Pedalling to the E'Tape, but not on this. More's the pity

In pings an email from my sister: "Mum tells me you're doing the Tour de France." This is patently untrue seeing as a: I have a full time job which doesn't involve cycling and b: I'm not a professional cyclist and it would probably kill me.

This reminds me of the time I found out that my aunt in America had been telling everyone she knew that I was the editor of my newspaper. Thank God she was in America. It could have become very embarrassing.

I have, however, signed up to do the E'Tape. For those who don't know what this is, it is one stage of the Tour de France which the organisers open up to the public each year and which around 10,000 riders attempt to complete.

Previous E'tapes have included high mountain stages featuring iconic climbs like Alpes D'huez and the Col du Tourmalet (last year, to mark the centenary of its inclusion of the tour).

This year's E'Tape goes through the 'Massif Central' from Essoire to St Saint-Flour, and is a 240-mile trip through some picturesque scenery and across a couple of reasonable-sized mountains. It will be the longest E'Tape so far.

For this I have already started my training and also selected a new bike, which isn't the one pictured here.

If, however my pockets were laden with gold coinage I wouldn't hesitate.

This is the Rapha version of the Independent Fabrication XS, in all its carbon and titanium glory and fitted with the best components money can buy. So coveted is this machine that it has twice won Bicycling Magazine’s ‘Best Dream Road Bicycle’ award.

And it performs as good as it looks by all accounts. Guy Andrews, John Bradley and Simon Richardson each rode an XS on an homage to Anquetil’s Crazy Bet, which took them on a 20-hour slog across the Glandon, Galibier, Alp d’Huez and the Tourmalet riding back-to-back sportives in France.

So the bike earned its stripes. This Rapha version adds to the carbon and titanium base with pearl white paint and loads of Rapha details, including a trademark Rapha story on the inside fork.

Maybe if I ever get one I'll try and persuade Rapha to etch in the story of my first ever E'Tape. That should be a laugh.

$6795 plus ashipping for the frame and fork only

More info here

Visvim Grizzly Boot mid folk: grrrr

I dedicate this post to Miguel, a regular reader by all accounts who has asked for more Visvim posts, for which I am happy to oblige, and leads me nicely on to these, the Visvim Grizzly Folk boot.

To me this occupies the space somewhere between Yuketen's Maine Guide Boot and Visvim's own Seven Hole '73, with its canvas detail to the ankle area (I'm sure there's a name for that somewhere, people of Fuk). This detailing does of course take its inspiration from the tropical pattern boots issued to the grunts in Vietnam.

The usual Visvim features apply - pigment-free cowhide lining and a natural cork footbed, as well as a replaceable (white!) Vibram outsole and that little plastic heelcap.

Worthy of a trek through the brambles all day long.

Girls Friday: coasting

Nice eyebrows, shame about the strides

Ebay: they were wrong, but they were right

I still don't agree with Ebay after my email exchange with them yesterday, but I will admit that they are right, in a way.

During this transatlantic chat with Jason, probably around one of the times he told me he didn't want to rush me but could I reply please, I fired of an abrupt and to-the-point email to Wrongworks in Canada, asking him where the hell my money was (but using more polite tones).

This morning I got the refund. Whether I had ever got it if I hadn't sent that mail I will never know, but I have, and I begrudgingly accept Ebay's point that most of these things can be sorted out with a little communication between buyer and seller.

So that's me a bit cheerier.

Ebay washes its hands of another ripoff

This is a real version of the fake I received

Here's a warning to all the Ebay buyers out there to get a dispute filed straight away if you ever end up in a situation where you have received something suspect.

Ebay seller Wrongworks sold me a counterfeit Headporter x mug x Beauty & Youth backpack on December 5. It took until December 19 to arrive, I emailed him, he promised me a refund and I returned the bag on December 20. I have been waiting for my refund since then, and today decided to try and get it through Ebay.

The following is a transcript of a conversation I have just had with Jason from Ebay.

I'll let you make your own minds up.

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 08:45:42 AM)
Welcome to eBay Live Help, my name is Jason. How may I help you?

niceman-g (2/3/2011 08:46:32 AM)
I received this item in December and it turned out to be counterfeit. I contacted the seller who agreed to refund and the item was returned on December 20. Refund has still not been received.

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 08:47:20 AM)
I'm sorry to hear that you still haven't receive a refund.

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 08:47:47 AM)
Aside from this, would there be any other concerns that I can help you with?

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 08:50:03 AM)
I don’t mean to rush you. Can you please send a reply to confirm that we’re still connected?

niceman-g (2/3/2011 08:50:12 AM)
How about you tell me what to do about the refund Jason? Right now this is a clear cut case of theft

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 08:50:36 AM)
Okay. Please bear with me for a moment while I investigate this for you.

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 08:52:39 AM)
Thank you for waiting. We usually advise our members to go to the Resolution Centre when they encounter problems with a transaction. However, after reviewing our records, I have confirmed that you purchased this item last 05 December.

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 08:53:06 AM)
Since this listing ended more than 45 days ago, opening a case in the eBay and PayPal Resolution Centre is no longer an option.

niceman-g (2/3/2011 08:53:38 AM)
Maybe you could suggest the options I do have

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 08:53:53 AM)
The best thing you should do is to phone the seller and talk to them about what's happened. These situations can often be resolved with a friendly conversation.

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 08:54:46 AM)
You can request the seller's contact information here:

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 08:54:51 AM)
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/ebayadvsearch/__W0QQ_advZ1QQ_sofindtypeZ9?_rdc=1

niceman-g (2/3/2011 08:56:06 AM)
The seller was notified of my intention to return the item. To be honest Jason, right now, Ebay is party to the pedalling of counterfeit goods across international borders and then claiming I have no right to take action because "this listing ended more than 45 days ago." I would suggest you take a more pro-active approach, such as perhaps contacting the seller yourselves.

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 08:57:55 AM)
Please understand that we cannot communicate with members on another member's behalf and directly intervene in disputes between eBay members. This is to maintain trust and fair trade in eBay.

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 08:58:19 AM)
For future reference, this page has an outline of all the steps you can take if you ever have a problem like this again - open a new window on your browser and copy this link into it:

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 08:58:21 AM)
http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/buy/item-not-as-described.html

niceman-g (2/3/2011 08:59:43 AM)
Ebay might like to wash its hands of this but it has a duty of care to insure its members do not get ripped off.

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 09:01:46 AM)
We have taken note of your complaint. I assure you that we will take appropriate action against the seller once the investigation is completed to ensure that eBay remains a fun and safe place to shop. However, to maintain member privacy, we can't share details of actions taken on another account.

niceman-g (2/3/2011 09:02:37 AM)
I don't want you to share details, I just want my payment back. Please could you tell me the case number?

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 09:02:59 AM)
What do you mean by that?

niceman-g (2/3/2011 09:04:25 AM)
You just told me you were investigating this case. Please tell me the case number.

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 09:06:42 AM)
Yes, however, we won't be able to update you about the results of this investigation or give you more information of this.

niceman-g (2/3/2011 09:08:48 AM)
Without sounding flippant Jason, how do I know you are actually investigating it if you provide me with no information or even a case number?

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 09:09:37 AM)
While I can't share details about this seller's account specifically, the actions that we can take against poor-performing seller include ending their listings, stopping them from buying and/or selling, and either temporary or permanent suspension from eBay.

niceman-g (2/3/2011 09:11:57 AM)
And what does that signify in terms of me receiving my refund? Is it possible for me to raise a dispute through Paypal?

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 09:12:40 AM)
As I've said earlier, since this listing ended more than 45 days ago, opening a case in the eBay and PayPal Resolution Centre is no longer an option.

niceman-g (2/3/2011 09:14:51 AM)
OK Jason let's get this straight. I received a counterfeit item through an EBAY seller which I returned and for which I have received no refund. So I have no item and no refunded payment.

niceman-g (2/3/2011 09:15:50 AM)
I returned the item within a day of receiving it and because it has taken more than 45 days you claim I should just swallow the loss? Are you for real?

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 09:16:03 AM)
I understand that this must be frustrating to you, Graham. However, the option you have here now is to contact your seller directly.

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 09:19:05 AM)
I don’t mean to rush you. Can you please send a reply to confirm that we’re still connected?

niceman-g (2/3/2011 09:19:16 AM)
I have contacted the seller but if he doesn't respond I would expect the company that facilitated this transaction to take a degree of responsibility, regardless of your self-imposed rules, which I am quite certain do not stand up against the law.

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 09:20:52 AM)
I would like to inform you that eBay is not involved in the actual transaction between Buyers and Sellers we have no control over the ability of sellers to sell items or refund their buyers.

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 09:21:21 AM)
Also, while we can limit or suspend member accounts, we don't have the powers of the police or the courts. This means we can't mediate or take sides in a dispute, make decisions for a user, force a user to fulfil their obligations at the end of a listing, or initiate a criminal investigation against a user.

niceman-g (2/3/2011 09:22:53 AM)
But you still take the fees, which makes you responsible. I think that's been proven by more than one court case. I would therefore like you to monitor this situation.

Jason Jones (2/3/2011 09:24:08 AM)
Your complaints has been noted, Graham.

niceman-g (2/3/2011 09:25:07 AM)
So has this conversation. I will be back in touch if the seller doesn't respond to me withing 24 hours.

niceman-g (2/3/2011 09:25:23 AM)
Cheerio

System message (2/3/2011 09:25:29 AM)
The chat session is being wrapped up.

System message (2/3/2011 09:25:58 AM)
All times in the above transcript are in the following time zone: (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time : Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

System message (2/3/2011 09:25:58 AM)
The chat session has ended.

Adidas ObyO Jeremy Scott Teddy Bears: words truly fail me

Like some sort of sick psycho plush experiment this teddy bear has been sliced and mutilated into an Adidas trainer. His mate is the other foot.

So his expression, reminiscent of what someone might look like in the process of being hung, drawn and quartered, might not be very far from the truth.

That German sportswear monolith has plumbed new depths with the ObyO Jeremy Scott Teddy Bears.

I can think of nothing more to say. The evidence is in front of you to judge for yourself and search deep within for an answer to that eternal riddle.

Why?

Grenson Vibram Fred brogues: white lies beneath

And on the 60th day, Orange said: "let there be broadband," and peace came to the earth and there was much rejoicing.  Yes I am back in the loop. Expect to see a whole load of stuff I haven't until now had the technology to put up, starting with these, my Freds.

It took a bit of hunting to find them, online as it goes. I virtually travelled the length and breadth of the country through that fibreoptic cable until I finally popped up at It's In Your Jeans in the exotic seaside resort of Scarborough.

They arrived just in time for the festivities, adding a bit of cushioning from the ice. Soft as butter and that Vibram sole takes them to a whole new level as far as I am concerned.

I'd worn them a couple of times before this picture was taken. They were on my feet the minute they came out of the box.