What should I do? Bike warranty issue

First of all - you should know better to bring an ethical discussion to the internet.  Do you like being abused?

Contact the craigslist guy and ask if he has his proof of purchase information.  You can possibly work out an arrangement with him. If you make up some fictional tale to Scott about how you purchased the frame, what are you going to do when Scott comes back to say that frame serial number is registered to someone else, or if it comes up on a database of stolen bikes?  You will just look like a liar, or worse.

The ethical part isn't really the question here. However, IMO I paid good money for the bike on CL and the failure in the bike frame is a known issue according to Scott, so if possible I'd like a reimbursement.  It was "suggested" that I not mention it was a second purchase or the warranty would be totally void and they wouldn't be able to cut me any deal which I've heard is true from multiple people from multiple LBS.  If I had the bike for 2-3 years and rode it and thought that I myself did it, then I'd probably feel differently, but that's not the case.  This model has issues, IMO it shouldn't matter who the owner is, the company should take care of their product.  I did contact the seller from CL who was a really nice guy when I went and tested it, he said he didn't know about the crack, apologized and said that he doesn't have the original paperwork as he purchased it as a leftover from the store the following year. (Also, for those concerned with my morals, not that anyone should be but partially to show people I'm not some mooching scumbag, my first step before contacting the LBS was contacting Scott directly in which I sent pictures of the crack and emailed a member of their office and told them it was a 2nd purchase to which he more or less said "tough luck".)

Anyways, I was moreso looking for advice on what to do for the next bike with rebuilding or new bike totally, maybe even advice if having a bike with a cracked tube would be OK on a trainer.  Anyone that can look past the ethics of it, I'd love to get an opinion.

Thank you.

Caveat emptor.

Mark

It should be. Like wannabefaster, I can't get past the honesty issue, and I would not even be able to get on the bike. The manufacturers are often willing to give free replacements even if the damage to the product is the user's fault. I could never repay that with fraud. Do what you will, but don't ruin if for the rest of us.

And you do realize that the manufacturers frequent the forums, right?

...and for the rest of you reading: if you want a warranty, read the warranty before purchasing a new or used bike.

I crashed my Fuji Aloha (model year 2002, second owner). I couldn't find info, so I went to a dealer. Fuji offered me a older year frame for a discounted price - but my bike was 650c wheels, and this one was 700c, so I was looking at swapping the parts, buying wheels, etc... I decided against it.

I purchased a Blue Triad SP direct from the manufacturer. They have a clear crash policy: valid for the original owner of a registered bike, purchased from an authorized dealer.

Some hemlets have crash policies as well.

You might fork over more cash up front, but it can pay off should a mechanical or human failure happen.

I'm pretty sure the warranty specifically states that it's only valid for the original owner.  I can't comment on the safety aspect of it...

still, I agree with jon.  If a car manufacturer sold cars that were found to have an increased chance to spontaneously combust after 30k miles, does it matter if the current owner is the original owner or not?

Slightly different, yet very related -- I recently purchased a 2008 Honda Civic off Craigslist.  I got a pretty good deal and saved about $3,000 vs. what I would have paid for it had I purchased from a dealership.  Obviously I knew that I was also inheriting increased risk with the savings, but I was willing to take that chance and accepted that as part of the risk/reward calculation.  About one month after buying the car, my wife went on a trip to Florida (about 7-8 hour drive) and took my car.  On the way home from the trip, the car started overheating.  Long story short, we got her home and I brought the car to the shop only to be told the engine block cracked!  I thought I was now going to be out $5,000 for a new engine!  Luckily, Honda had issued a Service Bulletin for the very same issue and extended a warranty for such issues for 8 years/unlimited miles and offered it to original and all subsequent owners.  So, FREE ENGINE for me!  I have always been a fan of Hondas and this experience just further extended my love for the brand.  

As for your dilemma, I'm not here to tell anyone else what they should or should not do.  I see both sides of your situation.  You accepted the risks when you bought a "used" bike.  Was the crack there before you purchased -- who knows.  It is not uncommon for someone to sell something with known issues and then play the "Oh, I didn't know about that" card afterwards -- for which you very well could have be wronged terribly.  Not by the manufacturer, but by the individual, for which you have no recourse.  On the other hand, I agree that the manufacturer should take care of the product if it was a known issue with those frames, but the reality is they don't have to in your case.  What you choose to do with that information is your call.  You are the one that needs to live with whatever decision you make.  

Again, thank you all for your responses.  I realize that by purchasing through CL I was taking a risk over buying a new bike and that most warranties don't transfer ownership unless purchased above and beyond.  I was letdown when after I first contacted them they said they could do nothing for me (replacement, discount, anything), and even though I know some people's opinion of me is spoiled now, I am actually a very laid back person so I approached the situation as level headed as someone can be as I find 100% of the time people are more helpful when you approach them in a respectable manner instead of screaming.  However, once I further learned that this was an existing issue on that specific model/year frame and I was still unable to get any kind of help, I then tried the work around.  I currently don't have the money to buy another bike, my first tri is coming up in 7 days and I don't have the bike mileage I wanted to have and I'm stressing out. Obviously this doesn't excuse the actions to some, and I accept that, I just wanted to explain myself and the situation.

Thanks,

Jon

Jason, just wanted to say thanks re: the info on carbon bike repair.  Had no idea that existed.  My Scott bike is aluminum though.  I've moved on and have a nice Trek Madone now...yes...new with warranty and excellent bike shop support.  I do wonder if there was some sort of mfg problem with the Speedster.  I really didn't put much stress on the bike, and I'm pretty sure the original owner didn't either. 

To the OP, I totally understand your stress level.  I was not ready to buy a new bike either.  Riding rented bikes got me through the events I had signed up for, but bike training was toast.  Biking is not  my best thing anyway, but I found myself unreasonably upset over the whole thing...uncharacteristic of me as well.  Oh, and don't know if this will help, but the bike shop where I rented a bike for my events wound up taking the cost of those rentals off when I bought my new bike.  Also went with a zero interest for a year deal from Trek that helped soften the blow a little, and let me feel OK with pulling the trigger on a new one sooner than planned.  Maybe something like that would help?