Chain Reaction Bikes

radav68

My dad placed an order for a Tifosi CK7 from Chain Reaction Cycles. On Friday he recieved two boxes containing the parts to construct the bike. He had assumed that it would be pre/part assembled prior to delivery.

Does anyone know what their assembly policy is, their website is very vague.

Also, no seat tube clamp nor spacers nor bottle cage frame bolts supplied.

anto164

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Info ... D=2#faulty

Call them on tues. (Bhol weekend and all)

radav68

Thanks Anto i've got the details ready for Tuesday.

But I was wondering if he was wrong to assume that the bike would be assembled. I've purchased two bikes on line, Pedal-On Gary Fisher Big Sur Wiggle Scott Speedster S20 both arrived built.


Has anyone else on here bought a bike from Chain Reaction and how did it arrive?

Anonymous

The joys of buying online...

bendertherobot

When you you assemble do you mean completely in bits? If so that sounds like a mistake.

radav68

Literally in bits.

A frame with nothing attached, loose b/b, headset, chainset, brake set, stem, handlebars, derailleurs boxed, chain wrapped in tissue paper, two rolls of handlebar tape,

dodgy

I'd say that was a mistake, CRC sell to the mainstream public as well as enthusiasts, it would have been clearly pointed out it was a construction job if it was a box of bits.

Anonymous

I'd say mistake too...

The Hammer

I only bought a couple of bikes online, but they've all been built up. I got a Basso Astra from Velo29 and that was fully built. I changed the specs too, and they emailed me with regular updates. Don't know if they still do it, but Planet X charged me extra to put a headset in a new frame I bought off them a few years back. Thinking of getting a Kinesis winter bike next, maybe.

gwillis

Sounds like a mistake to me too. Im sure they will sort something or offer a goodwill gesture

petemadoc

Definitely sounds like a mistake

radav68

Thanks for the replys guys, much appreciated to hear other peoples experiences.

Just to update, originally CRC confessed by email that the unassembled bike delivery was a mistake and asked for a photograph as proof. This was sent and the next day we received an email saying that whilst not advertised as such the bike was supplied "loose" and therefore they would offer no further assistance.

Needless to say we are still chasing them for the missing components.

Very poor response so far.

dodgy

That just doesn't make sense! They admit a mistake, then say it's normal for them to send a bike 'loose' that wasn't advertised as such?

petemadoc

I wouldn't have that!

You need a qualified bike mechanic to build a bike up from bits.

I'd be on the dog and bone blowing a fuse. Buying a bike online shouldn't mean it isn't built.

redddraggon

PeteMadoc wrote:

You need a qualified bike mechanic to build a bike up from bits.

No you don't

dodgy

redddraggon wrote:

PeteMadoc wrote:

You need a qualified bike mechanic to build a bike up from bits.

No you don't

Agreed, but it's hardly a realistic expectation to have to build a bike up from component parts when you buy from someone like CRC!

Velonutter

radav68 wrote:

Thanks for the replys guys, much appreciated to hear other peoples experiences.

Just to update, originally CRC confessed by email that the unassembled bike delivery was a mistake and asked for a photograph as proof. This was sent and the next day we received an email saying that whilst not advertised as such the bike was supplied "loose" and therefore they would offer no further assistance.

Needless to say we are still chasing them for the missing components.

Very poor response so far.

If you live near Stafford/Cannock/Wolverhampton/Telford bring it round to me and I'll put it together for you.

alfablue

This is simple. The goods were not "as described" so CRC failed to comply with the contract (a bike is a single, assembled item, not a collection of components that could make a bike).

Email them nicely but firmly saying they admitted the error, and they have failed to perform to contract, and they must collect the components and give a refund, or supply a built bike, or pay your costs to get an lbs to assemble it.

If they don't play ball, get heavy, write them a recorded delivery letter stating they have 7 days to reimburse/collect & refund/supply correct goods or you will go to the small claims court (https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/web/mcol/welcome ).

dodgy

Slow-N-Old wrote:

radav68 wrote:

Thanks for the replys guys, much appreciated to hear other peoples experiences.

Just to update, originally CRC confessed by email that the unassembled bike delivery was a mistake and asked for a photograph as proof. This was sent and the next day we received an email saying that whilst not advertised as such the bike was supplied "loose" and therefore they would offer no further assistance.

Needless to say we are still chasing them for the missing components.

Very poor response so far.

If you live near Stafford/Cannock/Wolverhampton/Telford bring it round to me and I'll put it together for you.

that's a noble offer, and I'd do the same for someone in need. But the point is that there are pieces missing AND as far as the OP's thought he was buying a pre-assembled bike!

IShaggy

They're having a laugh, so send it back and buy elsewhere.

Distance selling regulations give you a 7 day cooling off period - after receipt of goods - during which you can send the goods back. Ordinarily you will have to pay for the return postage yourself - but in this case CRC has failed in their duty to provide clear information about the product sold. It's not a bike, rather it's the parts for a bike.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Consumerrights/DG_183048

alfablue

IShaggy wrote:

They're having a laugh, so send it back and buy elsewhere.

Distance selling regulations give you a 7 day cooling off period - after receipt of goods - during which you can send the goods back. Ordinarily you will have to pay for the return postage yourself - but in this case CRC has failed in their duty to provide clear information about the product sold. It's not a bike, rather it's the parts for a bike.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Consumerrights/DG_183048

You are right about the distance selling regs and the right to return, but if the OP takes this approach rather than asserting their rights under the Sale of Goods act then it could get messy over the postage issue. If he demands they collect it or pay the lbs to build it etc then the OP won't get stuck arguing over the return costs.

father_jack

radav68 wrote:

Thanks for the replys guys, much appreciated to hear other peoples experiences.

Just to update, originally CRC confessed by email that the unassembled bike delivery was a mistake and asked for a photograph as proof. This was sent and the next day we received an email saying that whilst not advertised as such the bike was supplied "loose" and therefore they would offer no further assistance.

Needless to say we are still chasing them for the missing components.

Very poor response so far.

well they just lost me a customer.

nferrar

This one? http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=35560 if so they're taking the piss. It shows a complete bike, it's called a bike and not a frame + bits and there's no mention of it arriving in bits in the description. I can't believe it's not a mistake (although at the same time it's hard to believe they'd accidentally ship it out in bits - do the big places like CRC get the bikes in bits and build them up, I thought they'd receive them pre-built to apart from their own brand stuff, or is Tifosi a CRC brand?). I'd certainly demand they either pay for an LBS to assemble or arrange and pay for a courier to collect and refund you.

petemadoc

dodgy wrote:

redddraggon wrote:

PeteMadoc wrote:

You need a qualified bike mechanic to build a bike up from bits.

No you don't

Agreed, but it's hardly a realistic expectation to have to build a bike up from component parts when you buy from someone like CRC!

OK so get your wife to order a bike online and then ask her to build it up from bits with an instruction manual. Fitting break and gear cables, fitting cassettes etc etc. Many people wouldn't have the right bl**dy tools.

No it doesn't take a "qualified" mechanic to build a bike but if I was buying a brand new bike from a real shop I would want a "qualified" or at least knowledgable bike mechanic to build it for me.

petemadoc

Just to add

If I ran CRC and read this thread I'd be devastated. This is great example of sh*t customer service on display for all to see. Just to add a little SEO to the thread so others may find it on google

CHAIN REACTION CYCLES BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE

Big_Ste

What absolutely disgusting customer service from CRC (not for the first time in recent months!).

Just what is happening over there at CRC? Its like they've all gone barmy.

Anyway, just for clarification they've just lost me as a customer too. My last couple of orders have had issues. Reading this thread has pretty much just hammered home the last nail in the CRC coffin for me, ill take my custom elsewhere.

It seems CRC just don't give a shit anymore!

PS im also going to email there customer service and point them in the direction of this thread. Lets see if they retract their original unhelpful and frankly disgusting response!

father_jack

PS im also going to email there customer service and point them in the direction of this thread. Lets see if they retract their original unhelpful and frankly disgusting response!

I couldn't care less if they give a Cannondale six to the OP, if they do just damage control rather than good cs to everyone all the time

Big_Ste

I couldn't care less if they give a Cannondale six to the OP, if they do just damage control rather than good cs to everyone all the time

Agreed!

I want this to end well for the OP, I would like to see a rep from CRC posting exactly what the problem is and hopefully get a good resolution for Radav68.

Have just emailed them.

cougie

Good grief - how bizarre . I would like to see CRC' side of things.

I've ordered kit from them before without issue.

Hope the car manufacturers don't go down this route.

IShaggy

cougie wrote:

Good grief - how bizarre . I would like to see CRC' side of things.

Agreed, no offence meant to the OP, but there are 2 sides to every story. So would like to hear from CRC on this one, as it just doesn't make any sense.

amaferanga

I've been buying from CRC for several years and never had a bad experience so I won't be deserting them just yet, though I agree that this situation appears to have been badly dealt with.