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to move its operations to NI and not the other way around. Warehousing and staff will be much cheaper in NI than mainland UK and Im sure they could have got some tax breaks for staying
read a comment on one of the bike business sites under an article about this saying Wiggle's newish UK warehouse was running at something like 30% capacity so if true a no-brainer from their perspective.
I was always impressed with CRC's customer service which always went above and beyond. Munqe Chick found some still-boxed SPD pedals she'd bought from them like 18 months earlier (had subsequently converted to flats), she emailed them and they were happy to take 'em back for a credit note. I returned a full-face helmet that didn't fit by recorded delivery (my decision), when they refunded the purchase price they added on the cost of my return postage. I had to email them to find out why the refund was for more than I remembered spending!
i agree, i ordered a pair of gloves for £17. Some turned up wrong that were £30 and i sent them back explaining right make wrong glove and got a credit note for £25. £8 in profit.
Bought a CAMELBAK Podium water bottle that discoloured inside and they requested i send them some pictures, they sent me a new bottle. Recently bought a top with a slight blemish and was refunded the full prrchase price. I cant wear the top on the bike as the zipper won't go past the neck wiyhout de railing but its spot on for walking the dog in under my Barbour.
Schwalbe tyre split on the front on the bead and i was refunded BOTH tyres cost.
Dont get me wrong i spend a LOT of money with them, but i'm gonna miss that relliable almost fit and forget procedure, Send it back and almost forget its gone then the email comes through confirming their action.
As most of the stuff from CRC, comes into the uk through Birkenhead and Liverpool docks, theres going to be a loss for the subbies employed to deliver it to the regional hubs for onwards distruibution, but hopefully new jobs wil be created at the new super depot that wiggle has just built in england.
lets take off the rose tinted spectacles for a moment .
Has everyone forgotten the credit card fraud scandal and how awfully CRC dealt with it ?
I had to phone Wiggle the other week and I gave them my name.
You sure? If so please tell me the phone number, because I can't find it.
One of the reasons I stopped using Wiggle. The other one is they used everybodies favourite courier . . . hucking Yodel.
Merlin, Cyclestore and the Germans for me now. Recommendations for other online shops welcome.
Marko
I feel for the folk in Ireland that'll lose there jobs.
There can't be too many jobs available.
It'll be a huge loss for the local economy over there.
One of the reasons I stopped using Wiggle. The other one is they used everybodies favourite courier . . . hucking Yodel.
I get all my stuff via Royal Mail, is that because I use the free delivery option?
I don't use any companies that use Yodel as only option as not worth the time and effort chasing up every other missing parcel.
Recommendations for other online shops welcome.
This.
I see my future online purchases coming from Germany too.
I get all my stuff via Royal Mail, is that because I use the free delivery option?I don't use any companies that use Yodel as only option as not worth the time and effort chasing up every other missing parcel.
Yeah iirc:
Normal - Royal Mail
Priority - Yodel (of teh ironing)
Next Day - DPD
i hate the the way they have thrown their DHB kit across CRC's website.
Why? At least it means the kit probably exists in anything other than XXS and XXL like CRC.
I don't get the Wiggle hate what's the big deal.
As most of the stuff from CRC, comes into the uk through Birkenhead and Liverpool docks, theres going to be a loss for the subbies employed to deliver it to the regional hubs for onwards distruibution
Hang on, CRC isn't closing down, is it? They've laid some people off but will still operate as a business and continue to stock and ship tonnes of stuff.
Maybe we should focus on the environmental good that this will do? Surely we can all agree it is far better for the environment with the reduction in 'pointlessly' shipping goods in and out of Northern Ireland
And Norn Ireland is probably closer to a lot of places in the UK than, what, Plymouth is it where Wiggle are based.
Hang on, CRC isn't closing down, is it? They've laid some people off but will still operate as a business and continue to stock and ship tonnes of stuff.
If you read the article then bikes / frames / wheelbuilding will stay in NI, the rest will go to Wolverhampton.
And Norn Ireland is probably closer to a lot of places in the UK than, what, Plymouth is it where Wiggle are based.
Wolverhampton
[i]Hopefully that warehouse will lend itself quite well to a similar outfit like NEXT or even Amazon?
Who knows you might even get some of our Banks, [/I]
Are you like the bloke I work with that doesn't realise the island of Ireland is split into two, Northern Ireland (which is part of the UK) and Eire that isn't?
Although the guy I work with thought the entire island was in the UK...
Where did Hotlines etc figure into this? are they under wiggle now or independent?
I don't get the Wiggle hate what's the big deal.
Nor me. Their prices are always competitive for the stuff I am after (and because I buy a certain amount i get platinum discount)
Delivery is always within 2 days even though I always go for free delivery.
Their website tells the truth on stock levels so no second guessing.
Where did Hotlines etc figure into this? are they under wiggle now or independent?
Also now part of the Wiggle group.
I lived in Sheffield - and JE James was my LBS. That was totes awesums.
You must have had some dark days to make that look like a glimmer of positive.
I clicked on CRC earlier and they are now selling dhb stuff.
The thought went through my head that they are a Wiggle brand. Oh yeah...
Time to find a new supplier of bike bits. Tredz?
I just buy stuff from where is cheapest. My LBS if doing any work for me will tell me to buy stuff from CRC and send it to the workshop. I'd have only thought this reduction of competition could increase prices.
Anybody know how much wiggle paid for crc?
Did they ever recover the business they lost when they changed the website?
They've moved.And Norn Ireland is probably closer to a lot of places in the UK than, what, Plymouth is it where Wiggle are based.
Wiggle still have their HQ in Portsmouth but as others have mentioned the main warehouse is in Wolverhampton.
Speaking as someone who lives 5 miles from CRC HQ, I haven't seen too many local bike shops going under since the mid 90's when I first started buying from them. My closest shop is still ticking over selling Trek and Raleigh BSO's and much of their stock (tubes, tyres, gear cables etc) is sourced from CRC.A year or two ago I needed a couple of BB spacers so decided to support another local shop, Madigans in Carrickfergus. The guy in the shop looked at me funny and said "nah, we don't anything like that, try CRC." So I did and the guy behind the counter of their s****y showroom wandered off to the workshop and came back with a handful of spacers, no charge.
Another time I was bitching to one of the guys at the counter how I was selling a frame but the only interest was from Aus and I was being quoted £240 for postage. He made a call upstairs then said they could post it for me for £25.
They may have been a faceless corporation to those on the mainland and WW, but they were always an 'LBS' in the truest sense for me.
I can't fault their customer service.
I bought some Mattocs which were missing the IVA and volume spacers so emailed regarding this. In between my first email and them sorting it, my bikes were stolen. I said to the lad not to worry about sending the missing bits because of the theft and that'll I'll order some more once I had the insurance payout. He went and spoke to his manager who said that'd they'd do any extra 10% off for any replacement bits through them. They got a massive order and chucked in free next day delivery.
Wiggle on the other hand we're a pain in the bum to deal with when they got numerous orders of mine wrong ad not being able to talk to someone is infuriating.
I had an issue with something from Wiggle, sorted quickly and without issue.
So it's one all.
Or anecdotal bollocks.
Wiggle have been OK for me, though I also find it annoying that they won't take phone calls.
CRC have been friendly and really helpful every time I've needed it, definitely a cut above IME.
99% of this forum is anecdotal bollocks Al.