What's going on with Chain Reaction Cycles?

bus_ter
bus_ter Posts: 337
edited May 2012 in Road buying advice
I used to get great service from CRC and fast delivery. The order I placed 7 days ago is still 'being processed'. A few weeks ago I made an order that took 10 days before being dispatched, I thought it was just a one off but that's twice now. An email sent yesterday has gone unanswered. It's a shame as they used to be great. I guess I'll just have to stick with Wiggle who have always been, without exception flawless with next day delivery and customer service. I was wondering if anyone else has noticed a slow down with CRC as of late?
«1

Comments

  • Ber Nard
    Ber Nard Posts: 827
    I've not had to wait that long but I've noticed the delivery times have gone up.

    Being cynical, I wonder if it's to encourage people to pay the extra few quid for delivery rather than choose the free option.

    Rob
  • Gusbang
    Gusbang Posts: 14
    Wiggle offer a fast delivery services but always deliver the next day anyway so I never pay for it!
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,302
    I posted he same thread a few weeks back... You can probably find it somewhere...

    Yes they are significantly slower.... Logistics, I guess
    left the forum March 2023
  • wishitwasallflat
    wishitwasallflat Posts: 2,927
    Gusbang wrote:
    Wiggle offer a fast delivery services but always deliver the next day anyway so I never pay for it!

    +1 The two times I paid for the fast delivery the stuff actually was slower than normal so I don't bother with it either (whose to blame?)
  • Beatmaker
    Beatmaker Posts: 1,092
    I'm also awaiting an order which had been processing for five days. The frustrating thing is not being able to cancel without emailing and awaiting a response. I've spent a small fortune with them over the years but if I can't order at the start of the week and receive by the weekend I'm shopping elsewhere.
  • mr_sj
    mr_sj Posts: 507
    Mine was processing for over a week and after a few emails they said it had been posted but still shows as processing, still hasnt turned up
    summer bike - Kinesis KiC2

    winter bike - Planet x uncle john
  • chip42
    chip42 Posts: 145
    I had the same thing happen, called them and was told that "a lot of stuff is kept at different locations" thus it has to get to a central delivery hub? What does annoy me is the ridiculous amount of packaging they now use, it's obviously due to an automated picking and packing system. I had a seatpost clamp arrive in a box 300mm x 250mm !!!!!!

    Andy
  • alihisgreat
    alihisgreat Posts: 3,872
    wishitwasallflat wrote:
    Gusbang wrote:
    Wiggle offer a fast delivery services but always deliver the next day anyway so I never pay for it!

    +1 The two times I paid for the fast delivery the stuff actually was slower than normal so I don't bother with it either (whose to blame?)

    i wish i'd chosen the cheap option now! might have got my goodies today.
  • golfergmc
    golfergmc Posts: 426
    chip42 wrote:
    I had the same thing happen, called them and was told that "a lot of stuff is kept at different locations" thus it has to get to a central delivery hub? What does annoy me is the ridiculous amount of packaging they now use, it's obviously due to an automated picking and packing system. I had a seatpost clamp arrive in a box 300mm x 250mm !!!!!!

    Andy
    As far as I know they have two showrooms, one in Doagh and one in Belfast and their warehouse is right beside their Doagh showroom. Always go to Doagh as Belfast is only shop front with little selection.
    Cervelo S5 Team 2012
    Scott Addict R2 2010
    Specialized Rockhopper Comp SL 2010
    Kona Tanuki Supreme
  • bus_ter
    bus_ter Posts: 337
    Still 'processing' and email still unanswered/ignored.
  • spokegeezer
    spokegeezer Posts: 86
    I never use them unless Wiggle doesn't have it. Why bother with shoddy poor service and they are rude on the phone if they ever answer it.
  • rjsmith
    rjsmith Posts: 1,924
    Bought a bike from them last week. Rang them up to check size and they were very helpful. Dellivery was quick as well considering it was Easter weekend. Very pleased.
  • Flexisurfer
    Flexisurfer Posts: 249
    rjsmith wrote:
    Bought a bike from them last week. Rang them up to check size and they were very helpful. Dellivery was quick as well considering it was Easter weekend. Very pleased.


    Probably because you bought a bike and not a seat clamp :wink:
  • bungalballs
    bungalballs Posts: 193
    Ber Nard wrote:
    Being cynical, I wonder if it's to encourage people to pay the extra few quid for delivery rather than choose the free option.

    I don't think this is the case... Twice I have paid for next day delivery, ordered in plenty of time and well before their 3pm cut off, but sending by next day delivery doesn't help if they don't bother dispatching it for several days! It wasn't before a weekend either. I'm in a grump with CRC now, I'll use Wiggle until they annoy me too!

    The extra I have to spend at my LBS is normally worth it.
  • Ber Nard
    Ber Nard Posts: 827
    I'd be on to them to get the cost of the postage refunded if that was the case. You've paid for a service you didn't receive. I don't think they would dispute it.

    Rob
  • bungalballs
    bungalballs Posts: 193
    Correct - and to be fair to them, when I queried it they did send money back without question. But what's the point in trying if they aren't reliable!?
  • southdownswolf
    southdownswolf Posts: 1,525
    I bought a turbo trainer just after Christmas, which did not turn up for a week. After complaining to their customer services I was given a £10 voucher to use with no minimum spend. I spent that on Thursday and my order is now "processing"........ soon could be time for another phone call.
    http://www.stuartmole.co.uk/
  • chuckrock57
    chuckrock57 Posts: 23
    I have order still processing from April 11th.
    Very disappointing response blaming an unspecified problem ( so not a stock or payment or postage problem then) with no indication of a likely arrival date.
    Probably won't use again, will stick to others like Evans, Wiggle and Merlin that have (for me at least) always delivered.
  • Beatmaker
    Beatmaker Posts: 1,092
    My order turned up today a week after ordering. I did also get an apologetic reply to my email chasing the order. On balance, the grips I ordered were less than half price and I was in no rush, so I will no doubt keep using them until they really mess up!
  • yaya
    yaya Posts: 411
    Used them for a few years with no issues and they were always fast to deliver and helpful with returns etc.
    Last year I returned a pair of mitts, they've lost the package and refused to replace/ refund the gloves and blamed me/ royal mail instead of offering a reasonable solution that'll keep me as a happy customer

    That was the last time I ordered anything from them

    CRC are the biggest and I suppose the price you pay is in the quality of service...
  • bmxboy10
    bmxboy10 Posts: 1,958
    My new Kask K10 arrived today. Took over a week BUT cost half what it would have from the LBS. Now thats worth the wait IMO! saved myself £65!
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    yaya wrote:
    Used them for a few years with no issues and they were always fast to deliver and helpful with returns etc.
    Last year I returned a pair of mitts, they've lost the package and refused to replace/ refund the gloves and blamed me/ royal mail instead of offering a reasonable solution that'll keep me as a happy customer

    That was the last time I ordered anything from them

    CRC are the biggest and I suppose the price you pay is in the quality of service...
    I assume you sent it recorded, so you'll have proof of postage, right?
  • Guglielmo
    Guglielmo Posts: 579
    I've been waiting 2 weeks for a refund on a return they emailed me to say they'd received...

    Also, I returned a Lusso balaclava and in a box with some other items but they deny having ever received the balaclava, despite processing the other returned items!! Pretty shocking service, not sure what I can do about that as they just tell me it was not received.

    BEWARE when returning stuff. Not impressed. :(
  • Squillinossett
    Squillinossett Posts: 1,678
    I still have not had an issue with them, but I have not placed an order since they moved warehouse, so cant really comment. I always held these in the same reguard as wiggle (my fave bike shop, bar the prices)
  • yaya
    yaya Posts: 411
    bompington wrote:
    yaya wrote:
    Used them for a few years with no issues and they were always fast to deliver and helpful with returns etc.
    Last year I returned a pair of mitts, they've lost the package and refused to replace/ refund the gloves and blamed me/ royal mail instead of offering a reasonable solution that'll keep me as a happy customer

    That was the last time I ordered anything from them

    CRC are the biggest and I suppose the price you pay is in the quality of service...
    I assume you sent it recorded, so you'll have proof of postage, right?

    Yup...the service "centre" reminded me of talking to the likes of BT...you never speak to the same person twice and you always have to tell the whole story again and again...at some point I just decided to give it up and to move on...
  • markyone
    markyone Posts: 1,119
    Ordered some mavic exalith pads this am,had e mail pm saying dispatched :D
    Always had great service from crc.
    Colnago c60 Eps super record 11
    Pinarello F8 with sram etap
  • leehammond69
    leehammond69 Posts: 8
    ordered an XT 10speed triple chainset from on the 17th of March. when it eventually arrived on the 26th i discovered they had sent me a 9speed chainset in a repackaged 10speed box. phoned them up that day and was told to send it back for a replacement. used the COLLECT+ service they use and had it back on the 30th March. received conformation on the 2nd of April saying it would take 2 to 3 days to process my item. had a another Email off them on the 10th to say my replacement had been processed and would be on its way to me ASAP, and they had upgraded to special delivery. still had nothing and now they want a more money off me because the chainset has gone back up in price.
    THERE JUST TAKING THE PISS.
    NOW IN THE HANDS OF PAYPAL RESOLUTION CENTRE AND NEVER USE THEM AGAIN !!
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Used to expect fast, quality service - typically orders placed one day were processed and shipped by the next - recently doesn't appear to be the case and often taking a week to arrive. Hope they read this and get their fingers out for the order I placed on Sunday which is still being 'processed'...
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • petemadoc
    petemadoc Posts: 2,331
    Hmmm

    Same here. Usually expect a very fast turnaround from them Just logged in to see why my order hasn't shipped, one item is out of stock and the other two are still processing . . . .

    Come on CRC sort it out.
  • Tomhudd
    Tomhudd Posts: 6
    Ditto for me.

    I've been a loyal customer for years but recently service has been dire.

    Item listed as "in stock" on the website suddenly becomes "out of stock" when I hand the cash over. Taking a full week to despatch orders with no explanation. Another Item never arrived and they made me wait 3 weeks before even agreeing to process a refund.

    I ordered identical items from Chain Reaction and Wiggle at the same time last week. Wiggle delivered next day; Chain Reaction still not delivered.

    Wiggle from now on for me.

Categories