[corkdragon]

Hi everyone
Basically my problem is this - I ordered RST gear (the ladies Zara range) back at the end of may. With delays and so forth, I got the pants and boots (trinity) end of june, and the jacket 1-2 weeks later. The pants had to be replaced as they leaked. Now the pants are ripping on the side seams by the top of pants and the seam above the pockets on both sides. The boots are also letting in water from the toes. Thing is the shop claimed the first time with pants that "they reserve right to fix/replace before refund". Since this is second time for pants and the other parts of my order are now also failing within 5 months of use, am I now entitled to demand a refund for all goods? or just pants?
here are pics of pants:

I appreciate any advise or words of wisdom from similiar experiences. thanks (hope this is in right place

[Shinwacker]

Hi CD, it does seem by the picture that these goods are not up for the job intended and I think you should let the shop repair them. However if the repair is not up to standard don't take them back and ask for a refund. Did your boot makers claim the boote were waterproof? Or was it more like "treated with water repellent." They can all be a bit on the sneaky side with their claims and when you take it for granted they come back and say "we never said they were waterproof." In saying that take them back also and complain about the water coming in at the toes, see what they say.

Rule of thumb with gear is the more money you spend the drier you'll be. My first set of gear was RST, it was great until I could afford Richa and I've used it since. My first boots cost under £40 RST and they leaked as soon as it rained. I now wear Daytona boots and I've got them a few years now and they have never leaked, pricey but a good job.

I hope the shop will see how bad the stitching is on the gear you bought and they give you a replacement stuff.

Shins

[corkdragon]

Hiya Shins, thanks for answering
Well according to RST's website - the boots are waterproof. (see below for clothing/boots info links).The pants and jacket are "reissa waterproof". At the time, they were within my price range and a very comfortable fit (handy when your short and not exactly flat chested!). The boots were comfy but they leaked on a trip I took around Molls gap few weeks ago - was dry from my heels up (bar hands!). If I can with them, I'll just ask to reselect a better brand. Was hoping they'd last me at least a year or two before I had to replace them . will see what they say. Am writing email to shop asking what happens basically... or might wait until tuesday, ask for girl I dealt with and then send her the pics..... Main problem is - shops in Dublin, I'm in Cork.... I would have to wear gear to get to dublin (am going up friday) so again another problem.

zara pants
zara jacket
trinity boots

[Powers]

Hey Corkdragon. Just wondering what shop you got the gear in? Was it Lee down in little island or outside of Cork? As Shins said above there, just take them back again and force the issue with them, just keep your head and say it isn't satisfactory at all and you either want a replacement or refund, no shoddy repairs this time. As far as I can tell with the boots, it says waterproof so I'd be looking at a replacement or refund for those. I had a similar situation with a pair of tcx synergy boots, had them a couple of weeks, nice comfy solid boot but unfortunately started to leak even though they claimed they were waterproof. Brought them back to the shop (Lee Honda), told them the sca, was offered a refund or replacement, so I decided to go for the refund and pick up a pair of TCX SS Sport boots, fully waterproof so far and I've been up and down to Donegal with them. (Fingers crossed they stay waterproof now )

Hope that's useful and best of luck with it!

[corkdragon]

Powers, on 07 November 2011 - 12:54 AM, said:

Hey Corkdragon. Just wondering what shop you got the gear in? Was it Lee down in little island or outside of Cork? As Shins said above there, just take them back again and force the issue with them, just keep your head and say it isn't satisfactory at all and you either want a replacement or refund, no shoddy repairs this time. As far as I can tell with the boots, it says waterproof so I'd be looking at a replacement or refund for those. I had a similar situation with a pair of tcx synergy boots, had them a couple of weeks, nice comfy solid boot but unfortunately started to leak even though they claimed they were waterproof. Brought them back to the shop (Lee Honda), told them the sca, was offered a refund or replacement, so I decided to go for the refund and pick up a pair of TCX SS Sport boots, fully waterproof so far and I've been up and down to Donegal with them. (Fingers crossed they stay waterproof now )

Hope that's useful and best of luck with it!

nope its a dublin shop - not sure if I can name them or not. Although I go a "good price" from them - I now regret buying from them with all the problems I've gotten from it!
I use Lee honda for stuff now - but waiting on that shop in dublin to open tomorrow before I can find out about refund etc. Either way want to get refund but they will no doubt. Think it'll be who's more stubborn!! haha I know the RST ain't the best gear - they were what I could afford at the time - but surely they should not be failing after less then 5 months (and approx 4,000+ km's)! will keep ye updated cheers!

[proinnsias]

The tears look similar to those I got on a pair of Buffalo trousers after a shortish season .... traded 'em out for a pair of Dainese trousers quick enough!

I'd go with "not fit for purpose", especially if the cordura has torn in normal use - it's supposed to be abrasion-resistant in a spill ... not much confidence there !

Repair, replace or Refund is, unfortunately (legally) at the shop's discretion - but few will attempt a repair at their own cost, as it'll usually outweigh any goodwill they'd get from the replacement / refund.

That said - some aren't the brightest - with a few thousand miles on 'em, replace rather than refund may be the only option they'll go for ...

P

[Shinwacker]

I think what you probably do now is replace it all one bit at a time, that's what I had to do. It difficult when you've bought all this gear and it's like a sieve and all your money is gone. I know your going to fight the good fight with the shop and even if you do get replacement gear, chances are they are going to do the same again. So with this in mind you now have to start thinking what gear will I buy next? Boots would or should be on the top of anyone's list, warm dry feet are so important when riding a bike. You could spend a lot of money on boots, but it's getting a good pair that suit you and do what they say they do, keeping the wet out. Loads on here use daytona boots and I've not herad any compliants about then yet. Then you just have to work your way through what does and doesn't suit you, that being said, the suit you bit will be a lot about personal taste and price. You'd probably make any gear look good any how, sucking up should get me everywhere.

I do think most of us here on IBf would have had your experience with gear when we all started out. It really does take time to get it all sorted.

Shins

[corkdragon]

proinnsias - ya, not at all comforting when they rip - as I just pointed out on phone to guy in shop "they ripped from normal use, I'm glad I never had to test them in a fall". just asked them there - explaining all and stating I am going up friday but have to wear the gear and can't have no gear for being on the bike... they have to inspect it for warranty issues and go from there. so will see what happens on friday.

shins - Ya, am thinking I might have to start replacing my gear bit by bit alright. Funny thing is, I bought a cheap jacket at bike show in march - wore it in my lessons with the pants (as was waiting on the rest of my gear then) and the jacket (thinks its a Lewis) was only thing that kept the water out - I paid €40 or €50 euro for - if even! And yes, I noticed you sucking up my dear lol and wouldn't go that far! Think I'll be pricing gear down here in Cork and see what suits and what doesn't. And might even bite the bullet and try go down the route of goretex or something near enough. I am not the first nor will I be the last person to experience this. But hey, still laugh even when looking (and feeling) like a drowned rat!

[fabio]

corkdragon, on 08 November 2011 - 01:02 PM, said:

proinnsias - ya, not at all comforting when they rip - as I just pointed out on phone to guy in shop "they ripped from normal use, I'm glad I never had to test them in a fall". just asked them there - explaining all and stating I am going up friday but have to wear the gear and can't have no gear for being on the bike... they have to inspect it for warranty issues and go from there. so will see what happens on friday.

shins - Ya, am thinking I might have to start replacing my gear bit by bit alright. Funny thing is, I bought a cheap jacket at bike show in march - wore it in my lessons with the pants (as was waiting on the rest of my gear then) and the jacket (thinks its a Lewis) was only thing that kept the water out - I paid €40 or €50 euro for - if even! And yes, I noticed you sucking up my dear lol and wouldn't go that far! Think I'll be pricing gear down here in Cork and see what suits and what doesn't. And might even bite the bullet and try go down the route of goretex or something near enough. I am not the first nor will I be the last person to experience this. But hey, still laugh even when looking (and feeling) like a drowned rat!

Same thing happened me with my Duchinni jacket...cheapest bit of kit I have and it held up very well in my spill and it's still waterproof, although I do treat it with Nikwax now and then.

[corkdragon]

forgot to up date this - oops! went into the shop on the 11th nov. I was wearing the gear as it was raining so had waterproofs on. So went upstairs and was able to show the gear as it was - albeit had removed the waterproofs to do so. They agreed with me that they failed and that I could go for the next level up - the paragon range http://www.rst-moto.....e_jacket_1204/
I told him I didn't trust RST after all the failings my current gear has done so asked about going up further in levels and away from RST. I'll be honest, wasn't too much there and in essence, I have €290 credit (my jacket, pants and boots - which I currently still have until replacements are picked etc) .
So heres my conundrum do I:
A) go the route of Goretex - I have to pay an extra €440 ish euro for jacket,pants and boots/ or chance the paragon range......
take the credit - get gear elsewhere....use the credit to get a top box for bike (& frame) and fitted.......or a new helmet....
or C) ..............ok don't have another option unless someone can give me ideas

[Empty One]

Having endured many damp and consequently cold bike journeys I finally came to the conclusion that any clothing that had to be waterproof had to be Goretex lined. If you need the topbox etc I would take that now. and get the gear elsewhere. I would not hold on to a credit note for too long in the current business climate.

[Powers]

corkdragon, on 30 November 2011 - 06:46 PM, said:

forgot to up date this - oops! went into the shop on the 11th nov. I was wearing the gear as it was raining so had waterproofs on. So went upstairs and was able to show the gear as it was - albeit had removed the waterproofs to do so. They agreed with me that they failed and that I could go for the next level up - the paragon range http://www.rst-moto.....e_jacket_1204/
I told him I didn't trust RST after all the failings my current gear has done so asked about going up further in levels and away from RST. I'll be honest, wasn't too much there and in essence, I have €290 credit (my jacket, pants and boots - which I currently still have until replacements are picked etc) .
So heres my conundrum do I:
A) go the route of Goretex - I have to pay an extra €440 ish euro for jacket,pants and boots/ or chance the paragon range......
take the credit - get gear elsewhere....use the credit to get a top box for bike (& frame) and fitted.......or a new helmet....
or C) ..............ok don't have another option unless someone can give me ideas

I'd go with the top box and stuff myself tbh. Have you ever tried the nikwax stuff? Have a richa leather jacket and richa textile pants and jacket. When I first bought the jacket it was grand and waterproof but it lost it's magic after a while, before I headed up to malin head in October I washed my textile gear in nikwax and it's kept me 99% dry since, give it a go with your rst gear (provided it's not ripped or anything) if you still have it, might surprise you Not everything has to be goretex, although it is probably the best. So for me it's be option B

[John Bulleteer]

I believe after a few years all textile gear leaks in bad rain.
Personally, I usually buy cheap gear & spray it with Thompsons Water Seal from my DIY shop.

Some of my mates just use a cheap rain suit to throw over the textile gear in foul weather.

Bikeworld are having a sale on "Lookwell" gear at the moment.

[K Kid]

Have a Richa jacket - must be 4 years now ! no probs.

[John Bulleteer]

K Kid, on 01 December 2011 - 05:45 PM, said:

Have a Richa jacket - must be 4 years now ! no probs.

I gets what I pay for in ALDI