WiggleCRC: 300 Chain Reaction jobs face axe in Northern Ireland

Same here with some raceblades I ordered. Zero hours Haribo.

Just received an order from Wiggle . . . . . . no Haribo packet . . . . . . .

Is this how it's going to be from now on???

Wiggle used to be noth cheap and fast to deliver. They are now amongst the pricier suppliers and pretty slow to deliver. CRC always used to be super quick, so where I could I have always ordered from them.

Ordered some tyres from Merlin recently and they arrived the following day with free postage. They're definitely getting more trade from me.

Always inevitable once merger went through. My main surprise is that I had no idea just how big the CRC operation is/was. 300 jobs!

In my experience, Chain Reaction are without fail always quicker at delivery than Wiggle. Also, we all love getting a delivery of cycling goodies, but the world isn't going to end if you have to wait a couple of days. As a customer of both, I'd much rather wait especially if it means people keeping their income, don't use the excuse of customers demands to get rid of people. Be honest about what it is, asset stripping. I'm not using them anymore.

I haven't followed the dealings in any detail, but I was surprised the competitions commission didn't get involved in this one.

I buy from both (and others), never really thought much about delivery times.

I do support my local bike shops as much as I can, but the sad fact is that they can't carry the range that's available online, especially in things like shoes.

Merlin will be next in Wiggle's sights... just sayin'

I have an active policy of supporting my LBS, within reason, and they both know and understand that.  Thus, the groupset for my new bike came from Wiggle, but everythng else came from the LBS and they put it all together.  In fact I support three - Head for the Hills, Corridori and Sigma Sport.  I must spend to much on bikes and stuff. 

The one LBS that I won't support is #neverEvans  for reasons that will be apparent to most.

Always liked both but probably used Wiggle more just cos of their better price match scheme.

Having said that since Wiggle raised their free P&P threshold to £20 I've found myself looking for alternatives.

Hope someone from Wiggle is reading all this and cringing...

(I'd already stopped using them years ago due to the calendar debacle, and that their 'free' delivery was so damn slow. Much preferred CRC. Damn.)

CRC deliveries have been consistently quicker than Wiggle for me (SW UK). 

Annoying that Wiggle  changed their free delivery over £10 to free delivery over £20 too.

I was going to buy some mud guards from Wiggle.

I'll now get them Saturday morning from my LBS.

For me I won't buy from either again.

Cannot abide these asset stripping companies. Just profit, profit,profit. Aren't bothered that their greed will have huge impact on the life of fellow human beings. What lives to these management people lead when it revolves around being seen to successful in their little world?

Yes I have experienced the same situation and leaves a real anger and bitterness towards these management types.

+1 for CRC always having faster delivery. However they need to take a leaf out of Merlin Cycles book, who are way quicker than both.

Personal dilemna for me at the moment, have put many £'s the way of both Wiggle & CRC over the years and now my LBS is closing down.

I feel really bad about it, I know that it's not just me, but it's going to be a huge void in our local cycling scene.

I MUST STOP LOOKING AT THE BARGAINS ON THE INTERNET!!!

This was entirely predictable, following the takeover. For anyone crying 'Asset Stripping' though, it's worthwhile understanding what the term actually means

"The practice of taking over a company in financial difficulties and selling each of its assets separately at a profit without regard for the company's future."

MG Rover was an asset strip, this is consolidation

This is normal corporate speak, and it stinks. Surely as the very customers they are trying to do this for we can put some pressure on? 

I use both, and honestly am perfectly happy with the service from both. I'm not sure I'd benefit hugely from being able to get next day delivery if ordering at 5pm rather than 3pm. If my need is that desperate then Ill usually nip to Sigma Sport or Evans anyway.

How does moving to mainland Englandshire for 'faster delivery' work for their customers in Ireland (north and south)?

Online petition anyone?

Well this is exactly what it is... 

I can only see this as a step away from being the consumer champion towards the role of global corporate giant.... maybe they could start selling specialized!?

I resent Wiggles delivery timeframes and have done for a while now. To me its a cynical way to increase revenue through next day delivery upgrades etc.

So basically, I try to steer clear as much as possible. 

I hope the industry as a whole, especially LBS's, recognise and seize this latest move as an opportunity to grab market share. 

Everybody beat me to it! CRC is much faster that Wiggle. Ok, granted I do live in Dublin overall CRC service is much better as well.

Losing 300 job is bad but Royal Mail are set to loose out as well. I met somebody this year who lives near CRC and he said that by far that they provide the most post for Royal Mail.

I'll also say, and I will be seaking clarification from both CRC and Wiggle: Wiggle will have NO right to your information stored with CRC. This will probably consititute a data protection issue. Wiggle will not be able to email you with your express permission. CRC can email you to say goodbye, thansk for the business etc but anything else will go against your privacy. I doubt, when you created your CRC account there was clause in their T&Cs about mergers etc. 

Can't say I'd ever had a problem with CRC being noticeably slower than Wiggle, and I did like sending business to Northern Ireland.  Seems a shame to me

I was about to say the same - CRC are usually faster. Shit excuse for asset stripping consolidation. Really poor, Wiggle.

Just about to say the same thing!

I have regularly ordered on the same hour from CRC and Wiggle in the hope that both orders will arrive on the same day, and CRC always, without fail, will arrive a day earlier. Wiggle was way quicker years ago. Maybe that's the problem. They know their delivery times have slipped? As a rule, CRC two days for delivery. Wiggle 3 days. 

Merlins is my fav and maybe Sigma Sport? Forget now. There's a couple of other big players who're super quick. Order mid day and get it next day even on free delivery. Love that. 

Have to admit though, started using Evans a lot recently. Just really handy to have them price match then collect in store at lunch either same day or day later so.. 

Weird. I often find CRC is faster than Wiggle...