Service & Collection Policy
This policy outlines the service, collection, storage and workshop procedures used by Balmain Bicycle Mechanic.
Service Authorisation
By leaving your bicycle with Balmain Bicycle Mechanic, you authorise the requested inspection, service or repair work to be carried out in accordance with this policy.
Approval of a quotation or agreed scope of work constitutes authorisation for Balmain Bicycle Mechanic to proceed with that work.
Estimates & Additional Work
Initial estimates are provided at no charge following a visual assessment. Some issues only become apparent during servicing, disassembly or closer inspection, so additional work may occasionally be identified once work has commenced.
Where additional labour, repairs or replacement parts outside the agreed scope are recommended, we'll normally contact you for approval before proceeding.
If we are unable to reach you, additional chargeable work will generally be held until approval is received. Where this prevents the bicycle from being safely completed or returned to service, we may pause the work and advise you of the available options.
Final invoices may differ from the original estimate where additional labour or parts have been authorised.
Payment Terms
Payment Timing
All services, repairs and purchases must be paid in full prior to collection or dispatch.
Deposits
A deposit may be required for special orders, pre-orders, custom builds, restorations and selected first-time customer jobs.
Deposits secure workshop time, stock or supplier commitments and may be non-refundable where work has commenced or items have been ordered or allocated.
Work in Progress
Once a service or repair has commenced, labour performed and any parts ordered or installed are chargeable. If a customer chooses not to proceed after approval has been given, charges will apply for all work completed and costs incurred up to that point.
Evaluation Fee
Workshop quotations are provided at no charge where the quoted work proceeds. If a quotation is prepared and subsequently declined, an Evaluation Fee of $25 applies.
Release of Goods
Bicycles and goods will not be released until all outstanding charges have been paid in full.
Changes & Cancellations
We understand that plans can change. If you need to reschedule or cancel, please let us know as soon as possible.
Where work has not yet commenced, cancellations may be accommodated. Deposits may be retained or applied as store credit where workshop time has been reserved or stock has been ordered or allocated.
Once work has been approved and commenced, labour performed and any parts ordered or installed are chargeable in accordance with our Payment Terms.
Pre-orders, special orders and custom work may not be cancelled once supplier or workshop commitments have been made.
Repeated missed appointments or late cancellations may require a deposit before a future appointment can be confirmed.
Safety
Our priority is rider safety. Where safety-critical issues are identified, we'll advise you of the work we recommend to bring the bicycle to a safe and serviceable condition.
If recommended safety-critical repairs are declined, the bicycle may be deemed unsafe to ride. In such cases, we may limit or decline reassembly to a rideable standard.
Any labour performed and costs incurred remain chargeable in accordance with our Payment Terms.
Bicycles returned without recommended safety work completed are released as-is. Balmain Bicycle Mechanic cannot accept responsibility for issues arising from repairs that were recommended and declined.
Post-Service Adjustments
Following servicing, customers may return within 7 days for minor adjustment checks directly related to the original work performed, such as gear or brake fine-tuning.
This is limited to minor adjustments only and does not include additional repairs, replacement parts, wear and tear or issues unrelated to the original scope of work. Where further work is identified, we'll advise you and additional charges may apply.
Collection Timeframes
Bicycles
Once a bicycle is ready for collection, whether following servicing or after purchase, we'll notify you. Due to limited workshop space, bicycles should be collected within 7 days of notification.
Accessories & Parts
Purchased accessories or parts, including items ordered specifically for you, should normally be collected within 14 days of notification.
Storage Fees
Due to limited workshop space, bicycles remaining beyond 7 days may incur storage fees of $10 per day.
Uncollected Goods
If bicycles, parts or accessories remain uncollected after 30 days, despite reasonable attempts to contact you using the details provided, they may be treated as uncollected goods and handled in accordance with applicable NSW law.
Balmain Bicycle Mechanic may take reasonable steps available under applicable law in relation to uncollected goods, including recovery of reasonable storage and handling costs.
Workshop Conditions
Pre-Existing Condition of Bicycles
Many bicycles presented for service are used, older or may have existing wear, corrosion or previous repairs. While we take great care during inspection and servicing, Balmain Bicycle Mechanic is not responsible for pre-existing damage, hidden faults or previously worn components that become apparent during service.
Modified Bicycles & Unknown Service History
Bicycles that have been substantially modified by the owner or a third party, or where the bicycle's mechanical history cannot reasonably be established, may require a more comprehensive level of inspection and servicing.
Where the bicycle's condition, configuration or previous workmanship requires more detailed inspection, corrective work or partial disassembly, a Tier 3 Service may be recommended.
The appropriate service level will be determined during our initial assessment, based on the bicycle's condition, configuration and the extent of inspection or corrective work required.
Any additional repairs, replacement parts or work outside the agreed service scope will be discussed and quoted before proceeding.
Seized, Worn or Aged Components
Older bicycles or bicycles that have not been serviced regularly may have seized, corroded or heavily worn components. In some cases, removing or servicing these parts can result in components breaking, threads stripping or parts becoming unusable.
By authorising service, you acknowledge that this risk exists when working on older or heavily used bicycles. Where reasonably possible, we'll advise you of any significant risks identified before proceeding.
Test Riding
Bicycles may be test ridden by Balmain Bicycle Mechanic where reasonably necessary to diagnose faults, assess operation or confirm that servicing or repairs have been completed correctly.
E-Bikes & Electrical Components
E-bikes and electrically assisted bicycles contain electrical systems, batteries and software that may require specialised diagnostic tools, parts or manufacturer support. Balmain Bicycle Mechanic may decline to service or diagnose certain electrical, battery, motor or software-related faults where appropriate support is not available.
We are not responsible for faults relating to battery systems, motor units or software unless those systems have been explicitly accepted as part of the agreed service scope.
Customer-Supplied Parts
Customers are welcome to supply their own components for installation. A customer-supplied parts fee of $25 per component or component set applies, in addition to applicable installation labour.
For the purpose of this fee, a matched component set supplied as a single product will normally be treated as one component set.
Customer-supplied components should be new, complete and supplied in suitable packaging unless otherwise agreed.
Installation of customer-supplied parts is at the discretion of Balmain Bicycle Mechanic. We may decline installation where parts are unsuitable, incompatible, incomplete, damaged or of uncertain quality.
While all care is taken, Balmain Bicycle Mechanic cannot guarantee the compatibility, performance or longevity of customer-supplied components and is not responsible for faults arising from their manufacture, condition, specification or suitability.
If accepted customer-supplied parts require additional labour or create unforeseen installation issues, we'll advise you before proceeding with additional chargeable work.
Sustainable Parts Disposal
A $25 disposal fee per service applies where Balmain Bicycle Mechanic is asked to recycle or dispose of replaced tyres or components.
The disposal fee is reduced to $10 per service where the replacement parts are supplied and installed by Balmain Bicycle Mechanic.
Additional charges may apply for unusually large quantities or items requiring specialist disposal.
Relationship with Terms of Service
This Service & Collection Policy forms part of our Terms of Service and should be read together with them. If there is any inconsistency between this policy and the Terms of Service, the Terms of Service prevail.
Closing Statement
Our goal is to provide careful workmanship, honest advice and a professional workshop experience for every customer.