Mail Order experiences - Gear

shin splints

08/11/2002 at 10:17

I have tried quite a few of the big ones and struggle to understand how they can get it so wrong.

Bourne Sports - even writing it gives me the shivers. Ordered shorts off the web, chased them up twice by phone when they did arrive which was after 4 weeks wrong size and colour. Never used them since. Refunded item only not postage - even though it was their fault.

Sportsshoes Unlimited - ordered some shoes, they got the post code wrong and the package went astray. Had a hell of a job persuading them i never received the things. Felt like i was a bit of an inconvenience to them and it would have been better if i had simply gone elsewhere.

Up & Running - Hyde Cheshire. Brilliant very helpful, nothing is ever too much trouble. Cheap.

Lars

08/11/2002 at 10:50

I ordered online at Sweatshop. I ordered 3 different peaces (shirt, bottle belt, can`t remember), and I got 3 parcels in 6 days, but I paid the delivery costs only ones.
I tried them again, and what I ordered than was out of stock.
I recently ordered two new shirts. I will see how they deliver.
May be, the next time I will try a different one.

A Chimp Writes

08/11/2002 at 10:52

Bourne Sports...lost my shoes. I had to go to Blacks to buy a pair of off-road shoes the day before my race. Again had to persuade them that I'd never received them. Strangely enough the shoes I bought from Blacks (North Face Fireroads) have been fantastic so every cloud etc.....

WildWill..... pirate

pirate

08/11/2002 at 10:54

I’ve used mail-order a few time and my experiences to date have always been positive

TRIUK – I ordered a wetsuit on a Thursday Afternoon and it arrived first thing Friday
53-12 – Again Swimming / Triathlon kit and it arrived within 2 days
Cardiosport – HRM arrived the next day, but had a problem – their customer service was excellent and the problem was sorted within 2 days

Will

popsider

08/11/2002 at 11:37

Natterjack - Saucony jacket - came quickly good service.
Up and Running - Shoes - came quickly good service
Bourne Sports - shoes - Came within stated delivery time (7-10 days) and no complaints.
Everything fitted OK and I saved a total of about £80

fat face

08/11/2002 at 12:01

On The Run - would never use them again.

I ordered shoes, they sent different ones and I had to pay the return postage.

Up and Running - excellent

Northern Runner - excellent

SportsShoes Unlimited - excellent

Sweatshop - excellent

roots

25/11/2002 at 13:56

God I wish I'd read this page before I ordered! I have just had the misfortune of buying off the internet from Bourne Sports. They sent me one x size 6 and 1 x size 6.5 shoe then never refunded the full postage costs. Terrible customer service. Wont buy from there again.

phoenix

25/11/2002 at 16:29

Sweatshop - brilliant

Ontherun - hopeless. Won't use them again. Took them 10 months to admit that they didn't have the stock and to refund me. I emailed and phoned constantly.

Start Fitness - got the order price wrong but refunded the difference promptly and very cheerfully. Saved a lot of money via internet purchase. would use them again.

Ironman

25/11/2002 at 19:03

Up and Running - First class service
Bourne Sports - Sent top in wrong size, returned it never to be seen again. Never ever use these again ever ever ever.....
Sweatshop - Great
Xpedia (cycling) - The best

Gareth

sass

25/11/2002 at 22:08

Startfitness_ I ordered wrong size (my fault!) , new pair with me quickly. All the other stuff came in the post (it was a big order!). Some lack of communication via the web but quickly sorted out over the phone in a friendly manner. Would recommend highly!

the S@ss

Abegreytop

25/11/2002 at 23:30

Startfitness - My order (via web)was delivered quickly and correctly.When a subsequent order was out of stock I was e mailed the same day to inform me.Great service.Can recommend them.

26/11/2002 at 10:01

I've ordered a couple of things from Startfitness. Both have arrived next day without any problem. They also gave me free delivery with my Polar HRM which was already the cheapest I could find.

I recommend them as well!

HMG SunflowerSoph

26/11/2002 at 12:18

I've ordered fell shoes from :
www.peteblandsports.co.uk( they also sell standard running shoes), I will say the service was perfect.The delivery can take up to 5 days but my shoes arrive within 3days, If ordered online it's cheaper even with P/P and when your order you can add additional informations if you need too.

Spans

26/11/2002 at 13:05

I wish that you hadn't started this thread, I have just gone and spent a fortune at Startfitness and I only went to check it out!!!

Had similar bad experiences at Bourne Sports as everyone else...

Bookworm

26/11/2002 at 20:48

girlsruntoo.co.uk - excellent website, easy to use, prompt deliveries and fantastic customer service - couldn't ask for anything more!

Bournesports - got what I wanted eventually but not exactly user friendly!

4:01 Loon (Dammit!!!)

26/11/2002 at 20:56

I have ordered from Bourne on about half a dozen occasions in the last 18 months and I have to say I've never had a problem with them. Goods arrived as ordered and on time and brilliant VFM. My brother has bought a load of cycling stuff off them too and he's also well pleased. Sasd that everyone else isn't getting the same service.

need_daylight

30/11/2002 at 21:10

I have never had problems with ordering goods from the internet...until I began running again.

It seems that one or two shops advertised on this website seem to think that telling you whether goods are in stock or when they have been dispatched are luxuries they dont have to bother with.

This is fine if you have the time to wait for an order that may or may not arrive but how many of us are really in that situation?

Glad to hear from others of shops that do respect their customers.

By way of summary:
SSU - A nightmare.
Bourne Sports - best to phone them, as their internet site is not a reliable guide.
Runner's Need - great.

he who should not be named

02/12/2002 at 12:12

May be a silly question !!!
Are you guys all using mail order & internet shopping cause there isn't a running store anywhere near you ? I'm just curious as my local store has nearly the same offers and prices as the mail orders lot, and I get to try them on have a run, make sure they are selling the right size etc. I cannot understand that if you have a store nearby why you are running the risk of 'posted/blind-date' goods?
told you it was a silly question !

roots

02/12/2002 at 12:26

Barry, Im quite new to running, I dont know of any shops near me (Leeds) that offer the same stock as internet shopping. I'd rather buy from shops than pay the P&P costs.

Gavo

02/12/2002 at 13:05

New Balance outlet in Lake District (I think). Ordered on Friday, arrived in London this morning. Cost about a fiver for a pair of shoes via the Post Office.

Sounds quick to me.