Nothing ever changes
Discussion
About 12 years ago, I ran a little mail order business selling bike accessories which I gave up on when something more lucrative came along. The big thing in the trade press at the time was poor customer service in bike shops.
Took a couple of hours out of the office this morning because I need various bits of kit, probably about £300's worth, and popped over to London Bridge where there are two large bike shops, both part of chains. In the first shop, I was completely ignored, despite picking up and looking at a number of high end bits and pieces whilst a group of 4 assistants were discussing what they did last night.
I therefore voted with my feet and went over to the other shop. The service was marginally better in that I did get served, but the assistant was so uninterested in responding to my questioning that I gave up on my wish list and will be ordering the other stuff I want online.
Thought they might have learned by now!
Took a couple of hours out of the office this morning because I need various bits of kit, probably about £300's worth, and popped over to London Bridge where there are two large bike shops, both part of chains. In the first shop, I was completely ignored, despite picking up and looking at a number of high end bits and pieces whilst a group of 4 assistants were discussing what they did last night.
I therefore voted with my feet and went over to the other shop. The service was marginally better in that I did get served, but the assistant was so uninterested in responding to my questioning that I gave up on my wish list and will be ordering the other stuff I want online.
Thought they might have learned by now!
I know the shops you are refering to. There are a few good private bike shops in Surrey that i would recommend. Freeborn in Horsham is good and Nirvana in Dorking.
Although if you are looking for the best prices and lightning fast free delivery you simply cannot beat www.chainreactioncycles.com. They posses a huge market share due to the above two reasons.
Although if you are looking for the best prices and lightning fast free delivery you simply cannot beat www.chainreactioncycles.com. They posses a huge market share due to the above two reasons.
carter711 said:
Although if you are looking for the best prices and lightning fast free delivery you simply cannot beat www.chainreactioncycles.com. They posses a huge market share due to the above two reasons.
CRC have slipped greatly recently, if you frequent the STW board you'll find daily posts about poor service and slow delivery times (much like the OP describes). My own experience of them at christmas time was so poor i'll never use them again.Wiggle are damn good... cant fault them, even when they've had problems with stock, the service has always been faultless.
Evans near waterloo seemed pretty good. I walked in with a new Specialized 2D helmet which was immediately spotted by a lad behind the counter and he commented on it... Helped my mate out with a stuck bolt FOC as well.
Evans near waterloo seemed pretty good. I walked in with a new Specialized 2D helmet which was immediately spotted by a lad behind the counter and he commented on it... Helped my mate out with a stuck bolt FOC as well.
WildCards said:
carter711 said:
Although if you are looking for the best prices and lightning fast free delivery you simply cannot beat www.chainreactioncycles.com. They posses a huge market share due to the above two reasons.
CRC have slipped greatly recently, if you frequent the STW board you'll find daily posts about poor service and slow delivery times (much like the OP describes). My own experience of them at christmas time was so poor i'll never use them again.deckster said:
Just to balance this, I use them often (last time about 3 weeks ago) and have never had a single problem.
Ditto. Only once in the many many times that I've ordered from CRC have I had to wait more than a couple of days for delivery. 9/10 it's next day, even on the free delivery 
Recently I've been using my LBS he's been able to match prices found on-line within a quid or two, stuff get's delivered to the shop so I don't need to go to the post office if I am not home and can collect on my terms.
It's now the exception that i'll use any online store as I get a better all round service from the LBS. I also use eBay and STW for some parts used and new too. At the moment that seems to work well.
It's now the exception that i'll use any online store as I get a better all round service from the LBS. I also use eBay and STW for some parts used and new too. At the moment that seems to work well.
WildCards said:
carter711 said:
Although if you are looking for the best prices and lightning fast free delivery you simply cannot beat www.chainreactioncycles.com. They posses a huge market share due to the above two reasons.
CRC have slipped greatly recently, if you frequent the STW board you'll find daily posts about poor service and slow delivery times (much like the OP describes). My own experience of them at christmas time was so poor i'll never use them again.The shop in Doncaster is excellent always helpful but i have found the more expensive looking places don't seem to car unless you are spending 2k on a new bike
deckster said:
WildCards said:
carter711 said:
Although if you are looking for the best prices and lightning fast free delivery you simply cannot beat www.chainreactioncycles.com. They posses a huge market share due to the above two reasons.
CRC have slipped greatly recently, if you frequent the STW board you'll find daily posts about poor service and slow delivery times (much like the OP describes). My own experience of them at christmas time was so poor i'll never use them again. Can't beat a good local bike shop imo, most can match online prices because thats where they buy it themselves!!!
Just for the record, i think Wiggle are excellent, not as much of a range as CRC but i've never had a problem in the few years i've been using them. Merlin are pretty good to if they have what your looking for.
Just for the record, i think Wiggle are excellent, not as much of a range as CRC but i've never had a problem in the few years i've been using them. Merlin are pretty good to if they have what your looking for.
WildCards said:
Aye, I use Wiggle and Merlin alot too, never had an issue and usualy between them I can get exactly what I want. Also had brilliant service from UKBikeStore recently aswell.
just goes to show how difficult these things are. I had terrible service from UK bike store and lame lame lame excuse from them as to why they didnt supply what they were supposed to or even contact me that it was not available it said it was in stock on the web site. Its wasnt their fault their supplier let them down they should have had them in stock etc etc no appology no nothing when I phoned them up.As for wiggle last week I used up my last innertube my spare was already in the bike and then got a split in it. forgot to order some so ordered them late thurs night 10pmish they came this morning ready for going out tomorrow.
CRC have been mostly OK but 1 problem and a couple of orders that took more than a few days. there are also 4 items overdue by weeks the expected date keeps changing on the website but no comunication. overall ok but I look to wiggle first now.
Moose. said:
deckster said:
Just to balance this, I use them often (last time about 3 weeks ago) and have never had a single problem.
Ditto. Only once in the many many times that I've ordered from CRC have I had to wait more than a couple of days for delivery. 9/10 it's next day, even on the free delivery As if by magic part of the overdue order from CRC came today. and one of the parts is wrong. Not a biggy but I have been waiting weeks and now its here it is not what I have ordered.
Reciept clearly says Red and has some sort of squiggle by it as if it has been checked.Box has a big white lable on saying Black
cant really miss it.
oh well now the agro of trying to get through to them, get a reply and organise sending it back then waiting for the replacement. JOY
Reciept clearly says Red and has some sort of squiggle by it as if it has been checked.Box has a big white lable on saying Black
cant really miss it.oh well now the agro of trying to get through to them, get a reply and organise sending it back then waiting for the replacement. JOY
Generally I have never had a problen with CRC, if the stuff is in stock, otherwise I avoid at all costs.
Starting to find they are not the cheapest option any more, a quick punt around 5 or 6 different places means some healthy savings.
Sometimes you get lucky with the sale items, just today I noticed they are doing Michelin Comp 16's for nearly half price which I was toying with trying anyway due to constantly flatting High Roller UST's. Makes it a bit more affordable now
Starting to find they are not the cheapest option any more, a quick punt around 5 or 6 different places means some healthy savings.
Sometimes you get lucky with the sale items, just today I noticed they are doing Michelin Comp 16's for nearly half price which I was toying with trying anyway due to constantly flatting High Roller UST's. Makes it a bit more affordable now
The Londoner said:
About 12 years ago, I ran a little mail order business selling bike accessories which I gave up on when something more lucrative came along. The big thing in the trade press at the time was poor customer service in bike shops.
Took a couple of hours out of the office this morning because I need various bits of kit, probably about £300's worth, and popped over to London Bridge where there are two large bike shops, both part of chains. In the first shop, I was completely ignored, despite picking up and looking at a number of high end bits and pieces whilst a group of 4 assistants were discussing what they did last night.
I therefore voted with my feet and went over to the other shop. The service was marginally better in that I did get served, but the assistant was so uninterested in responding to my questioning that I gave up on my wish list and will be ordering the other stuff I want online.
Thought they might have learned by now!
Thats a shame, assuming one of them is near London Dungeon, that used to be very good many moons ago when I worked nearby. Got a good deal on some hope xc4s iirc but it was a fair few years ago!Took a couple of hours out of the office this morning because I need various bits of kit, probably about £300's worth, and popped over to London Bridge where there are two large bike shops, both part of chains. In the first shop, I was completely ignored, despite picking up and looking at a number of high end bits and pieces whilst a group of 4 assistants were discussing what they did last night.
I therefore voted with my feet and went over to the other shop. The service was marginally better in that I did get served, but the assistant was so uninterested in responding to my questioning that I gave up on my wish list and will be ordering the other stuff I want online.
Thought they might have learned by now!
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