Never using BikeBandit again!

[ryonker]

I just emailed this to bike bandit. If they respond I can point them to this thread or list specific grievances.

"I just wanted to bring to your attention that there are a number of GSR members (http://www.thegsresources.com/
that are not happy with your customer service (returns, extra fees, delivery times etc.). There is currently a thread being written sharing problematic situations that are causing members to potentially no longer order from your company. We would like you to address our concerns. If not addressed you may lose a fair number of committed customers and earn a bad name for your company. Please let me know if you are willing to work with us on this." Rick

[skip]

I sent one too


Dear bike bandit

You suck
sincerley yours ..................skip blahdeblah

[argonsagas]

"vomitous platitudes"......delightful terminology, Mike.
Would you mind if I were to regurgitate that elsewhere?


I bought things from BikeBandit in years past, but also had difficulty every time I tried in the last two years, partly because of site changes and partly with telephone conversations, although not for returns....I just could not buy what I wanted, or the prices and shipping were markedly above other sources. Today I don't bother with them at all.

Gear for me and anyone else who asks me about it now comes from newenough, and their service never draws a complaint. Prices are also very good, especially if the clearance items suit you. (pun intended)

I suppose you could try selling the boots on e-bay as " Special Size Bike Bandit Booties". (That should get more attention than "boots") State that the size is not as marked in these brand new boots, and add in the comments section that you are forced to sell this way because B-B refused the return of the unused boots, then give the actual measurements.

Size charts that permit measurement-to-size determination are available, such as this one, which goes up to size US 15, but many others are available on-line..

http://shoes.about.com/od/fitcomfort/a/men_inches.htm

[rustybronco]

babbits online

I'm going to put my two cents in here if you don't mind.

It doesn't have anything to do with boots, but it does have a lot to do with customer service.

I am working on a 82 virago 920 for my nephew. he needed some intake o-rings and caliper kits, so I told him to try babbitts, having heard good things about them from Bwringer and figuring that if there was a problem it would be on his dime.

when the order was placed the stated delivery time was 7-10 days, the parts arrived in 5 days. because of his experience, it looks like I will be ordering around $200 with them in the next few weeks.

I have used Mrcycles ($1500) and alpha-sports ($300) in the past with good results, but I had never used BB.

I wouldn't even consider them now...

[UncleMike]

"vomitous platitudes"......delightful terminology, Mike.
Would you mind if I were to regurgitate that elsewhere?

Regurgitate at will.

[SqDancerLynn1]

I have used BB many time, Only when I am not in a hurry. If I need it right away I support my local dealer

[Flaggo60]

Geez guys, I'm not disputing your experiences at all, but in fairness, I've used BB with positive results, especially with little parts that are hard to find elsewhere. The one thing that killed me was the flat $25 shipping charge, but they do use FedEx rather than the post to ship up here. Some of the other OEM sources that have been mentioned here are way higher than that on their shipping costs to the point where I won't use them. So if I order from BB now I make sure there's enough in the order to make it worth the shipping expense. I've never had to return anything though, so I have no experience there. Just an opinion.
Cheers, Ted

[Nathan Daube]

Called Bite Bandit again today

Called Bike Bandit to see why my order placed last Thursday had still not been shipped. I was told that they were waiting on the Valve Cover Gasket to come in as it was backordered. I was amazed as they never said that on Wednesday when I contacted them because of the confusion on getting me the rear brake pads I ordered on the same order. I did mention that they were getting alot of bad press on this site and I wanted them to ship what they had and then ship the backordered parts when they got them so at least I could start repairs. They agreed and after again mentioning I was very unhappy with the service and the GS guys werent having any better luck ALL of my order appears to have been shipped, as I got 2 emails showing all the parts are on their way. LOL

[Nessism]

I've ordered from BB many times with positive results. They don't stock OE parts as far as I know, but must be close by to one of Suzuki's distribution points so OE parts come very quickly. Unfortunately, some times these warehouses don't have the best inventory count so it's never positive the part is in stock until the guy pulls the part from the bin. If an item is on back order, they typically will tell you via email. Same goes for items that are cross shipped since this creates a delay in shipping. I haven't found an OE parts seller that keep the buyer more informed than BB. Regarding the 20% restocking fee, this is very common in the OE parts business. People have to take time to pick the part (or order them as the case may be), bag them, box them, etc. It all costs money. In cases where the parts are cheap, 20% doesn't come close to covering the cost of all this administration.

Regarding mail ordering clothing items, I've yet to find a place that will do a free exchange and pay the return shipping. They don't make the clothing items, so they can not be held responsible for sizing. And of course they would refuse a damaged package? So should you. This is the risk of mail ordering anything and has very little to do with BB.

I think some of you guys are showing your lack of understanding for the parts business, particularly the OE side. BB is a good company in my view, although I don't order much from them anymore since CA raised the sales tax to 10%.

[UncleMike]

The package wasn't damaged. They refused it because of the shipping label and tape used to secure the box. It arrived pristine with insurance.

[Griffin]

For a great selection of work and traditionally-styled motorcycle boots (no Alpinestars race-styled boots), I've used these guys three times now and been happy with the product I received and their service.

http://www.metboots.com/

Once, I ordered some Chippewa boots that were too tight. It cost me shipping to return them ($12), and $10 restocking fee for them to send out the correct size, which I thought was fair. All told, I was out an extra $22 for the boots, but I got a pair that I love and several people on this site have asked about at rallies.

http://www.metboots.com/c-chippewa-motorcycle-boots-p-CH-27862.html

Here is their return policy:

Returns and Exchanges
Customers often ask what our return policy is. We aim for complete customer satisfaction. If you are not completely happy with your purchase, we want to hear about it. Let us know if something is wrong and we will do what we can to make it right.

Some of the shoes we sell are marked slightly irregular in the description. These shoes are factory seconds. We examine each pair of shoes manually and warrant that the shoes are wearable, run true to size, and are free from any gross noticeable defect. If there is a problem we will replace the shoes at no cost to you up to 30 days from the shipment date of the original order.

However, if you return for any reason which is not our fault, such as purchasing the wrong size or width, we will replace the shoes with the correct size subject to a re-stocking fee equal to $10.00 or outgoing freight charges whichever is greater. Items returned must be in saleable (new) condition. The customer is responsible for all shipping. If an item is returned for a refund and the original order qualified for free shipping the actual outgoing freight charges will be deducted from the amount of the refund

NO RETURNS WILL BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION.

[Nessism]

The package wasn't damaged. They refused it because of the shipping label and tape used to secure the box. It arrived pristine with insurance.

Mike, your original post above said BB refused your return package because it was damaged (which is understandable), but now you say it was because of the "shipping label and tape used". I don't understand. Did you use masking tape or duct tape on the package? Did you put the boots back in the BB box before you returned it like they specify? There must be a reason they refused the package.

[UncleMike]

Mike, your original post above said BB refused your return package because it was damaged (which is understandable), but now you say it was because of the "shipping label and tape used". I don't understand. Did you use masking tape or duct tape on the package? Did you put the boots back in the BB box before you returned it like they specify? There must be a reason they refused the package.

I ordered a ton of stuff from them, so the boots came in their box from Alpinestar and then in a bigger box with all the parts. When I called about the return, I mentioned this to the CSR, who told me to just tape up the Alpinestar box, toss a label on it and return it.

When they got the box, they rejected it because the Alpinestar box had tape and a label on it, so they can't send it back to Alpinestar, even though that's what they told me to do.

[Nessism]

I ordered a ton of stuff from them, so the boots came in their box from Alpinestar and then in a bigger box with all the parts. When I called about the return, I mentioned this to the CSR, who told me to just tape up the Alpinestar box, toss a label on it and return it.

When they got the box, they rejected it because the Alpinestar box had tape and a label on it, so they can't send it back to Alpinestar, even though that's what they told me to do.

Sounds like the CSR you talked to made a mistake.

The BB return procedure clearly states that you are to put the retail packaging inside either the original shipping box, or you should "purchase a new box as need be".

While the CSR might have made a mistake, the instructions on BB's website are very clear...http://www.bikebandit.com/partsbandi...turnpolicy.asp They go so far as to state the following...

"Packing And Sending Back Your Return

BikeBandit.com includes plenty of packing material with every order. When returning something to us, please re-pack all items using the materials we sent. Keep in mind that shipping companies can be very tough on packages! Please be sure not to write on or damage the Manufacturer's packaging material as this can make an item un-returnable.

BikeBandit.com ships all items in shipping boxes. When returning an item please use the original box provided with shipping material or purchase a new box if need be.


Please do not ship Helmets, boots, and other items back in the manufacturer’s packaging like depicted above."


Sorry Mike, don't mean to bash you. I think your hammering on BB is not entirely fair though since you did not follow the procedures and want BB to pay return shipping on a sizing problem they have no responsibility for. Their CSR's instructions are inexcusable though so based on that I sympathize with your plight. I'd call them back and plead your case again.

[rustybronco]

"How am I supposed to order another pair of boots, when the sizes are inconsistent and/or incorrect?", I asked.

The answer I got over and over was essentially, "Tough luck. Not our problem."

The CSR told me to send the boots back in their box since the original box they came in had a ton of parts in it and was now far too big. I did that, and when it arrived, it got rejected because the box they came in was damaged.

I called them up to find out what was happening, and again their response was, "Tough luck. Not our problem."

I think some of you guys are showing your lack of understanding for the parts business, particularly the OE side.

I work in the parts buisiness and have for 34 years. that is NOT an answer you give a customer