I've just taken delivery of a pair of SRAM X9 shifters that I ordered on-line and was quite surprised that they turned up in just a plastic bag with just the user manual with them. They were not listed as OE when I ordered them. Is this normal or should they have been boxed if they were full retail versions?

Also the installed gear cable has some black coating that is already rubbing off in places, what is this?

Bit of a grey area really, I think the full retail should be boxed so sounds like they are OE and I thought shops were supposed to list if they are but not sure. Most of the stuff from Merlin seems to be OE if you got them there.

Just pretend you threw the box away already. Oh nice new shifters.

Merlin get Shimano in bulk boxes from Madison so some items come in plastic bags from them. Madison are the ones who put parts into retail boxes probably adding expense and wasting cardboard in my opinion-what do you usually do with boxes?

Therefore plastic bag does not always=OE or grey parts.

I have never had a problem with any item from Merlin-top service and everything is warranteed.

I buying oe parts saves me money then I am always happy

If the price was good & the kit as expected then I couldnt care less if its on a fancy box that will get binned.
And less packaging is better for the environment also.

Not sure what the coating is, never used Sram kit.

MoseyMTB – Member
Just pretend you threw the box away already. Oh nice new shifters.

+1

If the price was good & the kit as expected then I couldnt care less if its on a fancy box that will get binned.

+1

Cheers for the replies, they were ordered from J E James.

I was just surprised, but like you all say the boxes just get thrown in the bin so I'm cool with them.

It's a teflon coating, like XTR cables, makes them shift more smoothly, but it does wear off.

You don't recycle?

They are probably knackered if they were not protected by the proper boxes.

I will be a kind samaritan and take them off your hands for a fiver 😉