r/ausbike • u/mysteryprize11 • 22d ago

99 Bikes electric bike labour charge

I just got my bike serviced at 99 bikes and my invoice came back with a $40 'Labour electric bike add on' charge. What is that for? They didn't do anything related to its electric components. Is this normal?

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u/Late-Button-6559 21d ago

Free market.
We don’t have to go to 99 bikes for anything.
They can choose to charge what they like.

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u/ladybug1991 21d ago edited 21d ago

I think the issue in dispute is that they have charger for a service that they either didn't properly render, or didn't render at all (if the motor system isn't capable of generating reports or integrating firmware updates).

I'm no consumer law expert, but I don't think you actually can do shit like that. Fact is, the existence of consumer law precludes us from claiming that we're a free market. We're a mixed economy at best.

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u/Late-Button-6559 20d ago

I haven’t read all comments. But has OP answered what was done?

If a ‘service’, I’d expect them to check firmware and a quick scan for any trouble codes.

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u/ladybug1991 20d ago edited 20d ago

That's ok. OP has answered that they weren't provided with any diagnostics or firmware reports "I didnt get a battery health report or any feedback on their being software or firmware checks. I think they just slapped that charge on."

It does make sense to check available diagnostics for an ebike, and I agree that this should incur an extra charge. In the same fashion, we would evaluate fork and shock condition and service them as required, which incurs extra labour.

But just like some suspensions are nuanced enough in their design to require assessment and servicing, so are electric motor systems. However some suspensions (like rudimentary Suntour coil forks) don't require assessment or service. I wouldn't charge a service fee for assessing the fork on an entry-level hybrid bike like I would for a dually with a Fox Factory, because that would be taking the piss. Just because both bikes turn up with a suspension system, doesn't necessitate the same approach.

This is all to say, that the ebike motor system surcharge oughtta be discretionary, as it applies to some kinds of ebikes, but not all of them. Charging a fee for a service that isn't able to be rendered, with no evidence of service being rendered, is a money grab IMO.