tellyho

I know it's not necessarily directly related to mechanics, but has anyone ordered from Airbomb? Experiences? I've read some bad press on the i-net, but I'm not sure whether I trust it.

Barabaika

I found that sometimes they list products that have disappeared from other QBP-catalog websites that use the same database. That can lead to delays. Though, it can happen to others, too.

Barneco

Ordered some parts for my inflator recently. Item page didn't indicate stock status, and, of course, they weren't in stock(airbomb had to order them). Still, decent experience. Pretty good CS.

tellyho

Just to update for others' info, I've had awesome customer service from Airbomb. Not only did they get back to me immediately, they adjusted a price down after I had made the order. I will definitely be using them again.

top506

Airbomb will give you a lowball price, but they make it up with inflated S&H fees. Factoring in their much higher shipping I've found it as cheap or cheaper to deal with Nashbar, AE bike, ect.
Top

tellyho

Probably true. The item I was looking for is pretty rare: 40H Sun Rhynolite 26" rim. Their price was cheaper, even with shipping, than others.

'nother

I've placed a couple of orders with them and haven't had anything to complain about. They do seem to stock some unusual items.

JTGraphics

Slow Shipping / No Email's
I had to call them 7 days after I purchased to find out status
of my order. It shipped the day after I called to ask.
I really prefer to do business with places I don't have to call
and check on my orders myself and ship when I pay and on time.
Also these 3 places all have the same address.
Airbomb.com
Beyondoutside.com
Beyondbikes.com

I have my own review of all online stores I have used on my signature page if anyone is interested take a look.

Peek the Geek

I've had similar experiences with Airbomb. Once, I waited and waited for an order, and when I finally called to see what the hell was up they told me they had cancelled the order because they couldn't get the part.

Great. Thanks for letting me know.

If speed in getting the part is important, stay away from these knuckleheads. Actually, stay away from them no matter what. If you find a cheap price at Airbomb, many online retailers will price match. I often order price-matched stuff through Cambriabike.com.

lowracer1

ditto on that one. s l o w shipping

tellyho

So slow that it is now 1 1/2 months since I ordered. Customer service is friendly, but useless. I have requested that Airbomb pay for shipping; we'll see what I get.

waterrockets 

Whenever I've gotten to that point before, I just cancel and order elsewhere. Aebike and UniversalCycles have comparable prices. Might be worth calling ahead to see if the stock the item...

tspoon

I have had problems with incorrect orders, and complete lack of subsequent communication (until I reversed Credit Card payemnt for the entire order, whereupon they magically regained the ability to communicate (this problem is not unique to airbomb of course)). I have also had orders that proceeded correctly, but as noted the communication is still lacking, the shipping is inflated, and I suspect they hold very little stock indeed and order practically everything on demand.
I still use Airbomb if no other source can be found.

bcart1991

I've ordered a couple little frame parts from them, no hassles. I did call to see if I could get cheaper shipping on 6 cable stops rather than pay the $7 for a 1/2-oz box. They obliged and dropped it to like $2.

Sure, other online places might have the same thing for less, and have better CS, but when you need that one little part no one else has, Airbomb is good to have around. Plus, a call vs. internet will quickly settle any issues.

That's my experience.

climbhoser

Ordered from them, thought 3-5 days ground standard and I'd have my parts today (5 biz days out). I get an e-mail today that they've just processed my order and it's set to go out in 2 more!

Thinking something's weird, I google some reviews and see this is typical. I call to see if I can finagle free overnight or something because of what I would consider "poor" business practices. They say it's taking so long because they were actually out of stock. This after their website goes into big detail about how everything on the site is in stock. No free overnight, but they'd meet me half way on costs. I say forget it and just get it here in 5 biz days. We'll see.

Good people, but a bad system.

MudPie

I checked Airbomb and Beyondbikes and their respective website even misspells the address, using a lower case "t" in the street name "World trade Dr".

I ordered an HID light set from Beyondbikes and experienced great service (low price, product arrived in one day - I live in Southern CA). However, my friend had a horrible experience. She bought a HID light set that had a defective battery. She returned it, but they sent her the exact same unit she sent them. She sent it back again, and waited for the replacement, and waited and waited. She called and they told her the item was backordered. It took weeks to get the product. She lost about a month of night riding

jstraw97

I've only ordered from Airbomb once, but the experience was hassle-free and I don't recall the shipping taking excessively long.

climbhoser

So, on the day my levers are supposed to ship I get a conspicuous e-mail saying my order is experiencing difficulties. Pissed, I call in and they tell me the item is backordered, not just with them but with QBP. I think the guy could have told me that two days before, and even when he did it took some serious prodding to get it out of him.

Finally, I express exasperation and convince him to do something for me. So, he finds some Cane Creek Drop Vs for like a $30 higher price. I say there's no way I'm doing that, and he says he'll discount it and pay shipping, so it ends up $10 all in for the levers and I get Cane Creek rubber instead of Tektro.

I'm pretty pissed. Although I'm stoked to have a better set for cheap I'm pissed about their customer service and I won't use them again.

All of what they did to me was so they wouldn't lose a sale. You can tell they're penny pinching and pushing to keep accounts open even through sideways dealings. I wish there was honesty, and they just said hey, we can't process it because it's backordered...you should try someone else. Better yet, update the site because the site explicitly states that what's on it is in stock!

bellweatherman

oooh. dirty trick.