So I have finally decided that I was going to buy an SRAM dynohub and thought that I would do some internet searching to get a feel for pricing. SRAM manufactures 2 hubs with options for each. Google being Google routed me pretty quickly to an Amazon page that had a SRAM hub at a good price with free shipping but there were so many inconsistancies in the details that I really did not know what I would get if I ordered:

• They showed a picture of a solid axle hub, but claimed that it was quick release (skewer included)
• There was another picture that clearly showed a different model hub
• Header said 3 watts but details said 2.4 watts
• The listed mfg. model number was invalid

I very specifically asked for the Model number because I could then refer to the SRAM site to know exactly what the product was.

So I figured that I would write them to get more detail. Their response was that:

1. Amazon does not write the product descriptions and has no control over what they say
2. They couldn't in good conscience advise me because they might be wrong and that would turn out badly for both of us
3. They would have been glad to look in the box to find out, but the customer service group was not close to the "fulfillment center"
4. They regretted that they could not provide the actual product number, but then said that I should contact SRAM for this information!

Ok, so I am supposed to ask SRAM what model of theirs is being sold by a downstream vendor? What do you think that they would say?

Hmm, what if this happened in a restaurant. "I am so sorry, sir, but the chef does not know what's in that menu item. You see, we don't write the menu and have no control over what's in it. The chef suggests that you contact the farmer that provides the product"

Free humor all around.

-Gary

I ordered a set of drinking glasses from Amazon a few years ago and received a big box a few days later containing one glass and lots of packing material. I contacted customer service, and they told me the remainder were on back order.

Several days later, I get another big box containing...


...one glass and lots of packing material.


The third one arrived the same way a few days later, then about a week later I received a much smaller box...

...containing a complete set of six.

Caveat Emptor

I ordered four of the same cheap 700 x 25c tires from Amazon and they each came in their own full-size box . . . over a 3 day period.

Now I have 4 nice boxes in case I need to ship any rims.

Have you asked SRAM? For a vendor as big as Amazon, they might know.

If you really thought Amazon has expertise in every product they sell, I think that you miss understand their sales/business model. They aren't really very much like a chef at a restaurant. They are more like a cashier at Wal Mart.

I ordered two 26x1.5 Serfas Drifters. I got home, and there were two huge boxes sitting by my door, each containing one tire. I know they weren't foldable, but the box didn't need to be as deep as it was wide and long.

Makes you wonder what kind of unholy alliance they have with Fedex & UPS that they can offer free shipping...

And the companies that make the boxes.

Purchase from an LBS where you can see exactly what you are getting, and talk to a real person.
If your only concern is price, then take what you get.

I can think of another use for those boxes:

In their defense, Amazon has never done me wrong. I think I understand their business model, and take that into account when shopping/purchasing. On the rare occasions where the received product was damaged or otherwise not as expected, everything was resolved to my complete satisfaction. YMMV.
The frustration and expenditure of time I would have otherwise incurred if I didn't shop online at Amazon and other internet vendors is unfathomable.

Yep, I really don't expect much from them. I had another recent experience with them that left me baffled: I arrived home one afternoon to find a box from Amazon addressed to me. In it was a couple of items and a packing list with another customer's name. Even odder was that the packing list did not match the items in the box. I contacted Amazon and they were rather unresponsive, but I persisted and then waited three months for them to tell me that they were not able to figure out how to do a RMA from an address not connected with the intended customer's location. At that time, they suggested that I should take the package to UPS and pay for the shipping and they would then credit my account. I expressed some displeasure for this idea and they then told me to keep the stuff (hinting that they did not want to waste anymore time). Again, more humor.


The intent of my post was to express my amusement in dealing with Amazon, not to imply that I consider them to be my preferred choice (and to say that my only concern was price). I generally agree with the LBS resource as I like to see, feel, and discuss alternate products. In this case; however, I called around to some of the LBSs within a reasonable distance and had no luck. None stocked this particular item. One offered to special order but did not give comfort that they understood what I wanted (and so I reckon I would have to take what I get, right?)

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

-G

I don't know about you, but the LBS's in my area have to order about everything. So when faced with ordering, waiting a week or so, and paying tax and retail markup when the alternative is lower pricing, little to no shipping, and no sales tax just what is it I'm losing?

For me too. That's why most of my cycling related purchases I research on-line (if I don't already know what I need) and then place the order.

My LBS is owned and run by a guy who inherited it and used to ride a bike before he had kids. They sell nice bikes, but it's just a business to him and he only seems to care about the cycling community as much as it keeps his business alive. He doesn't live the lifestyle he promotes.

I don't think I'd buy any serious bike stuff from Amazon though I buy almost everything else I want there. I have a premier account with them and love only having to wait 2 days for my stuff and the videos they offer with it are getting better all the time. I'm starting to watch every episode of Twighlight Zone and for the first time in order. I like amazon but when I mail order bike parts I'll go through Performance, Bikeman and others where I feel if there's a problem I can talk to someone who knows bikes. I hardly get bike stuff other than tires from mail order.

+1 Plus I don't have to go pick it up, it comes to MY door

The usual solution with Amazon is to order with free shipping, and return it if the description is in error.

In their defense, 3W is total rated output, 2.4W is a standard headlight, leaving 0.6W for standard tail light.