Bike Bandit, poor Customer Serive (lied to?)

[Macmatic]

Here is the brief version:

Last Spring I ordered some parts, gewgaws and these gloves from BB (Link at the bottom). A few days later I got a notice saying the other parts shipped but the gloves were back ordered and they would ship them within 20 days or cancel the order and notify me. Months passed, order canceled I guess but no notification.
Last week I ordered more parts, some fork oil and the same gloves again. Just as before the site says they ship in 1-2 days but this time I did the Live Chat with a CS rep (12 minutes) and confirmed that the size, cuff style and color gloves I wanted to order were in fact in stock and ready to ship. Great! New gloves on the way!

Then a few minutes ago I get another backorder notice, exactly the same as in the Spring. I called and canceled the order. They haven't lost me as a customer but I'll be shopping the competition that has better CS more often. It isn't often that BB wins on price anyway.

/\/\ac

http://www.bikebandit.com/teknic-chicane-motorcycle-gloves

[Tom MLC]

Dude, I have sworn off BikeBandit years ago. I know some folks here swear by them. But their prices are high, and customer service is low. They pi$$ed me off on a live support situation, and it was the last straw.

These days I use PartShark (formerly FlatOut), and Z1 Enterprises. Both have better prices than BikeBandit. Both have better customer support. Both have members here on the forum.

For you, I would definately recommend Z1 Enterprises. They are in New York. Jeff Saunders is the man you want to speak to. He's a Kawi guy (thus the Z1), but he knows our Gs'es well. And you'll love his NY accent!

Tell him I sent ya!

[trippivot]

my first BB order

I just ordered a baffle for a V&H megaphone . I did not check here for a review first, so my fingers are crossed that my part is quickly shipped and arrives soon. So far it has been just 5 days.

[GS ace]

Bike Bandit

Bike Bandit was used only twice. I haven't done business with that outfit for about three years. I made a call for an exhaust part for my '77 GS and asked the person if the part was inventoried. I was told that it was, I paid for it, and thought that I would have the part in several days. Several hours later, I received an e mail letting me know that it was not available. If that's how they do business, they don't deserve mine.

[chuck hahn]

I have never had a problem with bike bandit..The gals that answer the phones only see what the screen tells them. At the time they were looking they probably did see that their system said it was available. Once they found the error they at least had the scrupples to contact you and try to make it right.. much more than many others do!! If you go to the schematics for each individual bike it shows whether it is a discontinued part or not in the price list section for each schematic. I will still buy from them. The only thing you have to be aware of is that they are shipping from Canada to the U.S. and this adds a few days due to the customs bull crap after 911..

[Dogma]

I have never had a problem with bike bandit..The gals that answer the phones only see what the screen tells them. At the time they were looking they probably did see that their system said it was available. Once they found the error they at least had the scrupples to contact you and try to make it right.. much more than many others do!! If you go to the schematics for each individual bike it shows whether it is a discontinued part or not in the price list section for each schematic. I will still buy from them. The only thing you have to be aware of is that they are shipping from Canada to the U.S. and this adds a few days due to the customs bull crap after 911..

Um. They're in San Diego, CA. Perhaps some particular part you ordered once was shipped from a Suzuki warehouse in Canada?

[chuck hahn]

I had ordered fork seals for my 77 750 and other stuff over the years i emailed them because it seemed like a longer than normal time had passed and i didnt get them.. Thats when THEY explained the canada customs thing..I never looked up where their home base is.. so i assume that they may indeed use warehouses from canada also.They arriced a day or so, later with no problems.

[Macmatic]

.... i emailed them because it seemed like a longer than normal time had passed and i didnt get them.. Thats when THEY explained the canada customs thing..

Based on recent experience I suspect that the BS rep was confused about what CA meant. Oops, I mean CS rep.

Well I'm done with BB now. I ordered a part for my helmet, gloves and fork oil on the 13th, got contacted about the gloves and canceled them on the 16th, items shipped on the 19th and the UPS delivery date is the 25th. If it was free shipping I'd take that as what you get but guess what, I paid for shipping and I wanted my parts in less than two weeks.

Over, done. There are plenty of other suppliers out there who can manage to know their own stock levels and get a package out the door.

/\/\ac

[Guest]

I gave up on Bike Bandit a while ago. They seem to need to be reminded to ship orders.

[trippivot]

got my part. 12 ~ 23

I just ordered a baffle for a V&H megaphone . I did not check here for a review first, so my fingers are crossed that my part is quickly shipped and arrives soon. So far it has been just 5 days.

got the baffle for my megaphone today. ups and tracking number was correct.

from the 12th to the 23rd. order to delivery.

[blowerbike]

got the baffle for my megaphone today. ups and tracking number was correct.

from the 12th to the 23rd. order to delivery.

are these up to 50 bucks yet?
i was going to order 2 for my car.

[trippivot]

19 bucks plus shipping.

[jwhelan65]

Been waiting a month for tires...

[GS ace]

Bandit

I purchase my tires from Tire Express (Competition Accessories). The pricing is great and package deals are offered on several brands. Shipping is free on orders over $100, and they are very quick.

I dropped Bike Bandit years ago because of two incidents of poor service, which included an extreme lack of knowledge by the salesperson and taking my money when they never had the part and couldn't get it.

[posplayr]

I just don't order from them. There is no advantage. If I need fast my local Suzuki dealer has most parts out of a So Cal warehouse in 1 day whereas BB goes out of state and don't know what they have. If I need cheap go Part shark.

I have done an odd sales item like swing arm lift or helmet but that is it.