best place to buy online

[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).

[badger]

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.