This just in from reader John Walsh:

I just wanted to let you know that NW Cycle is apparently out of business, and that you should remove them from your web site and monthly magazine so that others are not ripped off as I was. Below is a letter that I sent to the owner of NW Cycle at the beginning of September. It pretty much sums up my experience with NW Cycle.

After talking to another business in the area I found out that NW Cycle has closed its doors and has apparently done the same grievous acts to other customers as was done to myself. After numerous phone messages and sending this letter I have yet to have a representative from NW Cycle contact me to resolve this matter.

Thankfully I am able to rely on my credit card company to help settle the issue although I have a feeling that other people might not be so lucky.

If they are out of business then they need to shut down their e-commerce site because if they do not then they are committing fraud and should be reported to the authorities. Please inform your readers so that no one else is ripped off.

Thank you,
John Walsh
Seattle, WA


September 4, 2001

NW Cycle
2885 NE Sandy Blvd
Portland, OR 9732
Attn: Josh
877-692-9253

Dear Josh:

Enclosed are the front and rear sprockets that I ordered on August 2nd, 2001 for a 1996 Suzuki GSXR-750. I am returning these to NW Cycle because they are for a 530 chain and I ordered a 520. When I received the order I cross-referenced the part numbers of the sprockets on Sprocket Specialties website to make sure they where correct before opening the packages, they where not. The following day I talked to a “customer service agent” named Brian, and he said he would order the correct sprockets and have them sent as soon as possible along with the 8mm spools that where ordered on August 2nd as well. Once the correct sprockets arrived, I was to return the incorrect ones using NW Cycle’s FedEx-Ground account# 817048.

After a couple of weeks, I did not receive anything from NW Cycle so I called and left a message for you which you returned and told me you would look into the matter. This is the last time I have had any contact with NW Cycle. I have tried repeatedly to contact you only to get a recording saying “this voice mailbox is full.” The times that I have been able to leave a message I have, but to no avail, no one from NW Cycle has returned my phone calls.

Therefore, I must assume one of two scenarios. (1) NW Cycle has closed its doors and is no longer a viable entity, or (2) NW Cycle does not wish to be a viable entity in the years to come by treating their customers in such a fashion.

Since I have not been able to speak to anyone at NW Cycle for the past two weeks, I have contacted my credit card company, Discover, and am filing a dispute against NW Cycle in order to have the appropriate charges for the Sprockets and Spools removed from my account since I am not able to contact any representative of NW Cycle. If NW Cycle is still in business, I would much rather just have NW Cycle credit my account since this option would be the easiest course of action for both of us.

As a successful prior small business owner, I am absolutely flabbergasted by the utter and total disregard for customer service that has been shown by NW Cycle. It truly is a shame as your company was the low cost alternative to the local dealerships in the area, but due to your lack of service, NW Cycle is no longer a viable option for myself, and if NW Cycle continues in this manner I ‘m sure this will be the case for many other customers.

Please credit my Discover card, in the amount of $76 to reflect the return of the (2) sprockets and the cancellation of the 8mm spools as soon as possible.

Sincerely,


John Walsh