Complaint Review: Joe Roth

From at least September and October 2017 JOE ROTH, aka Joseph Rodney Roth, used eBay to sell expensive Cipolinni bicycle frames. His advertisement read as follows: 

CIPOLLINI RB800  TEAM YELLOW FLUO   $5999 Retail   I have , L,   comes complete frame set and fork and complete headset Kit  with bearing And ADJUSTABLE SEAT POST AND CLAMP ( CIPOLLINI books and papers ) HAS ONLY ONE SCRATCH ON FORK  you will never find a COMPLETE  CIPOLLINI  frameset at this PRICE....

 CALL Joe 305-389-0714 for more photos. I WAS THE CIPOLLINI  - USA DIST SELLING OUT ALL MY STOCK.

I am a very experienced purchaser and owner of several high-end bicycles/ frames; I knew at this price that the frame was NOT new and was likely old inventory/stock. I called JOE ROTH and he told me that he was the former Cipolinni distributor in the USA and he was selling all his stock. JOE ROTH assured me that the bike frame was in excellent condition and that it only had 1 scratch on the fork, but was otherwise in great riding condition. I told JOE ROTH I had no problem with a scratch on the fork and agreed to purchase the bicycle frame. He was asking $1500 for the frame; I offered him $1200 and he agreed to sell me the frame for $1200.

I was shocked when the bike frame arrived. The frame appeared to be cracked, unsafe and not rideable. I immediately contacted JOE ROTH by phone and email to report the probelm. JOE ROTH initially stated: "As I told you all the frame sets are demo frames and of course not new used. That is just in the clear coat paint can be sanded and a new clear coat. I will email you a contact it will cost about $200 to $300 and he will fix all the scratches and make like new."

JOE ROTH never advertised or told me that all the frames were demos and JOE ROTH never disclosed the true condition of the frame. I realized that I was a victim of a classic "bait and switch" scam.

The following day JOE ROTH changed his story and sent me the following email: "That was not there when shipped must have happened when shipped. This is a $500 to repair I was in the bike business and sending you to my painter. I called he will do it for me for $250."

I also received this email from JOE ROTH: "Thanks Sorry no refunds these are used DEMO frameset if you look at it this is in 95 % condition $5800 for $1200" 

I then called his repair person who confirmed that the bike frame was in fact cracked, unsafe and not ridable.

I then called and emailed JOE ROTH several times asking for a refund and offered to pay for the return shipping cost. But JOE ROTH rudely and vehemently refused to accept the cracked merchandiese and return my money. JOE ROTH stated: "I see the photo it is nothing a mark on a used frame. I will refuse the package and it will just go back to you .." 

I have since learned that the bike frame JOE ROTH sold me did not include all the parts, AND, the fork he sent was not even to the bike that I purchased and WILL NOT fit or work with the defective frame he sold. JOE ROTH has refused to provide any refund and has not responded to my numerous efforts to contact him.

I have since spoken to past and present Cipolinni dealers that have done business with JOE ROTH and they described him as a "crook," "dishonest," "thief" and "very bad person." I was also told that the Cipolinni bikes he was selling were either manufacturer defects/returns or old / beaten bikes used by professional teams in either the US or Europe. I was told that JOE ROTH tried to sell them to various bike shops throughout the US but they refused to buy them or do business with JOE ROTH. I was also informed that the owners of Cipolinni have had to pay several others (including dealers) for the misdeeds of JOE ROTH after JOE ROTH lost the USA Distributor rights.

I have since spoken with several reputable individuals in the cycling industry who have also described JOE ROTH as a very dishonest person. I was told that prior to entering the cycling business, JOE ROTH sold fake high-end watches.

In summary, Joe Roth works and lives in the Miami, Fl area and sells to consumers throughout the US and possibly worldwide. Consumers should be aware of his dishonest business practices and SHOUL NOT PUARCHASE ANY CIPOLINNI BIKE FRAMES OR OTHER BIKE FRAMES FROM JOE ROTH. I was told that JOE ROTH has been / is involved in other businesses and that he has a reputation for being dishonest, untrustful and "a thief." 

I am still investigating JOE ROTH and will report my factual findings as they are developed.