removable decals?

decals are under the clearcoat

I've bought two bikes from BD both steel and was looking for a TI (out of stock) or a Cf/full Ultegra kit also out of stock. But then they've come out with a new CF model that is very attractive and with a few parts swap could be a great machine,the Motobecanne Champion CF. It looks like it's a Kenesis KR810 frame. I talked to Chris from customer service and he was less then helpful and then turned into a total a-hole. in the bikes description they keep mentioning the Immortals so an obvious question is why should I buy this new model over the fabled Immortal frame. His answer was it will be reviewed in the August issues of Bicycling but the bikes will probably be sold out by then. Well thanks a lot Chris. Someone maybe Mike Spratt the owner must have talked to someone before he decided to add a 3rd Carbon Fiber frame series to his line up. Certainly there must have been a reason so why can't they tell me what the difference is between frame sets? is this an unreasonable request to make?
It's a great leap of faith to by a machine sight unseen, no test ride etc. I feel that they couldn't be bothered which is just crazy in this economy. All I was trying to do was make an evaluation between two bikes of theirs and give them money! Now they can piss up a rope,it's a shame because I like the bikes I've bought from them in the past but after being treated like this,a repeat customer, I can't give them my money. So long story short do your homework because these guys can't or won't help you. Good bye Bikes Direct.

Rule "Number One" of buying anything is you get precisely what you pay for. Shop at Wal-Mart, you get Wal-Mart quality. Shop at Nordstrom's, you get Nordstrom's quality. It is goofy for someone to shop at Wal-Mart and then complain they got Wal-Mart service and Wal-Mart products. What did they expect?

When I ordered my Kilo I Later found out I had ordered the wrong size Before the Bike was shiped to Me I sent an Email to them as well as a PM Asking them to change the size on my order, I got 3 email replys and 2 PM's from them assuring me it would be taken care of.

I thought they were great to deal with it all worked out.

Your milage may vary

Hi Mike.
I've bought several bikes from you in the past and have sent countless people to your site. I would like to remain a customer but don't appreciate being blown off by chris. I asked a simple and straight forward question.You have two bikes made of the same material at similar price points what are the pros and cons of each so I can make a decision and give you money. Instead I got this. Again the customer is making a leap of faith to buy a machine sight unseen and not road tested. The least you can do is try and give the customer as much information as possible. Chris said he's already built one of these bikes so clearly he or you has some more information about the bike. I want to continue being a customer but at this point I feel like you don't deserve my business.

Regrettably,
Howard Grossman

here is the last e-mail exchange:

Hello,

There will be a review of the CF in the August issue of Bicycling, most sizes will be sold out by then.

Thanks,
Chris


-----Original Message-----
From: Grossman, Howard <Howard_Grossman@wpbt.org>
To: bd4salesteam@aol.com
Sent: Mon, Jun 29, 2009 4:08 pm



Hi There,
With no sign of the Titanium Motbecannes in sight it looks like I’ve narrowed it down to the Le Champion CF, which looks stunning or one of the Immortal’s in that price point.
Question being that the Immortals have had great reviews although they are starting to look a little dated (or classic) while I’m no fan of the modern Trek, swoopy rolling semi compact frame design, the Champion CF looks fast and purposeful. So why should or shouldn’t I go for the new (untested) Champion over the Immortal frame series bike.

Thanks again,
Howard Grossman
NY Director/Senior Photographer
(212) 560-8759

as someone said in this thread. if you want your hand held through purchases, visit your local bike shop.

if you want a quality bike for a few hundred dollars less, order online.

bikesdirect isnt for the casual bicycle consumer. they have to assume you alread know what you're looking for. if you got any better customer service, the prices would not be so economical, as they'd have to hire a whole new slew of employees.

its that simple.

Howard

First, thanks for your previous business.

I am sorry that Chris was short in his answer and did not have enough details on the new le Champion CF line. We have just added these bikes and do not have a great amount of feedback on them yet. I am working on getting actual frame drawings postyed; so that customers can judge for themselves.

For of CF bikes
Immortal are really race bikes
Century we consider to be relaxed semi-compact bikes for longer less aggessive rides
le Champion CF are a bit in between and are closer in design to the le Champion Ti [excpet material adjusted differences]

The le Champion CF was bought in as more or less an 'extra' CF bike that we could experiement with costemtics on [two tone paint and such] - Plus we are adding full group SRAM setups in the le Champion CF line {may add in Ti too - if full SRAM group bikes move well}

My answer would not be like most; I would buy a le Champion CF over an Immortal if I liked the custom paint job on the le Champion CF {which I do} - It is a bit more relaxed than the Immortal - but both are smooth as they are CF frames designed for not overly stiff ride.

I can not and should not make excusses for Chris; however our sales and e-mail traffic this year have gone thru the roof. I have added lots of people and my wife and I answer e-mail at night and on weekends and still Chris and the other people in the office are covered up. Still he should have spent more time on answering you

Sorry

Mike

I have conducted business with both BD & BI and have not had any bad experiences so far. Top notch service and fast shipping.

It's good to see BD commenting and working with their "potential" customer to resolve the issue.

titanium with sram will not stay in stock.

customer service? we dont need no steenking customer service!

Are you guys hiring?

While I have heard bad experiences from BD, my single and only experience with BD Customer Service has been positive.

I just wanted to say after I listed my complaint about Bikes Direct the owner contacted me,apologized for his employee's attitude and answered all my questions. I'm very happy and feel good again about BD they offer a great bang for the buck. Living in one of the worlds most expensive city's I'm loath to pay retail. Now all I have to do is wait for their Titanium bikes to come back in stock. Hats off to Bikes Direct proving that online doesn't have to equal poor service.

word. am pretty impressed by their response here. you wont get that kind of personalization from the big guys. that's for sure.

I have never had a problem with bikesdirect/ bike island I have bought several bikes from them in the past with no issue
the one part I got that was faulty was promptly replaced (bad fork)

I have bought stuff both at "the island" and @ bikes direct...
No complaints, in fact... who else gives free shipping? Im happy.

Little late, but I was going to tell you the BD owner is a regular here, so just PM him if you really have a serious problem. He's always seemed like a cool cat - and I don't even own a BD bike.

mike

i offer my services to respond to your clients' queries in a thoughtful, cordial manner
the rate will be 100$/e-mail, possible ramping discount w/ higher volumes

please draft a contract and send to my attorney for review

regards,
redfooj