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.
I've bought new gloves in March. Earlier this month, the textile spread up in a small section at the seam after normal use. Gloves still looked like new else. Brought them to the retailer, they sent them to the manufacturer; manufacturer replaced gloves last week FOC.
When gloves fail during an accident, it's up to you to argue how they failed more than expected. Best is to know promised testing standards and expected results; and compare your POV to that. Don't expect them to just accept your gut feeling that accident conditions were below their promise. Give evidence on how that was the case, or -better- convince them how the failure is unexpected by the nature of the damage.
I hope you, your hands and your bike are well! Good luck.
When gloves fail during an accident, it's up to you to argue how they failed more than expected. Best is to know promised testing standards and expected results; and compare your POV to that. Don't expect them to just accept your gut feeling that accident conditions were below their promise. Give evidence on how that was the case, or -better- convince them how the failure is unexpected by the nature of the damage.
I hope you, your hands and your bike are well! Good luck.
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. Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff