Haven't had a chance to stop and read the note on the window, but noticed that KOM's Neutral Bay shopfront has been looking dark and vacant this week. What's happened? Anybody know?
Is that really strange, I thought they were supposed to be one of the better and more popular stores around. There always seemed to be plenty of people around with KOM jerseys and they are often mentioned. Anyone with inside knowledge or is it just a matter of the current lull in retail spending combined with an abundance of online stores?
I had spent a few hundred $$ on bits and pieces I never found their service other than condescending and offensive. Took my roadie for a service being my local shop (the Crows Nest outlet) and to have a dodgy rear hub looked at. Got the bike back, rear hub caught (instead of free-wheeling when coasting) and OTB we very nearly went in traffic not 2oom from home. Took it back and had to explain to the same mechanic I'd spoken to not 1.5 days earlier the entire issue.
Wandered into another Nth Syd shop on the Highway a week later and was chatting away to the staff a few minutes after stepping in the door. Was talked through the choice of items I was shopping for and felt valued and respected - completely different.
I could tell all the detail of this story and still not get across the sad lack of care or consideration of their service. After an enternity working as a 4-5 star hotel manager, this makes me feel OK that they are no longer trading. Such a poor legacy left. I'm still sitting on a tax refund that was set aside for a major bike purchase. Had plaanned on KOM being local and talked about. KOM is why I now shop online. Simple as that.
Bearing in mind my and +1's bikes have been stolen overnight, they still won't get our purchases - even if they were still open.
I too found their service condescending too. I bought my bike from the Neutral Bay shop and they offered me a free service 3 month on. I took my bike in for a quick check and to adjust my rear brake which really needed bleeding. I had to wait 5 days to get it back and clearly they had not touched it. When challenged, they claimed the rear brake was "just fine" and that was how it should be! Like, yeah right. That was it for me. On top of their condescending attitude to me being a 'newbie', I swore I would never ever take my business back there. I'm pleased they have closed. Karma!
I had the same problem with brakes in Neutral Bay store and they charged me for it. Front brake was losing pressure after berms.
Picked up 'repaired bike' rode it, came out of berm with no brake and landed long over next jump.
After some argueing they decided they had bled the wrong brake even though a sticker was on the one to be repaired. Bike was in for about 8 days.
Also had trouble with a warranty claim. They replaced a rear X0 under warranty (bust spring) but they didn't allow for bike travel when installing replacement. I questioned them on this when I picked it up as was set differently and was told it was fine and was told I'd get less chain slap. Got through 3/4 travel on first ride and snapped it off. Then had to argue with them as they claimed I had crashed. They then claimed a manufacturing fault and sent it to SRAM. After another week of no bike SRAM backed me up over install issue and gave me a replacement.
Goes to show how important consistently good service is to business prosperity and survival. I wonder if their internet storefront will fare any better? Doesn't sound like it, does it?
I've had good experience with the Crows' Nest / North Sydney store... good advice on nutrition product, and good work servicing my bikes.
But then what else would expect from Fankles? Now if only I could get him to stop whingeing about Lefty forks [lol!]
Yes, they will need a major rethink if they are going to compete online. I don't think they will be able to.
I stopped using them a couple of years' ago when I had a disagreement over the price of a car rack. The website and the assistant on the phone confirmed the price but when I arrived at the shop it was no longer the case. I'm an easy going person that likes to support local businesses but the attitude I was faced with made me turn away from them for good. I smiled when I saw they closed their doors.
But it is good to see a number of Aussie bike websites now popping up and being more competitive. After 3 months of waiting on the new XT brakes from Wiggle, it has been somewhat frustrating to see them being in stock and cheaper from a number of local companies. Hopefully this is just the start as it would be great if the industry has finally realised that this is what they need to do to keep our dollars from heading off overseas.
Submitted by 29ninesky on Mon, 08/10/2012 - 15:43.
The guys working the stores were on the whole pretty good.
Brad P in particular is a great guy.
Heard a rumour the business went under. Did an online precence pop up?
Maybe looking into a web based shop but nothing operating at the moment.
Maybe their average customer service caught up with them?
The note says - we are open, please enter from the other side.
Crows Nest shop has certainly gone. Completely empty with 'For Lease' sign in the window. The cycle fitness guy upstairs has also left. Real shame.
Brad Prescott has moved on to Turramurra Cyclery.
http://www.komcyclery.com.au/kom/
Is that really strange, I thought they were supposed to be one of the better and more popular stores around. There always seemed to be plenty of people around with KOM jerseys and they are often mentioned. Anyone with inside knowledge or is it just a matter of the current lull in retail spending combined with an abundance of online stores?
I had spent a few hundred $$ on bits and pieces I never found their service other than condescending and offensive. Took my roadie for a service being my local shop (the Crows Nest outlet) and to have a dodgy rear hub looked at. Got the bike back, rear hub caught (instead of free-wheeling when coasting) and OTB we very nearly went in traffic not 2oom from home. Took it back and had to explain to the same mechanic I'd spoken to not 1.5 days earlier the entire issue.
Wandered into another Nth Syd shop on the Highway a week later and was chatting away to the staff a few minutes after stepping in the door. Was talked through the choice of items I was shopping for and felt valued and respected - completely different.
I could tell all the detail of this story and still not get across the sad lack of care or consideration of their service. After an enternity working as a 4-5 star hotel manager, this makes me feel OK that they are no longer trading. Such a poor legacy left. I'm still sitting on a tax refund that was set aside for a major bike purchase. Had plaanned on KOM being local and talked about. KOM is why I now shop online. Simple as that.
Bearing in mind my and +1's bikes have been stolen overnight, they still won't get our purchases - even if they were still open.
I too found their service condescending too. I bought my bike from the Neutral Bay shop and they offered me a free service 3 month on. I took my bike in for a quick check and to adjust my rear brake which really needed bleeding. I had to wait 5 days to get it back and clearly they had not touched it. When challenged, they claimed the rear brake was "just fine" and that was how it should be! Like, yeah right. That was it for me. On top of their condescending attitude to me being a 'newbie', I swore I would never ever take my business back there. I'm pleased they have closed. Karma!
I had the same problem with brakes in Neutral Bay store and they charged me for it. Front brake was losing pressure after berms.
Picked up 'repaired bike' rode it, came out of berm with no brake and landed long over next jump.
After some argueing they decided they had bled the wrong brake even though a sticker was on the one to be repaired. Bike was in for about 8 days.
Also had trouble with a warranty claim. They replaced a rear X0 under warranty (bust spring) but they didn't allow for bike travel when installing replacement. I questioned them on this when I picked it up as was set differently and was told it was fine and was told I'd get less chain slap. Got through 3/4 travel on first ride and snapped it off. Then had to argue with them as they claimed I had crashed. They then claimed a manufacturing fault and sent it to SRAM. After another week of no bike SRAM backed me up over install issue and gave me a replacement.
Didnt go back again to Neutral Bay
The shop in North Sydney however was great.
Goes to show how important consistently good service is to business prosperity and survival. I wonder if their internet storefront will fare any better? Doesn't sound like it, does it?
I've had good experience with the Crows' Nest / North Sydney store... good advice on nutrition product, and good work servicing my bikes.
But then what else would expect from Fankles?
Now if only I could get him to stop whingeing about Lefty forks 
[lol!]
Yes, they will need a major rethink if they are going to compete online. I don't think they will be able to.
I stopped using them a couple of years' ago when I had a disagreement over the price of a car rack. The website and the assistant on the phone confirmed the price but when I arrived at the shop it was no longer the case. I'm an easy going person that likes to support local businesses but the attitude I was faced with made me turn away from them for good. I smiled when I saw they closed their doors.
But it is good to see a number of Aussie bike websites now popping up and being more competitive. After 3 months of waiting on the new XT brakes from Wiggle, it has been somewhat frustrating to see them being in stock and cheaper from a number of local companies. Hopefully this is just the start as it would be great if the industry has finally realised that this is what they need to do to keep our dollars from heading off overseas.
The guys working the stores were on the whole pretty good.
Brad P in particular is a great guy.
Heard a rumour the business went under. Did an online precence pop up?
So it says when I enter the address www.komcyclery.com.au/kom/
Dropping the /kom/ from the end fares no better.
Moved away from the bike game. No website either!
Still lots of their jerseys around, though!
Just because they've shut up shop doesn't say i have to throw my KOM kits away!