Parker-International

[Crankarm]

They seem to have gone down hill recently. A lot of their stuff advertised seems to be out of stock and alternatives are also o.o.s. They took ages to send the stuff out and nearly a month to refund items that did not fit and have not refunded return postage costs. Previously they seemed to take customer service seriously being quick to respond to emails now not so, even if asking whether items are in stock. Grrrrrrr . I would try everywhere else before using them again.

In contrast Wiggle supplied a pack of Haribo with the Finsih Line Pro lube I ordered end of last week which arrived next day after placing order.

Just placed an order for odds and sods - tubes, tapes, brakes and tyres with CRC which hopefully will be with me tommorrow or def monday. Parkers could have had this but they've managed to hack me off so much.

 

[thomas]

going bust?

 

[Globalti]

Probably just cutting down on inventories like CRC and everybody else.

 

[GrahamG]

going bust?

They're the UK shimano distributor as well as a mail order firm! Unless they're in the middle of renegotiating that one....

 

[Proto]

The official Shimano distributor is Madison, sometimes known as Ultimate Pursuits, and they hate mail order companies with a passion.

 

[yello]

Whilst I don't use Parkers a great deal, they have always been slower, ime, than either Wiggle or CRC. That's not a complaint, just an observation because it's always been the right stuff at a price I've wanted to pay. I'll continue to use them if they have the stuff I want... stating the obvious really!

 

[Will1985]

Previously they seemed to take customer service seriously being quick to respond to emails now not so, even if asking whether items are in stock.

I did this a couple of months ago, knowing that the item I wanted may not be in stock. I emailed to ask if it was in stock, got a reply within 48 hours which basically said "we don't know - order and find out".

So I ordered and a fortnight went by until I received an email saying that the item was out of stock so they were cancelling the order.

P-I could learn a thing or two from those with live stock control like Wiggle, Ribble and CRC.

 

[yenrod]

The official Shimano distributor is Madison, sometimes known as Ultimate Pursuits, and they hate mail order companies with a passion.

How do you know ?

 

[Will1985]

The official Shimano distributor is Madison, sometimes known as Ultimate Pursuits, and they hate mail order companies with a passion.

That's interesting - a while back you used to be able to order online and then choose an LBS to pick up from and pay the difference. I did this twice and on both occasions the LBS asked why I hadn't got them to get the parts in directly. I got the impression that they weren't happy at losing a bit of profit - I concluded that LBSs hate UP.

 

[yello]

I have had 2 occasions to deal direct with Madison/Ultimate Pursuits; both times they've been excellent. First time, I wanted to buy some replacement bits for my road morph pump - they sent me some free of charge. 2nd time, I was concerned about my Giro helmet (it had some holes from the moulding process), they simply replaced the helmet foc.

I did get the impression though that they are not really a customer facing outfit and prefer to be the invisible distributor.

 

[nigelnorris]

I've bought a whole bunch of stuff from PI over the last couple of weeks and can't fault them. Cheaper than anywhere else, free delivery on everything, and turned up on the dot [ok it's taken a week, but it says that it will in the free delivery Ts&Cs.]

D-lock 70 quid Evans, 45 PI
Rack 40 quid Evans, 25 PI
Tyres 40 quid Evans 22.50 PI (each)
A whole bunch of little stuff at at least 30% savings from othe online suppliers.

[Quoting Evans prices because that's where I bought my bike but Wiggle and LBS roughly the same.]

Two of the orders have had minor issues - both my fault, typing in wrong credit card details etc - and both times a phone call has got me an excellent reponse from the telesales folks.

Up until I bought my new bike and the inevitable spending torrent started I was just a Halfords/Wiggle man, but am really impressed with Parkers so far.

 

[Crankarm]

I've bought a whole bunch of stuff from PI over the last couple of weeks and can't fault them. Cheaper than anywhere else, free delivery on everything, and turned up on the dot [ok it's taken a week, but it says that it will in the free delivery Ts&Cs.]

D-lock 70 quid Evans, 45 PI
Rack 40 quid Evans, 25 PI
Tyres 40 quid Evans 22.50 PI (each)
A whole bunch of little stuff at at least 30% savings from othe online suppliers.

[Quoting Evans prices because that's where I bought my bike but Wiggle and LBS roughly the same.]

Two of the orders have had minor issues - both my fault, typing in wrong credit card details etc - and both times a phone call has got me an excellent reponse from the telesales folks.

Up until I bought my new bike and the inevitable spending torrent started I was just a Halfords/Wiggle man, but am really impressed with Parkers so far.

I was happy until things went wrong on my third transaction. Not the fastest to send stuff out. I can't see why they have a website that show items are available then they subsequently say they are actually oos. This is misleading and frustrating as you have already charged your card with the amount. Just a waste of time and source of aggravation. Replying to emails was good but has now become a bit erratic.

By far the consistently quickest supplier for me has been Merlin without question and very well packed. Even if I've ordered at 3:30pm the item(s) have arrived next day in the morning - SKS Mudguards, bottom brackets, shoes, levers and deraillieurs, clothing. Also really good were DiscountCyclesCirect - Pro wheel truing stand arrived next day free postage. Emailed to see if it was in stock and got a reply within 30 minutes, ordered and the stand turned up next morning. CRC are ok sometimes next day for me but only if I get the order in first thing in the morning. Otherwise approx 2 days. Mind you the stuff is coming from Northern Ireland. Wiggle have been good next day free postage plus pack of Haribos .

 

[dellzeqq]

How do you know ?

He knows. I'm not sure if 'hate with...passion' is quite the right way of putting it, but when your dealers have to put up with people coming in to the shop, trying every shoe on, and then ordering it mail order, there might be a 'degree of antipathy'

 

[dellzeqq]

I did get the impression though that they are not really a customer facing outfit and prefer to be the invisible distributor.

they are the one distributor really dedicated to LBShops.

 

[Aperitif]

I sent a Campag wheel back to Parker I on Monday. I suspected that the front bearings were 'faulty'. They would have got it by Tuesday and today there is a wheel, neatly packed and renewed bearings waiting for me on my return home.
So, for dealing with issues...10/10 in this case!

I have always found them ok and a decent supplier. Let's hope the wheel is 'up to scratch' - otherwise I'll be posting again...