, and I am continuously losing weight. I've already lost 15 pounds in the last two weeks. I'm down to 343. Amsterdam's website stated it was good for up to 330lbs. But yes, thank you so much for giving me a general idea. I wish there was a local dealer in the US. Even a used bike would interest me, but it seems all the Dutch bike importers are in Canada.

Originally Posted by Ratspeed

As for me, as I explained, I am rapidly losing weight. At the time I approached Amsterdam Bicycle Company, I was 358lbs. His website states the bike will take 8-10 weeks to arrive. In the last two weeks I have managed to drop 15 pounds. At this rate, assuming I were to make an order today, I would be down 60 lbs by the time the bike arrives—well below the max weight capacity for an Azor kruisframe.

Originally Posted by Ratspeed

I have a 30 year old, slightly rusted Specialized steel-frame bike. It's a simple diamond-shaped frame. It didn't break. In the unlikely event it does, I would take it to a bike welder to have it fixed. The same goes for an Azor steel frame. Clearly.

Originally Posted by Ratspeed

As my friend exclaimed to Steven, he cannot risk having an item shipped internationally and arrive damaged with no recourse. This is a $3775 item, and I can fully understand my friend's concern.

When is the last time you went into a Best Buy, bought a pair of headphones, and a salesperson said, "You get no manufacturer warranty because I said so. I think you might break it!"

Originally Posted by Ratspeed

Of course not, but Steven also does not have the authority to alter the terms of a warranty for a bike he did not manufacture; for a company he is not an employee of; for a bike that does not belong to me; or threaten to issue only a partial refund if my friend does not accept those conditions of a sale that has already been completed. Absolutely unethical, and probably illegal.