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What's the latest for Chainreaction/Wiggle then? I believe they closed their Belfast store but are still trading in administration online. I have a potential return (£300 value), paid on Paypal. Would you risk a return or ebay it ?
I recently returned a pair of trainers I bought last October, took 7 days but got a refund.
I returned some forks about 10 days ago....it was fine
You risked spending £500 already...
Returned a jersey recently. No drama and full refund
I would say hold off, if its not too late, given today's news.
I’ve got a chain going through warranty with CRC at the moment. Be interesting to see how it goes now…
They've had my ebike for 3 weeks now, what are the odds I'll get it back.
I think if all the staff have been laid off then there'll be no one in the warehouse to process any returns.
Hopefully they’ll be pretty reactive.
Very good.
Unfortunately I sent the Lyrik fork (£300) back and it got delivered today to CRC at 19.20!! Doh! I paid originally using Paypal and have returned tracking details and a photo of it boxed up. What do you think the chances are here? Strictly speaking it's not their property if they don't refund it, but that's not really going to help. Chances of raising this with Paypal for a refund?
Just raised a case with Paypal, might as well get in in their system. They will contact CRC in time, presumably if there is no response from CRC the odds improve in my favour ? Not sure this works as PP may claim their cover only covered the original transaction, not the return?
Was potentially thinking of returning a bike with a change of heart. Think that's a no go now lol.
From the story it looks like there's probably a skeleton team still there so fingers crossed that stuff like this is part of their remit.
I expect they have a plan for this as the costs of dealing with the customer fallout in the form of calls/emails etc to the administrator would be significant if any volume of these isn't dealt with when the final close happens.
@coconut I had this with another company a while back, they went under while my return was with them. PayPal refunded me in full when I opened a case, it was all very easy.
Good to know. I have opened a case and escalated on PP, will see how this plays out. Going to try and contact CRC tomorrow, don't hold too much hope on that front. The news reports suggest a small staff group will stay on until all stock is sold off, this *could* (!!) allow a few more days/weeks trading, but that's a total punt/guess.
i wouldnt risk a return, if anyone is looking to sell one of those fox38s 170 i'll happily pay cost and pickup/ arrange shipping , (and the 3 speed nexus mach bike large) :0)
Had a helmet to return yesterday but was saved by the drop-off lockers being full. Wonder if it's possible to cancel the return and get the postage refunded.
I've got a frame to send back but looking at the prices of them on pinkbike, ebay etc I may just shove it up for sale and double my money potentially 😀
A positive result, CRC issued a full refund to me today (£295). They were very helpful and responded to emails quickly. Sorry to say... but stay well clear!! they are a big risk currently, I think they will be finished in the new few days/weeks.
Order put in late yesterday, showing as shipped this morning. Just saying.
Returned something on Monday and was refunded on Thurs - which is quicker than normal tbh…
Ordered one of those £70 exposure diablo sets yesterday with next day delivery and it is out to be delivered now. Cant say I'd risk it again unless it was a crazy bargain like the Diablo and I really wouldn't risk a return anymore.
Iirc the ex employee in the other thread said they were keeping going until March with limited staff. When in march, who knows. I'm still happy to order but don't think I'd risk a return now. I'm only buying stuff I know will be fine or is cheap enough not to be a worry
"Returned something on Monday and was refunded on Thurs – which is quicker than normal tbh…"
TBF my return was faster than normal and the emails were responded to. I notice they have given up the online chat function, likely a sign of very few staff left. Might be worth purchasing with credit card/paypal if it's a huge price reduction, but you will be risking having little/no warranty, backup/return option. I would definitely NOT return anything now.
Order arrived with parts missing.... great.
Anyone know if they have anyone manning the live chat or emails anymore following the latest round of redundancies?
Oh no! What parts were missing?
The Helmet Mount and Quick Release Handlebar Bracket from the Diablo front light pack. I mean I know it was a bargain at £70 but without the mounts it is a bit less of one. I mean I'll not risk returning it anyway but still.
Yeah still a huge bargain but annoying!
There are a couple things I was looking at but not sure will bother now
I found it was only the email option, online chat seems to have stopped (presume due to lack of staff left).
The amount of people returning bikes / frames because they have changed their mind on here is interesting - I imagine another reason it’s hard for a business like this to turn a profit.
"The amount of people returning bikes / frames because they have changed their mind on here is interesting "
Agreed, but that was one of CRC's selling points, they were offering 365 refund policy. It's always a challenge for any retailer selling online. IMO the 365 policy was overly generous, I would stick with the distance selling regs of 14 days.
"The amount of people returning bikes / frames because they have changed their mind on here is interesting – I imagine another reason it’s hard for a business like this to turn a profit."
Not really, every internet retailer assumes a rate of return in its business model. Remember working on automation at the Freemans Catalogue shed in Peterboro' pre-internet days (lols) and they assumed a 20% return rate
They always seemed happy to sell the returns as if they were new so maybe not too big a deal to them. I recall some issues with forks and may explain those diablo missing parts.
Chat was working today. They said the exposure listing was wrong but gave me a voucher anyway so can't complain given that takes it down to £53 for an Exposure Diablo!
"Not really, every internet retailer assumes a rate of return in its business model. Remember working on automation at the Freemans Catalogue shed in Peterboro’ pre-internet days (lols) and they assumed a 20% return rate"
A returned T-shirt or pair of trainers, chainring or a headset etc is a little different to a full bike I feel - I have returned plenty of small items before but wouldn't order a bike unless I was 100% sure it was being kept / only returned due to damage or warranty.
When a full bike is returned though, surely these are un-opened bike boxes or do people have the gall to unbox a bike, build it, take a look at it and decide its not for them before cobbling it back in the box to be returned?
Im with crankrider on this one.
at least CRC / wiggle will put returns back into the stock system for sale, companies like amazon will put the majority of returns onto the auction pallets or bin,
https://www.howtogeek.com/what-happens-to-amazon-returns/
CRC / wiggle put them on eBay via trisportresort
CRC / wiggle put them on eBay via trisportresort
I'm not so sure about that - I've had a couple of things from there and they were definitely quite well used.
Want to order some clothing but unsure of sizing so good chance it’ll need to go back - around £40. Chat reckons returns ‘as per normal’ - would you risk it?
Can always chuck it on ebay if not suitable. You'd probably get most of what you paid for back.
I mean anything at this point probs must be not worth risking a return.
I’m not so sure about that – I’ve had a couple of things from there and they were definitely quite well used.
There's a mix of things from returns to fixed warranty items to ex-demo/display kit and so on. Rarely a real bargain these days though
Previously I mentioned that I had a chain away for warranty investigation with SRAM. CRC hadnt heard anything and happily refunded me with a credit note. Big thanks to CRC for excellent customer service. I wish them all luck for the future.
I notice the banner at the top of their website now reads "THE FINAL SALE", that looks to me to be the end of CRC/Wiggle. I'm going to miss them and it's a real tough deal for the hard workers at the company. I would not risk an order that may need changing, it's surely days away now. Looks like once the existing stock's gone they're finished and the doors close.
Depends on price. I've taken a punt on some armour but the discount was so high I suspect I'll easily get the money back.
If you are ordering from them at the moment it's worth noting the staff really don't seem to GAF any more - a fella ordered a set of discounted 36s for delivery to my shop, they arrived with the parcel force sticker just stuck on the Fox box. No outer packing at all, and no tape on the box to keep it shut. If you have ever seen a Fox box.. they aren't the best at staying shut. It's a wonder they were still in the box at all.
They don't really need outer packing it's just a waste of materials.
I sent a bike back on Monday (trisport) and got the refund processed same day - don't know if the ebay layer makes a difference there (I'd also initiated the return a week or so back).
Probably not the time for a speculative purchase right now, though.
(NBT Here on BH's account)
anyone tried a return recently? Looking at some jackets but not sure on sizing - normally would order both sizes and return the one that didn't fit, but not sure about that at the moment.
I did that, sent a Jacket back on Friday
I am sending a return back tomorrow via 1st class post of something that just doesn't fit and cant be bothered to try and resell. I also look at it as a wee roulette to brighten up the week. I have also checked their stock levels and see they have a few things still to go so think I might be ok
I have put in an order for a few dhb clothing, which are reduced by up to 80%, happy to take a chance by using Paypal.
Won't bother trying to return anything though.
I dropped off a return parcel this evening, I'll report back what happens.....
Don’t bother. Sent a helmet back just over a week ago. It was sent straight back to me. Box hadn’t even been opened just had a new evri label on over the one I put there.
Ah maybe not then - classifieds mega post to follow then lols
Put four orders for cheap bits in since they started liquidating stock. One shipped as normal, the second shipped after 4 days, the other two are still sat in processing and will, I guess, get shipped eventually.
Specifically bought stuff that I knew I wouldn't have to return as I figured this would likely be a futile action now. Shame, really, but I'm still in awe that they managed to lose £100m last year given the jump in bike and part prices since Covid. The industry really is screwed.
that’s a bit naughty, since they’re still accepting return applications (which they have to I guess!) which you must pay for.Don’t bother. Sent a helmet back just over a week ago. It was sent straight back to me. Box hadn’t even been opened just had a new evri label on over the one I put there.
if you’ve sent it and they don’t want it, can you do a chargeback on CC? Win-win (for you 😂)
Hmm. have got carried away over the last week and have 3 orders in at the moment. They're not getting them shipped quickly.
got my dropper post today ,no probs
that’s a bit naughty, since they’re still accepting return applications (which they have to I guess!) which you must pay for.
I thought the same. Yes had to pay for the return. Will try and contact them and see why it just got sent straight back. Was not expensive but it's way too big so no use.
Two orders placed on Sunday, neither shipped as of Wednesday. Fingers crossed…
I've got a couple of pairs of pedals on order that are yet to be shipped......
My Monday order is still sitting in processing.
Saturday order (wheels): shipped
Sunday order (cheap jacket): processing
Monday order (bars): processing
I've now blacklisted wiggle.com to stop myself ordering anything else!
Mine has been sorted in less that 6 days
Sent an item of clothing back yesterday. So far the process is working as normal. Getting the emails I would expect. Proof will be in the credit landing in my bank account
The returns page has change to no items outside of 28 day. Mine was outside that but was registered and then delivered to them before the cut off date.
I found the one of the seams on my Nukeproof trousers I bought in November was coming apart so emailed Wiggle on Monday. They sent me a form which I returned yesterday evening with photos. Refund processed today (though not in the bank yet). I guess that is a fault rather than return but good service all the same.
I now need to get sewing to fix the trousers, or be lazy and take them to the menders.
The women’s NukeProof black line trousers were/are pretty cheap (£30) and as far as I can tell are the same as the men’s cut but with slightly shorter legs. I bought the wife a pair but having tried them on with my £15 NO Critical armour knee pads they fit me as well as the mens.
just in case anyone with short legs is looking for a pair. They’re definitely not a standard ‘women’s cut’.
The women’s NukeProof black line trousers were/are pretty cheap (£30) and as far as I can tell are the same as the men’s cut but with slightly shorter legs.
That's interesting. The pair I got a few years ago were my favourite riding trousers but then a second pair I ordered last year were massive in comparison and had to go back. Maybe I got a women's set first time round!
Yeah. I got a pair of women’s XLs and to be honest I might just keep them for myself. The other pair I have are Madison Flux XL and they’re a little baggier and a bit longer.
Update: Returned 4 orders, bits and pieces the wrong size, on Thursday via 1st class post. All purchased within last 2 weeks. Refunded this morning. Thanks Wiggle!
Tried fitting a high roller tire yesterday which i bought from chain reaction back in September
And found that it has a big warp in it, fitted another one of the same tyres i bought at the same time and that is ok
Sent picture and video to CR yesterday , but have just had a reply back form them saying as its older than 28 days they cant do anything about it , and if i want to i can put my self down on the list creditors to try and get money back from there
I'll try emailing Maxxis direct next....