[Closed] Merlin cycles 1 -0 CRC. Is CRC the new Man United?

The new crc website annoys me as well

Agree. You often have to reclick onto the boxes and I don't like my card being held on their records a la Amazon. What if my PC is hacked/password compromised- someone could order away (now deleted).

Lesson of the story- I now need to buy a new cassette locally. Previously I ended up with a spare chain, tyre etc duplicated as CRC were soo slow.

Lesson, when you need things quickly walk into a shop and buy them 🙂

Lesson, when you need things quickly walk into a shop and buy them

Going onto be a week isn't quick though.

Lesson- just shop at Merlin.

Have to agree the CRC website is a complete cowpat of a website. Log-time customer since 2005 but rarely bother these days it's OK if I'm looking for something specific but rubbish for just browsing. The actual order processing and shipping is still pretty good but the website makes buying more difficult than it should be.

Get it from Merlin - clear listings and clear stock levels without having to click on stupid icons or navigate huge pop-up windows

Hate the website too just doesn't seem well thought out. But as for delivery could it not be royal mail causing the delay? If the items are shipped from Ireland you would think it would take longer anyway.

Stuff from bike-discount.de comes faster than stuff from crc as well..

The only reason I'm not buying from CRC is because other places have been cheaper, including Merlin. I don't find the CRC site overly problematic, and I think I've only had one or two issues in nearly 10 years of using CRC, but they just aren't that competitive anymore.
If I look at my purchasing history it has definitely tailed off over the past 2 years.

[i]Hate the website too just doesn't seem well thought out. But as for delivery could it not be royal mail causing the delay? If the items are shipped from Ireland you would think it would take longer anyway.[/i]

It's still the UK.

Are they the new Man United of the mailorder bike world?

Surely they can't be that Badddddddddddddd 😈

I don't like my card being held on their records

Isn't that what stuffed them up last time, when cards got hacked after shopping there?

I'm even favouring Wiggle over CRC these days, but there's a lot more choice of websites even without CRC shooting themselves in the foot with their new website design:
- CRC
- Wiggle
- Merlin
- ProBikeKit
- UK Bike Store
- Bike Discount
- Rose Bikes
- SJS Cycles
- Planet X
- Ribble

All get checked when looking for bike bits.
I don't go in my LBSes, apart from for ancillaries or consumables, because they're rubbish.

Isn't that what stuffed them up last time, when cards got hacked after shopping there?

that was Wiggle.

I don't like my card being held on their records

Isn't that what stuffed them up last time, when cards got hacked after shopping there?

And Wiggle too. I kind of stopped using Wiggle after that, even though it was years ago.

CRC have had their wobbles, but my last few orders were dispatched the day that I ordered them. Even turned up the next day.

Still not a huge fan of the website, but am getting more used to it now. They're not the only ones who hold card details either - Wiggle to as well.

CRC no longer seem to be my default and I often find myself looking elsewhere before pushing the button. I've never ordered from Merlin before so can't really comment (well I have, but it was yonks ago and via an add in MBUK before net shopping was huge).

Im currently annoyed with CRC after their pricing increase on a sale item I was about to purchase while waiting for an answer on a simple BB size query that should have been in the product description anyway and the subsequent fob off emails I got in response to my query about it. Especially the bit saying sale stock changes despite it being in the same sale at a higher price with a different RRP...

Will be going elsewhere in future after this episode.

[quote=hora ]Chainrection really is starting to suck compared to the competition. Are they the new Man United of the mailorder bike world?

Unlike ManU, CRC haven't been the best for years.

Don't forget Dave Hinde. If you think CRC are bad the immpecable service from DH always fails to impress.

All have their issues, for instance Wiggle have delivered me something today I need for the weekend (ordered last weekend) and sent the wrong size! I've paid for next day delivery with Merlin and took three days to arrive. CRC are hit and miss with delivery.

If you need something use the LBS (mine are all shit) or order online and be prepared to wait, then be plesantly surprised when it turns up next day or the day after.

And Wiggle too. I kind of stopped using Wiggle after that, even though it was years ago.

It happened to Wiggle TWICE.

True about CRC- its not just this year, CRC are more like Nottingham Forest than Man U

I've had Wiggle send me the wrong sized item. The replacement wasn't even the correct item! They've not been perfect and I've found their dispatch to be getting a bit slower...almost like they're trying to encourage people to pay four quid for priority dispatch... (cynic mode off).

CRC say don't ask for a discount in their blurb, these are the ' best prices'. Er, no, got the same shoes from Merlin and as usual next day for £12 less. They used to pricematch a while back.

almost like they're trying to encourage people to pay four quid for priority dispatch...

I had this with. Instock but not picked for three days. A way of training you that your purchase is not considered 'priority' to be picked along with the other orders.

The great thing with CRC (not so great for the LBS!) was that their delivery was so fast it was almost pointless going to the LBS as they were cheaper by a mile and only 24 hours wait for parts. I ordered Monday, dispatched tuesday but not here until Thursday 🙁

Ill give Wiggle a bash next time I think!