Gloves Bought Online - Failed After Minor Accident
Discussion
Bought a pair of Racer 1927 Heat 5 gloves in September from an online retailer.
After a 5 mph fall off, the fingers and thumbs burst apart on the right glove.
I've been in touch with the retailer who got in touch with the manufacturer and it was agreed they would be returned for inspection as the manufacturer is "surprised their CE tested and certified gloves have failed so easily."
After 6 weeks they've eventually come back and said the accident must have been at much higher speeds but are willing to offer 30% off a replacement pair.
I've told them this is unacceptable as my version of events is obviously correct due to the lack of damage to them other than the fingers falling apart.
Where do I stand? I would like either full or partial refund as I can't trust any gloves from this company again.
The retailer hasn't been much use and is seemingly only willing to do what the manufacturer suggests.
After a 5 mph fall off, the fingers and thumbs burst apart on the right glove.
I've been in touch with the retailer who got in touch with the manufacturer and it was agreed they would be returned for inspection as the manufacturer is "surprised their CE tested and certified gloves have failed so easily."
After 6 weeks they've eventually come back and said the accident must have been at much higher speeds but are willing to offer 30% off a replacement pair.
I've told them this is unacceptable as my version of events is obviously correct due to the lack of damage to them other than the fingers falling apart.
Where do I stand? I would like either full or partial refund as I can't trust any gloves from this company again.
The retailer hasn't been much use and is seemingly only willing to do what the manufacturer suggests.
Tonberry said:
I've told them this is unacceptable as my version of events is obviously correct due to the lack of damage to them other than the fingers falling apart.
It’s not obvious though. A high speed crash doesn’t automatically mean high levels of damage to the glove.I’ve had 20mph crashes before where the gloves were fit for the bin afterwards, I’ve also had 100mph crash where the gloves look no worse than had they fallen off the kitchen table.
TooLateForAName said:
Ask for the details of their testing - obviously you need to report this unexpected failure to whoever does the testing and trading standards and hse - ce certified kit failing is a major issue.
Meanwhile your contract is with the retailer - paid be card? try for a chargeback
That will be my next course of action. Will also try the Section 75 route.Meanwhile your contract is with the retailer - paid be card? try for a chargeback
TooLateForAName said:
Ask for the details of their testing - obviously you need to report this unexpected failure to whoever does the testing and trading standards and hse - ce certified kit failing is a major issue.
Meanwhile your contract is with the retailer - paid be card? try for a chargeback
Agree. Draft up a Letter Before Action with photos and clear explanation that the gloves are neither Fit for Purpose, As Described or Meanwhile your contract is with the retailer - paid be card? try for a chargeback
Satisfactory Quality. Demand full refund. If they don't pay, enter a claim at court. If bought on card, copy the issuing bank as jointly liable under s.75 and name them as joint defendant when you sue. They'll settle if you're serious.
https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/letter/let...
https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation...
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/section7...
airsafari87 said:
It’s not obvious though. A high speed crash doesn’t automatically mean high levels of damage to the glove.
I’ve had 20mph crashes before where the gloves were fit for the bin afterwards, I’ve also had 100mph crash where the gloves look no worse than had they fallen off the kitchen table.
Sure, but on that basis, they can't say the crash was worse than it was either.I’ve had 20mph crashes before where the gloves were fit for the bin afterwards, I’ve also had 100mph crash where the gloves look no worse than had they fallen off the kitchen table.
If I were going to lie, I'd say they fell apart from normal use.
Motorcycle kit can fail in a crash. But the point is you buy tougher kit so it doesn't or is less likely to.
These weren't a cheap pair of Amazon specials so I expected better.
If you bought them in September I guess they could argue you may have stored them badly or done something to them which affected the stitching?
It's a fair while ago and while I don't know what would cause that I suspect they'd have some reasons why poor storage or abuse from you in that 9 months may cause issues.
It's a fair while ago and while I don't know what would cause that I suspect they'd have some reasons why poor storage or abuse from you in that 9 months may cause issues.
While I understand the frustration, I suspect your ability to get any form of recompense will depend entirely on the good will of either the retailer or the manufacturer. The fact the gloves have been involved in an accident makes it very difficult to prove any form of specific issue. The speed, the surface, how you landed, and hundreds of other uncontrolled and unverifiable variables all make any quality judgement impossible. No glove is designed to survive every crash situation so the fact these gloves didn't survive a crash is not unexpected.
I'd suggest that the lesson from this is that good quality kit, that actually does what it's supposed to do, and what the purchaser expects, is harder to come by than it may at first appear.
I'd suggest that the lesson from this is that good quality kit, that actually does what it's supposed to do, and what the purchaser expects, is harder to come by than it may at first appear.
Yes, they'd also talked about the gradual degradation in quality of materials used for leather and textile suits, in the pursuit of cost. Keprotec (used for stretch between leather panels) was one such example cited as it costs over £100 per metre when genuine and many of their jobs involve swapping out the cheap 'chinese' stuff for the bona fide textiles.
Perhaps CE Level 2 gloves would be a better bet, as the seam burst strength is higher than Level 1 gloves. Regarding heated gloves, Keis offers some that achieve Level 2.
black-k1 said:
I'd suggest that the lesson from this is that good quality kit, that actually does what it's supposed to do, and what the purchaser expects, is harder to come by than it may at first appear.
Has glove quality declined of late? It seems increasingly hard to find high-quality gloves. I was glove shopping recently, and some of the premium-priced gloves felt cheaply made or had loose stitching. 
I bought some Rukka gloves last year. The stitching started pulling apart and the closure strap came away after the fourth or fifth time I wore them.
I was under the impression the Rukka made some of the best kit available.
I repaired them myself, so I'll keep on wearing them til they properly fall apart.
I was under the impression the Rukka made some of the best kit available.
I repaired them myself, so I'll keep on wearing them til they properly fall apart.
I notice increasing comments on various motorcycle forums about seam issues with gloves. Perhaps the general quality has declined.
Regarding Racer, the OP’s issues relate to French Racer 1927 gloves, not Austrian Racer gloves. My experience with several pairs of (Austrian) Racer gloves has been great, and their High Racer gloves are superb.
Regarding Racer, the OP’s issues relate to French Racer 1927 gloves, not Austrian Racer gloves. My experience with several pairs of (Austrian) Racer gloves has been great, and their High Racer gloves are superb.
I do wonder if standards generally have slipped. I bought a brand new pear of Alpinestar SP8 gauntlet gloves. I think they were around £130-140 something like that. They were a little snug in 2xl but a size up would have not been right.
Just general use within a week I burst the stitching on the right glove when I made a tight fist, to fist bump my mate as we parted ways after a ride.
Returned and refunded probably a little of fault on both parties but they weren’t uncomfortably tight just didn’t seem to have any give in them and me making a fist is certainly going to be less strenuous than an off at any considerable speed.
Just general use within a week I burst the stitching on the right glove when I made a tight fist, to fist bump my mate as we parted ways after a ride.
Returned and refunded probably a little of fault on both parties but they weren’t uncomfortably tight just didn’t seem to have any give in them and me making a fist is certainly going to be less strenuous than an off at any considerable speed.
evolution380 said:
I do wonder if standards generally have slipped. I bought a brand new pear of Alpinestar SP8 gauntlet gloves. I think they were around £130-140 something like that. They were a little snug in 2xl but a size up would have not been right.
Just general use within a week I burst the stitching on the right glove when I made a tight fist, to fist bump my mate as we parted ways after a ride.
Returned and refunded probably a little of fault on both parties but they weren’t uncomfortably tight just didn’t seem to have any give in them and me making a fist is certainly going to be less strenuous than an off at any considerable speed.
There's no question standards have slipped. Doesn't seem like any of the big firms give a toss any more about quality. There's been more than one thread on here about Dainese being garbage these days, after being bought (twice) by PE firms who care for nothing but a quick profit and flog them on. My Alpinestars goretex laminate jacket and trousers leaked like a sieve after two seasons, half of which they were hung up in the (bone dry and not freezing) garage because of covid. Alpinestars waterproof gloves - shrunk after a few showers. RST summer gloves - velcro goes fluffy and stops sticking. None of those are cheap Chinese eBay specials, but allegedly good quality gear. sJust general use within a week I burst the stitching on the right glove when I made a tight fist, to fist bump my mate as we parted ways after a ride.
Returned and refunded probably a little of fault on both parties but they weren’t uncomfortably tight just didn’t seem to have any give in them and me making a fist is certainly going to be less strenuous than an off at any considerable speed.
te, all of it - with the notable exception of my TCX boots, which are as comfy and waterproof after four years as the day they were first used.i've moved to Oxford laminated gear these days. It's just as effective as the Alpinestars, but at 1/3 of the price (and more comfortable). The trousers still leaked, but at least SportsBikeShop replaced them immediately.
Salted_Peanut said:
I notice increasing comments on various motorcycle forums about seam issues with gloves. Perhaps the general quality has declined.
Regarding Racer, the OP’s issues relate to French Racer 1927 gloves, not Austrian Racer gloves. My experience with several pairs of (Austrian) Racer gloves has been great, and their High Racer gloves are superb.
Thanks for clarifying that, as i assumed he was on about Racer gloves, which are a high quality brand who, in my experience, have been very reactive to issues reported to them.Regarding Racer, the OP’s issues relate to French Racer 1927 gloves, not Austrian Racer gloves. My experience with several pairs of (Austrian) Racer gloves has been great, and their High Racer gloves are superb.
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