availability of bikes
- Thread starter paulw1969
- Start date
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smokeysmoo
Legendary Member
- Location
- Bolton, not very far from Nob End
A lad at my work bought a Cube Ltd Race MTB 'off the peg' from Leisure Lakes in Bury last weekend. Guess it just depends exactly what you want model wise and size wise. Perhaps he was just lucky they had his size, then again he did question the cranks and seatpost as they differed slightly from every picture he'd seen, and they claimed to have checked, 'all our other stock in the back' and said that was the same, so I don't know how much stock they have, (or claim to).
This was why I had to act when I bought my Cannondale, (not from Leisure Lakes though). I wasn't really ready to buy TBH, but I made the mistake, (or not) of asking the shop if the UK distributor had stock, they rang them, they did and I bought the last one in the UK at that time. If I hadn't God knows what the lead time would have been when I had ordered, as C'dale's sketchy supply is apparently legendary, although it does seem that Cube are now leading the way on this score.
This was why I had to act when I bought my Cannondale, (not from Leisure Lakes though). I wasn't really ready to buy TBH, but I made the mistake, (or not) of asking the shop if the UK distributor had stock, they rang them, they did and I bought the last one in the UK at that time. If I hadn't God knows what the lead time would have been when I had ordered, as C'dale's sketchy supply is apparently legendary, although it does seem that Cube are now leading the way on this score.
smokeysmoo
Legendary Member
- Location
- Bolton, not very far from Nob End
This is how car manufacturers lure people in. They advertise great deals but when you try and get one you're told, "Oh £179 a month, yes that's for a 3 door non-metallic model, and unfortunately they are sold out and the manufacturer isn't building any more at the moment, however, we do have some 5 door models in metallic but they are a bit more expensive, take a seat Mr Smith and lets see what we can work out for you"........................
Sometimes the shop will not order until they can put in a large order, as in get bigger discount. So possibly they order say every 8 weeks and you just happened to order your at the beginning of this 8 week system.
Not saying this is the case but I know it happens, I also have experience with import as it is part of my business I seldom get any hold up at the docks, mainly because they want to move the gear out to make room for the next ship coming in.
I would expect and hope that the shop will be fine with you chasing.
Not saying this is the case but I know it happens, I also have experience with import as it is part of my business I seldom get any hold up at the docks, mainly because they want to move the gear out to make room for the next ship coming in.
I would expect and hope that the shop will be fine with you chasing.
snorri
Legendary Member
- Location
- East coast, up a bit.
Me too, but sadly many companies try to get the complaining types off their backs first, leaving polite and reasonable people to wait.
Andrew_P
In between here and there
China and the Far-East in general have been a complete nightmare in the recent 2 years. I expect your bike has been caught up in the New Year worker shortages, they migrate for work then Jan go home for new year, then only 50% return to the factories as they have found work on farms or building the new government infrastructure inland closer to where they live and paid the same or more.
I had a few orders ordered in Jan not delivered until August\September!
I had a few orders ordered in Jan not delivered until August\September!
Gareth
Guru
- Location
- Norwich, Norfolk, UK
Britain is short of imported goods to the tune of 2 million (standard ISO) containers.
The container shipping companies are reluctant to take bookings for the shipment of goods from around the world for importation into Britain during 2012; Why? If we are 2 million X 40ft shipping containers short during 2012, scarcity is going to force up the retail price of some items. It is reported that one of the first things to be affected will be Bicycles; the vast majority of bicycles retailed in the UK are made in the Far East, and that includes brands which you would normally associate with being made in Britain
A container is handled often. Example: from ship to shore at the container port. From the container port to the distribution hub, from there to the end user, and sometimes that involves multi drops throughout the UK.
The container then has to be returned to the port, stored and then loaded back on to a ship. All of these operations require large pieces of machinery, and consume time, man power and fuel, and so handling an empty container becomes a very costly exercise. Factor in the operating costs and berthing fees of a large Ocean going container vessel, and you can begin to understand why the shipping companies are very reluctant to handle empty containers.
Just North of Norwich is a company that specialises in grinding used containers down into small pieces of scrap metal, and often these are new containers that have been used one way only. This ground up scrap made from (new) containers is then loaded into another container for shipping back to China for it to be processed in a steel mill to make new materials, to make even more new containers to carry goods back to Britain.
The container shipping companies are reluctant to take bookings for the shipment of goods from around the world for importation into Britain during 2012; Why? If we are 2 million X 40ft shipping containers short during 2012, scarcity is going to force up the retail price of some items. It is reported that one of the first things to be affected will be Bicycles; the vast majority of bicycles retailed in the UK are made in the Far East, and that includes brands which you would normally associate with being made in Britain
A container is handled often. Example: from ship to shore at the container port. From the container port to the distribution hub, from there to the end user, and sometimes that involves multi drops throughout the UK.
The container then has to be returned to the port, stored and then loaded back on to a ship. All of these operations require large pieces of machinery, and consume time, man power and fuel, and so handling an empty container becomes a very costly exercise. Factor in the operating costs and berthing fees of a large Ocean going container vessel, and you can begin to understand why the shipping companies are very reluctant to handle empty containers.
Just North of Norwich is a company that specialises in grinding used containers down into small pieces of scrap metal, and often these are new containers that have been used one way only. This ground up scrap made from (new) containers is then loaded into another container for shipping back to China for it to be processed in a steel mill to make new materials, to make even more new containers to carry goods back to Britain.
Andrew_P
In between here and there
Although the above is true, the other fact is that in 2007 two or three of the major shippers ordered some supersize vessels, but then the crash happened and recovery has been slow. For the first time ever in 10 years I did not pay any peak time surcharges during Aug/Sept/Oct/Nov (Christmas shipping) BUT They have now imposed a surcharge, why? Because they are dry docking vessels to create a service shortage and force prices up. In 2008 post crash IO shipped a few 40ft High Cube containers for less than $300! Also vessels have moved to now busier routes to and from South America and Austraila
biggs682
Touch it up and ride it
- Location
- Northamptonshire
have you paid for it or just left deposit
OP
OP
paulw1969
Ridley rider
- Location
- Long Eaton, Notts.
Hello again.....ive been busy sorry......
I left a ten percent deposit and as i was told today that was on 29/12. They checked the order and it will be another 5 weeks till it comes in. They were very apologetic but i could see it was out of their hands, they have loads of different Giant models on back order in several sizes.
He did say however (and this was touched on earlier in this thread) that the shops would recieve the stock before the Giant retail (website) so that throws out my suspicion....but i was right to believe that it would be just my luck that my bike would not be here in ten weeks!!
As i said to him i wasn't prepared to wait another five weeks as the last ten had been torture enough....i need to be out riding! Nearly four months to wait for a bike!! Whats that about then!
So i asked what else they had which was comparable and in my size.....and i came away with this
Basically the same spec as the giant other than better wheels! Put Wellgo pedals on and i'm now made up
Never really heard about Ridley but he did recommend this one for the type of riding (mostly commute, i can easily add mudguards to this). Now bear in mind it is over 30 years since being on a road bike, felt comfortable from the moment i got on and had a spin....and i didn't even have a clipless moment! I was very very close to getting a much more expensive Giant comp 3 but decided against it as it was a little less practical for my use......i was very tempted though
But i'm happy with what i have..i also rode all of 1/2 a mile home without incident.....shocked me to be honest.
I left a ten percent deposit and as i was told today that was on 29/12. They checked the order and it will be another 5 weeks till it comes in. They were very apologetic but i could see it was out of their hands, they have loads of different Giant models on back order in several sizes.
He did say however (and this was touched on earlier in this thread) that the shops would recieve the stock before the Giant retail (website) so that throws out my suspicion....but i was right to believe that it would be just my luck that my bike would not be here in ten weeks!!
As i said to him i wasn't prepared to wait another five weeks as the last ten had been torture enough....i need to be out riding! Nearly four months to wait for a bike!! Whats that about then!
So i asked what else they had which was comparable and in my size.....and i came away with this
Basically the same spec as the giant other than better wheels! Put Wellgo pedals on and i'm now made up
Never really heard about Ridley but he did recommend this one for the type of riding (mostly commute, i can easily add mudguards to this). Now bear in mind it is over 30 years since being on a road bike, felt comfortable from the moment i got on and had a spin....and i didn't even have a clipless moment! I was very very close to getting a much more expensive Giant comp 3 but decided against it as it was a little less practical for my use......i was very tempted though
But i'm happy with what i have..i also rode all of 1/2 a mile home without incident.....shocked me to be honest.
Attachments
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Nice. Ridley is very good.
OP
OP
paulw1969
Ridley rider
- Location
- Long Eaton, Notts.
are they Foss? I really dont know other than it is comfortable and does roll nice!! Though as i said before never rode anything to compare it with to be honest
