Reviews for Chain Reaction Cycles

• 22/01/2012

  1 out of 5

  I order items and two weeks later they still had not been dispatched. The site says they dispatch the next day but this is just not true. I emailed to ask if there was a problem and I was told there were no problems, the next email apparently my order had been lost. The next email they said that one of the items was no longer available, the item was the reason I made a purchase them, it was a good price. Three weeks later still no order or refun

• 20/01/2012

  1 out of 5

  I Placed an order for a pair of Brooks Beast which where displayed under a wide fit heading. When the confirmation came through it did not display any indication of wide fit so I immediately sent a enquiry through to customer service asking them to hold the order until they confirm that the order was for a wide fit. No response. Some 10hrs latter I received an email confirming dispatch and still no response to my email. Some 24hrs later I recieved an email telling me I had misread thier site and a link to a completely different page. I again sent another email seeking their assistance and no response. I have no progressed with paypal to reverse my payment.
  
  It is one of the worst customer service experiences I have had with an online retailer and will not be purchasing anything further with CRC

• 19/01/2012

  1 out of 5

  Placed an order for a Camelbak M.U.L.E NV (on 13/12/11) purely becuase of its sale price. My order status was changed the next day to dispatched but noticed the shipping date was over 2 weeks later on the 27/12/11 (same day shipping, I don't think so).
  
  I am from Australia and expected it to take some time for delivery but it has been over a month since it was shipped and still no item. I did get in contact with CRC through email and they offered to send a replacement but not with trackable postage. I reluctantly agreed but was told the next day that the item is out of stock (Don't offer what you don't have). I am now waiting for my refund (Complete waste of time).
  
  The time taken to reply by the CRC staff was ok but processing time was terrible and offering the replacement before checking stock was stupid. If you are buying from outside the U.K use trackable postage only and expect very long wait.
  
  I did ask them to chase up Royal mail for a 13 digit universal tracking number which all mail have (even non trackable mail) but got no reply. I am wondering if they actually did send the item at all, if so, why are they not putting more effort into finding the parcel.
  
  I will not be shopping with them again and warn others to proceed with caution.

• 17/01/2012

  4 out of 5

  Chainreactioncycles messed up and said that the bag I ordered was out of stock and they were going to cancel my order. I therefore ordered a new ( more expensive) bag from another place.
  Unfortunately Chainreaction sent a mail confirming that my order was dispatched only a few hours after I ordered the new one (apparently they found the bag).
  I had contact with customer service repeatedly in order to sort out my order and return. They always returned my mails within a couple of business hours and was helpful with the free return of the bag I didn't want anymore. Have not received my money yet but I don't think the bag is still on its way back.
  
  

• 06/01/2012

  1 out of 5

  Their website is like a lolly shop: full of enticing goodies that you just have to have. So you order or enquire and a week later they reply. You clarify info about an item and another week later they reply. You order and the stuff arrives 2-3 weeks later, minus an item that is on backorder.
  You don't realise you have to reorder it and they cancel the order. A month later, you enquire as to where the missing item is and a week later, they tell you they have cancelled it and you need to reorder it. You go online and the item has gone up in price by $20, and they will not sell it to you at the original price you paid. I leave it up to you to decide whether this company is worth bothering with. Next time, I will avoid this mob. All sizzle and no sausage.

• 30/12/2011

  1 out of 5

  I ordered my new brake, which I desperately need as my Shimano SLX decided to just exploded. I've used CRC without any problems in the past. I ordered my new brake about 4 days inside in the Christmas postage cut off, I have sent several emails to them about why my ordered hadn't been dispatched and received no reply.I then got an email to say part of my ordered was dispatched, this was the goggles and jersey, both of which according to their website were out of stock while the brake which is in stock hasn't been dispatched and have still not received them 3 days later. I also I do not like the fact you cannot cancel the order, the money grabbing p***ks
  Terrible service ignoring your customers is disgusting. I will not be using CRC again any time in the futur

• 22/12/2011

  1 out of 5

  These people are completely useless. They don't send the goods, they don't answer emails, they leave their telephone switched off and finally make it impossible to cancel an undelivered order, where they have already taken my money. My son will not be getting his Christmas present this year - thanks CRC. What a bunch of T*****ers.
  
  Do not ever dream of using this company

• 21/12/2011

  1 out of 5

  Ordered this item as a Christmas present and paid the additional money for next day courier delivery. One week later - THEY HAVE NOT EVEN PROCESSED MY ORDER! Have cancelled and will never use them again. As this was a specialist item I now cannot get from anywhere else in time for Christmas. Their excuse was that they have been very busy with Christmas orders. Obviously they do not have the structures in place to cope with an online presence - will stick to Wiggle or Rutland Cycling in future..

• 14/12/2011

  1 out of 5

  On December 3 I placed an order for a Ladies Electra Townie 3i bicycle for my wife. I created an account and completed all of the requested information. I paid for the order with my Visa card. On December 12 I noticed on my Visa statement online that Chain Reaction had charged my card for the bicycle and then three days later had refunded the entire amount charged. I went online to my account on Chain Reaction and saw that they had canceled my order. They made no attempt to contact me by phone or email. When I inquired by email why they canceled my order I received the following reply:
  
  "Thanks for your order. In line with current security procedures and company policy all orders are subject to stringent security checks.
  
  On this occasion we feel that the order detail does not meet with our criteria and therefore we are unable to process the order any further. As such the order has been cancelled and the relative funds have been returned to the original source.
  
  If you would like to place a new order you are welcome to return to our website and select Bank Transfer as your payment method."
  
  That response is sufficiently vague as to be useless. Anyone knows that credit card transfers are more secure than bank transfers. The fact that they made no attempt to contact me prior to canceling my order says to me that they just don't care.
  
  I will not, under any circumstances, ever attempt to do business with thi

• 13/12/2011

  2 out of 5

  I ordered a Bell Venture Helmet Unisize, it was too small, I contacted Chain Reaction Cycles, they said post it back & they will refund the postage. After receiving the helmet they started telling me that they would not refund the postage (which was almost as much as the helmet). I have sent a total of 12 emails & they still refuse to refund the postage. I STRONGLY ADVISE NOT TO BUY FROM THIS COMPANY. They are only interested in making the sale,not looking after the custome

• 09/12/2011

  5 out of 5

  This was the first time I had ordered from this site as I usually use Evans for all my online purchases. However, I had difficulty finding the particular road shoes I was after on any site apart from Chain Reaction Cycles.
  
  I was hesitant to order from them as many of the reviews I read about their general service and delivery were very poor. My experience with them was however, faultless.
  
  The website was simple and easy to navigate, it was straightforward to pay using my paypal account, and the item came quickly and was well packaged.
  
  Worth remembering that although many people do seem to have had legitimate problems with Chain Reaction Cycles, far more people are likely to come and review the site if they have had problems than if they have experienced a straightforward transaction.
  
  It may just be that they have improved their services more recently, but I would definitely order from them again

• 06/12/2011

  1 out of 5

  Prices from Chain Reaction are very competitive. Delivery was on time. No complaints so far. On arrival there was some damage however (bikes are shipped from Northern Ireland). The bell was broken but more importantly the wiring for the dynamo lights had torn away.
  The big problem with Chain Reaction is customer service. It is terrible. The phones are not answered. E-mail was a bit better. I was asked to provide photos of the damage which I did. Then it all went quiet. Despite repeated calls and e-mails Chain Reaction's response was absolute silence.
  In the end I took the bike to the local bike shop who charged me £40 to fix the problems.
  Learning: if you want customer service and peace of mind buy a new bike in person from a shop. Don't risk Chain Reaction

• 23/11/2011

  1 out of 5

  I bought this bike for my son, and needed a replacement rear wheel due to the bearings being faulty. I contacted them on June 28th 2011, and have today (23 November) received the replacement part - that's very nearly 5 months! I chased them twice during this period. Also, I was disappointed that the replacement part they sent was less than adequate. It is just the wheel, no tape to protect the inner-tube from the spokes, no freewheel. I'm going to have to buy these parts and fit them to this wheel - it would have been nice for them to send a fully built-up wheel that I could just put on the bike, like the one I sent back to them as faulty

• 17/11/2011

  1 out of 5

  Thoroughly useless!
  
  First bought a lad of kit for the bike and three days after accepting the order i get an email saying the tyres i had ordered were out of stock (still states in stock on website) have a refund for the tyres and a five pound evoucher.
  
  Promptly ordered a seperate pair of tyres four days and no dispatch then no email but the order online changes to out of stock, although the plain blacks are available. So email customer services to change order to plain black, email back stating this has been done and will be dispatched promptly, two days later a further email saying there are none in stock, whilst site states all in stock. have another evoucher.... like that is ever going to get used! so almost two weeks and still no further on, plain useless.
  
  Stock management is clearly a joke, neither site nor customer services have a clue on their stock list! I would not use them if they paid me

• 15/11/2011

  1 out of 5

  Item that was damaged on arrival.
  
  Sent e-mail as per web site instructions, waited a week, received no response so had to phone.
  
  Returned item at own expense of which CRC will only refund approx 10%
  
  Still waiting for the exchanged goods over 2-weeks after original purchase date.
  
  Their prices are very competitive but I won't use again after all this agro.
  
  Use at your own risk !

• 10/11/2011

  1 out of 5

  I will never use chain reaction cycles ever again!!!!
  
  I am currently still waiting to receive my products. I ordered only a pair of sunglasses, a light and a bottle cage 17 days ago and have yet to receive them here in Sydney Australia. It clearly states on their website that they have next day dispatch (it took 2 days just to dispatch my package) and also says that goof by royal mail international it will take between 5-8 days!
  I have emailed them numerous times, with a rather rude and not helpful reply from a "Phillip" at customer service saying pretty much "too bad..... There can be delays.... U may have to wait up to 3 more weeks for it, sorry. Can't Do anything for you cos we can't track it. Keep checking with your local postoffice", which made me more incensed- am I meant to go visit my local postoffice everyday????
  
  This is the first time I have used them and it's absolutely hopeless. I will never use them again.
  I received much better service and 100 times faster delivery on Evanscycles.com
  
  Never again CRC

• 09/11/2011

  1 out of 5

  Website offers next day despatch.My order did not arrive for 7 days.Bike delivered was white and not black as shown on website and is a very infereior model to that ordered and paid for.No response at all from customer services to emails and it is impossible to get through on the phone.I have been ripped off bigtime.Will go to trading standards...

• Great Service & Quick Refunds

  23/09/2011

  5 out of 5

  I recently bought a race face stem and handlebars from CRC and they arrived two days later. On receiving the goods I quickly realised I had bought the wrong sized stem and looked into getting it sent back for a refund. After going on the FAQ section I found out their procedure printed the returns slip and posted back. 2 days later I received confirmation of receipt from CRC and the refund was made and showing in my account same day.
  
  Immediately after receiving the stem I ordered a replacement and it turned up in quick time soon after. I am constantly browsing for new parts and would continually buy from CRC after this experience

• good but slow outside UK

  02/09/2011

  4 out of 5

  Chainreactioncycles offers good prices and a moderate shippingfee. However, be aware that it can take some time before you get your goods. And it is shipping without a track-trace system, so you cannot see where your parcel is. In my case it took eleven days to get a small parcel from the UK to the Netherlands. So if you want tho get it cheap, CRS is your shop. If you want it fast, order somewhere else...

• Top service!

  15/08/2011

  5 out of 5

  I've been using CRC for a few years now, initially while living in another EU country and now in the UK. The delivery times were always as stated on the website and the goods arrived intact and well packaged. Never had a problem with them and I was particularly happy that I had bought from them when a part of a certain product turned out faulty and their customer service responded promptly with a satisfactory solution...

• Fast and accurate

  08/08/2011

  5 out of 5

  I ordered a kids bike helmet from them on Friday evening and it arrived in Melbourne, Australia via DHL on Monday morning. Faster than ordering locally...

• Oustanding Service Impressive In Every Way

  24/06/2011

  5 out of 5

  I ordered at around 2300hrs on Wednesday and recived today, Friday. Properly packed and perfect. I actually work for an internet company (nothing to do with cycling) and we provide an awful service with a management who just don't care. I was worried as this is the first time I've used Chain Reaction and they could have been a bunch of cowboys like where I work. I did'nt need to worry, I was stunned at thier efficiency and I so wished I worked for a company as good as Chain reacton. Will certainly..

• Bought a 2010er good, Seller insists the delivered 2009er item is from 2010.

  21/06/2011

  1 out of 5

  As the title suggests, I bought a MET helmet from 2010 at a decent price. The one I got was promptly delivered, lacked a good packaging and was manufactured at the beginning of 2009. Customer service insists that it is a 2010er product after all. Given that helmets should be exchanged after a couple of years wearing, a year less might be considered as relevant. My bad that return shipping to UK/Ireland has to be paid by me. The usual german procedure is to have it paid by the seller. Will not buy..

• could be better

  16/06/2011

  2 out of 5

  First said in stock so i phoned up to order, told to put through on website, then was told its out of stock when ordered!! make your mind up..

• Still the first site I visit when looking for bike parts after all these years.

  03/06/2011

  5 out of 5

  Chain Reaction is one of the biggest online bike shops and considering that their stock turnover must be phenomenal, their service is always very efficient. I've been using Chain Reaction for about ten years now, all of my orders (hundreds over the years - everything from grease to bike frames) have arrived quickly, well packed and correct. When I had to return a seatpost that was slightly too short for a new frame (my error) the exchange was dealt with impressively quickly and without fuss. I've..

• 20/05/2011

  5 out of 5

  I placed the order late on Thursday night and the pedals arrived on Saturday morning. These pedals are an absolute bargain at this price. I have bought a number of items from this company now and I cannot fault the value for money and quality of service it provides. I would not hesitate to recommend Chain reaction Cycles to anyone...