Being in recovery from surgery I have too much time to spend on the forums and no time allowed on the bikes. And this is one result. A very quick summary of my personal experience of bike gear shops that I have used in 2011. A quick PASS/FAIL rating with comments where out of the ordinary. Obviously somewhat subjective, but they had to really mess up to fail. In approx order of spend value……..
LBSs used;
SantaCruz/Niner dealer – very good service from Paul and the team from Rock and Road (much better attitude than the other local SC deal I went to when looking to buy last year) – PASS
Specialized dealer – indifferent service. Does make me wonder why I didn’t just buy the bike online. Jury is still out (I have an upcoming warranty issue!)
Industry Nine dealer – PASS
Online retailers used;
ChainReaction – didn’t even reply to me after I had 2 consecutive CC’s compromised earlier this year. Also didn’t acknowledge delivery promise failures – FAIL
Wiggle – PASS
Jenson (USA) – Initial teething problems but good remedial customer – PASS
Stif – they aren’t in too much of a hurry, but are good with advice. – PASS
Westbrook Cycles – borderline PASS
Competitive Cyclist (USA) – stuff often arrives quicker than from UK based retailers very efficient. Tax and delivery charges aside – PASS
Ayup lights – PASS
NextDayTyres– Nearly always live up to their name! – PASS
Rutland Cycling – PASS
Winstanleys – PASS
UKbikestore – PASS
Evans Cycles – PASS
29Squadron.com – Wanted additional delivery charges after their courier failed to deliver on first attempt. I declined and they only refunded the cost of goods – they charged me for the failed delivery and are adamant about not refunding it. Their attitude is piss poor. –FAIL
Pedalpowershop – So far failed to deliver goods ordered 7 weeks ago. They don’t answer the phone and I have had one apologetic email reply to 5 requests during that period. Very poor communication. – FAIL
Ribble – PASS
Freeborn – PASS
JustRidingAlong – PASS
Wheelies – PASS
Triton Cycles – So far failed to deliver goods ordered in April – FAIL
Planet-X-Bikes[/b] – PASS
All goods ordered on online retailers were shown as in stock. CRC get a lot less of my business since the CC debacle.
Best customer service LBS – Rock and Road. Online – CompetitiveCyclist.com
Worst customer service (by a huge margin): Online – 29Squadron.com
