Agree. Why are people buying the wrong thing then sending it back?
Well my pedals were delivered only a moment ago, and somehow they managed to get into the close without pressing my buzzer, and put my pedals at my door, without knocking, tapping the letterbox or ringing the bell.
I switched on the computer 10 mins ago, and there was no emails from crc. I paroozed stw for a few mins they opened my emails again to see if any updates would come in(leave the tab open, it announces new emails)I didnt open it to check, as I'd only looked a few minutes prior, but just to have the tab open. and there was one from crc saying 'your parcel has been delivered' Went to the door and there it was.
FOR F*** SAKE, why didnt the courier at least attempt to alert me by knocking etc. Well im glad with all thats going on I got it, but it hardly fills you with confidence that they need to sneak it in and run away. I doubt the SAS could have done a better job of moving as quietly as that courier.
Tyres and some bits and bobs ordered yesterday and turned up this morning, complete with Haribo.
Hopefully won’t be any need to send any of it back, not sure they’d accept the chamois cream anyway once it’s been tested.
Agree. Why are people buying the wrong thing then sending it back?
Because Wiggle encourage you to do so with their next day delivery and 365 days, free returns. So you want a new top-of-the-range Goretex jacket? Order 6 different ones; keep the one that you like best and return the rest. That could easily be £1200+
I sometimes wondered if it was part of their business model: Punters pay for Wiggle's stock and store the stock for them. Wiggle sit on the cash until the stock is returned.
Received my order this morning thankfully, all good apart from no Haribo though 🤬 fuming.
@stanley your the issue right there
There's costs involved in all that process and whilst it's allowed on there system that imo is taking advantage
I can understand if your torn between sizes or colour of maybe 2 units but to be having all that stock sent then returned especially where all meant to be more aware of our carbon footprint
My item is faulty from new so I am going to say no smarty pants 😉
I can understand if your torn between sizes or colour of maybe 2 units but to be having all that stock sent then returned especially where all meant to be more aware of our carbon footprint
This is how my wife shops all of the time. (and I don't mean on Wiggle). I understand that sizing can be variable and that colour matching can be difficult going off an image on a small screen, but she seems to have no "filter" as regards style/look, fabric or various other factors.
This is how my wife shops all of the time
We've had days where Mrs Weeksy gets £1000+ of stuff delivered and keeps 0 items. It bemuses me
i wonder what the cost and C footprint is for a massive warehouse and bulk shipping using routes that will already be used for bulked up deliveries of all sorts of goods, vs needing a showroom with all the sizes and colour combinations on show or available in a smaller warehouse attached to the store so you can choose there and then, plus the C-bill for travelling to and from that shop-warehouse in order to select and try on.
@stanley your the issue right there
There’s costs involved in all that process and whilst it’s allowed on there system that imo is taking advantage
I can understand if your torn between sizes or colour of maybe 2 units but to be having all that stock sent then returned especially where all meant to be more aware of our carbon footprint
Er, no. You're wrong on almost every comment there. Would you prefer Wiggle to deliver on 6 separate occasions, and 5 separate returns. Carbon footprint? Hard to understand?
theotherjonv
Full Member
i wonder what the cost and C footprint is for a massive warehouse and bulk shipping using routes that will already be used for bulked up deliveries of all sorts of goods, vs needing a showroom with all the sizes and colour combinations on show or available in a smaller warehouse attached to the store so you can choose there and then, plus the C-bill for travelling to and from that shop-warehouse in order to select and try on.
Exactly. Then factor in time, space for parking, cost of holding the stock, etc.
I'm still waiting on a refund, sent it back Wednesday last week, had confirmation they'd got it early this week but still no refund.
For me they sent a rear brake when I had purchased a front (Shimano so not flippable)
Regarding people (particularly women) buying and returning fast fashion items, it makes me rage massively. A lot of cheap clothes that get returned probably just end up in a landfill. The cost to prepare a cheap tshirt for resale likely outweighs it's retail price.
I hate when my missus buys crap from Asos or whatever then doesn't like it.
I sometimes wondered if it was part of their business model: Punters pay for Wiggle’s stock and store the stock for them. Wiggle sit on the cash until the stock is returned.
It's not stock - a product available for sale - if it's sitting in someone's kitchen while they decide whether they're a size XL or an M, and whether they like the colour yellow or purple.
The cost of fannying around with endless waves of worn clothes from indecisive consumers is far higher than the benefit of having £19.99 in the bank for 27 days.
I mesaaged them and asked for a refund on both the Ragley and a pair of northwave boots I ordered earlier this week. They replied same day to say too late to cancel the boots and within a few minutes a had a shipping notification. That was yesterday but when I click on the tracking it still says processing.
They didn't reply to same Q on the bike, or the follow up. I have very low confidence I'll see either. Much as I'd rather they didn't fail I wouldn't order anything from them right now, too much potential hassle
I sometimes wondered if it was part of their business model: Punters pay for Wiggle’s stock and store the stock for them. Wiggle sit on the cash until the stock is returned.
I imagine the model is more along the lines of relying on a significant proportion of customers not bothering to send stuff back even if it's not suitable.
The returns being limited to just Christmas Island might be the only quick and easy way they have to stop returns without needing to make a system change.
There’s costs involved in all that process and whilst it’s allowed on there system that imo is taking advantage
As others have pointed out, there are costs to having a high street presence. If your sales are at a distance, from a central warehouse only… then returns are part of your business model. Still cheaper than a chain of shops paying rates, or giving a margin to third party retailers.
Absolutely - I’m a supporter of bricks and mortar over online personally, but the cost differences don’t justify what I consider to be an abuse of a generous returns policy.
Got the following text from my wife today, my birthdays coming up.
my dads gonna get you a voucher for that bike shop you use, the one that sends Haribo, what’s it called?
Me: STOP NO NO NO
the cost differences don’t justify what I consider to be an abuse of a generous returns policy.
The thing is that this is a minority and it's a cost of that business model.
I think I've returned one CRC order in 15-20 years (or however long it is) of shopping there (last Thursday 😖). All the "me" type customers (and those who send back normal amounts of stuff) more than balance out the buy 20 items keep none brigade. LBS/bricks and mortar shops get the try it on and buy it online brigade as the counterbalance.
but when I click on the tracking it still says processing.
I've an order that's been dispatched but is still showing as processing in the tracking section. I suspect that Wiggle class boxed & sat in a crate in a loading bay awaiting courier pickup to be dispatched.
Apparently mine's coming via Evri. Maybe they're not collecting if there's a risk their invoices won't get paid.
It'll be sad to see them go if they're not bought over, but in reality, after using them for a long time, they're not really the same companies anymore that they used to be, they've been bought over, merged, tweaked and so on for years, no doubt they'll be bought, they have the infrastructure already there, as well as the name and customer base, so it'll just be bought up soon enough.
Over the last few years i've barely used them though, i got sick of the website 'bargains' that you click on and are always out of stock, or different prices, Covid was the killer though, could buy cheaper locally in a lot of instances!
My recent order sat in processing for a couple of days after it was dispatched, it arrived yesterday.
I can't seee any risk of carriers not being paid.
No carriers = no business.
It would be very surprising if there had not been discussions between administrators and carriers to provide certainty.
For the ones who are worried about the orders not getting dispatched.
Ordered on Wednesday evening, dispatched on Friday afternoon and collected by Evri this morning so appears orders are still getting out.
Their CS team advised the returns portal should be active again in the next couple of working days due to a system change(no idea if that will play out or what changes they were making, maybe reducing the returns period to the minimum required).
Cash
I often get given cash/cheque in an envelope with a homemade "voucher" along the lines of 'to be spent at a bike shop of your choice'.
I quite like this approach as it means I can get what I want from where I want but the gift giver knows that the gift is being spent on something rather than just being put in the bank
Hahahahahahahahaaaaaa...put in the bank...aye, right! 😉
Frasers Group sells Missguided brand - freeing up some cash for a new acquisition? #speculation
It seems that orders are still getting delivered. Has anyone ordered a bike recently? Is it worth the risk? The bike in question is a Vitus, and I accept that the warranty will probably be worthless.
The Ragley complete bike I ordered a week ago is still showing as processing and CRC are ignoring any Qs about it. On that basis, I wouldn't
Had two bikes delivered last week, ordered on Monday were delivered by ParcelForce on Friday.
Had a couple of small orders from Tuesday (stem+bars)delivered no problem, ordered a saddle on Wednesday and it shipped on Friday for delivery today.
Thanks both. That's one for and one against! Any other opinions?
It seems that orders are still getting delivered. Has anyone ordered a bike recently? Is it worth the risk?
Pay on credit card and it's potentially hassle but very low risk for you.
Do not use cc through PayPal, pay directly.
Warranty risk you're aware of and happy to accept.
On that basis I would.
If the item is over £100 and between £100-30,000 then yes you are protected.
Even if you bought an item for £10k paying only a certain amount as a deposit on your credit card you are covered to the full amount. I had to claim back in that way when something went wrong on a car I bought years ago, small hassle.in that instance but got the full amount paid back plus all investigation costs.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/section75-protect-your-purchases/
The bit I wonder about is whether the credit card company is liable if the goods are ordered after the company has been put into receivership?
after the company has been put into receivership?
Why would they not be? The company is still trading and you entered into a contract of sale with them. If they fail to fulfil that contract then the same consumer protections apply regardless of their being in receivership.
Point of order too, wiggle crc is in administration this is not the same as receivership.
I would think exactly the same they are still trading, in administration which could last 12 months or longer should they request an extension. So they are still trading, could change at any moment but they are trying to restructure/sell.
^^^^
That's good to know.... and thanks for putting me right about Administration versus Receivership... fair point.
Just all those who ordered get a satisfactory outcome.
To be clear about section 75, it makes the credit [card usually] issuer "jointly and severally liable" that is to say they are responsible for fulfilling the contract one way or another if the retailer doesn't.
It is not a right to get your money back from the retailer. It is not a way of getting your money back from the retailer.
As such the status of the retailer makes no difference, you're holding eg visa liable for completing the contract when the retailer fails to do so.
If it qualified for s75 in the first instance your "concern" is eg visa going bust a well as the retailer.
There are posts on the EMTB forum saying deliveries of ebikes are being cancelled.
Every cloud has a silver lining then🤩..
ebikes are being cancelled
I was going to buy several items from CRC, none of which are >£100 so not covered by section 75. If they don't turn up because crc\wiggle are properly gone pop, will a chargeback work?
I found out today that their returns system has been broken, by removing all but "Christmas Island" from the countries pull-down, so it is not possible to return anything.
I was going to buy several items from CRC, none of which are >£100 so not covered by section 75. If they don’t turn up because crc\wiggle are properly gone pop, will a chargeback work?
In theory no.
In practice the CC companies often don't differentiate between a transaction value and and item value but, and it's a big but, what they do whilst a company is trading (and they cab just deduct the value, +££££ in admin at the next settlement) and what they do when a company isn't trading and it's their money are not the same thing.
I found out today that their returns system has been broken, by removing all but “Christmas Island” from the countries pull-down, so it is not possible to return anything.
Covered a page or two back, maybe even on this one. They know and area "fixing" it, what that means of course it's anyone's guess.
Gah, have a voucher to use (only £20) was going to put it towards some shoes.
Don't want it to go to waste, but also don't want to have to return them if they don't fit and the returns system is broken
Gah, have a voucher to use (only £20) was going to put it towards some shoes.
I'd use it for something else, brake pads or what ever that will definitely come on at some point.
In any event I'd get it used pronto.
Just remember to check your address when you do.
Just remember to check your address when you do
😁
Cheers
Placed an order for a cassette
Returns portal is back and semi functional.... but no option for a UK address that I could see
Just had a Wiggle order arrive today, all seems to be up and running fine....
Yep, had a Wiggle delivery today and another due to tomorrow. If anything delivery speed is slightly better for standard delivery.
I've been on the chat with them today.
Returns in process should (per their team member) still be getting dealt with but I was quoted 5days to process on arrival. Mine is in limbo with the courier at the moment, which doesn't help.
Luckily it's only a £35 helmet that didn't fit.
One of the potentially overlooked reasons for their demise is the fact bricks and mortar bike shops have got considerably better in terms of the brands and stock they carry.
My historic gripe with most bike shops was that they didn't cater to my type of cycling. Absolutely fine if you wanted to wear Altura or Endura kit or needed mudguards for a commuter bike. I remember trying to find a ful face helmet in Glasgow 8-9 years ago and tried half a dozen shops. Every one looked at me like I was mad when I asked if they had any in stock.
Nowadays it's easy to find a shop that I can walk into and buy the clothing or parts that I need there and then without having to wait a week while they order it from a distributor. They actually stock brands like Fox, Troy Lee etc. Since that change happened I've definitely spent less at CRC
I was about to buy a brake but the price has jumped from £137 to £160, serves me right for stalling.
Had a delivery dispatched followed by a 'Can't find your address' from Evri.. checked the details and they only had street and postcode. Assume this is what everyone alluding to with address issues.
Luckily you can select 'deliver to neighbors' and select your own full address.
Very fast delivery though.
One of the potentially overlooked reasons for their demise is the fact bricks and mortar bike shops have got considerably better in terms of the brands and stock they carry.
I'm very jealous of that position, the Glasgow area is still crap. Nearest decent shop (and it is pretty good tbf) is Sprockets in Kilmarnock
the Glasgow area is still crap
Agreed on that. I think the Alpine in Tiso is slightly better these days but I'm far quicker going to Sprockets and they carry a fantastic range
Yeah Alpine has definitely stepped up their game. A more limited selection than Sprockets, but what they do have always seems to be good. With the exception of 1 person (young but with some solid old school sexism) the staff always seem really good too. . . and the cafe does good cake
Bike delivered today, 2 days late but in the right county so that's fine by me.
I just got one of these delivered today for Mat-ette, ordered last Tuesday night, delivered by Parcelforce.
Road.cc reporting they have filed for insolvency in Germany today
https://road.cc/content/news/wiggle-chain-reaction-parent-company-files-insolvency-304817
From a purely selfish point of view I finally got a despatch confirmation today for a Ragley Marley that I ordered for my boy. Not received by Parcelforce yet though, will it make it through before the bankruptcy hammer falls - sweepstake anyone?
I’m very jealous of that position, the Glasgow area is still crap. Nearest decent shop (and it is pretty good tbf) is Sprockets in Kilmarnock
Eh? What about Dales or have I missed something? Alpine aren't what they were, there are decent shops but they went for the workshop angle as CRC could never compete with that.
Sprockets are bloody expensive, their workshop prices were insane last time I looked.
What about Dales or have I missed something?
For clothing and parts it’s not great, never has been. OTOH they do have room to display loads of bikes, which they do well. I find there’s a better selection of MTB stuff over the road at Alpine.
Not sure why you’re bringing workshop prices into the equation though. Hardly something to compare against online retailers.
Sprockets have a list of prices for workshop jobs on their website. Nothing on there looks insane to me. For example £35 to tubeless a pair of wheels looks reasonable considering how many folk post on here struggling to do it.
Seeing alot of people on LinkedIn saying they've been made redundant from CRC/Wiggle and Hotlines today - thoughts with them all
100ish layoffs...
EDIT:
"A spokesperson from the administrators confirmed to Cycling Weekly that, of the 105 people made redundant, 70 were from Wiggle, 28 from Chain Reaction Cycles and seven from distributor Hotlines."
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/wiggle-makes-105-redundancies-after-going-into-administration
Crap as that is they had ?600? staff? 105 isn't as bad as it could have been or indeed may yet turn out to be.
It's not good for those made redundant today but let's hope it's enough to keep the company going and the rest in post.
Crap as that is they had ?600? staff?
Have a think about the scale of the businesses involved. I'm sure they weren't particularly over-staffed.
70 were from Wiggle, 28 from Chain Reaction Cycles and seven from distributor Hotlines.
I'm a little surprised Wiggle and CRC were still separate entities in terms of employment. Had they just merged the warehousing and kept the marketing, CS and other back office functions independent?
Does this suggest that Wiggle was a weaker performer than CRC? I know I always preferred to use CRC.
Probably just indicates that more people work for “wiggle” than “CRC”.
I’m sure they weren’t particularly over-staffed.
I'm sure the administrator disagrees. I'm not privy to any information you're not but to me getting rid of 15% of the staff sounds like "we think we can make this work"
I'd expect them to get rid of most or all of the staff if they didn't think it wasn't "fat" and redeemable.
Otoh, staff are the one commodity most companies can control so it's the first and hardest squeezed. It's why wages are slow to increase whilst work load grows rapidly.
