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Tell Me About Chain Reaction Cycles

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stumpbumper

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I would like to order a helmet from Chain Reaction Cycles that is not available in the United States. Since I am here and they are way over there in Northern Ireland, I am concerned about the hassle of returning it to exchange for a different size if it doesn't fit or for a rufund if I don't like it. Am also wondering about the cost involved in shipping a helmet to another country.

Does anyone out there have any experience with returning an item to this company?

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Many thanks.
 
#2 ·
they have a full page of return policy at their site.
Returning an item

never used em myself, but they have a good rep from what i have read. aside from turnaround time with overseas shipping, i would imagine they are on the ball with it. shipping costs are probably going to be in line with what you would be paying for fedex overnight, but waiting 2 weeks for instead.
 
#3 ·
Used them 3 times in the last couple of years. New Sidis, (shoes), POC helmet, and something else, some sew ups I think.

Fast service, straightforward (not stoopid high) shipping, and the one call I made to ask, very friendly. Never had to return anything, but I'd consider them just as I would a U.S. based company for reliability.
Cheers!
 
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#4 ·
I've been buying from CRC for years and never had a problem. Some equipment like Shimano is in the order of 25% cheaper than in the USA. I'll keep buying from them until Shimano USA stop gouging. Shipping costs are shown when any item is put into your cart but they have free shipping to the USA on orders over a certain value. I think it's around $250.
 
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#6 ·
very good company to work with imo, great service if you phone them, ive made too many orders to remember with them, shipping time to AUS is only about 7 working days, stuff comes packed well, its the only online shop i will use, cheers
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
They offer free shipping to the US on the helmet I am interested in buying but my primary concern is return shipping cost if it does not fit. I contacted UPS and requested shipping cost on a five-pound package measuring 12x12x16 inches from US to Ireland and was told approximately $50. I'll check with Fed-X and if their charge is in that range I'll pass on the helmet.

I appreciate the response from everyone :thumbsup:
 
#8 ·
If shipping is that high, how could they offer free shipping? there is no way they are paying that much. I think they use the regular Royal post or whatever its called. You should check USPS.

Also, it seems a pretty low risk that a helmet won't fit. They are adjustable. :) As long as you have an idea of your size in other brands, you should be ok.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
It is a full-face helmet and size charts among the brands vary considerably as do actual fits. Very little adjustment range in that type of helmet. My head diameter is 58.5 CM which is Large in some brands and XL in others. The only way I know whether or not a FF helmet fits my head is to actually try it on.
 
#11 ·
Just a note to add to this old thread. Chain Reaction is a nice site with sometimes great prices. However, for those of us in the US (and in the far west!), returns are indeed cost prohibitive. Make sure you know what you are buying. I got my wife a pair cycling shoes that ended up being the wrong size as part of a larger gear order. The shoes cost $67. To send them back from the west coast would have cost $80 - $160 based from USPS, FedEx, or UPS.

I would also note that the box my stuff showed up in was completely mangled and had the top ripped wide open down the tape seam. Nothing fell out and everything was fine, but you'd think they would pack things in a sturdier manner for international shipment. Not how you like your stuff to show up when you just spent big $$$ on new gear anyway.
 
#12 ·
Another note on receiving items from Chain Reaction: When you order things from them you may not receive them all at the same time.

I ordered a suspension fork and some bar-end shifters on April 4th, they both shipped out on the 6th. They used two different shipping methods for the components...Parcelforce for the fork and "International Post" for the shifters. Their website FAQ states things are shipped like that as they come from different warehouses.

I received the fork on the 9th, only taking three days to transfer to California from the UK. I still have not received the shifters as of today, April 15th.
 
#14 ·
stumpbumper said:
It is a full-face helmet and size charts among the brands vary considerably as do actual fits. Very little adjustment range in that type of helmet. My head diameter is 58.5 CM which is Large in some brands and XL in others. The only way I know whether or not a FF helmet fits my head is to actually try it on.
Click to expand...
I've ordered a lot of stuff from many overseas online shops over the years (before they were online even, I used to order parts from Irvine Bike Source via the fax machine at Dads work back in the 90s), but for the very reasons you've stated there I've never ordered anything that needs to be tried on like shoes or helmets.

IMO if you do it, you'd probably be better off trying to sell the helmet locally if it doesn't fit.
 
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