After ordering a PK80 kit from Pirate Cycles on a Friday night ("Same day shipping guaranteed on all engine kits") I received an automated confirmation of my order and my debit card was charged, but I didn't receive any shipping info, So after a full business day (Saturday because J takes Sunday and Monday as his weekend) I looked at the site and saw a new message (still present 2/26/13) stating that any orders placed after 2/20/13 would be held for 6-10 days until new sprockets came in.
I tried calling two different phone numbers listed on the website beginning just a few minutes after the shop opened (10am eastern) one went to a voicemail box which was full, and the other rang for 3 minutes then gave a busy tone. I looked for an email address or other contact info, but none is listed on the site, so I emailed a response to the auto-confirmation I got asking for a call or email before shipping the kit because I wanted to change to the black engine and add some other parts to my order.
Three hours later I tried calling again, and instead of four rings I got two before switching to the full voice mail box.
Forty five minutes later, after trying to have my credit card company stop payment on the charge I finally got through to some one who never identified himself but I'm assuming was the owner. I explained what happened and that I needed a vendor who would be available during his scheduled business hours when I needed to order parts, and not have to hunt him down wondering if he even received my order.
I was ready to hear any excuse he had for why I hadn't heard anything from him, but got no apology, no explanation, and as yet I haven't seen the refund on my card.
I would go anywhere else before Pirate Cycles. This was the worst customer experience I've had in YEARS!!
Bummer because he's one of the few companies who will ship a PK80 to CA
If you read this Justin, call me for tips on how to keep customers. I ran a successful restaurant in Portland OR, and even though we're cooler and more laid back on the West Coast, we show up on time to work and call our customers back before they get so frustrated that they cancel their order...