Ribble: friend or foe?

turkeytickler

Hi all

I am a past Hinde victim so these days am very choosy about mail order firms only using;
wiggle, chain reaction, parkers, PBK and edinburgh (so few huh?!).

I have heard some bad stuff about Ribble but never used them - can anyone recommend them? I am thinking about buying a pair of wheels from them that are currently out of stock.... would never dare do this with Hinde - whats the wisdom with Ribble in your experiences?

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andyp

My experience is fairly limited but I've not had any problems with Ribble. However, they've always sent what I ordered and I've never had to return anything (which is the litmus test for assessing how good a mail order company is).

redddraggon

I've never had a problem with Ribble.

It's normally the people who have had bad experiences that shout the loudest, but I'd say don't let the odd bad experience put you off, as they tend to be in the minority.

Zendog1

Never had any problems with Ribble in four years of fairly regular purchases. They are slightly slower than Wiggle (generally 2 / 3 days) and do not do free delivery but then again their prices tend to be cheaper.

dennisn

redddraggon wrote:

I've never had a problem with Ribble.

It's normally the people who have had bad experiences that shout the loudest, but I'd say don't let the odd bad experience put you off, as they tend to be in the minority.

I agree. Seems like all that has to happen is one little mixup and certain people become
convinced that it's a conspiracy against them, and so and so's bike shop is run by the
devil himself. I guess they think that someone is out to get them. Go easy on the paranoia
boys.

Dennis Noward

aracer

They used to have a poor reputation, but nowhere near as bad as DH (more incompetence than downright dishonesty). However I've not heard anything bad recently. Had to wait a little while when I ordered something last year, presumably because they had to order in, and whilst the communication was poor I did get the parts in a reasonably short time, and it all came as ordered. I'd certainly use again - though they're not quite up to Wiggle / CRC / PBK / Dotbike standards.

onehipwonder

I have never experienced any problems with Ribble either. Also you can spread payments for expensive items over a few months with their cheque spread deal, which I did last year when buying some Campag Neutrons (which were far cheaper at Ribble than anywhere else)

Doobz

Ribble are cool - I had some issues with a Nero Corsa that was built and within a few days they had sent me the replacement parts.

A few weeks ago I ordered some bits one of the items was not in stock. I was not charged for it, The item wasn't anything fancy, only a thermal skull cap so must have been £15 or so.. To my amazement it arrived this Friday free of charge.

jhop

They've always sent what I ordered and I've never had to return anything (which is the litmus test for assessing how good a mail order company is)

My experience exactly, they offer good value in terms of price and reliability and quality of service and no longer seem to be on the receiving end of the harsh feedback that was once the norm on this forum. I have used them regularly over the last 5 years without any problems at all.

nicknick

I have had some very bad experience with Ribble including taking 2 weeks for some wheels to arrive only to find on the final call that they had been out of stock. Why didnt they tell me??

But, recently they seem to have improved massively. Anyway you'll keep returning 'cos of the silly prices!!

Smokin Joe

I've had lots of gear from them and always been satisfied. They are easily the cheapest to buy from, and I think the website now shows whether an item is in stock or not.

gkerr4

they are ok - don't expect them to be "next day" like PBK or wiggle - but sometimes there prices are amazing and they are getting better on the service front.

my first order with them, a set of bibshorts, never arrived but a refund was provided within a suitable timescale. 2nd was a tiagra chainset which came within a couple of days, 3rd was biggie - a set of eurus wheels wth tyres - ordered on Tuesday - arrived on Thursday with a note to apologise for the delay and that they were trying to get things out within 24hrs!! - last order was a centaur groupset which took 5 days to come which was frustrating after the ver quick delivery of wheels, but ultimately still quite good..

i'd recommend them - the service is good if something does go wrong and the prices are often unbeatable!

ginger1

use them all the time, most recently for a pair of wheels. Nothing but good service in my experience (though responses to e-mails can sometimes be slow). Theyve always been very helpful on the phone.

turkeytickler

thanks for all the feedback everyone - thats all very reasurring to hear .... think I will give them a try - they are certainly unbeatable on price huh...

top_bhoy

Never a problem using them regularly, either in the UK or when I have ordered from them over the last 2 yeasr in Oz. Stuff arrives in Oz normally 1 week after ordering - and the only charge 8.50 GBP delivery to Oz. I'll keep using them.

Gragi

Ribble - I ordered once from them and got the delivery in good time without any problem.

I ordered from Wiggle on Sunday - Topeak child seat (rack to be included) - it arrived today, I was well impressed until I opened the box and found a Hamax Kiss child seat... I now have the pleasure of going through Wiggle's return policy, which basically means me repackaging the childseat (half an hour of my time...) and then posting it to them tomorrow (I guess around 15GBP cost to me upfront), then waiting probably two weeks - if I'm lucky for hopefully the correct seat.

I will think very seriously about using Wiggle again for any future orders. Especially as their return policy punishes YOU for THEIR errors... :shock:

I also use Cyclebasket (Nelson Cycles - in Llangynidr) on a regular basis - they are top quality in terms of service, quick and cheap - only pass on the cost of ¨P+P that they pay.

redddraggon

Gragi wrote:

I will think very seriously about using Wiggle again for any future orders. Especially as their return policy punishes YOU for THEIR errors... :shock:

Wiggle's return system works. I had to send back a faulty Cateye Single Shot plus last week, they sent out a replacement same day as they received the light back.

To be honest, Wiggle's return system is about the same as most.

Gragi

Thanks Reddraggon.

It's more me expressing frustration. I'd have kicked the cat if I had one I know human error is impossible to get rid of but it's just frustrating when you're on the end of it!

term1te

I've never had a problem with them, and recently got a very nice set of H/B wheels off them at a good price. But saying that I also got some similar wheels of Dave Hinde a few years back, and they have given 6 years of excellent service.