Which sellers instead of Wiggle/Chainreaction ?

[presta]

I gave up on Wiggle 20-odd years ago because their website was so useless.

Each time I got a list of hits from a search I'd click on a likely looking product, then after waiting ages for the page to load it would say it was a discontinued item. So Id go back and try another and the same would happen again, and again and again. They used to have a big splash in the CTC mag, so they were one of the first online traders I tried, but even before I gave up on them altogether I bought very little, because it was always quicker and easier to find it elsewhere.

 

[Dan Lotus]

I gave up on Wiggle 20-odd years ago because their website was so useless.

Each time I got a list of hits from a search I'd click on a likely looking product, then after waiting ages for the page to load it would say it was a discontinued item. So Id go back and try another and the same would happen again, and again and again. They used to have a big splash in the CTC mag, so they were one of the first online traders I tried, but even before I gave up on them altogether I bought very little, because it was always quicker and easier to find it elsewhere.

Wiggle and CRC were instrumental to the beginning of my road cycling to be fair - I bought my first road bike (Felt F70) in 2007, and rarely a day went by when I wasn't on one or both of their sites.
I generally found they worked fine for me, though I was maybe a bit later to using it than you.
Clothing, shoes, tyres, tools, accessories, energy food etc etc

For some of their big sales or end of line items, you could sometimes theoretically be saving huge percentages.

The only slight annoyance I had was the sometimes disparity between the stock they displayed, and or if the pricing might be significantly different between the two sites, but I soon trained myself to check each and every time.

Delivery was always brilliant to my mind, don't recall any issues, and returns were generally a breeze as well - clothing i was unsure of I would order more than one size, and send back what wasn't required.

I was very sad when they went down the swannie, true enough I was shopping with them less, but both sites were usually my first port of call, along with Merlin and Sigma.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

One does have to be careful finding retailers through Google. I purchased an item from a genuine LBS through their online mail order web page. It arrived faulty and contacting them to return threw them as they had no idea how to sort return postage. In the end they said if I pay for postage they'll refund it. So I did, they refunded the item and after months and quite a few chase-up e-mails all I can get is that they have no mechanism to pay me my out of pocket return postage costs.

 

[Shearwater Missile]

I started my cycle resurgence back in 2010 and I used Wiggle a fair bit and Chain Reaction. I bought a Vitus carbon bike from the latter in 2015. A good bike at a good price. My last purchase was a pair of Prime lightweight wheels, 2022 I think. On the second ride a spoke pulled out of the nipple. They had so much flex no wonder. I sent them back for a refund. I wondered at the time what happens like that ? They should of course be sent back to the manufacturers but if you own them as well. You don`t want too many returns like that. When I read about how much they owed to various companies it made me wince. I know that is nothing new but the likes of these large companies could but a smaller one too.

 

[Mike_P]

One does have to be careful finding retailers through Google. I purchased an item from a genuine LBS through their online mail order web page. It arrived faulty and contacting them to return threw them as they had no idea how to sort return postage. In the end they said if I pay for postage they'll refund it. So I did, they refunded the item and after months and quite a few chase-up e-mails all I can get is that they have no mechanism to pay me my out of pocket return postage costs.

Think that needs them to named for others to avoid
Google yesterday did the above complaint over Wiggle finding an item that clicking on the link gave no stock.

 

[Mike_P]

A thumbs up for Winstanley. Placed order for 4 items yesterday. 3 in stock which they have despatched despite the fourth expected to be in stock by the end of the week. All post free.

 

[Dan Lotus]

A thumbs up for Winstanley. Placed order for 4 items yesterday. 3 in stock which they have despatched despite the fourth expected to be in stock by the end of the week. All post free.

I've used Winstanleys several times, though not recently. IIRC they were never the fastest to despatch, so a bit like TradeInn, I only ordered if I wasn't in a hurry.

I've seen some bad reviews, but personally never had a single issue with them.

 

[sevenfourate]

I've used Winstanleys several times, though not recently. IIRC they were never the fastest to despatch, so a bit like TradeInn, I only ordered if I wasn't in a hurry.

I've seen some bad reviews, but personally never had a single issue with them.

Same. Many say they advertise products not in stock too. I’ve only ever had speedy and altogether positive service. So my experience doesn’t mirror those reviews….

 

[kingrollo]

Decathlon for cycling clothing

 

[Mike_P]

The ones that annoy me are those who accept an order and do not have the courtesy to email a message saying x is awaiting stock especially if they are holding despatch for it.

 

[Mike_P]

Misinterpreted Winstanleys emails and it was only two items they despatched initially but the other two now have.