best place to buy online

[Irulan]

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.

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

[ilima]

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.

[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.

[crazycanuck]

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

[Flur]

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.

[7rider]

Oh no.

Opening Jan 19th....

Bonktown.

The Chainlove for roadie gear.

[VeloVT]

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).

[MM_QFC!]

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.

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

[jobob]

+ 100 for TE.

Great selection and prices, excellent customer support, and, unlike the other companies mentioned, they provide us with this forum.

For all these reasons, I check TE first when I'm looking for cycling/sports apparel & accessories.

[five one]

+ 100 for TE.

Great selection and prices, excellent customer support, and, unlike the other companies mentioned, they provide us with this forum.

For all these reasons, I check TE first when I'm looking for cycling/sports apparel & accessories.

I have to agree with everyone about TE. I don't buy often, or a lot when I do, but TE is the first place I look for cycling and casual clothing. Other online retailers should take a lesson from TE.