best place to buy online

I buy mostly online these days, and I have found that backcountry.com/steepand cheap.com/et al is the best place.

I have a pair of Keen boots that I basically lived in last winter. I notice that they are no longer waterproof. Had I bought them through backcountry, I would be able to return them and either have my full money refund (they're cheaper than what I paid for), or give me a new pair and give the rest of the money back.

Where else can you get that kind of service these days? Well, maybe REI or MEC in Canada, but I'm just kicking myself now I didn't buy from them.

and I'm sure you all know about chainlove.com? same company.

I also buy online lots and have bought on plenty of other sites, as I'm sure that Susan and the outstanding staff at TE are already well aware of that.
I think that this forum is an amazing gift and effort that is provided to all of us and I've not only learned a ton here, but have shared plenty too and best of all have met some amazing and inspiring new friends here - TE women rule!

I also have made it a point to support TE by checking on this site first and have appreciated many of the great sales (including the current one; am awaiting delivery today of my latest purchases!) and especially the consistently superb service and speed deliveries.

Yes, I'm posting in favor of TE here, rather than highlight other sellers via this free forum, as there are some outrageous buys in the current clearance sale - check it out! JMHO, folks ~ and nope, I was not compensated nor offered any additional discounts for this post!
Mary

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Originally Posted by badger

I buy mostly online these days, and I have found that backcountry.com/steepand cheap.com/et al is the best place.

I have a pair of Keen boots that I basically lived in last winter. I notice that they are no longer waterproof. Had I bought them through backcountry, I would be able to return them and either have my full money refund (they're cheaper than what I paid for), or give me a new pair and give the rest of the money back.

Where else can you get that kind of service these days? Well, maybe REI or MEC in Canada, but I'm just kicking myself now I didn't buy from them.

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Have you retreated them? Many water proof coatings ( Durable Water Repellency) should be redone once a season or so.

I try and spread the wealth, my favorites are:

TE
Amazon
Indie Bike
World Cycling
Competitive Cyclist
Pro Bike Kit
Hammer Nurtition

but I still buy from these guys once and awhile:

Nashbar
Performance
Colorado Cyclist
Terry
Bike Tires Direct
Alfred E. Bike

I'll occasionally shop elsewhere, and even on ebay a bit, but hard to beat the top list for most everything.

Pro Bike Kit likely got the most money in '08 as far as online orders, their prices are to hard to beat, but my LBS still took home the most of my cash.

TE is unrivaled in customer service, IMHO. I always look here first. If it's not here (i.e. Some Euro brands they don't carry) then I go to Ribble.uk or Wiggle.

For Campy components... PBK or Ribble.
Other stuff, I get great team discounts through my sponsor LBS.
The rest I can get on eBay.

Again, nothing on the ground or online comes close to TE service. Well, maybe Nordstrom! ;)

mea culpa, I forgot that this forum is part of an online store. :p

However, that being said, I don't really buy too many bike-related things, so i guess that's why I end up on backcountry or SAC.

As for re-treating, they're Keens, and they say you shouldn't treat their leather because of their breathability. And the water's coming in from where the sole and the leather meet at the bend in the front, a really hard spot to treat.

I also shop quite a bit from iherb.com for vitamins and supplements. Even with exchange and shipping, they're often much cheaper than they are in stores here. That and they have an almost inexhaustive inventory of products.

Since this is in the open topic I'll list websites that aren't necessarily related to cycling.

Garnet Hill garnethill.com
My all time favorite. I've been ordering from them since the late 80s. I don't think I've ever returned anything because of a quality issue. And the sale selection is usually pretty extensive.

Team Estrogen
Great service. I haven't ordered a lot but stuff always ships very quickly. One time the wrong size was sent and they sent me one in the correct size and an envelope to use to return the one that was too small. And I was charged zilch. Most places would charge you first and then refund you when you returned the mistake.

Nashbar, Performance
Poor order tracking. If you order online, Nashbar has zero order confirmatin and zero tracking. Returns are a bit sketchy with either one. But the price is right.

Sierra Trading Post
Another one I've been ordering from since the 80s. My go-to site if I need anything camping related. I've also gotten some steeply discounted Zoot, Shebeest and Sugoi cycling clothing. Get on the e-mail list so you get special discount offers.

For camera gear I can recommend
bhphotovideo.com
beachcamera.com
17photo.com, which is actually where I've gotten two Garmin units

Way back in the 80-90s I used to order stuff from JCrew, but I find their stuff a bit of a joke now. Cheaply made and expensive.

I always love having the chance to give TE a plug. When I order from them, I click "place order", walk to the porch and there it is!!! No kidding, TE is hands down the fastest company I've ever dealt with when it comes to shipping.

I'd buy more stuff from TE if the exchange rate was higher! The customer service is great & the shipping is FAST :eek: WOW!!

I tend to go straight to the source - I buy Icebreaker at icebreaker.com, Patagonia at patagonia.com, etc. I've found that I get excellent customer service that way, because the company is truly invested in whether you like the product.

I also highly recommend zappos.com. The CEO believes the customer service is top priority, and the CSRs are instructed to do everything in their power to help the customer. If you call Zappos and order a pizza, the CSRs are instructed to get your info and then call a pizza place local to you have them send you a pizza. Seriously. I haven't tried it yet b/c I'd feel bad putting them out like that, but that's the policy. I have ordered actual products from them a number of times and found them to be top notch.

Oh no.

Opening Jan 19th....

Bonktown.

The Chainlove for roadie gear.

Regarding Zappos -- I love how fast they are and they have a huge selection, but it irks me that you pay for that "free shipping" in product prices that are $5 - $10 more than you'll find anywhere else. Also, it seems that since the economy has gotten worse they've discontinued their old "free two day shipping on everything" and now the "free" shipping is ground and takes the better part of a week :(.

For deals, I keep an eye on Sierra Trading Post and Campmor. I have also gotten some fantastic deals on clothing through Bike Tires Direct (though I haven't seen much since their warehouse fire). I also buy tires there and not only are the prices good but the service is excellent. I once intentionally bought a threaded CO2 pump in the same order as some non-threaded cartridges (to use with a different pump, I keep a pump in each seatbag), and they called me before processing the order to make sure it wasn't a mistake. I'm sure a place like Nashbar would not have caught that.

Otherwise (for bike stuff), TE, Colorado Cyclist, Indie Bike, Bicycling Hub, Sunrise Cyclery, Brandscycle... and I've also gotten some great deals on new parts and clothes on EBay, so I usually check there too if I'm looking for something. Oh, and I usually check Backcountry too.

Oh, just looking at Mr. RS500's list, I often look at World Cycling too. They have a selection of things I like and sometimes have great sales, but several times I have ordered items from them, checked out, gotten the confirmation email, and then it has turned out that they were out of stock. Argh. And I will check Alfred E. Bike for random parts that I'm having trouble finding in the size I need (for instance, a certain handlebar model that comes in 38 but everyone seems to only carry in 40).

I actually bought the said Keen boots from Zappos and regret it now because had I bought them from backcountry I would have a new pair free of charge (I'll just need to send the defective ones, no big deal).

I contacted Zappos and they said they only take returns up to 365 days and they have to be in original condition in its original box, i.e. never worn, so no good for me having bought them 14 months ago and wore them.

Another thing I love about backcountry is, as long as it's not some brand that can't cross the border, their shipping includes duty so I never get slapped with a ridiculous customs bill when delivered.

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Originally Posted by uforgot

I always love having the chance to give TE a plug. When I order from them, I click "place order", walk to the porch and there it is!!! No kidding, TE is hands down the fastest company I've ever dealt with when it comes to shipping.

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Good one, uforgot! Too true and, as I received my latest order as fast as ever, and everything is perfect, I'm glad to give another 'continuing happy customer' plug to our forum host, TE!

Mary