Have Rapha just jumped the shark?
Discussion
TonyHetherington said:
A big part of their sales tactic is service; I think that's a very definite advantage over the other brands (from what I've read). My experience of Rapha service has been absolutely faultless. I've not worn enough different brands to comment well on the quality; only a few, and not those you mention.
I found a company that I like, love the quality, and the fit's always great for me so I'm confident when buying; there's a lot to be said for that sometimes, and that's probably why I'm "loyal" to using them for most stuff now. I've probably worn my classic bibs 300 times and they're still great. At £150, that seems a great investment to me. And my bum still feels fine
Sure. Wear what you like.As for service, I just buy them and wear them. I found a company that I like, love the quality, and the fit's always great for me so I'm confident when buying; there's a lot to be said for that sometimes, and that's probably why I'm "loyal" to using them for most stuff now. I've probably worn my classic bibs 300 times and they're still great. At £150, that seems a great investment to me. And my bum still feels fine
For comparison, I've got Santini bibs that are going on 8 years old that are still usable, and they have seen a lot of miles.
scherzkeks said:
They appear to be the same as they ever were. Style over substance and at eye-watering prices. What do they offer that you can't get from Santini or Giordana (both brands with quality and heritage, and which you can by at blow-out prices at season's end), other than the hipster fixe-chic look for the road? I tend to file Rapha away with brands like Ritte. Marketing focused on "heritage" that isn't there, fashion oriented, and for sale at prices that the quality can't justify.
Yet members of a professional team at this years Giro, sponsored by one of the brands you mention which have "heritage" were purchasing some of Rapha's more technical items at retail, as there was no equivalent item that they could wear available from their sponsored kit provider.Dammit said:
Yet members of a professional team at this years Giro, sponsored by one of the brands you mention which have "heritage" were purchasing some of Rapha's more technical items at retail, as there was no equivalent item that they could wear available from their sponsored kit provider.
Sound the alarm. Someone on PH is talking smack!
scherzkeks said:
TonyHetherington said:
A big part of their sales tactic is service; I think that's a very definite advantage over the other brands (from what I've read). My experience of Rapha service has been absolutely faultless. I've not worn enough different brands to comment well on the quality; only a few, and not those you mention.
I found a company that I like, love the quality, and the fit's always great for me so I'm confident when buying; there's a lot to be said for that sometimes, and that's probably why I'm "loyal" to using them for most stuff now. I've probably worn my classic bibs 300 times and they're still great. At £150, that seems a great investment to me. And my bum still feels fine
Sure. Wear what you like.As for service, I just buy them and wear them. I found a company that I like, love the quality, and the fit's always great for me so I'm confident when buying; there's a lot to be said for that sometimes, and that's probably why I'm "loyal" to using them for most stuff now. I've probably worn my classic bibs 300 times and they're still great. At £150, that seems a great investment to me. And my bum still feels fine
For comparison, I've got Santini bibs that are going on 8 years old that are still usable, and they have seen a lot of miles.
You talk about price etc and style over substance but yet you drive a Merc!
Edited by Granfondo on Tuesday 2nd June 20:27
Granfondo said:
He's talking about the repair "service"!
You talk about price etc and style over substance but yet you drive a Merc!
The repair service is one, they're also spot on with customer service in general too. One example; my classic bib shorts were wearing at the point they touch the seat. I took a couple of pictures, asked "is this normal? if so, no problems". Their reply was "absolutely not; here's a brand new pair, no need to send us your old pair" (even though they were perfect, bar a little brushed wearing). You talk about price etc and style over substance but yet you drive a Merc!
Brand new pair; started wearing instantly. Bugger. Turns out it was my seat. I felt very bad about it actually (oddly).
But it's a good example of their unquestionable approach to service.
scherzkeks said:
They appear to be the same as they ever were. Style over substance and at eye-watering prices. What do they offer that you can't get from Santini or Giordana (both brands with quality and heritage, and which you can by at blow-out prices at season's end), other than the hipster fixe-chic look for the road? I tend to file Rapha away with brands like Ritte. Marketing focused on "heritage" that isn't there, fashion oriented, and for sale at prices that the quality can't justify.
Not comparing like with like there, Rapha RRP vs other sale prices.The Giordana FRC jacket RRP is £200, Santini Activent £150, Rapha Classic Wind £140.
k off. His opinion is the standard ctrl-C/ctrl-V rubbish spouted by the majority of idiots who don't know what they're talking about, and (the part I actually find annoying) he then starts posting like an 11 year old American wannabe gangster.
If he had a valid opinion he'd be able to justify it, instead he turns to scribble.
If he had a valid opinion he'd be able to justify it, instead he turns to scribble.
Dammit said:
His opinion is the standard ctrl-C/ctrl-V rubbish spouted by the majority of idiots who don't know what they're talking about, and (the part I actually find annoying) he then starts posting like an 11 year old American wannabe gangster.
If he had a valid opinion he'd be able to justify it, instead he turns to scribble.
Rapha is a fashion brand. Many buy it and are ok with that; you, clearly, are not. If he had a valid opinion he'd be able to justify it, instead he turns to scribble.
scherzkeks said:
Rapha is a fashion brand. Many buy it and are ok with that; you, clearly, are not.
It's been pointed out you drive a Merc. There are plenty of idiots who would say you're just buying the badge and the image. Others might see past that and acknowledge that they make a high quality product with a price tag to match. Why is it so hard for you to admit the same about Rapha?TonyHetherington said:
The repair service is one, they're also spot on with customer service in general too. One example; my classic bib shorts were wearing at the point they touch the seat. I took a couple of pictures, asked "is this normal? if so, no problems". Their reply was "absolutely not; here's a brand new pair, no need to send us your old pair" (even though they were perfect, bar a little brushed wearing).
Brand new pair; started wearing instantly. Bugger. Turns out it was my seat. I felt very bad about it actually (oddly).
But it's a good example of their unquestionable approach to service.
I've never needed to use the faulty goods return service of other cheaper bib short manufacturers, I'm not sure why it would be worth buying Rapha ones just In case they are sub standard. Brand new pair; started wearing instantly. Bugger. Turns out it was my seat. I felt very bad about it actually (oddly).
But it's a good example of their unquestionable approach to service.
Edited by el stovey on Thursday 4th June 08:01
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