Wow, Merlin Cycles

big_harv

Looks like a great outlet, and great online deals too. Shame I don't live nearer but hey. All good experiences from BR folks?

Matthewfalle

Really good - used them for years, never had a problem, miles better than the rest.

Very recommended

big_harv

Matthewfalle wrote:

Really good - used them for years, never had a problem, miles better than the rest.

Very recommended

Great, thanks. Birthday in March, will get browsing!

redvee

All good from my experiences though there is always one who gets things wrong then blames the other party, not themselves.

viewtopic.php?f=40013&t=13089571

supermurph09

+1 for Merlin. Pedals and Baselayer came this week, they have some great deals on atm.

luv2ride

I think they're my favourite online retailer, if they have what I want as their stock range might be a little more limited than some of the bigger online outfits. That said, always quick delivery and very helpful on the phone. I just bought a Topeak Frontloader bikecamping bag & harness system from them. RRP £69, price paid £37. Booked a (free) Collect+ delivery and arived at the collection point next day. Very happy, as this is my regular experience of them

meursault

https://www.merlincycles.com/morgan-blue-cycle-care-bucket-65784.html

Just ordered

StillGoing

Excellent service from them every time.

sancho_panza

used them for orders coming to Switzerland - really good

pblakeney

I was once looking for a very specific crankset. Very few places had them, and one was Merlin. At about 1/2 price of everywhere else. Quick delivery, well packaged and thoroughly recommended.

Wheelspinner

Highly recommended. Used them plenty.

I'm in Australia. I once placed an order on Friday morning (my time), and received it in the office on the Monday morning. No extra cost for special delivery since I was over the threshold for "free" delivery even to Oz.

Awesome service. Easily the best online shop I've used.

champson

They look good, but what if I need to cancel my order because I'm too much of a f@*kwit to get it right in the first place?

Brakeless

champson wrote:

They look good, but what if I need to cancel my order because I'm too much of a f@*kwit to get it right in the first place?

If you pay by credit card you'll probably see the transaction as a debit and a credit on your statement and no money will actually ever leave your account.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

Use them regularly, great deals and prompt dispatch/delivery.

Matthewfalle

oxoman wrote:

Have used them with no problems along with wiggle, tredz, ribble, chain reaction amongst others. Everyone makes mistakes occasionally.

they didn't make any mistakes - webbo womble did.

they rock.

webboo

Matthewfalle wrote:

oxoman wrote:

Have used them with no problems along with wiggle, tredz, ribble, chain reaction amongst others. Everyone makes mistakes occasionally.

they didn't make any mistakes - webbo womble did.

they rock.

I’m a bit puzzled as to why you keep having a go at me. You called me out in the six year old bike thread as well, when the scout leader said that you neede to replace everything on the bike.

Matthewfalle

Webboo wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

oxoman wrote:

Have used them with no problems along with wiggle, tredz, ribble, chain reaction amongst others. Everyone makes mistakes occasionally.

they didn't make any mistakes - webbo womble did.

they rock.

I’m a bit puzzled as to why you keep having a go at me. You called me out in the six year old bike thread as well, when the scout leader said that you neede to replace everything on the bike.

I’m not having a go at you dude - it’s cake muncher who’s websters, not you. You’re cool.

He’s webbo. You’re Webboo. Totally different.

Many apologies for any confusion.

aberdeenal

Another +1 for Merlin from me - always received fantastic service at great prices from them :-)

herb71

Merlin broke into my house, stole my wife's credit card and used it to buy shoes, which were subsequently delivered to our house. That's her excuse anyway! Cheeky monkeys.

big_harv

Just ordered a single cable end crimp, in yellow. Bloody well better turn up by 07:00 tomorrow or I'll be cancelling my order.

Big Harv
Falkland Islands

Man Of Lard

Another very happy Merlin Customer here - both in the shop & online. If it's a toss up between them & virtually any other store, I'll go with Merlin every time (especially since CRC was absorbed into Wiggle)

They don't always have what I want but more than 9 times out of 10 they do.

sungod

yep, i've only ever had good service from merlin

i find they tend to stock a few less common things, some of the other uk retailers are getting a bit samey in what they offer

fat_cat

Just ordered a new Castelli Long Sleeved Jersey that I don't really need from them as a result of this thread.

Cheers Bungle!

js14

I once tried to buy a Campagnolo 11 speed groupset from Merlin until I noticed the basket price increased substantially, maybe 12.5%, when I entered France as the shipping destination. I emailed Merlin's customer service to find out why and they replied it was to do with different VAT rates. Hmm, unlikely since the VAT rate in France is the much the same as in the UK.

After adding different items to my basket, it seemed every Campagnolo item got marked up compared to the UK price and always by the same percentage, so nothing to do with the weight or increased shipping costs. At the same time Shimano and SRAM prices stayed the same, so much for the VAT story. With a bit more experimentation, it was easy to see which countries got the Campagnolo mark-up and which didn't. I suspect there might be some agreement with Campagnolo's distributors not to undercut prices in certain markets. Strangely enough, delivering stuff to the island of Corsica would bag you the UK price, and when I last looked Corsica was an integral part of France (and incidentally has the same VAT rate, at least for bikes and bike parts).

Anyway to cut a long story short, I never did order from Merlin and I've stuck with my 10 speed set-up.

big_harv

JS14 wrote:

I once tried to buy a Campagnolo 11 speed groupset from Merlin until I noticed the basket price increased substantially, maybe 12.5%, when I entered France as the shipping destination. I emailed Merlin's customer service to find out why and they replied it was to do with different VAT rates. Hmm, unlikely since the VAT rate in France is the much the same as in the UK.

After adding different items to my basket, it seemed every Campagnolo item got marked up compared to the UK price and always by the same percentage, so nothing to do with the weight or increased shipping costs. At the same time Shimano and SRAM prices stayed the same, so much for the VAT story. With a bit more experimentation, it was easy to see which countries got the Campagnolo mark-up and which didn't. I suspect there might be some agreement with Campagnolo's distributors not to undercut prices in certain markets. Strangely enough, delivering stuff to the island of Corsica would bag you the UK price, and when I last looked Corsica was an integral part of France (and incidentally has the same VAT rate, at least for bikes and bike parts).

Anyway to cut a long story short, I never did order from Merlin and I've stuck with my 10 speed set-up.

Errmm. And Wiggle, Evans et al? Local shop in France?

I suspect my subtle wit in starting this thread may be losing its impetus (such as it was). Enough now I think.

kingrollo

champson wrote:

They look good, but what if I need to cancel my order because I'm too much of a f@*kwit to get it right in the first place?

I did that - emailed them - sorted within 30 minutes.