BikeCost.com - good ?????
 

Anybody purchased anything from them? Did a search of the forum and some online store ratings sites and found nothing.

Thanks.

- no physical address listed + multiple currencies + no phone contact == bad news

- i'd avoid...

Thanks for the input. The price on the new FSA K Force Light seemed a bit too good to be true.

I did some more poking around and see that they are a Google Checkout merchant and they do have phone number and an address on file with Google.

Have not known anyone to use this online site. But I did purchase a Motobecane IF last year from bikesdirect.com ... it sounds like the same business model. No customization, phone or special customer treatment. But if you know your frame size and something about components they can be a great deal. My Moto IF now has 2,500 miles on it and it a fantastic ride. All carbon, Ultegra, FSA cranks. Sweeeet for the $$.

Thanks.

Bikecost.com is okay and in USA
 

I'm thinking none of you has ever actually tried to purchase anything form their site since most of what I'm reading is not true on this forum, because I bought some race wheels for over $1,000 and they turned out fine: new in box from manufacturer, latest model, and very fast processing of orders through secure Google checkout.

There are no multiple currencies (only US dollars and shipping addresses) nor do they even allow purchases from outside the USA. If you actually go to the trouble to submit an order or try to contact them, you will plainly see their Montana address and phone number in that zip code. Their rep called me back in a few hours and seemed to know more about the wheels I bought that most bike shops.

The problem is since they sell cheap, everyone things there is something wrong. I'm guessing other retailers may be jealous and trying to diss them--the margins are so huge on bike parts.

They have a small inventory, only high-end items, and they do take a few extra days to ship: it took about 12 days from my order date for UPS ground to arrive. But it was worth it to save hundreds.

Just because someone is new and on the internet does not mean they are dishonest.

Are you sure you have the same website, and not an imitator?
 

Physical address is plainly listed when you process shopping cart in Montana, as is the customer service phone number.. Where on the site do you find multiple currencies? I find only American flags, english-language descriptions, and a "no shipments overseas" policy. And the SSL security certificate checks out at the same address for invoices.

Are we talking about the same BikeCost.com

In this day and age it is smart to be suspicious. There are way to many scams out there to just throw your money at any online retailer without asking a few questions ahead of time.

The item I wanted ws out of stock in the size I required. They were very nice, returning several emails and answering a couple of telephone calls from me. Very businesslike and offered a full refund or option to be on wait list for the item. I would not hesitate to deal with them again.

Bikecost
 

They are most definitely dishonest. They do not have Rolf wheels in stock--or Mavic. Nor are they an authorized dealer for those products. In fact, they are not an authorized dealer for any brand listed. Thus, there is no warranty on anything they sell. That's a big deal on large ticket items that can be finicky. They fail to mention these minor facts on their website. It is also very strange that they are impossible to contact--except by email unless one enters checkout. Without stealing the product or obtaining it from a dishonest dealer, they cannot get any product at all. These sites pop up occasionally and sometimes they are used by a dishonest bike shop employee to sell stolen goods. It is a barely modified oscommerce site that literally anyone could set up in a few days. OScommerce is a free e-commerce website downloadable by anyone. In any case, I would not deal with any company that does not openly display a toll free phone number, a physical address and a VERY open and competitive return policy and a satisfaction guarantee.

More power to you. I am shocked at the number of people on in internet forum that believe so many sites are scams. I make an on-line purchase of some kind probably at least every month (and have done so since about 2001) and have never had any issues. None. I have had warranty coverage on products (Garmin and Polar) that are not supposed to have it from non-auth sellers. I am not just buying from the big stores BTW.

No phone # listed is meaningless to me.
I have said it many times . . . makers are going to support their products to end customers. They cannot afford to lose them. They are going to go after non-authorized sellers. It is bad practice to blame the buyer and it nearly never happens in things like this.

Sounds like a commercial from a newbie with a lot of information about this company and how it does business. I know nothing about them, but this post from a new user smells like the owner or worker for the company.

Full disclosure please.

I would think that not just anyone could sign up for Google checkout. Seems like you'd have to provide some kind of credentials since Google is the one collecting the moneys.

Wrong.:rolleyes:

The margins are not huge. But if you have no physical storefront, pay no employees nor payroll taxes, Unemployment Compensation, Worker's Comp, insurance- both health and inventory, not to mention liability, and can "cut and run" if you get tired of it, you can sell for less than me and probably take more $$ home at the end of the day.

The fact that people can (and do) do that doesn't upset me nearly as much as the assumption that "margins are so huge".

Here's a HUGE margin for you. Wal*Mart buys their inner tubes for about 22 cents each and resells them for about $4, but I'll bet you think you get a great deal when you shop there! They could sell them for a dollar and still have a higher margin than I make when selling tubes.

Bike shops net about 5% a year after all is said and done. Still think it's huge?

EDIT:

I just called 3 of the mfgrs whose products are being sold illegitimately on that site. Let's just say "they are aware of the situation and are taking appropriate action".

My thoughts exactly.

:beer: More power to ya' brother. Thanks for taking action. As much as I like to (and NEED to) save money on my purchases, I don't want to do it at the expense of legit businesses.

Shoot, I didn't do anything. They already knew. It had previously been "brought to their attention". They declined to discuss it further.

RAT!!!






.






.j/k

the pricing was not "all that"

Bikecost
 

Companies like Mavic and Bontrager can definitely afford to lose a few customers in order to protect their dealers and their brand image. Who else makes Mavic wheels? They have no real competition because of their brand image. Many manufacturers will simply ask the customer to visit the dealer and obtain an RA number. Garmin and Polar don't care but there are plenty of manufacturers that do. Manufacturers have dealers for a reason--so that manufacturers can focus on manufacturing and someone else can deal with sales and service. I bet if you somehow obtained some Mavic wheels from them and had a problem, it would be hilarious fun to try to get a repair or an RA number. If bike cost will lie (by omission) about whether you will have a warranty or whether they have stock, what else might they lie about? The whole concept is a lie--"we only sell to racers" yeah right. I want a list of all of the non-racers that they have refused to sell to. I will spend my money with an authorized retailer that:

1. Will likely be in existence in the future
2. Will accept returns under almost any circumstances if I'm not happy
3. Advertises their contact info
4. Has items--any items at all--in stock
5. Isn't demonstrably a liar 3 times over

Well, this seems to have struck a nerve. All I know is that they were honest in dealing with me. If what other posters have said is true, then bikecost.com proprietors are not very bright. They give out their telephone number and they actually answer it. If they are dealing in stolen goods, then they are at risk. By the way, to say that Mavic, "has no real competitors" is very far from the truth. FWIW, if you want to see problems of consumers dealing with warranties, visit any automobile forum on the web. I'll guarantee you that there is nobody selling new BMW's without a warranty but there are bunches of horror stories arbot getting problems solved by your local BMW dealer.

More...
 

Well, I have personally seen a dishonest employee steal merchandise from a bike shop and sell it online. In fact, he even advertised his cell phone number so that he could sell the goods more effectively. The point is, anybody can buy "gray" product on the street. Whether it's watches, perfume, stereo equipment or anything else, it's just not a good idea. It may be legit or it may be not but I'm responsible for it if it is shady. The internet is no exception. If they are totally legit and honest, why don't they state that there is no warranty? Why do they unlawfully use registered trademarks of companies that they do not have a business relationship with? If they are honest, why do they advertise their products as "in stock" when that is impossible? And of course, why would they say that they only sell to teams and coaches when it seems that they will sell to anybody? The whole business concept is founded on a lie and is perpetuated by further lies. There is no such thing as a single lie.

BTW-- Mavic owns a TREMENDOUS chunk of the wheel market. They have no serious competitors except Bontrager and even they do half of what Mavic does. BMW warranties are irrelevant, most companies in this totally unrelated and tiny industry will take care of warranties quickly--except Shimano--they tend to think that their customers are defective, not the products :)

Legitimate skepticism aside, is there any protection if you buy through "google checkout?"

If you have the right credit card you have 100% protection against anything you buy online. American Express will actually give you an extended warranty....take a look.

https://www124.americanexpress.com/c...tBenefitDetail

If you have the right resources online shopping is completely worry free.

So will many VISA cards. But if you think they are bad, it is good that you expressed your opinion so that others can weigh it and make their choice accordingly.