Is ProBikeKit struggling?

I simply won't use PBK anymore. Bought some Cosmic Carbones from them this year which arrived damaged in a shipping box that had actually been punctured by the wheel hubs. Inside a few bent spokes, paint damage and various other dings. And no rear skewer! They hadn't been properly packed and were missing the plastic wheel guards you normally get with new Mavic wheels. PBK refused to exchange or refund and said 'go repair and we'll pay'. So I was sent packing off to Sigma Sport to get the spokes replaced and wheels trued myself. But I was still left with new £600 wheels that were still marked, scrapped and with dings that suggested that they were returns PBK had resold. I got £50 back from PBK having paid Sigma £25. And £5 more for a 2nd hand rear skewer. Totally lamentable. In a seperate transaction it also took me 2 months and around 10 emails and 5 phone calls to get a refund on bib tights I'd ordered but which they couldn't supply. Infuriating. I must admit I'd used PBK for a around 2 years previously with no problem. But never again.

They're rarely the cheapest online anyway, but I have bought 2 items off them that were a few quid cheaper than Wiggle and Chain Reaction, both items were sent quickly enough though. Wiggle is still the king for all things cycling online.

I recently had a bad experience with them. Bought a Gilet that developed a fault after a few months (but only used a few times). They couldn't replace it as they'd sold out, but told me I could have a credit on my account. They apparently couldn't refund me as it was a "warranty issue". I pointed out my consumer rights at which point they refunded me as "a gesture of good will". I had to chase them a number of times as they couldn't be bothered to reply to my messages and they didn't offer to pay the return postage even when I raised the issue with them. STAY AWAY FROM THESE SHARKS!

I bought some Lusso legwarmers from http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/.

They came to me with two holes in them so i sent them back. What did they do? Send them right back to me.

I reported them to the relevant government body and never went back to them. I also trash talk them every opportunity i get.

They were my favourite for a long time, but they got bought out by The Hut group, who are internet clothes mongrels and it all got a but impersonal then, no more free gifts, lost all my loyalty points etc.

Basically unless I'm buying it locally, for service and convenience, I but from the cheapest on tinternet, I have zero on line loyalty.

of all the online retailers I buy from regularly, PBK is certainly the one that has disappointed the most in sending the wrong stuff, selling out of stuff I ordered, asking me to send proof of return postage etc; just generally not very user friendly. I've not bought from them now for a while as it's just too much hassle if something goes wrong.

yep, no probs with PBK and all of the main on-line retailers spam like crazy

All the discount cycle websites send information out nearly every day.

My own personal experience of ProBikeKit has been excellent. orders come through quickly and they have always sorted any issues quickly and effectively.

I don't necessarily think they're in trouble, but I don't think they're very good.

Many of the offers are "savings" off RRP, and so the price is often the same or more than you'd pay anywhere else. I did try to buy a jersey that was on sale, but after taking my order I got a series of confusing emails that (it turned out) told me they'd sold out so I wasn't getting one. They'd sold out of their "sale" stock, but had more available at full price. I then got emails asking if I was enjoying my purchase, with suggestions of other products I might like to buy. Lo and behold when I clicked on the links those products weren't even on the website anymore.

Unless they had a mega mega deal I wouldn't buy from them, and I'd still expect to be disappointed!!!

I have blocked PBK.

I thought they were online pioneers at the start but have been comfortably overtaken in range and value terms by Wiggle and Chain Reaction.

The Planet X emails are as frequent but their value does quite often tempt me in to buy, so they do something right !

It's Autumn. Warehouses are full of 2014 kit and components. Companies are trying to make room for next years stock.

I get daily from Wiggle, Evans, CR, Planet X and a few others, they are all at it.

Everyday with a different offer.