Post by gerrybreen on Sept 8, 2008 16:47:54 GMT
The Bad Side of Good Times
Bicycle manufacturers and suppliers seem to never have had it so good, but the negative side seems to be that when you want assistance they don't seem to be interested.
I bought a Ridgeback Horizon a few months ago for long distance credit card style touring in preparation for the Trans-USA Challenge in 2009 but neither the supplier (Evans) nor the manufacturer seems interested in the vital ingredient of after sales service.
When I ordered spare spokes they couldn’t supply only a few. Evans even had to ask me what size the bike used! When I informed them that a small part from the touring rack was missing they seemed unwilling to supply what in effect is a part that would cost a few pence. This is unbelievable, as after all I had spent several hundred pounds with them including many accessories.
I also required a Shimano 52T Chainring and Guard kit but Evans or none of the UK dealers wanted to import it for me and Shimano Europe would not even reply to my enquiries. I then tried Shimano's international dealers but of those that replied a few said that they couldn’t deal with enquiries from outside their region. After one month and more than 30 emails I have finally given up and decided to try to make one.
I have also decided to buy something else and make my decision for which brand upon how they respond to a list of questions. I like personal service and this seems to be at a premium these days.
I fancy going for a Titanium Van Nicholas Yukon or an Enigma Etape but the latter has not responded to my enquiry yet! Not having that much luck it seems, but does anyone have any experience with these companies?
Bicycle manufacturers and suppliers seem to never have had it so good, but the negative side seems to be that when you want assistance they don't seem to be interested.
I bought a Ridgeback Horizon a few months ago for long distance credit card style touring in preparation for the Trans-USA Challenge in 2009 but neither the supplier (Evans) nor the manufacturer seems interested in the vital ingredient of after sales service.
When I ordered spare spokes they couldn’t supply only a few. Evans even had to ask me what size the bike used! When I informed them that a small part from the touring rack was missing they seemed unwilling to supply what in effect is a part that would cost a few pence. This is unbelievable, as after all I had spent several hundred pounds with them including many accessories.
I also required a Shimano 52T Chainring and Guard kit but Evans or none of the UK dealers wanted to import it for me and Shimano Europe would not even reply to my enquiries. I then tried Shimano's international dealers but of those that replied a few said that they couldn’t deal with enquiries from outside their region. After one month and more than 30 emails I have finally given up and decided to try to make one.
I have also decided to buy something else and make my decision for which brand upon how they respond to a list of questions. I like personal service and this seems to be at a premium these days.
I fancy going for a Titanium Van Nicholas Yukon or an Enigma Etape but the latter has not responded to my enquiry yet! Not having that much luck it seems, but does anyone have any experience with these companies?
