Word Of Warning When Ordering Carbon Parts.

I ordered some parts from Carbon Moto...
I read the website and assumed they were made on site or in the UK the way it was worded..

"Ever since I was a small boy I can remember taking motorbikes to bits with my Dad and then putting them back together, tweaking the engine bits and doing the paint jobs to make them look amazing. My early career included a spell as a salesperson selling motorbike oils, clothing and the like before setting up my own businesses including a spell as a show florist at one point (yes really!) before getting back to motor bikes and everything round them.

After watching more cafe race transformation programmes than I should admit to and a late night conversation with the other love of my life (my wife, have to say that somewhere on here!) we talked about the cafe racer style and how I could get a good quality seat for my bike. Soon we realised that I’d done all the manufacturing and painting in various jobs and businesses before it was just a case of putting it all together and so Carbon Moto was born.

We supply a range of universal fit cafe racer seats as well as custom seats if required with various levels of finishing, giving you the option of unfinished, if you want to paint it yourself fully painted & finished, & even carbon fibre.

We have expertise in a number of manufacturing techniques, our most common blah blah but if weight/finish is important do give us a call.

I get a great kick out of seeing your bike looking fabulous."



When placing the order the airbox was not in stock.

So I contact them first and they said 3 to 4 weeks but could not promise. I thought oh no 3 to 4 weeks, that is bad enough (had the bike stripped to do front forks) so, I asked what that means and they said it should take 3 or 4 weeks.

So I thought I'd risk it and placed the order.. getting on for 4 weeks or more I'd not heard anything so contacted them. They were very good with communication but I had realised this airbox was probably coming from China or similar.

I am so glad I did not get the air intakes and v peice sent as they suggested or I'd only have some of my bits at this stage I'd still be waiting with money paid. I want the items to fit each other as I know various manufacturers intakes are different assuming I may have to buy a different airbox if this one did not turn up.

Approaching 6 weeks on Wednesday this week. I figure today. I won't get the bike on the road if the parts are not here by the end of the next week (7 weeks).
As they told me previously the parts left the factory they should be with customs awaiting tracking number. I should have that number end of the week..

So a week on after not hearing anything. I said if they not with me by the end of next week 7 weeks in totally from the order date I would like refund.

Carbon Moto, said the parts have been stuck in customs 10 Days and they have no idea when they will get here. On the same email they sent a refund as requested??

Despite my email saying I would wait the rest of this week and another week, ie 7 weeks. In this email they also said (after the refund) it should be 2 - 3 days?... Two to three days leaves a bit a room for error in UK postal. Why say that after the refund?... I was allowing 10+ days before cancelling the order..

How long is a piece of string? I'm pretty pee'd off.. waste of time all that waiting.

You could argue that's all fair but I think it's a very passive aggressive F U. Here is your money back! There was no apology.. If they thought it would get here as suggested in the last e-mail, why would they refund so far in advance..

If they read this they would say we never promised anything and give a crappy response.
I said to my MRS, when they said we will let you know, when we let you know kind of thing it was not going to end well. I am not stupid. Customers do contact people when the indicated time frame is not in keeping, and this re occurs.

I've worked in sales. I've dealt with professional a holes.

I would have said, so sorry it should be shipped to you in 2 to 3 days obviously we will refund the money if it is not with you in the 7 weeks you say is your cut off.

That is total hard nose business with customer, it's the wrong way round. I used to have to negotiate to win work and deliver on it or expect customers to get crappy or be dragged in the office. I understand the problems businesses face.

This is maybe a "that's life" situation but I think it's not great customer service.
I have a sneaky suspicion they wanted to ship me what they had in stock to secure that % of payment, knowing the box would take longer than 3 - 4 weeks but obviously can't prove that.. I don't think it's reasonable to expect people to wait indefinitely and just send non apologetic e-mails.

It's a little crap to just refund with sent as requested, when I actually requested an update and refund me if the parts are not with me buy x date..

I had explained bike is in bits and I want it to look tidy for Ducati meet, Considering they focus on this as part of their marketing.

Just saying beware of delays and don't expect any empathy.

I'm sure people have had good service and happy with the products but I've been off the road due to this as I won't take the bike to bits twice in summer to do work.
I had enough of that with racing. Almost 6 weeks wasted.

 

No DevonDel they are not in china that is not what I meant. I was pissed at refunding me the money when they say it has been in customs and should clear in 2-3 days.. the whole thing seems suspect.. Just annoyed.

Obviously thinking everyday is a bit nearer to getting the bike back together. It's the same old shit.. business with attitude, should not be dealing with customers.

I spoke to them on the phone before ordering.. I read the website. I felt I was going to get a semi decent product and I am aware of problems with having things shipped from overseas, i.e. returns etc..

Although I must say, I have bought stunt crash cage and wheelie bar from sick innovations in the US for an R6. I've bought PMO carbs from the US for magazine project car.. I've had parts from Germany, even had Suzuki Race parts get me bits in 48 hours.. I've had some items from China (which can take a long time) so avoid this if possible. I got my Ohlins forks from the Netherlands and I have 1300+ transactions on Ebay @100% with importing and exporting some items.

I've never had an issue with a supplier where they take your money and give you a refund when there is substantial amount of time left remain to resolve the issue. I bought from a UK business to hopefully avoid all the nonsense with delays and communication.

Now I need to sort something else.

Mean while my friends in F1 can build a carbon wing on a plane on the way to an event.. I'm looking to buy a carbon tub car and have a friend a pro drive who was building carbon bits for Bugatti Veyron but I'm the muppet because I'm the customer. Oh well life goes on..

I will sort something. Just won't order anything not in stock.

 

I have been trying to find out if they sponsor the forum i.e. discount in between talking to people about work. I've looked at the website. I have the MRS talking crap to me in one ear and I can't understand a word she is saying. It does not sound like anything to do with motorbikes.. I think this is when I say yes to things and have no idea what I agree to.

 

I have sent them an email as they don't list all the items I want on the website, hopefully hear something tomorrow.

I am still annoyed I've been waiting almost 6 weeks to not get my bits.. I should have just sorted the stock suspension out and rode it or better still got the R6 rebuilt and put some miles on it.. although that is project not a quick job.

I'm not sure I will put it on the road with out doing the mod's it's a Sunday bike not one to throw down the road.

I might just buy something off ebay cheap to learn how to ride again, maybe use it on the track... can't be dealing with too much crap in my life, seems like an uphill battle all the time recently even when paying people to make life easier.

I will sort something.