Online Purchases - good and bad experiences

thewallace · Postby **thewallace** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 4:42 pm

+1 for Westbrook cycles, ordered on a Monday and received on a Thursday
Also highonbikes offer cheaper prices than the big ones

Winnersh Cyclist · Postby **Winnersh Cyclist** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 4:34 pm

On this note I can maybe add something positive of my expereince with an online www.totallyinnertubes.co.uk I ordered a pair of inner tubes which arrived propmtly however as they were spares I didn't bother checking the box till months later and then realised they were wrong emailed them back and they sent me replacements on trust how amazing is that afterall it was my mistake. I had originally thought their tube selection pages were awesome as there are just so many I would highly recommend them as a good online resellar

ozzymac · Postby **ozzymac** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 5:22 pm

Hi,
Just wondering if you meant this place? I tried your link but it didn't work, and this was the only one that came up when I did a google.

http://www.totalinnertubes.com/

Cheers

gururug · Postby **gururug** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 5:50 pm

Got some shoo goo from ausport.com.au fast turnaround

Good stuff

, reinforcing some bags, frame protection, fixing shoes, etc.

wombatK · Postby **wombatK** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:44 pm

find_bruce wrote:+1 for Chain Reaction Cycles

Ordered SKS Chromoplastic mudguards & 2 Schwable Marathon plus tyres, all for less than cost of the tyres in Oz, including shipping. Ordered 25 May, arrived 6 June which is pretty impressive since I only paid for Royal Mail ($15.50) but it seems they sent it parcel force ($38.70) anyway. Don't know if that is common, but I am happy.

Ordered Smart 0.5W tail-light and a camelbak adapter from Chain Reaction Sun 29th May, delivered today 14th June. Bit slower than the fastest from the UK, but not as bad as the worst. Happy with that.

Premier · Postby **Premier** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 10:10 pm

Anyone here had experience with slanecycles.com or shinybikes.com?

black4tress · Postby **black4tress** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 11:25 pm

Premier wrote:Anyone here had experience with slanecycles.com or shinybikes.com?

Slanes - purchased a groupset from them a couple of months back. Good communication and no problems with delivery.

I think a few here have bought through shinybikes so I'd say they are fine too.

farawaybiker · Postby **farawaybiker** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 6:18 pm

Comedian wrote:Can I just say I've had two orders from JensonUSA arrive within five days. Not five working days - five calendar days. You order and it's dispatched same US working day. I've bought a heap of GU gels and they have come in at $30 AUD a box. That's $1.3 or less and they are $3-4 in the shops here. Very very happy with them.

Woo,that's impressive! with regular airmail shipping or express. If regular one it's fast enough.

wombatK · Postby **wombatK** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:24 pm

Comedian wrote:Can I just say I've had two orders from JensonUSA arrive within five days. Not five working days - five calendar days. You order and it's dispatched same US working day. I've bought a heap of GU gels and they have come in at $30 AUD a box. That's $1.3 or less and they are $3-4 in the shops here. Very very happy with them.

Can beat that - ordered some non-cycling goods worth $200 from a New York supplier on Saturday, June 11 (AEST), arrived this morning 15th June - less than 4 days. Delivery by US Express Mail at $43.50 for a 1.5 kg parcel. Even with shipping cost, about 1/3 the price of buying locally.

JV911 · Postby **JV911** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 10:36 am

recent orders from UK a bit slow...pesky volcano slowing things down?

DeivSaiborg · Postby **DeivSaiborg** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 2:24 pm

Sorry for doubling up a post I've lef in the scam alert thread ... but this is a very popular discussion so I might ask the question here as well

Hey all, in my quest to find a new bike I came across these two indonesian sites:

http://rimobikes.com/index.php

AND

http://www.max-cycle.com/

Now ... some of the prices are unbelievably low. Has anyone ever bought from them? Does it look like a scam to you?

Cheers,

D.

ozzymac · Postby **ozzymac** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 1:14 pm

Hi,
I placed 3 orders online on the 09/06/11 and today 2 out of 3 turned up.

Orders placed were at : Ribble Cycles, Chain reaction, and a cheap Chinese Jersey site.

Ribble was the first to notify me that my order had been processed and shipped followed closely by the Jersey site and c r c last.

The Ribble order and the Jersey order turned up today. Which isn't a bad turnaround.

Don't know what happened to the c r c order guess it will turn up eventually.

Isn't cycling fun when the postie brings you cycling pressies?

Just one question concerning shoes, do they usually come with cleats or are they extra?

Cheers

Max · Postby **Max** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 5:20 pm

ozzymac wrote:Just one question concerning shoes, do they usually come with cleats or are they extra?

Cleats usually come with pedals, not shoes (the shoe maker couldn't possibly know what style pedal you use). You can buy cleats separately if you need to. My mum is a bit like Imelda Marcos. She has lots of bike shoes and only one bike.. so she's had to buy lots of cleats

Max

ozzymac · Postby **ozzymac** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 9:47 pm

Max wrote:
ozzymac wrote:Just one question concerning shoes, do they usually come with cleats or are they extra?
Cleats usually come with pedals, not shoes (the shoe maker couldn't possibly know what style pedal you use). You can buy cleats separately if you need to. My mum is a bit like Imelda Marcos. She has lots of bike shoes and only one bike.. so she's had to buy lots of cleats

Max

Hi,
Yes I found that out a bit later after posting, found the box for the last pedals I bought and they had some cleats in it, if only the 3rd parcel had turned up, it has another set of pedals in it.

Another question concerning orders from UK?

Arent they suppose to be VAT FREE?

I found a printed out order form with my order from Ribbles and it was printed out in pounds, and it had total includes $2.35 in vat...... (pounds)

Something fishy going on?

cheers

ozzymac · Postby **ozzymac** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 9:47 pm

Max wrote:
ozzymac wrote:Just one question concerning shoes, do they usually come with cleats or are they extra?
Cleats usually come with pedals, not shoes (the shoe maker couldn't possibly know what style pedal you use). You can buy cleats separately if you need to. My mum is a bit like Imelda Marcos. She has lots of bike shoes and only one bike.. so she's had to buy lots of cleats

Max

Hi,
Yes I found that out a bit later after posting, found the box for the last pedals I bought and they had some cleats in it, if only the 3rd parcel had turned up, it has another set of pedals in it.

Another question concerning orders from UK?

Arent they suppose to be VAT FREE?

I found a printed out order form with my order from Ribbles and it was printed out in pounds, and it had total includes $2.35 in vat...... (pounds)

Something fishy going on?

cheers

Aushiker · Postby **Aushiker** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 9:53 pm

ozzymac wrote:Don't know what happened to the c r c order guess it will turn up eventually.

I had a c r c order arrive today ... it took 20 days. Orders seem to be slow out of the UK at present.

Andrew

ajmit3 · Postby **ajmit3** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:56 pm

Comedian wrote: However I will use 1 or two on longer rides, which for me happen 2 or three times a week. Also, on a 100k one where I'm trying to push the pace I could have 1 every half hour. I'll be taking 6 or 7 with me for the MS charity ride in a couple of weeks. I reckon I'll burn probably 1 box a month. And at that price they are way cheaper than energy bars etc - and far far easier to consume on the road.

What - even on my 5 hour rides - i had 3 + a museli bar .... !! You must burn through them. I reckon if you are doing less than 50 km you don't need a gel IMO ...

Comedian · Postby **Comedian** » Sat Jun 18, 2011 6:01 pm

ajmit3 wrote:
Comedian wrote: However I will use 1 or two on longer rides, which for me happen 2 or three times a week. Also, on a 100k one where I'm trying to push the pace I could have 1 every half hour. I'll be taking 6 or 7 with me for the MS charity ride in a couple of weeks. I reckon I'll burn probably 1 box a month. And at that price they are way cheaper than energy bars etc - and far far easier to consume on the road.
What - even on my 5 hour rides - i had 3 + a museli bar .... !! You must burn through them. I reckon if you are doing less than 50 km you don't need a gel IMO ...

Rubbish - Gel up - DUDE

Seriously, I have one on the approach to Mt Cootha. It clears your head and gets your body running. It really helps!

A mate of mine is a legend climber (think top 20 outright) and he says gels are his secret.

Aushiker · Postby **Aushiker** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 2:04 pm

ajmit3 wrote:
Comedian wrote: However I will use 1 or two on longer rides, which for me happen 2 or three times a week. Also, on a 100k one where I'm trying to push the pace I could have 1 every half hour. I'll be taking 6 or 7 with me for the MS charity ride in a couple of weeks. I reckon I'll burn probably 1 box a month. And at that price they are way cheaper than energy bars etc - and far far easier to consume on the road.
What - even on my 5 hour rides - i had 3 + a museli bar .... !! You must burn through them. I reckon if you are doing less than 50 km you don't need a gel IMO ...

Not according to my Sports Nutritionist and neither the literature which suggestions a rate of carb refuelling. Of course it does not have to be in the form of gels but you do need to replenish the energy burned. I will go with the professional advice/science on this one

Andrew

ajmit3 · Postby **ajmit3** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 11:19 pm

Aushiker wrote:
ajmit3 wrote:
Comedian wrote: However I will use 1 or two on longer rides, which for me happen 2 or three times a week. Also, on a 100k one where I'm trying to push the pace I could have 1 every half hour. I'll be taking 6 or 7 with me for the MS charity ride in a couple of weeks. I reckon I'll burn probably 1 box a month. And at that price they are way cheaper than energy bars etc - and far far easier to consume on the road.
What - even on my 5 hour rides - i had 3 + a museli bar .... !! You must burn through them. I reckon if you are doing less than 50 km you don't need a gel IMO ...
Not according to my Sports Nutritionist and neither the literature which suggestions a rate of carb refuelling. Of course it does not have to be in the form of gels but you do need to replenish the energy burned. I will go with the professional advice/science on this one

Andrew

Hmm... I am a random guy over the internet - trust me

Nah, I see your point. I have 'crashed' a few times and its not pretty - you are suddenly going at 25 km/hr and dying.

Comedian · Postby **Comedian** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 6:19 am

Aushiker wrote:
ajmit3 wrote:
Comedian wrote: However I will use 1 or two on longer rides, which for me happen 2 or three times a week. Also, on a 100k one where I'm trying to push the pace I could have 1 every half hour. I'll be taking 6 or 7 with me for the MS charity ride in a couple of weeks. I reckon I'll burn probably 1 box a month. And at that price they are way cheaper than energy bars etc - and far far easier to consume on the road.
What - even on my 5 hour rides - i had 3 + a museli bar .... !! You must burn through them. I reckon if you are doing less than 50 km you don't need a gel IMO ...
Not according to my Sports Nutritionist and neither the literature which suggestions a rate of carb refuelling. Of course it does not have to be in the form of gels but you do need to replenish the energy burned. I will go with the professional advice/science on this one

Andrew

I probably didn't mention it comes down to a performance thing too. If I'm commuting I wouldn't consider it unless I was in real trouble (Bonked).

However you throw down one of those and you can fell yourself wake up and you get a mental buzz. They help you ride harder. Plus, you can eat them when normal food isn't an option.

On long rides sometimes I don't have time stop. If I'm going for speed and I'm in a group that is traveling then I will hit them. If I can't afford to stop then I won't eat a museli bar or other normal food. If I'm breathing hard normal food is basically impossible to eat. Take into account that you might be breathing heavily and or need two hands for those rolling hills. Let's not even mention the breathing issues from a blocked nose... I nearly choked on a nut bar the other day.

I don't doubt your sports nutritionist is right, but he/she may not be aware of all the issues that confront you on the bike.

Tazzy · Postby **Tazzy** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 1:14 pm

Thinking of making a substantial online order and wondering what's going on with Wiggle and c r c regarding their exchange rates on the Aussie Dollar.
My calculations on a 291 GBP order from each,
Wiggle $483 AUD
c r c $452 AUD
XE conversion rate (AT) 0.665 ponds for a dollar gives me $444

Apparently Wiggle automatically charge you in AUD but I'm still waiting on a reply from c r c as to wether it's an option or not.
My financial Institution will charge me around 3% surcharge on an internaqtional transaction regardless of the currency so I don't gain anything there but their exchange rates are accurate.
Paypal apply their surcharge in their exchange rates so that's a no win too.

Perhaps it may come down to who can provide the best and fastest service but 30 or 40 bux is 30 or 40 bux.

Edit - I'm not sure if CBA charge an international transaction fee if Paypal do the conversion so that may be the way to go. I've always selected that my bank performs the conversion when using paypal so wouldn't know.

marinmomma · Postby **marinmomma** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 6:27 pm

Perhaps it may come down to who can provide the best and fastest service but 30 or 40 bux is 30 or 40 bux.

We've been waiting for 4 weeks for an order from c r c to arrive...received and email stating that the parcel was sent on the 08/06...I reckon we'll be waiting for another week before the box shows up on our door.

Wiggle on the other hand is usually here within 14 days of ordering....sometimes things arrive from Wiggle within 7 days.

Maybe after this 'vent' the c r c parcel will turn up tomorrow

Tazzy · Postby **Tazzy** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 7:29 pm

I just got word from c r c that it's optional to be billed in AUD or GBP depending on the settings when you place the order, AUD is default. That would make them around 10% cheaper than Wiggle with their conversion rate at the time of my last example transaction, going by the XE conversion rates which my bank is usually pretty close to, give or take. Depends on the luck of the draw with all the conversion rates by the looks of it.

Comedian · Postby **Comedian** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 7:42 pm

marinmomma wrote:
Perhaps it may come down to who can provide the best and fastest service but 30 or 40 bux is 30 or 40 bux.

We've been waiting for 4 weeks for an order from c r c to arrive...received and email stating that the parcel was sent on the 08/06...I reckon we'll be waiting for another week before the box shows up on our door.

Wiggle on the other hand is usually here within 14 days of ordering....sometimes things arrive from Wiggle within 7 days.

Maybe after this 'vent' the c r c parcel will turn up tomorrow

I had a wiggle order take 5 weeks once. It seems to be luck of the draw.