General Cycling Discussion - Bell Helmets Customer Service Is Horrible!

I wrote to Bell Europe asking about replacement helmet pads a week ago. I have yet to recieve a response. What's up with these guys? A week and no response? If I treated my clients like that I'd be out of business!

Unfortunately, Bell Europe's marketing plan doesn't revolve around you, Ziemas. 4-6 weeks?

Four to six weeks for a relply to an email? That's the first I've ever heard of that. Two to three working days is the norm.

tried calling them? or would that cost an arm and a leg?

I can't explain it but many, many companies do not respond at all or well to emails. Use the phone.

tried calling them? or would that cost an arm and a leg?
Calling would be way to expensive.

I finally heard back from them. They suggested that I special order pads from a shop that sells Bell helmets here in Lativa. I checked their web site and there are no shops listed in the Baltics that sell Bell helmets. I'm waiting for a response to my email stating that no one seems to sell Bell helmets here. I guess I'll have to wait and see.

Hmmm... Funny you should bring this up. Yesterday I called Bell customer service here in the US of A. I have a Bell Sweep that is a couple of months old. The front pad has a red fabric bonded to a foam cushion. On mine the red fabric began to peal off the pad. When I talked to the lady at Bell, she immediately took my name and address and said they would send out replacements at no charge.

This is odd. I emailed Bell's US customer service people two days ago asking where I could get replacement pads for a helmet. Yesterday I had a response saying that they were shipping pads to me at no charge.

EDIT: Whoops, hadn't read Khackney's post. Looks like Bell's North American customer service is much better than their European customer support.

I emailed Bell cusomter service about a bike computer manual. They sent it out free of charge.

Bell Customer service in the USA is excellent. I wrote to them asking for replacement pads for my Bell Ukon helmet. In a few weeks, I received a free replacement set.

This is odd. I emailed Bell's US customer service people two days ago asking where I could get replacement pads for a helmet. Yesterday I had a response saying that they were shipping pads to me at no charge.

EDIT: Whoops, hadn't read Khackney's post. Looks like Bell's North American customer service is much better than their European customer support.
I had a similar experience with Bell USA, prompt reply and service, no charge; I was very impressed. Too bad to hear about Ziemas' experience; hope it's an isolated case!

It must be Bell Europe that has the horrible service.

Strangely enough I don't think that it's Bell that I'm dealing with but rather a distrubitor, unless Bell and Giro are the same company. I also wrote an email to Giro asking about new pads for my wife's helmet. I recieved one reply to both emails. Strange.

Bell and Giro are sister companies. They may share the same customer support.

Here in the US you can either: pay four or five bucks for a helmet pad kit if you can find one at a bike shop, or call Bell and get a free set in the mail. I feel guilty after the first freebie and don't call bell every six months for a new set.

Why don't you get someone in the states to score you a free pad kit?