Just got an email newsletter from Pure racing..
Looks like they have dropped KS, apparently not paying for warranty works.
Looks like the Reverb is still king then!!
KS End of Distribution Announcement.With regret we announce Pure Racing will cease being the exclusive distributor and service centre for all KS products as of today – 19/02/13.
Despite a long relationship, having nurtured the KS height adjustable seatpost brand to one of the most popular in the UK during our tenure we are now parting company.
KS continued attempts to avoid paying for work done in upholding their “2 year manufacturer’s warranty”, we have had to absorb large losses on their behalf which is unacceptable. While this dispute continued KS restricted deliveries and spares preventing Pure Racing from offering the support we expect for our customers, it has been decided that it is time to go our own ways.
We apologise for any customers who have been left with backorders unfulfilled as KS refused to offer any delivery dates for future deliveries for the past few weeks.
We had minimal stock and this has been cleared. Unfortunately we can only offer basic servicing for the transition period, as KS have restricted spares supply and failed to honour work done previously and is unlikely to pay for any future work. All warranty work will need to be forwarded to other service centres in Europe, until a new UK service centre is opened.
Pure Racing MD, Neil Wilkinson had this to say: “Pure Racing has worked tirelessly to build the KS brands in the UK over the past 5 years so it is of course sad to come to an end of this particular chapter in our history. We tried our hardest to work through any issues, but KS seemed intent on trying to destroy their own brand and distribution/service base. However, Pure Racing has several new projects and brands to build for them a successful, long term and sustainable business in the UK and Republic of Ireland, always with the best interests of our customers in mind.”
What happens now?
If you have any complaints, queries or requests please forward them to KS Taiwan or KS USA:
KS Customer Service - Yvonne - yenyue@ms49.hinet.net
KS USA - rtaylor1@cox.netUntil KS sets up a new service centre/distributor in the UK we recommend forwarding any manufacturers warranty or service requests to other European distributors which can be found on:
http://kssuspension.com/support/worldwide-partners/Items returned to ourselves for warranty or service will be returned immediately.
Thank you, Neil Wilkinson"
shame for fruit - he's worked hard to build up the brand and business.
'large losses on warranty work' does sound like they're not the most reliable of products though...
Is that even legal? Surely as a customer your first port of call is the retailer you bought it from.Items returned to ourselves for warranty or service will be returned immediately.
Although I'm a fan of the Lev it's hard to recommend one now (although I'll leave it as Wiggle's problem if mine breaks...)
Is that even legal? Surely as a customer your first port of call is the retailer you bought it from.
Thats what I thought, while manufacturers usually back up the retailer, the legal responsibility is with the retailer.
Is that even legal? Surely as a customer your first port of call is the retailer you bought it from.Thats what I thought, while manufacturers usually back up the retailer, the legal responsibility is with the retailer.
This email was sent to retailers etc... and not to customers, so your LBS will have the post back and most probably will have to send it to Europe.
If he does just push the problem and cost back to retailers they're hardly likely to take a shine to any other products he tries to distribute in future?
Not good news but there are at least 2 sides to every story. Any press release from KS yet?
I suspect that this will now mean that the European bike shops can now sell items in to UK market. Who knows, maybe this was part of the problem between Pure and KS. I am sure more details will emerge in the near future.
That could have been written much more professionally.
If it's costing them alot of money/time/labour to sort warranty issues it makes sense for them to stop dealing with the products.
I suspect KS will be wanting access to a larger more traditional distributor... and to achieve this aim have made life difficult for the little guy who took the risk and championed their product so well at the start. It's a dog-eat-dog capitalist world out there. Expects announcement from KS about major "improved distribution network" shortly 🙄
Edit: Probably/maybe
Gap in the market then, when's your new one appearing Loco?
Still testing the 3rd Gen. 'Bighorn' on the filthy Welsh slop, all have been 100% reliable so far and they are being badly abused 😉
Shouldn't be more than a month or so. 😀
As long as its cheap, light, reliable and looks good then ill have one 😉
and 27.2...
I have been in contact recently as their posts are going on a few krampus builds.
So if anyone needs a fancy post, let me know.
Charlie, are you getting posts from the USA, far east
Or Europe? I've not had much luck trying to sort a few warranty issues for customers.
Also quite fancy a 6" lev for myself.
Isn't Neil Wilkinson from superstar components too?
This thread is fascinating! It throws up so many questions. I've just looked at the Pure Racing website and KS dropper seatposts are the ONLY product they have. What are they going to do now?!?
This thread is fascinating! It throws up so many questions. I've just looked at the Pure Racing website and KS dropper seatposts are the ONLY product they have. What are they going to do now?!?
I think as mentioned, the director of superstar is also the director of pure.... Did he interview himself for the press release? 😉
Nearly bought a post on sale, glad i didnt now. Does anyone else think its a bit shit that they sold them off cheap before announcing this?
well, given Neils history with warranty and his general approach to people and customer care in general, one has to ask the question - Is it really the case that KS are that bad?
We know what a spin doctor he is.
I have only used superstar for bits n bobs (the usual pads etc) so cant comment on warranty as the stuff has worked ok.
I just think from a business perspective, if you own both superstar and pure the distribution company it would be more 'correct' to inform people that they are on sale due to them pulling distribution.
Can you legally just pull the plug as it were if you are still trading in the same mannner - could shops still send warranty back to pure as they are the supplier or is that not how it works?
KS are quite a big outfit. I wonder if old fruityboy had been taking the piss with the warranty costs?
I'm sorry, I'm a bit lost here- what is the connection between KS, Superstar, Pure Racing and 'fruit'?!?!?
KS is distributed by 'Pure Race', the director is Neil or 'Fruit'
Superstar's director is Neil or 'Fruit':
Pure Racing (TA) - Tibolts Wholesale Ltd
Unit 9 Lincoln Enterprise Park
Newark Road
Lincoln
Lincolnshire
LN5 9EJ
Superstar Components Ltd
Unit 9 Lincoln Enterprise Park
Newark Road
Lincoln
LN5 9EJ
Same people.
KS - manufacturer
Pure Racing - UK Distributor
Superstar - a UK retailer
"Fruit" - the once-STW logon id of the owner of both Superstar [i]and[/i] Pure Racing who was banned for setting up another logon id and dissing some of his competition.
There are other tales, but that's a decent summary to be going on with.
I've got a Lev and have had i900 and i950's before and whilst it's a pain not having a distributor at the minute with regard to servicing, Pure racing/Superstar were so shocking everytime i had a problem with mine that i'm actually quite happy. Hopefully one of the bigger distributors will pick up KS and do a proper job of customer service and actually helping the people who bought their products rather than just blaming them when something goes wrong.
As for that press release, does anyone remember that when Superstar first started selling them they were branded as Pure Racing posts. The KS branding is a fairly recent thing so trying to develop their own brand may be a more accurate description.
Pictures on the Pure site still have 'KS for Pure Racing' logos on the posts.... sounds plausable.
I've got a Lev and have had i900 and i950's before and whilst it's a pain not having a distributor at the minute with regard to servicing, Pure racing/Superstar were so shocking everytime i had a problem with mine that i'm actually quite happy. Hopefully one of the bigger distributors will pick up KS and do a proper job of customer service and actually helping the people who bought their products rather than just blaming them when something goes wrong.
Doubt it, most wouldn't touch it with a sh*tty stick. Which is why nothing has been announced already. Good brands and products have people lined up to fill in where someone left off, announcements come almost immediately. Not two weeks with no news...
He could weasel his way out of warranty work, if he winds up pure racing. I imagine that would go down great with the people who have sold them and have warranty issues however.
Is KS reliability questionable then? I've only seen one in the flesh and is oozed quality TBH. The Lev is doing very well in the reviews stakes at the moment too.
If the posts were the only product of pure racing, he can just fold that company and not have to worry about any warranty issues, no?
Bit naughty of superstar though, they sold of there stock of KS posts cheap this week knowing there would no longer be any UK warranty support.
Tut Tut
Mmm interesting, i'll think i'll hold fire on one of their posts then. If you want a post with no flappy cable what are your options? reverb stealth? why aren't more companies offering this?
can you still read the dodgy threads before he got banned? Be interested to see what went down!
Oh great i have one of those seatposts...lever version..tho at the time the bike shop said wen there gone thats it.. wasnt sure if they were making anymore....i bought it cos of my stem size which is 27.2 so couldnt get a teverb lol
Bit naughty of superstar though, they sold of there stock of KS posts cheap this week knowing there would no longer be any UK warranty support.
Exactly what i thought, pretty shady if you ask me - especially as they were the support. Though i would expect superstar themselves have to provide support now as they are the retailer?
If the posts were the only product of pure racing, he can just fold that company and not have to worry about any warranty issues, no?
If it is another trading name of the same LTD company can you do that?
By that thought, is Superstar Components (or TiBolts LTD) still liable for any warranty - or am i talking total crap?
Did like the look of the posts though, but got a reverb on the cheap from merlin in the end.
Pure Racing did announce that they had no distribution agreement with KS at least a week before they had their sale on KS products.
This thread is over a week old now.
Pure Racing did announce that they had no distribution agreement with KS at least a week before they had their sale on KS products.
Announcing to the trade is different to selling them on one of your own websites to the unknowing public though isnt it?
Only if Superstar/TiBolts/Pure Racing are indeed separate trading names for the same company. If they are entirely separate LTD companies then, even if they have the same directors/staff, they have absolutely no connection to each other. Although there are legitimate reasons for doing this, it's also a pretty common tactic used by a certain type of businessman. 😕By that thought, is Superstar Components (or TiBolts LTD) still liable for any warranty - or am i talking total crap?
Your contract is with the retailer not the distributor- it'll be up to Superstar to deal with any issues caused by there not being a UK distributor, the fact that they used to be the distributor makes no difference and the fact that there's no distributor makes no difference to the warranty.
It does mean you're more likely to have delays or issues with repairs though.
I was under the same impression as Northwind that the contract is with the retailer, therefore they are responsible for the warranty under sale of goods act 1974?
Whatever happens...I just need mine not to break anytime soon!
Just looking on Duedil - companies house type thing we use - and your man owns 2 companies,
TiBolts Wholesale Ltd and Superstar Components Limited. Both are companies that are still running and active. TiBolts is trading as Pure Racing.
He's not listed as being a director or even linked with another company, even one thats shut.
I would love to know what KS make of all this....
This may help.
http://www.oft.gov.uk/business-advice/treating-customers-fairly/sogahome/sogaexplained/
I have yet to check my self but I am in agreement with Northwind. It is the retailer who is responsible for sorting the warranty and not the distributor. The retailer will most likely send back to distributor for repair/exchange.
Well, decided to put my money where my mouth is- Wiggle stopped promising delivery of my long-delayed Lev, so ordered a Supernatural from Superstar today. Raise shields!
Northwind - so do I come to you now to fix my warranty issues? 😀
Did I sell you the post?
(that's retorical, I'm not going senile. Am I? No.)
Well hopefully you'll receive it soon. My wife wasn't in the last two days when the courier came and it will now be delivered Monday! Think I need a new wife...
"can you still read the dodgy threads before he got banned?"
I think they'll just be pre-hack, so no
nearly went for one last night, then realised i was just buying a problem. so going to wait, dunno what for.
I cancelled my order. Life is too short to be ****ing about with a shit seatpost. Oh and I giggle when I see them priced over ------>
They should be 2ndhand Joplin money now in light of the Octipus one leaving etc.
Bought both my levs from Germany. Happy to send them back there if I have an issue. They seem like good posts. All I've risked is slightly higher postage costs.
I have been running KS posts for years.... no problems yet and only strip them about every 18 months to give them a clean up.
The only problem is crap getting into the cable but a sponge wedged in the saddle rails has stopped most of that.
Due to my lack of issues with my 2 existing i950s I did buy a Lev off Superstar in the dump sale, a mate has had one since they came out with no problems so I am happy enough.
The ones that I have heard of problems with are the 27.2 ones as they had a fault that seems to render them pretty useless which is why I avoided that model.
On another note I had a Joplin.... pants
I have a Reverb... 6 months old and 2 strip downs and the head spinning so far, lovely action though.
As for Superstar.... I just hope the Tesla hubs are ok!!!
hora - MemberLife is too short to be **** about with a shit seatpost.
That's exactly why I just bought one. It might not fit your version of events but the revised i900 and the i950 are both well proven.
Well done darling
It is the retailer who is responsible for sorting the warranty and not the distributor.
Yes and no. The retailer is responsible for meeting their obligation under the sale of goods act. This means that if it is "not of satisfactory quality" then it is the retailer who has to deal with it. The period for which you can do this is not explicitly defined, and depends on the "expectations of a reasonable person".
Manufacturers typically provide their own warranty in addition to your statutory rights, which gives you cover for a specific period (e.g. 2 years). The procedure for returns under this warranty depends on the terms, but is typically "return to any authorised dealer".
If you find that the terms of the manufacturer's warranty aren't being honoured (e.g. because there's no distributor to get spares) then you might reasonably be able to claim a refund or replacement from the original retailer on the basis that it doesn't meet the description of having a warranty.
One advantage of returning under the SoGA is that you're entitled to a partial refund if the repair or replacement takes an unreasonable time.
Whichever way you look at it, SS selling seatposts when they know that there's no distributor is more their problem than it is yours 😀
Hopefully KS will find a professional distributor. I was keen on the Lev but the idea of Superstar dealing with the warranty put me off.
Whichever way you look at it, SS selling seatposts when they know that there's no distributor is more their problem than it is yours
But where do you stand if Superstar were the distributor AND retailer and are still trading?
Can you just 'switch off' your rights as a distributor to offer warranty if you are still trading in the same manner?
E.g. Could i distribute 3million pounds worth of cheap crap heaters or similar knowing they are total rubbish, then just send a letter after sale stating: 'we are no longer distributors for this product' Then just wash my hands of the trouble and walk off into the sunset with the cash?
Surely not? - Surly even though 'Pure Race' has announced they are no longer distributors they have a legal responsibility to offer warranty on products they distributed. That or cease trading?
This goes for any business / product, if it is the case it is quite worrying...
I would imagine in that case Superstar will attempt to wash their hands of it all and blame KS.
Well we shall see..
Can you just 'switch off' your rights as a distributor to offer warranty if you are still trading in the same manner?
I guess it depends on the details of the agreement between the manufacturer and the distributor.
Superstar will attempt to wash their hands of it all
That's the default position for the SS complaints department anyway, so shouldn't be much of a stretch for them.