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On their site Planet X describe the tyres they’re selling as if they’re the retail version - about 200g, RRP £49.99 - but they’re actually the OEM version which are about 260g in 25c and different compound, TPI? On their FB post they have a comment from a road.cc review which won’t be for the OEM version (presumably?). Also the photos they use have the normal tyre logo rather than the one on the OEM one.
Is it really ok to do business like this?
Planet x really need to work on their descriptions of items.
For example Bike descriptions say quick release and rim brakes but the picture shows bolt thru and discs.
I think it's more slap dash than dishonesty.
Brant usually fixes it given enough time.
To he fair, one of their latest adverts highlighted all the mistakes on their advert and quoted a confused customer.
So they ourtsource their content QA process to their customers, as with the bikes.
What do you expect if you want cheap prices, eh? Remember they're the plucky little guy rather than the mainstream bike industry that wastes money on stuff like getting product descriptions right and not just using images plucked from the internet in marketing material.
I think it’s more slap dash than dishonesty
generally I'd agree but in a company that buys a lot of OEM product you would expect anyone generating a description to be aware its a potential issue - also not so hot on manufacturers having different products / same label retail versus OEM if I was buying a built up bike (rare) I'd be a unhappy to find the product was different to what I expected from the spec' sheet - as to buying OEM product quite happy too don't need retail packaging thank you but expect product quality to be the same
[legalbit]have lots of pairs of PX socks and a BishBashthing[/done]
in a company that buys a lot of OEM product you would expect anyone generating a description to be aware its a potential issue
Online shops won't be "generating descriptions", they'll just be importing all the details. With mega-companies like Amazon, I doubt any human actually checks any of the descriptions unless there are complaints. Pictures are often quite generic - I bought some straight steerer forks that had an illustration of a tapered steerer version. I emailed to check before ordering.
The descriptions are really poor to the point I generally won't bother buying. Personally, retailers that add they're own spin on stuff always appeal more* and surprisingly PX do seem to do this occasionally and to good effect, the Facebook post about a pair of road bars is a good example.
* Edinburgh bike co-op (old) and Charlie the bikemonger spring to mind.
They do online chat that's worked well for me on the past although I'm not convinced the person that answered had ever ridden a bike!
You can also return anything you don't want/like.
Overall I'm impressed with planet x recently, they have raised their game imo
The descriptions are really poor to the point I generally won’t bother buying.
Same here.
It doesn't bode well for any customer service.
It's a very odd way of doing business, having to post up STW for one single employee to actually resolve QC, customer service and product specs...
Schwalbe seem to have quite a few different versions of each tyre, so it can be confusing which is which. And some shops are selling last years models etc.
Planet X do say it is the Performance line, with Raceguard compound, ie the cheaper version. Though would be more useful if they specified the model number.
And yes, the weight seems dubious. Schwalbe say 350g for 700x25C, not really "c 200g".
Interesting that replies to the FB post on the deal commenting that they are OEM were deleted, surely replying is the honest approach?
Planet X do say it is the Performance line, with Raceguard compound, ie the cheaper version.
So the message from Planet X is no problem with the significantly inaccurate detail? Some will buy thinking they’re getting something that costs £50 at full price. They’re just fools for believing what they read then?
No such thing as bad publicity.
The Donald Trump of internet bike retailers?
😉
Harsh.
More like the Noel Edmonds of retailing.
Agree with all the above. Placed two order with them in the last year.
Both arrived as different from advertised.
Also ordered a set of wheels. Advertised as QR so phoned and asked if they'd swap the endcaps with the 15mm and 12mm ones also for sale on the website. Sales guy said it wouldn't be an issue and was happy to do so.
Wheels then arrived as QR still. Spent a week agruing about what we'd agreed and eventually gave up. Price to send them back just wasn't worth the hassle.
Staying clear now.