[Closed] Up Yours from Widgit

Post in more places for maximum googleness!

Seems like a good product, but based on that level of customer service he won't get any trade from me!

Is there such thing as an AUS equivalent to the distance selling regs here in the UK?

He's selling into the UK, so has to comply with local regs, doesn't he?

'...we don't do returns, bye'

Hmmm where have I heard that before Nigel? 😆

i haven't had to return anything, but my buying experience was great. wanted a silver coloured one to match the bike, he had one made and charged me the same price. I was happy. Just for a bit of balance mind, but that does sound a bit off.

Kev

Perhaps there should be a group email to him 'We don't buy from tossers, bye, STW collective'

£100!

Why should he accept a return? No ;legal or moral obligation if the product is as described - just because you changed your mind. Many retailers will not do returns for goods correctly supplied

TJ - DS regs in this country allow you 7 days to return no question.

How this translates to Aus selling into UK i am not sure.

In person in a shop - you have no right to change your mind.

I changed our policy to 14 days on line and in person to make it simpler to manage.

Indeed TBC - But DS does not cover stuff from out of the country IIRC

Worth a bit of research i would say.

Credit card company might be able to sort it.

PS - that's pretty shit customer service btw.

be aware that the widgit doesn't work on all bikes and you'll lose out taxes and postage both ways if you need to send it back.

Doesnt look like anything that can't be done with a couple of bash rings anyway. But then I guess the Aussies aren't really known for their innovation.

Looking at their design I would have done it a lot differently. If you want a nice light XC product I bet you could get a nice British company like fibrelyte to make you up some nice carbon fibre plates that would weigh and cost less.

Well it's not exactly easy with just bash rings. The ring mounts on the granny place, but slightly outbound to have clearence. With a diy job you would either mount in the middle (worse chainline) or granny (won't fit a lot of frames). It's also pretty light.

That said, despite having the appearence of something with a bash, it does not actually. To save weight the alloy on the sides is very thin and can't really take any hits. A few friends killed theirs, and I had to work it with pliers after almost every ride. I ended up modding it and a bash so that I can actually allow it to touch things. I do think that should be more clearly emphasized in their marketing.

But other then the weakness and crazy price it is actually a nice product. As is I would not purchase another, but if they made one with a proper integrated bash and a bit of a lower price I could reconsider.

so the OP ordered something and made a mistake?

Sorry, tough cheese. No DS regs apply, it's back to contract law like it used to be.

Just ebay it.

Too true al, but still pretty sh1te PR

Also what about the devise not working on every bike as talked about above and [url= http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=686499 ]here[/url], with no mention on his site...?

I reckon he's still smarting because we won the ashes in his backyard!

Australian distance selling laws (its a commonwealth country after all).
One thing; isn't widget based in flooded brisbane or weather batter QLD?
http://www.laposte-export-solutions.co.uk/uk/markets/country-profiles/australia/regulations-of-distance-selling
(not read them, so can't comment)

bonesetter - Member
Too true al, but still pretty sh1te PR

Have you considered that consumer stuff may be entirely different in Aus and this would not be viewed so badly over here?

If it's incompatible then you may have a point (if he advised you it was compatible) - but that's not what you said at the start.

Commonwealth = one Jurisdiction LOL

I'm giving feedback on my buying experience.

I think potential buyers would like to be forewarned about possible pitfalls buying from Paul Haggerty and the fact Widgits simply just do not work on some bikes

keavo ended up stuck with his, being incompatible with his bike. I am stuck with mine

I wouldnt have risked £100 unless I knew it would fit.
Tis crap service though.

poor service he may be within hid sleagl rights but still poor Happy to ignroe everything they ever do and slag them off from now on as it is just not cricket is it Paul

i got a refund minus post and taxes. no mention that the item might not work on the website. no suggestion from paul that it might not work when i emailed him before i bought it. haven't checked recently but the website wasn't updated with further info after i returned it. it appears paul will happily sell the widgit to anyone, but its all at the buyers risk. it felt like i had done some r&d on the product and paid a small price for the privelidge of doing so.
however, its a reasonable product that will probably work on most bikes.

@cynical

Commonwealth = one Jurisdiction LOL

Consumer law in Queensland
http://www.consumerlaw.gov.au/content/Content.aspx?doc=current_laws/qld.htm
Loads of info. links to everything. Can be found from the link I posted before
Also this one
http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/268478

Awww diddums... So Australia is a Commonwealth country...so what? Even if their trade laws were an exact facsimile of the UK's... so what? It's a sovereign counry as is the UK. There are no cross border distance selling regs to hide behind in order to escape from your mistake.

You bought the wrong thing from the other side of the world without a) checking it would fit and b) the returns policy if it didn't. Then you come here bad mouthing a supplier because he won't compensate for your screw up?

Why should he? Customer service? I'm pretty sure your sort of customer he could do well without.

Oh, and BTW, just wait till Elf finds out about your carbon footprint. oooo eck....

Bloody whingers, take some responsibility for your actions.

don't think i'm whinging. i lost a bit of money and put it down to experience a long time ago.

Awww diddums

I'm pretty sure your sort of customer he could do well without.

Bloody whingers, take some responsibility for your actions.

khani - Member

Bad day?

OK, perhaps it was a bit strong. Sorry 🙂

But c'mon, who buys something from Autralia and then expects 'distance selling' regs (bloody great distance) to cover them for buying the wrong thing? Really! (best Linda Snell impression required).

Hey, it's a global village, right?

My Nightlightling light I bought from NZ. Have bought many frames from US, and sent some back for warranty, all without problem. May as well have been from CRC - heck across the channel, across the pond, or the opposite hemisphere, all's the same

I suppose you'll be listening to [i]that[/i] edition then 😉

I suppose you'll be listening to that edition then

I did.. and it was shite... Lines delivered in a robotic monotone, fair spoilt my daily fix it did.

Yeah, I know we can (and do) buy allsorts from everywhere now but, but, but... If your're nor sure about fit/form/function, you should really be sure when buying outside of 'our' jurisdiction. Yes, traders do change stuff but that's their choice and comes under goodwill.

When you think of all the aggro of posting something out for overseas, the customs declaration etc, you can understand why they may not wish to take things back.

I just though it a bit unfair badmouthing a trader because the OP had failed to ensure the kit was right and returnable before buying it.

That's all. 🙂

Some traders are good some traders are bad, you live and learn.
That's where forums are useful, I think the op's gripe was more the unhelpful curt response rather than the lack of a refund. No info about incompatibility probs on the website either,
But ultimately you risk it for a biscuit when buying from small traders overseas.

Dirtynap - Member

I assume that was aimed at me. I never said it was one jurisdiction did I. Had you read the page I linked and engage your small brain, you would have been able to find all the information regarding Australian trade law.
My comment about it being a commonwealth country was made because therefore Australia has strong trade agreements with the UK, and many of its laws are similar.

Please stop the personal attacks, can you not take a joke? You want to battle me? 😉

What strong trade agreements does Aus have with the UK? It's about the farthest nation away from us, has high labour costs, I'd guess it's way down the list of countries we trade with. Yes the laws have the same roots but that applies to case-law more than statute, and IIRC UK has cross-jurisdictional distance-selling regs of sorts due to being in the EC but Aus has nothing comparable.

Happy to be corrected.

Fail I'm afraid, I have customers from various countries and all would recieve a refund (less postage) if the item was still in the condition it left the workshop in as would most if the other companies I have worked for ( as long as you caught them on a good day 😯 )

Not @ Al, he's a feisty one tonight 😀

boblo - Member
I just though it a bit unfair badmouthing a trader because the OP had failed to ensure the kit was right and returnable before buying it.

@ Druid[b]H[/b] Yep, never let the facts get in the way of a good whinge 🙂

I (OP) don't now need it.

Keavo - came in with similar handling who found his Widgit didn't work on his frame

Both of us have received the brash end of Haggerty's PR

LoCo - you noes it, DO NOT MESS 😡

Mummy! 😥

What's with the aggro CA? Has he got under yer skin?

it looks like a chainring with a riveted on pair of guides/bashguards. Not sure buyer's remorse is a reason to 'out' an Australian for not adhering to the UK's distance selling regs. If it proved unsuitable for the described use - like it didn't do the job or wouldn't fit then I understand the problem.

I'm probably being a bit slow, but what's the point? When I've run a single chainring with a 9-sprocket system I've had no problems with chains dropping off. Seems like a power band for 9-speeders.

If you're keen to cut gears, go to the extreme and go singlespeed or get one of [url= http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=52924&scid=1005&scname=Kids ]these[/url]

the point was it's available in 28t. it was intended for a 29er bike i use ss and 1x9 but i find a 32t ring bigger than ideal. it looked like the perfect solution, sadly it didn't work.

Widgit should at the very least specify on its site compatabilty, and also a return/exchange policy. There is nothing at the moment on the Widgit site.

I really don't see the widgit as anything other than a couple of coloured bash guards fixed to a crank. A bit of improvisation with these beauties at £8 a pop would do the same thing.

http://www.bbgbashguard.com/superlights.html

A pair of 32t will weigh 52g... less than half the weight of a widgit.
Add on a bit for longer bolts maybe and the odd spacer and I still reckon it will be lighter, cheaper and stronger - all three 🙂
And you can pimp it with different coloured bashes.

I've ordered in the past and they are extremely good quality.
And good service too.

OK, agreed that they could have been better about it but they're under no obligation to deal with your mistake. A great company would have helped you, so we know they're not great, ah well- you'd no reason or right to expect it.

But looking at this and your MTBR posts you're grinding that axe ridiculously hard, and actively seeking out bad news about the company that you can recycle and use to try and damage them. While the company's done nothing wrong by you, you've gone out and tried to cost them business which makes you the bad guy in this thread.

Just my 2c but if I was you, I'd post an apology to Widget and I'd never mention it again.

It's really a cultural difference.

You made the mistake of buying something you did not want = your problem. Nothing changes that.

If the product was defective it would be a different story.

Thanks for bringing that product to my attention btw, I may buy one.

sell it to me for 50NZ$ then at least it will be back on the correct side of the world...i'm doing you a favour really

boblo you spotted that winky?

@ keavo. Ah, I see. I was being dense. A special number of teeth. I totally see your point now. It would have been much better all round if widgit either gave a warning/buying advice on suitability or were more gracious in their handling of customer disappointment.

cynic-al - Member
boblo you spotted that winky?

Errr no. It went over my head like a giraffes fart 🙂

Thanks to this thread I will no longer buy things I don't need from Australia...

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Widgit
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:55:46 +0000
From: Nigel Parker <nigel@nigelparker.co.uk>
To: paul haggarty <paul@widgit.com.au>

Paul

The unwanted Widgit I received from you a couple of weeks ago just doesn't seem to want to lie down. As you know, I started a couple of forum threads, as I was a little taken aback with your response after asking for a return and refund. I started a further 3rd forum thread asking about Widgit compatibility with 29er bikes, as a poster reported an issue experienced with his Widgit and a 29er frame. These threads keep on going and have got to the point where I think all would agree enough is enough as I'm sure these must be damaging for business.

I would like to get some resolution with you, and post such on these threads. I accept my error, ordering something I then decide I don't need, but try to see it from my side. The Widgit is a costly item, working out to ~£100 GBP, and it looks as though it might be difficult to find a buyer, which means I am stuck with it, unless you decide, on this occasion to accept the return. I've never heard of any bike company not taking returns, whether they be in the UK, EU, or elsewhere, and there is no mention of these terms & conditions on your site. I offer to pay the postage you have paid sending the Widgit to me and furthermore, offer to pay a 10% handling fee for your trouble. The packaging has not been opened, everything is as brand new.

As a side, I have since found the Widgit will not fit my bike for the planned application

I do hope this can end up as an all's well that ends well

Regards

Nigel

[url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/up-yours-from-widgit/page/1 ]singletrack, UK forum thread[/url]

[url= http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=683186 ]mtbr, general discussion thread[/url]

[url= http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=686499 ]mtbr, 29er bikes thread[/url]

Cheeky sod! If he goes for that, you are one lucky young man. The sneaky 'blackmail by internet forum' does not help your case IMO. You should be trying to appeal to his better nature not spreading bad news about his company then rubbing his nose in it.

Why have you posted up private correspondence between you and your supplier? Naughty boy.

tbh I think you have now gone too far and made yourself look just as bad. Not going be much left of your refund after you pay the postage to and from Aus and the 10% restocking fee.

May as well have just sold it.

A bit late to drop "oh, by the way, it doesn't work" into the discussion. It might come across as a teeny bit of a fib.

surprised this thread hasn't been pulled yet as it's sole purpose seems to be to do damage to the original company. However my guess is that is is doing exactly the opposite as

* The company is getting discussed on the net, nearly always good for search even if the discussions are negative

* The OP just wanted to return it because he changed his mind, for no other reason. The company refused as is their right (even though had they been within the EU it wouldn't have been their right)

* When someone returned the item because it didn't work as intended they quite reasonably got their money refunded without postage.

* What I learn from these threads is where the device doesn't work. Not that it is fundamentally flawed or that the company are sharks.

I think most people will see this as quite reasonable although not up to the standards of the best out there. Continuing these threads only helps the company - really

I see no sensible reason why a company would be so bloody minded about returns when the buyer has already offered to cover their original costs. Their product clearly has compatibility issues and it's pretty poor too if they are being less than upfront about it.

Not too impressed with that approach though. The whole "I'll stop criticising you publicly if you sort it" thing leaves a bad taste even if this Paul Haggarty comes across as a knob.