Anybody else bought from Merlin Cycles near Chorley?

[Globalti]

Merlin Cycles are a little like Ribble just down the A6; a huge warehouse full of bike bits, probably selling 99% on line but having a small retail area that doesn't even deserve the description of "shop" and on the few occasions I've been there, their customer service skills have been appalling; there's one assistant who insulted me a couple of years ago and he was ill-mannered to my wife when she called yesterday. However..... like Ribble the prices are competitive and both will give you an extra discount if you collect the goods so yesterday Mrs Gti picked up a pair of Michelin Pro 3 Race tyres for me for £43.16, which is a pretty good price.

Do Wiggle and CRC also sell from their warehouses?

(Loving the Michelins by the way, they are fast and smooth, a great tyre.)

 

[ianrauk]

Only by mail order a few times.
Never had any trouble. Always delivered on time.
They seem to have some cracking bargains too.

Got a nice pair of Easton Wheels from them a while back at a very nice price.

 

[mr Mag00]

yh used them via mail order only, perhaps thats is why with appaling retail front end

 

[Moodyman]

Rang them to ask about a mail order item I wanted to purchase and they were helpful. I bought the item and it was delivered on time.

 

[Fran143]

Yep, used them for mail order always had speedy delivery and never any problems.

 

[ColinJ]

Someone told me that Ribble Cycles and Merlin Cycles are owned by the same company but I don't know if that is true.

I bought my 853 Rock Lobster hardtail from Merlin Cycles 10 years ago. The man I spoke to about my order at the time was pretty helpful. I asked them to change the spec of the bike slightly to suit my preferences and they did exactly what I asked.

My only complaint was that they delivered the bike the day after the bridleways were closed by the 2001 Foot and Mouth outbreak. I didn't want to ride it on the roads so I put it to one side and waited for the bridleways to reopen, which took months!

 

[Fast_Mark]

Yup, bought my bike from them back in September and went up there to collect. Staff gave me the impression that they couldn't be arsed. Still, glad I did collect as the wheels were far from true and that would've been another tenner at lbs (again, it seemed that truing (sp?) the wheels prior to me taking the bike was a bit of an effort for them too).

I guess when you're big enough to be able to offer kit at a much reduced price to your lbs customer service doesn't really matter anymore.

 

[gbb]

Yup, bought my bike from them back in September and went up there to collect. Staff gave me the impression that they couldn't be arsed. Still, glad I did collect as the wheels were far from true and that would've been another tenner at lbs (again, it seemed that truing (sp?) the wheels prior to me taking the bike was a bit of an effort for them too).

I guess when you're big enough to be able to offer kit at a much reduced price to your lbs customer service doesn't really matter anymore.

Its not right of course to think that way (assuming they do), but its quite possible that mentality has set in.

Brought my Fulcrum 5's online, brilliant price, fast delivery, no complaints whatsoever.

 

[Fiona N]

I went to their shop for a mtb frame - can't remember exactly where it was but it wasn't a huge place and it was on a side street off the Preston/A6 duel carriageway/roundabout system. Maybe they've moved since (it was about 4 or 5 years ago).

But I found them very helpful and informative. I've since bought stuff online too with no problems at all.

 

[Globalti]

I went to their shop for a mtb frame - can't remember exactly where it was but it wasn't a huge place and it was on a side street off the Preston/A6 duel carriageway/roundabout system. Maybe they've moved since (it was about 4 or 5 years ago).

But I found them very helpful and informative. I've since bought stuff online too with no problems at all.

Yes, they've moved into a mahoosive warehouse in a strange estate just behind that Mormon temple you pass at J8 on the M61. It's only slightly easier to find than the old place!

I guess face-to-face customer service doesn't matter when you're doing very well selling over the internet. Contrast Merlin with a traditional shop like the very excellent Paul Hewitt just down the road, a proper shop where they don't mind you hanging around asking stupid questions.

 

[Jerry Atrik]

Bought my Askium wheels a few weeks ago and by far the cheapest i could find on the net and very prompt delivery .

 

[philhul]

I'm likely to buy my groupset from them shortly for my build. Will be an on-line purchase so good to see the positive comments.

 

[Mark_Robson]

I've bought a set of Shimano RS20 wheels and general bits and bobs from them online and the delivery time has been fantastic. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

bought loads of stuff, bikes, wheels, groupsets, components, from them since the mid 90's, never had a problem and they've saved me a fortune.

 

[jay clock]

I bought an Ultegra groupset from Merlin about 18mths back. Just over £400 I think, so a bargain, and when I called with a question about it before ordering they were polite and helpful.