Southern California - SoCal PBK Q

I just ordered a pair of GP4000's from PBK. I try to buy local mainly not liking to order stuff but Jeez! $75 for a GP at local shops?

I got 2 for $89 at PBK out the door. That's like getting a second tire for $14. :thumb:

Never been much of a mail order guy but it's time. Last purchase was also mail order.

But a question for those that also buy from PBK. I read something about being responsible for customs charges if applied. Hoping it doesn't apply to us in SoCal.

Any PBK customers ever have to deal with these charges?

I haven't had any extra charges on my 3 or 4 orders. The first two came in 5 days! They ship tires in a blue plastic bag and they arrive via US Mail. The latest order (not tires) took about 9 or 10 days. I was starting to get worried. But, even though there's no tracking numbers, PBK is supposed to handle lost shipments OK.

As I remember, my credit card got a 3% currency conversion charge added to the PBK quoted price.

(I paid $34 each two years ago)

I haven't had any extra charges on my 3 or 4 orders. The first two came in 5 days! They ship tires in a blue plastic bag and they arrive via US Mail. The latest order (not tires) took about 9 or 10 days. I was starting to get worried.

Thanks for the info, now I know to be patient. But I'm in no hurry so it's all good. :D

Stuff gets checked randomly by customs, crap shoot coming from overseas. If your package gets checked you will be charged.

Beanz, I have been buying stuff from PBK for a long time. No import duty on items like bicycle tires. You do get dinged foreign transaction fees by certain credit card companies though. A way to avoid the foreign transaction fees is to pay thru PayPal.

I just ordered a pair of GP4000's from PBK. I try to buy local mainly not liking to order stuff but Jeez! $75 for a GP at local shops?

I got 2 for $89 at PBK out the door. That's like getting a second tire for $14. :thumb:

Never been much of a mail order guy but it's time. Last purchase was also mail order.

But a question for those that also buy from PBK. I read something about being responsible for customs charges if applied. Hoping it doesn't apply to us in SoCal.

Any PBK customers ever have to deal with these charges?


never been charged duty on anything from PBK..

Beanz, I have been buying stuff from PBK for a long time. No import duty on items like bicycle tires. You do get dinged foreign transaction fees by certain credit card companies though. A way to avoid the foreign transaction fees is to pay thru PayPal.

Darn, maybe I should have used paypal rather than the pbk selection. :(

Thanks, now I know :thumb:

never been charged duty on anything from PBK..

Cool, I figure I should be safe after hearing the group's experience.:D

Stuff gets checked randomly by customs, crap shoot coming from overseas. If your package gets checked you will be charged.

Are you trying to put the whammy on me?:D

Beanzer, you know I use to run 4000s all the time, and usually bought through PBK because of the great price they typically offered the 4000 for. I stopped buying from PBK about 2 years ago for the following reasons.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/imspec/cycling/IMG_0025s.jpg

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/imspec/cycling/IMG_0020s.jpg

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/imspec/cycling/IMG_0026s.jpg

At one point, I contacted the US Conti rep. who suggested that a pair of tires I returned for warranty replacement had been stored for some excessively long period of time out doors exposed to the elements. I think there is a reason PBK makes Conti 4000s available at the price they do, and as an experienced QC person, you can probably guess. BTW, I stopped using Conti tires altogether about a year ago because the side walls abrade so easily, including the 4 Seasons which are promoted as a touring tire.

Beanzer, you know I use to run 4000s all the time, and usually bought through PBK because of the great price they typically offered the 4000 for. I stopped buying from PBK about 2 years ago for the following reasons.


Wow, I remember you had quite a few flats as well. :eek:. I'll have to keep a close eye on these tires. If it happens to me, I'm outta there.:D
Thanks for the tip. ;)

Ever since a PBK order took 6-7 weeks to arrive I've not used them. The 2 previous orders showed up in 10 business days or less.

Amazon.com often sells the tires for $44 to $50, and they on my door step within 48 hours.

Ever since a PBK order took 6-7 weeks to arrive I've not used them. The 2 previous orders showed up in 10 business days or less.

Amazon.com often sells the tires for $44 to $50, and they on my door step within 48 hours.

6-7 weeks? :eek:.....were they posted as "in stock" when you ordered? I see tires on back order at times. I wouldn't order if this were the case.

6-7 weeks? :eek:.....were they posted as "in stock" when you ordered? I see tires on back order at times. I wouldn't order if this were the case.

It wasn't PBK's fault, it's customs. Sometimes customs backs up. The tires shipped within a day or two.

My results weren't extremely common, but during the customs backup a year or so ago there were quite a few people on this board who's PBK/Ribble packages were in limbo for a while.

It came through fine... last 2 orders came through in less than a week total. I had 2 orders... one with couple of Michelin pro 4 and some tubes, the other with a saddle. No customs on either.

It wasn't PBK's fault, it's customs. Sometimes customs backs up. The tires shipped within a day or two.

My results weren't extremely common, but during the customs backup a year or so ago there were quite a few people on this board who's PBK/Ribble packages were in limbo for a while.



Ah I see, thanks! ;)

It came through fine... last 2 orders came through in less than a week total. I had 2 orders... one with couple of Michelin pro 4 and some tubes, the other with a saddle. No customs on either.


Cool, I hope my order goes just as well.:D

Been ordering from PBK for 4 years. Never had a problem.

i used to order from PBK all the time but i find that their prices have been steadily rising across the board. i almost exclusively order from ribble now. much cheaper, and even though you have to pay for shipping, its still pretty cheap and usually cheaper than pbk even with the shipping charges added. plus they ship fast, with tracking. more consistent delivery times IMHO. it goes via usps express... never been hit with a customs charge.

Been ordering from PBK for 4 years. Never had a problem.

Thanks, given me a little peace of mind for now.:D

i used to order from PBK all the time but i find that their prices have been steadily rising across the board. i almost exclusively order from ribble now. much cheaper, and even though you have to pay for shipping, its still pretty cheap and usually cheaper than pbk even with the shipping charges added. plus they ship fast, with tracking. more consistent delivery times IMHO. it goes via usps express... never been hit with a customs charge.

Yup, I was thinking about asking for Ribble reviews as well. Saved me the trouble. :thumb: I thought about using them but haven't seen as many BF reviews on them vs PBK.

Well, ordered late on a Fri nite so figuring the order wasn't placed till Monday, only a week and two days to show on my doorstep (Wed). :thumb:

Not bad, saved $73 by ordering on line.

PBK out the door.....$89
LBS $75 each plus tax.....$162

I inspected the suckers, look pretty good, nothing old looking. Hopefully they last and ride as well as they look.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5119/7069242479_6e7c96799a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35885048@N06/7069242479/)
tires (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35885048@N06/7069242479/) by mrbeanz1 (http://www.flickr.com/people/35885048@N06/), on Flickr

I think your questions were answered.

I'll just add that I get my tires from PBK and nowhere else. Shipping time is a week to ten days.

I think your questions were answered.

I'll just add that I get my tires from PBK and nowhere else. Shipping time is a week to ten days.

Yup! Happy it wasn't long at all. Especially planning ahead.:D

I got the 4000's last year at thirty something bucks per tire from PBK. The stock looked fine and I stored them until this week when I finally mounted them on the wheels. I really like these tires and the shipping was no big deal from the UK. Their prices on tires have definately gone up though. My local price is about $52 for the 25mm (includes a Club discount).

I got the 4000's last year at thirty something bucks per tire from PBK. The stock looked fine and I stored them until this week when I finally mounted them on the wheels. I really like these tires and the shipping was no big deal from the UK. Their prices on tires have definately gone up though. My local price is about $52 for the 25mm (includes a Club discount).

I remember seeing them at PBK for $36 when $62 at the shop. Now it's $45 at PBK and $75 at the shop. Somehow $45 still doesn't seem that bad.:D

Nice Mr B....
That is where i order all my Conti's...never had an issue...I usually get some one to go in with me since the 6 price is $39/ea...
Never had an issue with the tires I get from them...been getting them for years from PBK....

Nice Mr B....
That is where i order all my Conti's...never had an issue...I usually get some one to go in with me since the 6 price is $39/ea...
Never had an issue with the tires I get from them...been getting them for years from PBK....

Wow, that is a deal!:D

Wow, that is a deal!:D

Maybe us IE cyclists should setup a multi-buy discount thread, lol