TakingMyTime

Wow

https://www.bikeradar.com/news/wiggl...on-insolvency/

Maelochs

Not sure how Wiggle's other product lines are faring, but as prices go up, upgrading and building bikes becomes a much less attractive option, and since they sell durable goods ......

Broctoon

That's too bad. I like Wiggle, in spite of having to deal with international shipping. They've had some good selection and often very attractive prices.

botty kayer

I'm not surprised. For a online only business their website since the last takeover has been a shambles, so a large part of it is their own making. I went there last week to look for bar tape and the search function and page navigation was so frustrating I gave up and went and bought the tape on ebay after a few minutes of getting nowhere.That's not helping sales is it.

They go for months of no stock of bits people actually want, like 28c and above tyres, and clearly have a load of old crap they can't shift.

Both Chain reaction and Wiggle both used to be good but seem to have been in serial decline for years now, and I moved over to Merlin years ago, so hope those guys survive these tough times.

tomato coupe

Seems pretty simple to navigate: Cycle => Bike Parts => Steering => Handlebar Tape brings up 81 items. Or, searching for "bar tape" brings up 80 items.

botty kayer

I didn't go that route, I entered some simple terms into the search bar and it crapped itself and didn't do anything, so I deemed it not worthy of further time and went elsewhere.

tomato coupe

Searching for "bar tape", "handlebar tape", "tape", or "bar parts" will all give you lots of good results. What "simple terms" did you search for?

botty kayer

That train has left the station bro, it didn't work when I tried, so gave up, I already sorted it elsewhere like I said, and am spending no more of my day discussing Wiggle and their woes.

tomato coupe

Sounds like it was a case of user error ...

botty kayer

Sounds like a tedious bore trying to start a fight in an empty room.....

PeteHski

Their website was ok for me, but they seemed to be carrying a lot of old stock and often out of stock on newer items. I tend to use Sigma Sports more often. They always seem to stock the latest gear at competitive prices.

It will be a big shake up for the UK online market if CRC/Wiggle does fold.

LarrySellerz

Online only businesses are a degradation to society.

alcjphil

As A Canadian, we have little local choice. US sites seem to have no idea about how to ship to Canada. UK sites have this down pat

HenryK

I was considering ordering a power meter from CRC, now I'm somewhat reticent because of this news.

Trakhak

Seems unlikely, but it's possible that Shimano's shutting down the at-or-near-wholesale pricing of their components for sales to the U.S. contributed to Wiggle's financial problems to at least some extent.

SoSmellyAir

Wiggle and Chain Reaction Cycle do not sell Shimano to USA, but Merlin does.

SoSmellyAir

Just use your credit card so you are protected. I just order a handlebar from Wiggle at an excellent price.

L134 

I haven't purchased from Wiggle in years. I expect Merlins will follow too soon into the Radio Shack death spiral - keep cutting "slow" moving merchandise and soon one doesn't even bother to check them out because they never have what one needs. Merlins was my go to for tubulars but they cut them. I have no reason to even go to their site anymore.

roadcrankr

Signa Sports (don't confuse with the excellent-run Sigma Sports) owns many business units, including CRC and Wiggle.
Their chief reason for publicizing their plight involves their planned exit from their SEC OTC stock listing.
It will hasten the insolvency filing process - similar to a USA bankruptcy. Basically, current liabilities exceeding current assets.
This occurs from a history of net losses and/or issuing/loaning funds to the parent company or other third parties.
Escaping the SEC's scrutiny is vital to the parent company. Very much a scam, in my view. And very risky to purchase anything from them.

Broctoon

That's true. I've ordered Campy stuff from Wiggle, as well as their own house brand stuff. I often check Merlin when there's a Shimano part I want.

base2 

The problem with being a bargain basement, discount retailer is that when the sales volume slows, there really isn't many options left in terms of how to continue solvency. Making money on volume with little regard to margin is a tough strategy.

Whether they really were bargain basement is up for debate. But "online only" competes on being pennies cheaper & free, instantaneous shipping to make the sale. I can't imagine service and repair work from knowledgable mechanics, or personal relationships between customers and staff playing a big role in their business model to sustain them through the slow times.

soyabean

I admit I bought a boatload of stuff from CRC for me and my flips.

I was a very good boy too, I always qualified for the free DHL Express Worldwide.

That all stopped when it got Wiggled. SKU's got deleted. Rest doubled in price. Now when I mail order, it's from national retailers only, when I can't find it from the friendly LBS's.

Wiggle/CRC can burn in hell for all I care.

I'm happy to pay a little more, and the money is stays inside my town and country.

mstateglfr 

Based on a paceline thread, this was avoidable and is largely due to their parent company and how everything played out well above wiggle/crc.


Everyone here can claim they saw it coming, online discounted goods is a volatile market, Yada Yada. Just read into this specific issue first.

Road Fan

Raising a thread like this is not just about you and helping you solve your problem. It's also about the rest of us and whether we'll have the same problems, bro. So YOUR train has left, but the rest of us might still be milling around on the platform. But if you're not the helpful type, that's your choice, on you, bro.

njkayaker

"sexy women" was probably the wrong "simple terms".