Who has purchased a bike on-line ... good / bad ??

[Dave7]

My mate recently purchased his first ever new bike (a Giant Defy 5) and got it on-line as prices were so much better.
He bought from a well know/reputable dealer.
Took it for a short spin and noticed that one of the rear stays had a definite bend in it (one that shouldn't be there.
No problem..........he sent a photo to the dealer and they took it back and refunded quickly ...............BUT......
It has put him off buying this way again.
SO..............
I am just wondering.....
a) How many others have had bad experiences
b) how many have had problem free experiences
Reason for asking is.........there are some good on-line deals on Cube at the moment and I am trying to convince him that was just a 'one-off'.

 

[cuberider]

Purchased my Cube online from Hargroves a few years ago and it was a trouble free experience.

 

[Mo1959]

I've bought four different bikes online and not a problem with any of them. They are not Cube dealers unfortunately, but I highly rate Sunset Cycles in Wales. I've bought twice from them and the bikes arrived quickly, very well packed and set up perfectly.

 

[vickster]

I bought a mountain bike from CRC, no issues except I couldn't undo the bolt to be able to straighten the handlebars and had to take to LBS. They didn't charge me but CRC did offer to reimburse any costs that I might have incurred

I probably wouldn't buy another bike online...then I doubt I'll ever buy an off the peg bike again I'll be looking for the service given how much it might potentially cost, rather than a bargain (not averse to a little haggle though )

 

[mattobrien]

I have always bought my bikes from LBS's and am glad that I have. The latest bike has gone back under warranty due to a potential crack in the frame. All dealt with seamlessly by LBS and less painful than me boxing it up and sending it back. They can argue my case, rather than me.

We picked up Mrs O's new bike last weekend and they spent a reasonable amount of time making sure it was right and well fitting for her, This included changing the stem height and also swapping over the stem for a slightly longer one to make sure the position was right. Wouldn't have got the expert input from a website and the longer stem requirement would either have gone unnoticed or would have added to the cost of the bike.

For me, when it comes to buying a bike the value that the LBS offer is more than the drop in price that could be achieved by buying cheaper online. Not that I don't buy things online, but I just wouldn't for a whole bike.

 

[ozboz]

I got a Cube, saw it on line but did the deal over the phone , came wirhin 3 days , all good , but. and have said on other post , any probs , could be an issue , they will send parts , but u have to fit , or pay to have them fitted , but saved a fair amount of cash ,
Proper good purchase ,
Oh , that was Chainreaction ,

 

[Milkfloat]

I think that in many cases you actually get better service online than you do with an lbs. Certainly the locals near me don't earn the extra cost over an internet purchase. I am sure there are some great locals out there somewhere and ones that can provide a great service worthy of the extra expense but I think they are few and far between. I have had bikes arrive from online that are less than perfect, they have been put back in the box and either replaced or refunded quicker than an lbs could have done without me even leaving the house.

 

[raleighnut]

I found my trike on-line but it was from a small retailer that also had an on-line presence. Delivery was £30 assembled £5 boxed, I went for the boxed option and built it up myself.

 

[rb58]

Bought my Synapse from thebikeshop.de. Shipped from Germany for £5. A year on and couldn't be more pleased. No issues whatsoever. Saved a fortune too.

 

[dr snuggles]

Bought a cube a couple of years ago from ubyk and absolutely no problems whatsoever (other than getting the wrong size but that's my own stupidity). I would do it again if I found the right deal.

 

[steveindenmark]

I have bought a few online and have never had a problem.

 

[jay clock]

About half a dozen. Zero problems. Apart from Canyon who could not even get me a bike delivered. Except one that arrived AFTER I cancelled the order.

If you know what you are after it is not a problem

 

[Crackle]

So far I haven't and I doubt I would. It's a preference thing. I really need to see it in the flesh and ride it. I thought about a Canyon for a mtn bike some time ago but even though the spec and price stacked up, not being able to see or ride it knocked it off the list. I've had two problems with bikes I've bought and each time the LBS sorted it rapidly, an online purchase would have been far more hassle in both circumstances.

 

[DRM]

The only thing that would put me off was the courier, a few years ago I was working at the depot of a national courier firm that went bust, one of the drivers was hurling parcels into the back of his van, he picked up a bike in it's box above his head and threw it the full length of the back of a Merc Sprinter.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

if you know what you're doing it's not a problem. i wouldn't recommend it to someone looking for their first bike.

i bought the bike in the profile pic via ribble bike builder; built to a budget and i knew where savings could be made and where not…