Saddle return policy (TeamEstrogen)

[JaneE]

Hi,

I've spent the past three days pouring over every saddle thread that I could find...don't think I've made through all of them yet, though.

I've been having saddle issues, as so many women posting to these forums are also having. Been through a number of saddles from my LBS, and while they've been very patient I think their selection of in-stock saddles is on the limited side.

My question is: What kind of return policy does the Team Estrogen site have regarding saddles? I've looked all over and can't see a FAQ page or any kind of return policy. (Having said that, there could very well be such a page but my blind-as-a-bat-ness is just getting in the way ) I think I'd like to give one of those Selle An-atomica saddles a try, but they're pricey enough that I'd like to know that if I end up hating it I could return it without too much trouble.

We're going to be giving touring a try this summer (we'll be picking up our new Surly LHTs possibly tomorrow...yippee!) and I'm desperate to find a saddle that doesn't make me scream (or at least *want* to ) after only a couple of hours on the bike.

TIA!

Jane

[SadieKate]

If it isn't here, call them and get it direct from the horse's mouth (so to speak).

http://www.teamestrogen.com/shipping.asp#returns

[JaneE]

Thanks, SadieKate. I'll be giving them a call tomorrow.

'Course, the information was easy to find once I knew where it was.

Jane

[JaneE]

Just as a follow-up:

I sent a note to the TE customer service email address yesterday. I ended up calling their order number this afternoon and asking the nice lady on the other end of the phone about a Selle An-Atomica return policy. She put me on hold while she checked, then told me that yes, there is a 90-day return policy on the Selle An-Atomica saddles. Good enough. I ordered a nice red one this afternoon.

Then I got a reply to my original query to customer service: No returns on the Selle An-Atomica!

I immediately wrote back, of course, hoping to get a definitive answer. On another thread I read a response by someone at TE stating that there IS a guarantee on the An-Atomicas but there is NO guarantee on the Selle Italia. Maybe that was the root of the confusion?

Anyway, to make a long story even longer, I received yet another response clarifying that TE is DEFINITELY offering a 90-day guarantee on the Selle An-Atomica. No explanation of why I had been told the opposite just a few minutes earlier, but...whatever. I'm happy.

Can't wait to get the saddle...I have high hopes!

Jane

P.S. Just got an email stating that the saddle has already shipped. Yeah! I should definitely have it by next Monday.

[Blueberry]

P.S. Just got an email stating that the saddle has already shipped. Yeah! I should definitely have it by next Monday.

Glad you got your answer - I'd look for it Saturday - I'm always pleasantly surprised

CA

[ladyicon]

I also just ordered a Selle An-atomica saddle. I found it for $10.00 less with only $5.00 shipping. Western bikeworks only has a 30 day return policy. Gee...I hope this is long enough for me to decide
Let me know how you like the saddle as I will report on it. What type of bike are you putting it on? What saddle are you riding now? Sorry about all the questions, but it took me quite some time (2 days hehe) to decide to spend the money on one.
I am putting it on my Specialized Ruby expert. I am now riding the Jett and find that I am getting sores, meaning the saddle is too narrow for me.
When it comes to saddles and comfort for longer than 20 miles I get soooooo confused on the whole situation. This saddle had better fit well for the price

[momof4greatkids]

I'm test-riding a new saddle from Brooks called "Imperial" which is similar to the Selle ana-tomica.

If the Selle is anywhere near the quality of the Brooks you will love it. Great choice.

Colleen

[JaneE]

I'm mainly riding my Dolce right now. We've been *trying* to get in some longer rides (50+ miles) in preparation for doing some touring/camping this summer but the dad-gum saddle issues are really handicapping me.

I've tested several Specialized saddles over the past few weeks: Lithia, Jett, Dolce...none of them have worked out. I'm getting a little nervous about it since we'll be picking up our touring bikes either tomorrow or Saturday (Surly LHT) and I'm not holding my breath that the stock saddles on those will be oh-so-comfy.

If this Selle works out I will be getting another one for the new Surly.

I will certainly post an update after I've given the An-Atomica a try.

Jane

[Norse]

Looking forward to hearing your updates JaneE and ladyicon as the SAA is one that I am considering in my struggle (see "saddle sore" thread) to find the right saddle. I went down to a LBS the other night and picked up a Jett 143, but I am going back tonight to get the 155 as my sit bones are on the edge with the 143 when I am on the hoods. I don't think the Jett is likely to be more than a temporary fix to the chafing/saddle sore problem though as the sit bone area is hard as a rock. The Lithia, on the other hand, seems too cushy for my tushy.

My road bike is a Trek 5200.

[OakLeaf]

Norse, did you ride a Lithia? I was worried it would be too squishy too, but it's been fine to ride. (I don't race or ride terribly hard, though.) I may go for a Jett next time just for a little less padding in the forward area around the cutout, but the sitbone area doesn't move around noticeably. Really, just by sticking my thumbs in them at the LBS, it seems like the Jett is only a little bit harder than the Lithia.

[lattae]

I'll be looking forward to your reviews on the SAA also.. I've been using a selle italia gel flow and really love it but due to excess sweating it's already wearing down. So I'm thinking about the SAA since its leather and has the cut out. I may order the SAA in a couple weeks. Keep us all posted about the saddle.

[Norse]

No, I have not actually rode on the Lithia, just looked at it and poked my fingers at it. Maybe I'll have to try that too.

[ladyicon]

Got my saddle in the mail yesterday and put it on my bike. Went for a short ride in the neighborhood, did a few adjustments, went for another ride and so on. When I thought I had it dialed in I stopped adjusting and waited for today and went for an 8 mile ride. I could only go 8 miles .
I had this terrible rubbing on the backside of the saddle. I adjusted some more, but still annoying rubbing .
I am soooo impatient when it comes to things like this .
I will go for a longer ride this weekend, but first I must adjust some more. As of today, the saddle is going back on Monday .
If anyone has any suggestions, I am very open to them.

[lattae]

Well let us all know about your weekend ride on the SAA. I was about ready to purchase one but don't not sure about it. Do we have any reports on the Brooks Imperial yet? How expensive is the Imperial?

[JaneE]

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to this. Between the bad weather we've been having and a wisdom-teeth-removal-gone-bad for one of our kids (he's better now, thankfully) I haven't been able to spend much time on bike issues.

Anyway, the saddle was delivered last Saturday. That's pretty darned quick service considering that I only ordered it two days before that and live on the whole other side of the country.

It was installed according to how my previous saddle had been mounted and it felt better right out of the box than the others I'd been trying, though it by no means just "disappeared" under me. Hmmm...guess we'd better actually read the instructions.

So, I've been experimenting with fore and aft and think I have that nailed. I've also been playing around with the tension. There is a HUGE variation between tight and loose tension. As of this morning I think I'm getting pretty close.

Bottom line: It's a keeper. I'll continue to tweak it a bit and until I'm able to get out for anything other than a quick test-spin around the neighborhood (hopefully tomorrow) I guess I won't know 100%. I feel fairly confident in saying, though, that it is BY FAR the most comfortable saddle I've tried. I'm feeling pretty good about it.