So my situation has deteriorated considerably since my last post which ended on a positive /forgiving note for Canyon despite the 3 months of delays. Here's the updated version:
Also made my order for a Spectral as soon as the 2016 models were announced on
18th of August. Expected delivery date was
21-28 September. I paid via bank transfer mid September.
On the
17th of September, I received a 'shortage of components' email. I contacted them, and they said they would have more information after their move to their new facility on the
5th of October. I didn't hear anything, so I contacted them again, and they said dispatch should be very soon.
On the
20th of October I received a new email apologising for the delays, explaining that their move to new premises had experienced some issues, and that their new IT system was soon to be up and running. On the
23rd of October, I received a new order confirmation that stated delivery to be week starting
28th of October. I contacted them again and they say my delivery/dispatch was imminent.
Their systems don't seem to be giving them too much information at this stage...the UK support guys (as friendly and as helpful as they are) generally just never had the information to be able to provide any decent updates.
On the
30th of October I receive a new order confirmation which states a dispatch date for
January the 4th!!!!!!!!!!!! I am of course shocked, so I contact them immediately and they say that this latest update is incorrect and was sent to everybody by mistake. The following day I then receive an official email saying to disregard this order update:
Important information regarding your order
Please disregard the order confirmation you received from us yesterday. If a payment request accompanied this confirmation, please also disregard this request. In case you have already submitted payment for your order via a link (credit card, PayPal, Ideal), rest assured that your payment method will not be charged until the time at which your order ships.
During the transfer of orders from our old system into our new system we experienced critical failures. This had the unfortunate consequence of releasing over 10.000 orders that, for the most part, contained misinformation. We have already begun reworking all orders into our new system, and you will receive an accurate order confirmation from us within 2 weeks.
Since the 22nd of September we have been deeply involved in the implementation of our new SAP software system. During the course of this implementation we have encountered enormous difficulties, and we are working day and night to resolve these issues. Please accept our most sincere apologies for any inconvenience we have caused you. We value you as a customer, and we are grateful for your continued understanding.
Your Canyon Crew
This message was created automatically, please do not reply.
At this point, the UK support guys...having clearly been messed around by the motherland and lack of progress, start to say that they cannot provide an accurate date at the moment, but their system will be up and running soon and should be able to do so then.
On
November the 4th, I receive a 'personal message from (CEO) Roman Arnold' apologising for the delays and explaining it on the facility move and new IT system:
(Sorry Roman, I hope you don't mind me sharing your personal message)
Dear Friend,
I am writing to apologize personally to you for the delay of your order and the lack of service that we are able to provide you at this time. The level at which Canyon is currently performing could not be further from the standards we as a company, and as avid riders, strive for. Our goals are to build the best bikes in the world, and to provide our customers exceptional service. We are not delivering on these goals, and it is therefore my duty to give you a full explanation of the issues we are experiencing.
In 2013, we embarked on two large-scale projects to meet increasing global demand for Canyon bikes. These included constructing our brand new, state-of-the-art Canyon.Factory and upgrading to an enhanced, fully customised, company-wide IT infrastructure. The combined objectives we set will allow us to provide you with more flexible, faster, and fundamentally better service. Our aim is to set a new benchmark within and beyond the cycling industry. Finally, after more than two years of extensive planning, implementing, and building, our new IT infrastructure is live and we have started production in the Canyon.Factory.
Any change on this scale is bound to create difficulties. Nevertheless, the transition has not gone as well as I had hoped. Consequently, your order may unfortunately be one of many affected as we continue to come to terms with the challenge of transferring our production to a cutting-edge facility that is fully integrated with a new IT infrastructure. I am sorry for any misinformation you may have received surrounding your order. We have successfully identified all initial failures we experienced. Right now our teams are working day and night to solve them. As such, I feel confident in our estimate that you will receive an accurate order confirmation from us within the next two weeks.
The fact that the very changes that were designed to make your experience with Canyon better, yet are doing the reverse, causes me in particular great personal grief. While the general situation continues to improve every day, it could be another four to six weeks before we are performing back at the level we expect of ourselves. As much as we would like to address your queries as best we can during this time, please understand that unfortunately neither our customer service centres nor I have any additional details we can provide.
On behalf of everybody at Canyon, thank you very much for your continued patience and support. And from me, personally, thank you for your understanding.
Yours sincerely,
Roman Arnold
Founder & CEO, Canyon Bicycles GmbH
On the
14th of November, I receive another 'update' email:
Important information regarding your order
As promised in our most recent communication, we now would like to update you on the current situation at Canyon.
Previously we informed you about our all-new IT infrastructure and the go-live of our sophisticated Canyon factory. The very nature and vast scale of these projects regrettably led to delays in our production and shipping, resulting in a lack of information and undetermined waiting times for your orders. We are now happy to report that over the past five days we have made significant progress.
In fact, many Canyon customers have already received updated and accurate shipping dates. We are also in the process of sending out hundreds of daily shipments, and well over one thousand customers are now enjoying their new Canyon bikes. We are fully aware, however, that many of you are still waiting for your orders, and for this we apologise. We are literally working around the clock to get them to you as quickly as possible.
Over the next seven to ten days more customers will receive accurate shipping dates for their orders. Please note that when you receive a payment notification this is also verification that your order is ready and standing by to ship to you.
As riders ourselves, we understand how frustrating it is to wait for a new bike or to try out exciting, new products. As said, we are working night and day to get your orders to you as fast as possible. And while our focus currently lies on maximising distribution, every employee at Canyon is working flat out to restore productivity to the high standards we expect of ourselves.
Once again, we thank you for your continued patience, understanding and support at this admittedly difficult time.
Yours,
The Canyon Crew
This message was created automatically, please do not reply.
I've given up on the MTB dream by this stage
. I get myself a Tacx Vortex trainer and subscribe to Zwift.
On
November 20th I receive another order confirmation. This one has a stated provisional delivery of
11-15th January. I contact Canyon to enquire how much I should trust this date, and the guys tell me that this should be very accurate.
Early December I contact them again, and they say that my bike will be dispatched on the 28th of December - I contributed this improvement down to other customers cancelling their orders.
In mid December, I receive a new order confirmation with an earlier delivery date:
21-25 December. So over the Christmas period I am anticipating my dispatch email - of course nothing comes, and on the
30th of December, I contact Germany and their response is that 'the bike will be dispatched
this week or the next'. Fair enough I think..probably some delays due to the festive period, which surely should be excused, though the incompetence of their systems being unable to compensate for this does come to mind...
There is construction work ongoing at my house so I need the shipping information, and due to lots of people reporting their bikes arriving with no warning, I contact Canyon again on the
8th of January (Germany again). Unfortunately I am shocked at the response: 'Your bike has been delayed with arrival
ETA being MARCH'. I push for a reason and they say it is 'frame parts'. I ask to speak to a senior manager and they refuse saying he can't provide any extra information. I ask for a contact in senior management where I can complain to and they provide me with the UK Canyon email address.
I ask for the contact details of their CEO Roman, but he says they are not allowed to pass on this information. I ask if they can do anything, and his responds he has made changes in the system in the hopes that it will be sent sooner, but no promises.
So, what do I do? What would you do? Now I've had about 15 different delivery promises and 5 months of delays
if their latest one is accurate.