Possible demise of ...
 

Possible demise of CRC / Wiggle

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Hope it’s not the slug that is Mike Ashley, that has bought out the remaining stock and brand names!

It is

 
Posted : 23/03/2024 10:58 am
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Did those who put in very last minute orders get them despatched? And did you get any sort of notification of despatch?

I put a (<£50) order in on the 15th March and nothing yet. Evri deliveries to me usually take around 2 weeks (not a typo) from despatch to delivery so it could be they've been despatched and just not delivered. Or it could still be kicking about with the tumbleweed in what was once a busy warehouse.

 
Posted : 25/03/2024 11:49 am
 nuke
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I put what i considered risky orders in on 15th & 16th, one with wiggle & one with crc...both had items that were out of stock on the product page but still in my basket: both orders were fulfilled. Genuinely stunned and big thanks to crc/wiggle for that 🙏

Delivered last Wednesday/Thursday...only knew when i got the evri email. So if you've heard nothing, don't assume the worst

 
Posted : 25/03/2024 11:54 am
convert and convert reacted
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I ordered some stuff fairly late and it arrived last Friday, so they were still shipping late last week.

I put what i considered risky orders in on 15th & 16th, one with wiggle & one with crc…both had items that were out of stock on the product page but still in my basket: both orders were fulfilled. Genuinely stunned and big thanks to crc/wiggle for that 🙏

Damit, I clicked the "removed items" prompt.

And now with predictable timing my 170mm dropper has developed sag/bounce (dunno if this is the result of being hung up on a wall for 6 months).

Did anyone over-order brand-x 170mm cartridges and now have a spare?

 
Posted : 25/03/2024 12:05 pm
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Evans in blue and orange are live!

 
Posted : 26/03/2024 12:40 pm
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Just a different frontend to the Evans website then. Few changes to menus. Whats the point.

 
Posted : 26/03/2024 2:19 pm
mercian and mercian reacted
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Whats the point.

Three times as many opportunities to get to the top of Google search is the point.

 
Posted : 26/03/2024 2:23 pm
zerocool, kelvin, zerocool and 1 people reacted
 nuke
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Weird seeing the old orange Wiggle branding back instead of the newer green version

 
Posted : 26/03/2024 4:20 pm
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I like the way you can now filter cassettes by XL boys.

 
Posted : 26/03/2024 6:56 pm
doomanic, Rich_s, doomanic and 1 people reacted
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Not sure Ill be buying any "breaks" off them 🙂

 
Posted : 26/03/2024 9:20 pm
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Struggling to see the point of big Mike and son buying those businesses.  Unless it was to stop anyone else doing something constructive with them?

As shown above, apart from the homepage, it's just Evans cycles and all that brings with it.

I can't see me using them unless I'm absolutely desperate...

 
Posted : 27/03/2024 10:51 am
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I did need some cheap 27.5 tyres. Ordered off Evans though, as CRC not taking Paypal yet and I wouldn't trust them with card details

 
Posted : 27/03/2024 11:09 am
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They're still offloading all the 5-Tens, Christ knows how many pairs they overstocked, the prices seem to be up on where they were pre-Christmas though.

Plus of course you now have to pay postage on Wiggle/CRC, I'm sure people who'd gotten used to free delivery will appreciate an extra fiver on every order.

 
Posted : 27/03/2024 12:15 pm
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Three times as many opportunities to get to the top of Google search is the point.

You could also make sure your price for any one item is at a competitive price on one of the three to make sure you pick up the people searching by price and charge a higher price on the others for those in a hurry and not shopping around.

 
Posted : 27/03/2024 12:23 pm
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I tried returning a Wiggle order to the address listed at: https://help.wiggle.com/support/home
I.e:
Customer Returns,
Unit A,
Brook Park East,
Shirebrook.
NG20 8RY.
But it was sent straight back, saying the Frasers Group bought the brand, but not the liabilities, and that they were not going to refund me 🙁
Apparently not a lot I can do about that.  I wish they had made that clear on the web site before I went to the faff of paying for recorded deliery etc.

 
Posted : 01/04/2024 11:06 pm
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Apparently not a lot I can do about that

You could have sent it to the address that andy posted further up this page

 
Posted : 01/04/2024 11:20 pm
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Mike Ashley’s entire e-com platform (across all of his brands) seems to be built on the customer paying for delivery and returns and customer service being irrelevant. To him that makes sense. Why should he pay for postage like some other mugs (answers on a postcard please…)?

Meanwhile back in the competitive real world there are plenty of bike specialists (including lots of smaller shops now doing a good trade online - ironically kind of like CRC and Wiggle themselves started!) all offering free delivery, better range and better service.

I was a regular Chiggler. Great range, great prices, easy delivery and returns. Not any more. I never shopped at Evans for the same reasons I won’t now shop at CRC or Wiggle.

Having said that, I interviewed somebody from the Ashley empire for a job last week. They were bright and they spoke highly of how the business is doing, so maybe I am in the minority and most customers are less discerning. He probably won’t miss my money, or that of many like minded bike geeks who sadly make up the minority of the bicycle consumer market. Most people are not at the enthusiast end of the market like the STW community. Most are happy with the BSOs that Ashley’s empire now serves up.

Either way, I do feel like a chapter of my bicycle shopping has come to an end and it kind of feels like history repeating itself as other smaller challenger shops rise up to fill the gap left by CRC/Wiggle. Maybe I will start scouring the back pages of Cycling Weekly for mail order like I did 30 years ago!!!!

 
Posted : 01/04/2024 11:30 pm
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Well, half my last CRC order got refunded, sound of crickets when I asked about the outstanding 18 quid part of it, so I guess that's not materialising.

Won't be using the new Cashley version, there are other sites I trust more than anything owned by him, after getting mucked around by Evans last year.

 
Posted : 02/04/2024 12:01 am
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Postage isn't free, if you're not paying it as an add on then you're paying it somewhere else.

 
Posted : 02/04/2024 1:36 pm
scotroutes, zerocool, gooner69 and 7 people reacted
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Yep.

I tend to just look at the total price, including p&p. There's definitely a subconscious bias in there though and when p&p is clearly visiting I'm more likely to buy multiple items at once, even if it means delaying a purchase or two.

 
Posted : 02/04/2024 3:17 pm
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Postage isn’t free, if you’re not paying it as an add on then you’re paying it somewhere else.

When Charon comes to ferry your soul across the Styx and he says, "I'm adding £2.95 for those brake pads you ordered to bump the total above £20 you cheeky sod get away with you now. Where's me paddle?"

 
Posted : 02/04/2024 5:31 pm
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There are now a load of ex crc frames on Facebook. Looks like a former employee has been enterprising. Seems like a good outcome to me and good luck to them.

- Former WiggleCRC employee here who bought up the remaining Nukeproof & Vitus frames before everything shut down.

 

I have Gigas, Megas, Megawatts, E-Sommets & Rapide FS available in various colours and sizes. Some are complete aftermarket frames, some are supplied without a shock etc.

 

Everything is brand new in the box. Pricing & details on what's included can be seen in the first pic.

 

The frames are being stored in Northern Ireland. I'm happy to meet up locally or can post at the buyers expense.

 

Postage available for £20 if you're in the UK (please specify if you're in the Highlands, Channel Islands etc.) & £50 for Ireland. International postage should be possible but does get expensive.

 

No warranty given or implied. 

 
Posted : 09/04/2024 10:18 am
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@nickjb link?

 
Posted : 09/04/2024 11:01 am
 Andy
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Put "Former WiggleCRC employee" into Facebook search bar and its the first post. Chap called Simon

 
Posted : 09/04/2024 11:08 am
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Came to post the same thing, prices look decent/fair too.

A £300 Vitus Rapide FS bare frame appeals, thants cheaper than you can get it from Carbonda...

 
Posted : 09/04/2024 11:31 am
 nuke
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Very enterprising...fair play to him (as long as legit). Makes you wonder how much he paid for them if he's making money at those prices!

 
Posted : 09/04/2024 12:07 pm
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I've hopefully bought a Rapide FS from him. Well, I've paid for one. Hopefully being shipped today.

Simon, the vendor, seems very kosher with good communication and straight forward.

Bit confusing though, as latest 2024 model, in cool grey, seem to show UDH on the Vitus website, yet the one I've bought appears to have a frame with the older style mech hanger, which wasn't available in cool grey.

Not sure it matters or that I care tbh, just curious.

 
Posted : 10/04/2024 11:43 am
 nuke
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Bit confusing though, as latest 2024 model, in cool grey, seem to show UDH on the Vitus website, yet the one I’ve bought appears to have the older style mech hanger, which wasn’t available in cool grey

Surprised at that. Interesting too as i was genuinely considering updating my non-udh version Rapide FS to the udh version at that price but if they're non-udh then that answers that.

When you say 'the one I've bought', he sent pics of actual frame?

 
Posted : 10/04/2024 11:53 am
 PJay
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I've just noticed that the Wiggle website appears to be down. A quick look at one of the "Is it down for me" type of websites suggest that it may have been down since the 9th.

Is something afoot?

 
Posted : 11/04/2024 1:01 pm
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I was in a Regus office last week that is next to the Portsmouth CRC/Wiggle office.

The chap I was meeting said that the staff pulled everything left into the atrium and flogged it for £5 an item. Some very happy people went home with packed cars.

Should have arranged better timing for my meeting.

 
Posted : 11/04/2024 1:05 pm
kelvin and kelvin reacted
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I’ve just noticed that the Wiggle website appears to be down.

Seems fine here.

 
Posted : 11/04/2024 1:16 pm
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I’ve just noticed that the Wiggle website appears to be down

Wiggle.com or wiggle.co.uk ?

(Stoopid browsers save typos 😉 )

 
Posted : 11/04/2024 1:20 pm
kelvin and kelvin reacted
 PJay
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Hmm, down for me on my PC with Edge, but not on my phone with Chrome. Probably my PC then.

wiggle.co.uk is the one that's down for me, wiggle.com is working.

 
Posted : 11/04/2024 1:21 pm
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I don't suppose anyone could post what frames the Facebook chap has got, and prices, as im not on facebook.

Thanks

 
Posted : 11/04/2024 1:56 pm
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One interesting upshot of this is that it appears to my eyes that they've reverted to the old CRC website - the one where you could actually sort by things (like % discount).  Doesn't mean I'm any more likely to buy from them but at least they've taken on board the criticism.

 
Posted : 11/04/2024 2:09 pm
 nuke
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I don’t suppose anyone could post what frames the Facebook chap has got, and prices, as im not on facebook.

Link should still work as i don't use FB. I couldn't navigate to the frame pics (which is why i didn't see the non-udh hanger on the rapide). But anyway...

434576720_7506957009398689_5581785137399124260_n

 
Posted : 11/04/2024 3:55 pm
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A carbon Mega frame for £500?

 
Posted : 11/04/2024 4:00 pm
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A carbon Mega frame for £500?

Sans shock or warranty, with an apparent reputation for cracking.

Still a keen price but go into it with your eyes open.

 
Posted : 11/04/2024 5:03 pm
tomahawk28, Rich_s, tomahawk28 and 1 people reacted
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I collected a rapide fs & a mega frame in person from this seller this afternoon. Seems to be a decent, nice dude. He has already sold a shitload of frames but still has a good amount of stock.

The rapide is a completely bare frame, no headset or rear axle but has all the shock mount hardware. These were intended for warranty jobs. The mega was a boxed and sealed retail version with all the bits.

 
Posted : 12/04/2024 10:35 pm
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Was considering one of the Ebike frames, but where do you get battery and motors etc?

 
Posted : 13/04/2024 11:17 pm
cooie and cooie reacted
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I'm fairly sure one of the Scottish startups will sell you a motor.

 
Posted : 14/04/2024 8:37 am
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So what’s the deal with Wiggle then? I bought some shorts a couple of weeks ago and decided to return them. The website now doesn’t recognise my password but it’s definitely correct as stored on my iPhone keychain. Tried resetting it but password reset emails not coming through.
I’ll try to call them but all seems dodgy.

 
Posted : 20/04/2024 7:55 pm
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So what’s the deal with Wiggle then?

They no longer exist as they were. The name now belongs to the Frasers Group and they have no obligation to take back any returns / warranties from the old company.

From the previous page on this thread, there was a returns address via RM Cycles but I think you've left it a bit late for that...

AndyFull Member
Small print from old Wiggle holding page

Returns Process
Return Form

Orders before 22 February 2024 can be returned within 60 days of your order date. Orders after this date can only be returned within 28 days of your order date. No returns will be considered after 22 April 2024.

Please do not return goods outside of these windows as we can not guarantee they will be returned to you.
Return address is : RM Cycles (wiggle returns), Unit 3a, Leigh Green Industrial Estate,
TN30 7DE

I also have the PDF of the returns form if anyone needs a copy emailed. PM me you email address.

 
Posted : 20/04/2024 8:04 pm
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I'd say it's highly unlikely they've migrated user accounts from the original website, assuming that's where you placed the order? I reckon you'd need to call them

 
Posted : 20/04/2024 8:05 pm
 zomg
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Mashley and co didn’t buy the company to get the user database. They only bought the branding.

 
Posted : 20/04/2024 8:49 pm
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https://road.cc/content/news/evans-begins-70-sale-old-wiggle-stock-308599

£3m for the lot... We probably could have managed a whip round for that.

 
Posted : 29/05/2024 8:40 pm
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Damn I've got £150 Evans voucher, was hoping the crc stuff would come online, and I'm a long way from Manchester!

 
Posted : 30/05/2024 12:22 am
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Is the stuff for sale at all shops? 22m of goods is going to take a long time to get through one shop... I'm in Glasgow this weekend but the Evans there is tiny so I doubt anything will get up there.

 
Posted : 30/05/2024 8:46 am
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nothing in the Glasgow city centre shop

 
Posted : 30/05/2024 3:50 pm
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Is the stuff for sale at all shops? 22m of goods is going to take a long time to get through one shop… I’m in Glasgow this weekend but the Evans there is tiny so I doubt anything will get up there.

They had nearly 6 months of the firesale to end all firesales before Sports Direct got in there.

 
Posted : 30/05/2024 4:00 pm
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One thing I don't get is if Chiggle went down owing lots to suppliers, how come the stock was sold off at below cost prices instead of sent back to those suppliers? Obviously with the own brand stuff that's not possible but it wasn't just own brand stuff that was liquidated.

Surely if they've not paid for it, it's not theirs to sell?

 
Posted : 30/05/2024 4:14 pm
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Surely if they’ve not paid for it, it’s not theirs to sell?

I think that things like staff salary, liquidation lawyers, rents etc come before suppliers who willingly supplied on credit.

IANAL

 
Posted : 30/05/2024 5:05 pm
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Nothing in the Edinburgh shop. Popped in today hoping they had some cheap Nukeproof evo pedals.

 
Posted : 30/05/2024 5:09 pm
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PSA - TriSportResort has started selling stuff again on eBay. All fixed prices now, but free (Evri) postage. Bagged some black Nukeproof Evo pedals for £15 last week...

 
Posted : 30/05/2024 5:32 pm
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Surely if they’ve not paid for it, it’s not theirs to sell?

Under English law title (ownership) and risk passes on delivery by default.

You can contract out of that position (it's generally referred to as retention or title or a "ROT" or "Remalpa" clause).

To get a return of ROT goods you've got some hurdles to pass.

1) you've got to prove that the buyer accepted your terms

2) you've got to identify your goods and with a simple clause (goods under this invoice are ours until paid) you've not just got to be able to say they came from me but they came from me under this unpaid invoice.  Even if you have an all monies clause (all goods are ours until all our invoices are paid) if the supplier was ever owed zero you need to show the goods were delivered after that date.

3) they've got to be worth your while collecting

4) you need to not go too crazy on the terms and accidentally create security that is void due to its lack of registration at Companies House.

There's mention of ROT claims in the administrators proposals.

Basically if they are the Company's (i.e. ROT does not validly apply) then you can sell them.

 
Posted : 30/05/2024 9:14 pm
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Popped in to the Trafford Centre Evans cycles and asked the question - all the Chiggle stock has apparently gone to three stores:
Sheffield
St Helens
Cheetham Hill

It's mostly helmets, clothing and some pedals. Apparently some great deals on Kask and Troy Lee helmets in particular.

Happy shopping!

 
Posted : 31/05/2024 12:04 am
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Just had an advert served to me that shows Sport Direct are now selling GT bikes!

 
Posted : 11/06/2024 10:56 pm
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I wonder if they've got permission off Sam Hill to use him on the website......

Screenshot 2024-06-12 095633

 
Posted : 12/06/2024 10:58 am
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I wonder if they’ve got permission off Sam Hill to use him on the website……

They'll have inherited certain image rights dating from his time with the company.

But that may be an image supplied by 100% (who I didn't even know sponsored him TBH) with commercial use permitted.

 
Posted : 12/06/2024 11:23 am
smiffy and smiffy reacted
 PJay
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Old thread I know, but did Merlin pick up some of Chiggle's stock?

I remember 3T carbon bars and Easton EC70 AX carbon bars being particularly cheap (I picked up a pair of EC70 AXs for £35). Merlin are offering both of these on their homepage at well below retail. There may be more I haven't come across.

 
Posted : 14/07/2024 7:42 pm
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Anyone know what/if anything happened with brands - Nukeproof/Ragley etc, are they all dead now? Ragley website was still up a month or two ago but gone now 🙁

 
Posted : 23/09/2024 7:02 pm
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Vitus have posted on socials and some bikes appeared. Not clear if it is the old business or just trying to shift some stock, perhaps frames that were ordered or in the process of being shipped.

 
Posted : 23/09/2024 8:45 pm
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I see nukeproof bikes are appearing back at crc from October. Looks like they ordered a reprint of last years product.

that is going to make some warranty claims interesting if you have a current failed frame (buy new and swap?)

 
Posted : 24/09/2024 1:25 pm
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Looks like they ordered a reprint of last years product

Possibly just completed items that were held back as things started falling apart. Would be interesting to see the manufacturing date on the likes of the forks and shocks

that is going to make some warranty claims interesting if you have a current failed frame (buy new and swap?)

Not really any different to before. The old company still doesn’t exist, so I would have no claim against the new one if my frame died (doesn’t mean I wouldn’t try of course)

 
Posted : 24/09/2024 1:38 pm
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