cycle to work scheme

[wpa1975]

deja.vu said:

wpa1975 said:

magpie215 said:

Voucher has to cover the full price of the bike...you can't top up

That is completely wrong info, you can buy a bike for more and just pay the difference between the voucher value.

When did you last buy a bike on the scheme?
I did a few weeks ago, and they absolutely refused to allow me to top it up.

I have never purchased a bike on the scheme, I am in the trade so no need but have seen more than one customer top up.

joropug said:

Cycle to work scheme says you CANNOT top up - probably as you don't own the bike.

I am applying for my voucher but it takes 4-5 weeks to process apparently - which is really annoying as the bike I want is on sale. hoping if it changes price I can work something out or cancel the voucher.

Ring the cycle shop and place a refundable deposit to secure the bike, once the voucher lands they will refund, we do this on sale bikes etc.

[joropug]

Cheers I have done pretty much that but no deposit was needed just had to confirm I 100% wanted it, as they didn’t want one hanging around in stock.

Locked in the price

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Ledaig]

joropug said:

Cycle to work scheme says you CANNOT top up - probably as you don't own the bike.

I am applying for my voucher but it takes 4-5 weeks to process apparently - which is really annoying as the bike I want is on sale. hoping if it changes price I can work something out or cancel the voucher.

What on earth are they doing to string it out for that long?

When I applied for one a couple of years back it took 4-5 hours!

[joropug]

Ledaig said:

What on earth are they doing to string it out for that long?

When I applied for one a couple of years back it took 4-5 hours!

Think it’s something to do with the payroll cycle - I don’t know what the cut off is but I guess pick the wrong day it takes a month otherwise could be next day.

Not in any great rush so don’t mind waiting now I’ve locked it in

[Chicken Chaser]

Our limit is £2100 on cyclescheme, so while I'd be pushed to get something that would better what I have at that price I thought I'd look into getting some new kit. I could ideally do with a new wheelset, something like the Hunt Carbon Disc at £799 so I can swap over depending on whether it's a gravel or road ride, and I need a few new bits such as shoes helmet etc.

Having spoken to a local company they charge an extra 10% on wheelsets which is paid via PayPal after the voucher cost meaning I'd be looking at an additional £80. Does the retailer lose out on these schemes or are they just getting a slice of the savings by charging extra?

[wpa1975]

Chicken Chaser said:

Our limit is £2100 on cyclescheme, so while I'd be pushed to get something that would better what I have at that price I thought I'd look into getting some new kit. I could ideally do with a new wheelset, something like the Hunt Carbon Disc at £799 so I can swap over depending on whether it's a gravel or road ride, and I need a few new bits such as shoes helmet etc.

Having spoken to a local company they charge an extra 10% on wheelsets which is paid via PayPal after the voucher cost meaning I'd be looking at an additional £80. Does the retailer lose out on these schemes or are they just getting a slice of the savings by charging extra?

No the retailer loses out as the cycle 2 work schemes charge commission hence why some will not accept it plus some will not accept on just parts and accessories due to small margins.

[Snatch1]

deja.vu said:

When did you last buy a bike on the scheme?
I did a few weeks ago, and they absolutely refused to allow me to top it up.

I bought my last bike throught the scheme in September last year - I paid a smidge over £5K for it, voucher value was £3K.

I negotiated hard to get a discount on the bike as well. it was on sale but the bike shop refused to honour the sale price based on the fee they would be charged by the cycle scheme (8% from memory). They agreed to sell me the bike using the voucher if I paid RRP, that would add over £1K to the sale price.

I offered them the sale price plus the 8% voucher fee, and after some back and forth they finally agreed.

Shop around, there's always a deal to be done. BTW, I tried for over a year to buy a bike from my local shop but the manufacturer just couldn't supply the bike. I eventually found a better bike from a different manufacturer and bought it online (none of the local bike shops I use stock this manufacturer so that wasn't an option)

[deja.vu]

Snatch1 said:

deja.vu said:

When did you last buy a bike on the scheme?
I did a few weeks ago, and they absolutely refused to allow me to top it up.

I bought my last bike throught the scheme in September last year - I paid a smidge over £5K for it, voucher value was £3K.

I negotiated hard to get a discount on the bike as well. it was on sale but the bike shop refused to honour the sale price based on the fee they would be charged by the cycle scheme (8% from memory). They agreed to sell me the bike using the voucher if I paid RRP, that would add over £1K to the sale price.

I offered them the sale price plus the 8% voucher fee, and after some back and forth they finally agreed.

Shop around, there's always a deal to be done. BTW, I tried for over a year to buy a bike from my local shop but the manufacturer just couldn't supply the bike. I eventually found a better bike from a different manufacturer and bought it online (none of the local bike shops I use stock this manufacturer so that wasn't an option)

Sadly shopping around isn't always an option, it's dependant on who the scheme is with.

[J4CKO]

Ours this year was £4500, previously £2000 I think, I managed to get a nearly 3 grand bike last time as they didnt have the one I wanted so asked me to accept the dearer one for the same cost (Which was good) and a bit of jiggery pokery to get it through.

This year, its been relaxed so you can buy equipment, clothing and parts so have gone for £500 to get a full new cycling wardrobe as I have a motley, and moth eaten selection of cycling stuff, had my moneys worth out of it, some of it is 15 years old now and got used for ten of those for commuting in some cases. So £500 minus 42 percent plus the end of term payment of £35 means I can get £500 worth of gear for £325 and pay for it over the year interest free.

Guy at work was moaning you dont get 42 percent or so off on the tech scheme they run as he wants a new graphics card for £1200 or so, but the government dont want to subsidise people playing pc games like they do cycling, he really struggled to get it.