How 50cycles EV company works.

[aaannndddyyy]

After purchasing Two of there Ezee sprints wheels off EBay and transferring the £103.00 + £30.00 P&P, out of my Bank account and paying though PayPal 5/10/08 it stayed unclaimed, On phoning I find out they wont except PayPal as a form of payment as they don’t have a PayPal account, and will only accept a credit card transaction, although the advert stipulates PayPal as the preferred form of payment.
So I now have £130.00 on temporary hold between my bank account and PayPal which will take between 7 and 10 days before I will have access to it though PayPal and another 7 to 10 days to put that money back into my bank account.
On asking about a discount over the phone on the postage charges of £30.00 as they can send both wheels in one package at a cheaper rate, I am told that is what TNT charges for postage within 24 hours, I mentioned I recently sent a complete evbike (Giant Lafree) by post a while back a lot cheaper, there reply was “we would love to no which company you use, as we send bikes and parts out all the time and know how much they charge” then went on about how heavy electric bike wheels are and they could not do it any cheaper.
So another £103.00 + £30 P+P out of my bank account by credit card 6/6/08


Then this come s into my Email:

Ezee Sprint Motor x2 (ebay £126.60
________________________________________
Subtotal £126.60
Shipping is UK Shipping £6.40


The wheels came 9/10/08 in an oversized box with no padding or packaging, one wheel sitting on top of the other.

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

Two broken nipples and spokes are bent; one of the motors cases has been scratched by the bolt of the other wheel.
This quality of packing cost £30.00


Ezee bikes have a lot going for them and high on that list is not have this company selling there Electric bike for them anymore, will done Ezee.

EZEE SPRINT MOTOR FRONT WHEEL 36V 10AH NEW EX STOCK on eBay, also Wheels, Rims Hubs, Bike Parts, Cycling, Sporting Goods (end time 05-Oct-08 15:18:23 BST)

 

[Rad]

I'd stick a complaint into ebay as well mate. They've stated they accept paypal on the page and then refused so they may well have broken some of their rules. It'll be interesting to see what 50cycles have to say about it.

Did you get my PM?

 

[Mussels]

Raise a complaint through ebay for a refund for damaged goods, and another complaint that they refused Paypal. Then try and fit what you can into the negative feedback.

 

[The Maestro]

I also 'won' one of the wheels and had a negative experience with them.

I did read beforehand on another of their auctions that they didn't accept Paypal (Ezee Torq auction), although it is true as you say that on this particular auction it stated Paypal was prefered. An easy mistake for a seller to make but it doesn't excuse how unhelpful they were.

In any case I phoned them Tuesday morning, got answer phone so left a message giving details of my purchase, my phone number and asked them to give me a ring back. Towards the end of the day I gave them another ring, answerphone again, I hung up. Next day left another answer phone message, and towards end of the day phoned again, answer phone again so hung up. Are this company so arrogant that they think I'm just going to phone and phone until I get through? They still haven't returned my call and after reading this the sale is off and they are going to get a big fat negative feedback, I hope you do the same - remember they can't give you negative feedback in retaliation anymore.

TNT would not charge anywhere near £30 to transport two wheels. Alien Bikes transport with TNT at cost and they charge £20 near as damn it for an entire bike.

My personal take on it is that because there is relatively little money involved and you are obviously a DIYer (i.e. not likely to give them any repeat custom), they couldn't care less.

 

[Fecn]

I'm starting to get annoyed with 50cycles myself now too... which is a shame as they started off so well. My bike arrived in under 24 hours, but with a broken reflector. I emailed them about it and they said that they're stick a new one in the post, but still nothing has arrived 10 days after they said they'd send it. I tried to phone them two days ago and left a voicemail asking for them to call back, but they have not returned my call. I emailed them again yesterday, but they haven't replied to that either.

If they'd told me that it was going to be 14 days for a new reflector it would have been no problem, but the poor communication is making me concerned about how worthwhile the 2-year warranty will end up being.

 

[Rad]

50cycles (and Powabyke) are both exhibiting at a major cycle show down in Thatlondon. Frank from Powabyke said today was the first day and for the trade only, so that may be part of the reason why nobody from 50cycles has got back to anyone. At least I'm hoping that's the reason.

 

[Jeremy]

I'm afraid to say that this level of service does seem to be par for the course from this particular company.

Whilst some of the "anti-50 Cycles" rhetoric on here has been a little OTT at times, there is now a large body of evidence that suggests that this company is at best repeatedly careless, at worst verging on the edge of deliberate misrepresentation.

eBay doesn't help either, as it makes it pretty awkward for customers if there is any sort of problem.

I've never dealt with 50 Cycles directly, but have seen enough on here to convince me that I wouldn't buy from them, particularly by mail order where one is far more reliant on the good reputation of the seller. I'm sure they have a proportion of customers that are content with the service they've received, but there have been far too many who have publicised significant issues for me to consider dealing with them.

Jeremy

 

[The Maestro]

50cycles (and Powabyke) are both exhibiting at a major cycle show down in Thatlondon. Frank from Powabyke said today was the first day and for the trade only, so that may be part of the reason why nobody from 50cycles has got back to anyone. At least I'm hoping that's the reason.

Well its pretty stupid if you ask me saying "we require payment within 5 days" on all their auctions, only allowing payment by phone and then not answering the phone very often and not returning calls. It's now 5 days since my purchase and still not replying to answer phone messages or ebay messages.

 

[Rad]

Well its pretty stupid if you ask me saying "we require payment within 5 days" on all their auctions, only allowing payment by phone and then not answering the phone very often and not returning calls. It's now 5 days since my purchase and still not replying to answer phone messages or ebay messages.

That's a fair point, though it's probably more of an oversight on their part. I'm sure the last thing on their minds was 'let's make sure we change the e-bay page template while we're away'. I appreciate you're frustrated. I would be too. From reading the opinions expressed on this thread it looks like 50cycles need to address their customer service issues pronto.

 

[Matt]

If it wasn't for the Panasonic bikes then 50c would have gone down the toilet a while ago. A shame that they have exclusivity on them and also a shame that Ezee ever got involved with them as their name is now as good as mud in the UK thanks to them.

 

[Django]

If it wasn't for the Panasonic bikes then 50c would have gone down the toilet a while ago. A shame that they have exclusivity on them and also a shame that Ezee ever got involved with them as their name is now as good as mud in the UK thanks to them.

I would disagree only to the extent that eZee (Mr Ching) retain an excellent reputation for both the quality of their product and the service they have provided under very difficult circumstances. My own experience of Mr Ching shipping a free battery to me from China at his own expense and with very regular, genuinely concerned communication, was impressive to say the least. I have yet to read anything bad about Cyclepoint either.

 

[bode]

50 Cycles no-Can-do, you might say.

 

[oriteroom]

Just to even up a somewhat one-sided debate about 50cycles I have to say that prior to, and since, buying two Kalkoff Pro Connects in June I have received good service from them. They were helpful when my wife and I went to Loughborough for test rides - we had bikes on the road for a long while - I'd NEVER part with the sort of money a Pro Connect costs without first seeing, trying and testing out first. Ordered bikes there and then on a Thursday, which then duly arrived the following Tuesday. Since buying them, I've found 50cycles always there to answer questions, like when adjustment was necessary on the gear change, and for buying the best accessory you can for a Connect (sprung seat posts). The only thing I'd say is that the 'manual' provided with the bikes could do with having a good bit more on the bike mechanics and a bit less about the battery. If they are currently not answering the phone it must be due to the exhibiting - but I agree they should leave someone minding the phones and 'shop'.

The Kalkoff Pro Connect is an excellent machine and makes the Powabykes we were using feel like leaden elephants. Most of one's energy (and motor power) is used up moving 39Kg of metal and battery along at 12mph on the Powabyke. By contrast, the Kalkoff zips along without assistance at 15+ mph on the flat. We both find that we need much less assistance now (only for the hills really) and can now go for 150 miles on a charge. With the Powabykes we generally needed assistance, even on the flat and at best got 35 - 40 miles from a charge. It really feels like we are both back to light and carefree cycling as it used to be for us on the Pro Connects

Mike

 

[JohnInStockie]

As per the previous post, I also have only had nothing but excellent service from 50C. I personally cannot fault them, although I recognise that others can (and do), and whether you like them or not, they have pushed the take up of electric bikes in the UK.

John

 

[flecc]

By contrast, the Kalkoff zips along without assistance at 15+ mph on the flat. We both find that we need much less assistance now (only for the hills really) and can now go for 150 miles on a charge. - - - - - - - - - It really feels like we are both back to light and carefree cycling as it used to be for us

Mike

Great to hear of your mileage on a single Pro Connect charge Mike. It goes to show just how good these can be as ordinary bikes in the hands of fit cyclists who only want some help for the hills.

I think your 150 miles is the highest recorded to date on Kaklhoff bikes, though the manufacturer's riders have topped 100 miles. I've only done the equivalent of around 56 miles, but I'm a in a very hilly area with my youth a very distant memory!
.

 

[Conal]

50Cycles recent form

When I bought my bike from 50Cycles a year ago I received great service. A few months ago I emailed them asking if they had any Ezee parts left and I was told by return email that they had nothing, all their Ezee stock being destroyed in the fire. Shortly after they posted on here that they had parts. I emailed them again and did not even receive a response. I have been reluctant to critisise them as I might have wanted parts from them in the future but, looking at these posts, I will not be dealing with them. It is possible that the fire damaged stock was held up until the loss adjusters/insurance had settled but, with their almost non-existent communication skills of late, I don't exect them to clarify this.
I am still missing my front fork suspension coil (why would any one steal just one?) but CyclePoint are helping me source it.

Conal

 

[proper legs]

cycle show

50 cycles are at the cycle show in london town. went down to look at the kalkhoffs and recieved good advice and customer service from the guys there... bikes look great!

There seems to be alot of bad feeling about them which on face value seems a bit unfair... maybe you guys should get out and ride more and spend less time complaining?

oh and ebay sucks....

 

[Conal]

Face value?

"There seems to be alot of bad feeling about them which on face value seems a bit unfair"

What part of my post is unfair?

Conal

 

[Danny-K]

50 cycles are at the cycle show in london town. went down to look at the kalkhoffs and recieved good advice and customer service from the guys there... bikes look great!

There seems to be alot of bad feeling about them which on face value seems a bit unfair... maybe you guys should get out and ride more and spend less time complaining?

oh and ebay sucks....

Proper legs - have you read this thread? You couldn't possibly have done so if you think those with issues with 50cycles can still 'get out and ride more'
- that's exactly what they're trying to do if only 50 cycles did as they promise.

I always find those who have their heart set on something pooh-pooh the complaints of others as if the very experience of those who've gone before will never happen to them.

Come on now P/legs - get up to speed and read the thread from the beginning

 

[carigada]

I have had cause to contact 50cyles on several occasions regarding problems with my Agattu, some of them being due to mechanical ineptitude on my part. Never have I had to wait long before receiving helpful advice. So far I can't fault the customer serviceand would willingly buy from them again.