Just bought their $21 wireless computer. Doesn't work. Tried new batteries, still doesn't work. It will show random speeds up to 40mph intermittently while sitting still, then 0 when the bike is moving. Of course I had to destroy the heavy duty packaging to get it open, so I can't take it back to the store.

Checked the manual and found a web address: https://www.bellbikestuff.com

It's a "coming soon" page that according to the Wayback Machine, has been there since at least March of 2010.

Now that's a serious lack of concern for the customer.

If it's defective, why is this an issue, you had to open the product to see it it worked, and it didn't, this is a warranty / replacement issue, as the item is new, why not return for a refund?

Agreed!

Packaging damage is incidental on an item that never worked in the first place! Its normally a policy that lets the store put the item back on the shelf for resale - which in this case they can't do anyway!

I have a $6 (shipped) wired computer that I bought off eBay on my road bike. It works fine. I think if you're going to go wireless, you need to buy a really good computer or it's going to be badly susceptible to interference. At the $20 level it's probably just sending plain old CW pulses on a frequency, not keyed digital signals or anything of the sort, so any RF noise is going to just fritz it right out.

i've had my bell wireless for a couple years now without any problems. the unit goes wonky when i turn on my light on blink mode, so i have to keep it at least 4 inches away from the light before interference stops. when the lights were blinking I was was clocking in at 96 kmh! (standing at the stop light).

but definitely agree - if you think it's broken, packing or not, you can always return it for exchange or refund from most stores.

The Bell wireless I used a couple of years ago would go haywire whenever my headlight was on, no matter what the mode. It got to the point where I had to use another computer when I wanted to go out after dark. It was a good computer though, despite the fact I could only use it during the day.

As for the packaging issue, as others have said, if the item isn't working, the store should accept the return despite the condition of the package. Walmart is good for that.

I had a Bell wireless computer that would go wonky with a headlight too. It would also react to the inductive loops at traffic lights.

No, computer, I am NOT going 60 miles/hour. I am sitting still, waiting for the light to change!

Other than that, it worked well enough. But that behavior was throwing off my average speed calculation. O.o So I went back to a wired computer. I don't mind the wires.

It has been my experience that when buying anything for your bike, except maybe tubes, it is always better to get the brand you don't have reason to question, even with the higher price point. This is a classic example. The $20.00 dollar computer is sketchy at best. If you were to go to your lbs and find a $30.00 one of a better brand the problems would almost definitely go away completely. My $25.00 cateye I bought 7 or so years ago is still going strong, as is the $35.00 dollar top peak floor pump I bought after going through two Bell brand pumps from wally world, neither of which lasted more than one or two uses. A great rule of thumb is: if you have need to question the quality, then you shouldn't be asking the question and need to move on.