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Lots of challenges for stores across all industries at the moment.
A few retailers have been mentioned on here recently for questionable service. So I'd like to sing the praises of:
Stif
Merlin
Cyclestore
All of whom have been honest with stock levels, shipped on time (including Stif, following an attempted warehouse break-in which affected operations) and have charged a big fat zero for shipping (dependent on order value, natch). As such I think that they deserve recognition in these exceptional times.
I'd love to mention Evans in that list but they've been shit to me.
If you've had even normal service from anywhere then perhaps mention it here for others. Always worth mentioning when service is exactly as promised, not just when it's above or below expectations.
Big shout out to Bird Cycles from me. Excellent service last year under normal conditions and equally awesome service and advice over the last week or so. Happy to throw my money at them when they have a great product and give awesome customer service.
For the odd part here and there CRC and Wiggle have always been sound for me even over the last month or so. Customer service has also been really helpful and polite.
Have a 145 myself but haven't needed to contact the nest in a while. Great to hear they're as good as always.
SJS and BikeParts both done me proud in the last couple of weeks.
Planet-X for sending a third set of torx wrenches to replace the previous that both got lost/taken in transit....
Sprockets Cycles for me. New bike for my daughter arrived in a couple of days and they were straight on the phone when they found they didn’t have one of the other bits we ordered.
What's nice about a thread like this is having feedback on places people haven't heard about before.
Sprockets is new to me so it's now on my list.
Only ordered one thing which was from Wiggle, turned up quicker than estimated. My heart dropped a little when the email said it was from Hermes, but I think the Woman-in-a-van subby is local so probably more likely to want to get stuff delivered.
Not bike stuff but:
Creative Audio - quick delivery and good prices.
Nickolls and Perks wine - an old skool wine merchant with a penchant for old world wines. Quick delivery and great advice.
I've had a clearout and ebay-ed a few things. Sent a monitor via Hermes and it turned up smashed. Buyer agreed it was well packaged.
I'd paid for next day (which it wasn't) and for insurance (which apparently doesn't cover monitors).
In the spirit of this thread though:
Sent a parcel by Hermes and it turned up!
All in past 4 weeks:
Active Sport (Mark Anthony) - yes, really; I had doubts based on their reputation but they were great.
Velodrome Shop.
Tarty Bikes.
Itchen Valley Brewery - or, more accurately, their delivery partner; paid for standard delivery but despatched yesterday and delivered today!
Also very happy with my itchen valley order. Arrived today after ordering yesterday. Nicely done 👍.
Cycle Division- borked my road rim and ordered some Cero wheels. Arrived quickly and well packaged, look good and hopefully will ride well! Also Merlin +1
Alpkit. Dash4it.co.uk. Sigma sports. Amazon. And Bikemonger (previously charlie).
Rutland cycles however = total pants.
For me in no particular order, Planet-X for emergency replacement chains, Sigma for a new Helmet, Rapha shorts and top, Gloucester Brewery for next day beer and Woodchester Valley Vineyard for local wine. All bases covered.
Ordered some new brakes this week from Merlin and arrived early. Top work guys.
The same brakes were a few £ cheaper at Evans, but, well, y'know - Mike Ashley etc... Just couldn't bring myself to do it.
Forgot to mention Sprockets also responded quickly (once the guy was home from a ride) when I asked to add a couple of extras to my original (online) order.
Also bought the Mrs some shoes so she can use my turbo from Edinburgh Bicycle Coop. They messaged me to tell me they were ringing round their shops for the last pair and had them delivered quickly.
Finally set of XM1501 wheels from JE James. Took a few days to arrive but all in order and bargain price.
All above mid Covid. Been lockdown bargain hunting so always end up using a few retailers.
Alpinetrek have been really good. Until my current parcel which does seem stuck! I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt. Morvélo also delivered quickly and good customer service via Instagram DM.
Wych Bearings arrived pronto for my FS frame bearings.