CaSportTouring

[skullstrom]

7.18.2006 I place an internet order for two items and receive a confirmation email.

7.27.2006 I note my credit card hasn't been charged and email CST asking why.

8.1.2006 Mark responds: 'We are waiting for our fenda extenda order to come in. They are very slow. Sorry
for the delay.' I go somewhat ballistic.

Cutting to the chase:

CST accepts orders for items they don't have in stock. They fail to notify you when they do this. They blame others for their failings.

I can document all of this. Caveat emptor.

[greywolf]

One of the ways to keep costs down is not carrying unnecessary inventory. Drop shipping or stocking on demand is common especially for lower demand items. It's important to inform the customer of delays in processing orders though.

Low cost and customer service are both important. Communication seems to be the first thing to suffer. I used to work in a business where I learned that good communication with customers was the most difficult task to juggle as the tendency is to put more resources into "doing the job".

Consumers judge companies on incidents like this. One mistake can lose a customer and no company is mistake free. If the customer is angry enough, the bad news is delivered in forums like this. I hope other customers will add their experiences so some light can be shed on whether such problems are common with this company or this was an unusual incident.

Personally, my experiences have all been good.

[kurt1305]

And that is why I now place orders over the phone. I'm never surprised that something is out of stock or what a realistic delivery time is. No company, including all the ones people rave about, has ever called me to tell me an item was back ordered. Dual Star in particular pisses me off about this issue because they take 100% phone orders and then don't tell you when something is out of stock. Not even an apology from them.

[SCraig]

I hope other customers will add their experiences so some light can be shed on whether such problems are common with this company or this was an unusual incident.

Personally, my experiences have all been good.
I have to agree with Greywolf. I've only ordered from them three times, but in each case the item was what I ordered and at my door within 3 days. I also agree that they should have told you the item was out of stock but that's something they don't always want to say. Unless the question is specifically asked they tend to keep silent about it. I always specifically ask if an item is in stock or not.

[water warrior]

Motovan will take an order for Shad side cases that will come to them next year with luck. I ordered 42 l cases over 6 months ago and they are still not available. Consequently I went with the 43 l bags and paid an overwhelming price to get bags nobody else wanted. Shame on Shad and shame on Motovan. As I had already installed the mounting racks I coudn't just get different side cases. Now have my second set of 43's and they still leak, look like hell and I have learned a very expensive lesson.

[stromguy]

I hope other customers will add their experiences so some light can be shed on whether such problems are common with this company or this was an unusual incident.

Personally, my experiences have all been good.

I've ordered from them twice- both times very fast shipping- no complaints.

[Jonnylotto]

7.18.2006 I place an internet order for two items and receive a confirmation email.

7.27.2006 I note my credit card hasn't been charged and email CST asking why.

8.1.2006 Mark responds: 'We are waiting for our fenda extenda order to come in. They are very slow. Sorry
for the delay.' I go somewhat ballistic.

Cutting to the chase:

CST accepts orders for items they don't have in stock. They fail to notify you when they do this. They blame others for their failings.

I can document all of this. Caveat emptor.

I think you'd have a valid complaint if they charged you for the part without delivering it, otherwise it seems a little whiney.

I've ordered from them several times and have zero complaints.

[skullstrom]

I think you'd have a valid complaint if they charged you for the part without delivering it, otherwise it seems a little whiney.

I've ordered from them several times and have zero complaints.

It's good to hear they aren't always incompetent. I stand by what I wrote.

In case you didn't comprehend the time line, 11 days and no notification of any problem. When *I* determined there was a problem, they took another five days to reply to an email asking what was wrong. If you think that's 'whiney', I'll pass on doing business with you.

[Colin]

I have been waiting for an order from CA Sport Touring since August 14. I did send an email August 29 wondering about the status of the order but got no reply. I finally called last week and was told one of the items I ordered had just arrived and the order would be shipped out that day. BTW the guy on the phone was actually very nice to deal with. I got a shipping notification email the next day. I am taking bets on whether the order will make it within a month of being ordered.

Part of the order is Givi crash bars that I really could have used BEFORE hitting that pile of loose gravel :x

UPDATE
It is now October 17 and I still have not received my order. I called the other day and they agreed that yes I should have my stuff by now. No, there is no tracking information but they would look into it. :evil:

update again. Oct 26 I just talked to CalSport and they mentioned that they sometimes have had trouble shipping to Canada because Canada Customs seems to sit on orders or loose them. I can believe that. They are going to credit my account for the amount of my purchase. (I just checked my email and got the credit notice. That was fast :shock: ) I will of course pay them if the order ever does actually arrive. In the meantime I still need a set of Givi Bars, SW Motech quick locks etc....

And yet again. Nov 9th I got a letter from Canadian Customs today saying they had a parcel addressed to me labled motorcycle parts!!!!. They wanted to see a copy of an invoice or order that showed prices and description of the parts etc. I sent both an email and a fax to them with the shipping confirmation that I got from CalSport Touring. My winter project may start sooner than I thought.:eek:

Final Update Nov 20th.Well of course I went away for a week and thats when my order arrived here at work. There was a $31customs charge owing. The person working our shipping department refused the package:mad: She said it looked too banged up. I called the post office when I got here this morning in the hopes that the package would still be there. Amazingly they had not sent it back to CalSport yet!!! The package was a bit battered but everything on the order was in good condition. Finally, after nearly 4 months I have my crash bars, SW Motech racks, Stebel Ari horn, throttle lock and grip puppies:) What an ordeal...but really I can not fault California Sport Touring. Canada Customs seems to have been the culprit.

The crash bars are on the bike and look great. Have mounted a set of fog lights on them and hope the snow finally leaves so I can try them out. (The lights, not the bars:D)