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So have been using Biketart on and off for years and they have always seem fine but lately they just seem a bit rubbish with slow delivery, not being able to speak to anyone (unless sales and they are remote) and slow to respond to emails etc. Most recent example, ordered some "in stock" bits on Friday at 12 and paid for priority delivery (which includes Saturday delivery) and literally heard nothing since, no delivery, no email sayings it been posted. It definitely feels like a gap in the market for a online bike shop who actually deliver quickly and answer queries.
It definitely feels like a gap in the market for a online bike shop who actually deliver quickly and answer queries.
That'd be Merlin.
I've only bought from BikeTart once but their prices seem good. It did take a while for dispatch, but when queried they got back to me fairly quickly (email). It turned out that some of what I'd ordered was in stock with the suppliers, so had to be ordered in before it could be sent out.
I like Bike Tart and the bits I've had from them have been well priced and generally quick(ish) to arrive.
That said it is often quicker and slightly cheaper to buy (the same) bits from their eBay store.
Same experience here.
So I don't use them if I'm in a hurry, but the stuff usually turns up in about a week.
Never had an issue here. Ordering some things last Monday evening and had them by Thursday - so not Merlin-fast but still fine
Biketart have become my online go-to with the demise of Chiggle and zero complaints.
They've always been great for me over the years but must admit to not having bought anything from them recently (past 6 months).
Always been fine when I've used them- not super fast delivery but I haven't expected 24hr turnarounds from anyone since the CRC were at their peak..
Never had any trouble with them.
Stuff has always turned up promptly
I tend to go with either Merlin or Bike Tart for online bike bits and can't complain about either. Must be you. 😘
Don't know Biketart's business model, but I suspect that they do not not have a large warehouse of stock, and they do business by ordering in from their supply chain once a customer order has been received . This means you will never get a 24 hour turn round, but you will always get good choice, and they are not burdened with a warehouse of out of date and unsellable stock. They have always worked well for me. You just need to be patient, or go elsewhere if it is urgent..
As most above have said, they are not the quickest but reliable enough if you dont need it next day.
Winstanleys on the other hand, couldn't organise a pissup in a brewery - or an item supposedly in stock to be sent within 2 weeks. Saying that, they don't answer emails either and picking up the phone seems a rarity before telling you they will call back, which they never do.
Ordered some Renthal v3 bars on Weds (eBay), free delivery, despatched on Fri, arrived on Sat.
No complaints here...
I've misread thier stock status before, there's little between the "In stock" (same day dispatch) and "In stock with supplier" (2-3 day dispatch). I'm not sure whether it's intentional, but it's easy to misread the latter and drive up there for your click and collect shiny new forks, only to have to come home empty handed.. I should have read more carefully, though - I probably would have done if it was a longer trip.
I use biketart regularly and they still seem good to me. I do order through ebay quite often, so maybe it's faster and with better communication on there? Had one item last year that they said royal mail lost, but I'm fairly sure biketart never sent.
Triton on the other hand...ordered something 10 days ago, heard nothing, just about to email them now. Guessing they're lying about what they have "in stock" again.