Do any uk or european online bike stores accept cheque as method of payment?

mrqpr

Hi,
I plan to available of the cycle to work scheme, however, my employer will only issue a cheque as a payment method. Some stores, such as canyon, will support the Irish scheme but will only accept a bank transfer as the payment method. This is a pain really, as the scheme seems to be pushing people towards the bike stores. Although many are excellent I cannot afford to fork out the extra euro to shop in the bricks and mortar stores. Does anyone know of any good sites that will accept a cheque? I cannot think of any Irish sites that can compete on price with the likes of canyon, hence I'm looking to Europe.

Thanks!

piston

European stores maybe as they deal in Euro.

I have paid UK online retailers by cheque but I have an N.I. bank account and can write cheques in GB£. I doubt they would accept a Euro cheque.

mrqpr

Thanks Piston. I have inquired with one store: TREDZ. They accept both euro and sterling but I haven't heard whether they will accept a cheque yet. I'm hoping someone may have already worked around a similar issue and may know of a good site to buy from.

Mr.Fred

Any chance your employer might make the cheque payable to you then you can transfer the funds yourself?

That's strange that canyon won't take a cheque, you'd imagine they would they'd only have to wait for it to clear surely.

mrqpr

Unfortunately my employer wont accept that. It's a fairly large company and they wont make exceptions for individuals. Having spoken to a couple of keen cyclists canyon seems to be top of the recommendations list. Eurocycles are fairly good on price but they cant get near the equivalent bike on canyon. A lot of the same components seem to used in the various classes of bike so it's easy to compare different brands. Much like pc's I suppose.

Mr.Fred

I think Eurocycles have great deals on Fuji bikes as I heard rumour they're either shutting up shop or pulling out of the Irish market.

That's strange Canyon not accepting a cheque I'd get back on to them and explain that it's your only form of payment surely they aren't going to turn away business.

mrqpr

Thanks for the tip on the Fuji bikes Mr. Fred. Cant see FUJI on their site now though. I've contacted canyon, stating the interest of some colleagues also, so we'll see what they come back with. Yeah, it's a fair whack of cash to be turning away!

mrqpr

Canyon will only accept a cheque and not bank transfer. Oh well.

Mr.Fred

mrqpr wrote: »

Canyon will only accept a cheque or bank transfer. Oh well.

Did you not say your employer would issue a cheque? Perhaps he wants to use one of the cycle to work companies.

That's a pain as you were saying they're a great spec for a cheap price.

mrqpr

Our company are quite old fashioned in many ways and I guess they are aiming us towards the traditional bike stores, which I can understand in fairness.

Seems some people have been taking advantage of the scheme too.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2163818/The-great-bike-work-scam-Lawnmowers-trampolines-bought-tax-free-bicycle-scheme.html

Hungrycol

Strange one OP, most employers steer away from cheques where they can and prefer bank transfers. Canyon might be more willing to accept a copmpany cheque and not a personal cheque. Tell them they don't have fulfil the order until the cheque clears, which is what they would probably do anyway. Alternatively take a jolly up to CRC in Norn Iron.

Good luck.

Mr.Fred wrote: »

Any chance your employer might make the cheque payable to you then you can transfer the funds yourself?

That's strange that Canyon won't take a cheque, you'd imagine they would they'd only have to wait for it to clear surely.

Not on the bike to work scheme, payment has to be made to the shop in question.

Tar.Aldarion

My company paid for mine via cheque to green bikes in the north. They accepted either euro or sterling cheque, 625 sterling or 835e... Some difference

mrqpr

Interesting Tar.Aldarion, thanks. Fairly limited range on there but the prices look pretty good.

Tar.Aldarion

I got the specialized allez sport which is pretty sweet and is 950 down here. I went there looking for that bike. You may find other places willing to accept cheques as you have all of europe to look at.

TheBlaaMan

As far as I know, there is no international clearing system for (Irish Euro) cheques and as a result they are not 'tradeable' internationally, effectively not legal tender. TBH, does ANYWHERE accept cheques anymore, if you are not well know to them.............they have become virtually obsolete.

elnino23

Have you asked your company about doing it through a company like Bike to work? http://www.biketowork.ie
Your company pays them and they issue you a voucher then you give the voucher to the supplier

Sean02

Incredable! You expect the Irish Taxpayer to subsidise payment of your new bike, then you want to support some non tax paying company with the money. You have a hard neck, but then if the loophole exists, the stupid silver servants advising the suits in Kildare St. are equaily to blame.

Mr.Fred

Sean02 wrote: »

Incredable! You expect the Irish Taxpayer to subsidise payment of your new bike, then you want to support some non tax paying company with the money. You have a hard neck, but then if the loophole exists, the stupid silver servants advising the suits in Kildare St. are equaily to blame.

Is this aimed at the OP, I'm fairly sure he's working hence the cycle to work scheme.

I might be mad here also but I'd assume if he's working he's paying his own taxes and it has sweet fa to do with anyone else and in no way puts a burden on other tax payers.

Sean02

I dont fully agree. Anyhow the CTW scheme in 08/09 was estimated to cost Irish taxpayers €600,000. Unfortunatly no measures were put in place to monitor the real benifets. Hence many bikes were purchased by Santa and as favours by self employed friends. Noting really wrong with that if the bike were used for purpose, but in my opinion the good cycling intentions soon disapated in the vast majority of cases. At least the LBS make a few bob and there are a few more cycle comuters.

Mr.Fred

Sean02 wrote: »

I dont fully agree. Anyhow the CTW scheme in 08/09 was estimated to cost Irish taxpayers €600,000. Unfortunatly no measures were put in place to monitor the real benifets. Hence many bikes were purchased by Santa and as favours by self employed friends. Noting really wrong with that if the bike were used for purpose, but in my opinion the good cycling intentions soon disapated in the vast majority of cases. At least the LBS make a few bob and there are a few more cycle comuters.

I'll agree it is poorly run and that a lot of people were taking advantage of it.

I don't agree on the name for it though. Not everybody is in the position to cycle to work I have a 200km daily commute should I not be allowed to get a bike on the CTW scheme?

The idea of improving ones health through this scheme should be the main selling point most people put themselves at a greater risk by commuting in Dublin City. if someone intends in using the bike at weekends or foe exercise is more important imo.

Perhaps in this case and many similar it might be an idea for one of the LBS to approach canyon and see about taking out a franchise or providing a point of sale for them.

Buying a lawn mower or a bike for a quick turn around sale is obviously abusing the system.

Buying a bike with the intention of taking up cycling and improving your well being/health can't be a bad thing in anybodies eyes. Particularly if you're paying your own taxes.

You quote the scheme costing tax payers €600k. How much is the welfare system costing the tax payer? how much revenue did the government take from taxes on petrol diesel which the tax payer requires for their commute. It's all swings and roundabouts.

mrqpr

Sean02 wrote: »

Incredable! You expect the Irish Taxpayer to subsidise payment of your new bike, then you want to support some non tax paying company with the money. You have a hard neck, but then if the loophole exists, the stupid silver servants advising the suits in Kildare St. are equaily to blame.

I can assure you that I am contributing plenty tax back to the government from my salary. Not to mention spending my hard earned in our restaurants, pubs and shops. Apart from keeping money in the country, which is fine for those who want to do that, isn't part of the incentive to get people out of their cars and to reduce our carbon footprint. I will be doing that in spades.

EDIT - Sean02, I presume you've not had a run up to Asda in Newry, etc, for some cheap groceries then?

mrqpr

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

I got the specialized allez sport which is pretty sweet and is 950 down here. I went there looking for that bike. You may find other places willing to accept cheques as you have all of europe to look at.

Hi,
Any thoughts on the best option between:

1) Giant defy 2 2013 €999 + €100 worth of extras
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.giant.defy.2/11833/56805/#specifications

2)
Specialized Allez Sport for roughly €765 with no extras
Spec as per this site but that price isn't available through them.
http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/Detail/13conceptukallez/allez/Allez%20Sport

Thanks!

Hungrycol

The Giant.

dave2pvd

Sean02 wrote: »

.... the CTW scheme in 08/09 was estimated to cost Irish taxpayers €600,000. .

In the grand scheme of things, that's a TINY investment in a population's health and wellness. There can only be a substantial return on investment.

Remember, the cost of keeping obese people alive is a significant drain on the economy. Although forklift manufacturers may have a different opinion on that matter.

The front wall of his flat had to be knocked down and a fork lift truck was needed to get him out.

Hungrycol

Mr.Fred wrote: »

Not everybody is in the position to cycle to work I have a 200km daily commute should I not be allowed to get a bike on the CTW scheme?

"or other qualifying journeys" meaning cycle to the train station or bus stop and continue your journey to work is Ok with the Revenue.

Tar.Aldarion

mrqpr wrote: »

Hi,
Any thoughts on the best option between:

1) Giant defy 2 2013 €999 + €100 worth of extras
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.giant.defy.2/11833/56805/#specifications

2)
Specialized Allez Sport for roughly €765 with no extras
Spec as per this site but that price isn't available through them.
http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/Detail/13conceptukallez/allez/Allez%20Sport

Thanks!

Well depends what you want.
For me I wanted the best cheap sora dealio I could get with it looking nice.
Realistically I wouldn't notice the upgrade from sora to tiagra. Also thought the specialized looks like one of the best bikes I've seen and has a great price.

The giant has the better spec tiagra 10 speed and costs more. Where is the 100e worth of accessories from also matters, as in a shop you get feck all with that compared to online.

mrqpr

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

Well depends what you want.
For me I wanted the best cheap sora dealio I could get with it looking nice.
Realistically I wouldn't notice the upgrade from sora to tiagra. Also thought the specialized looks like one of the best bikes I've seen and has a great price.

The giant has the better spec tiagra 10 speed and costs more. Where is the 100e worth of accessories from also matters, as in a shop you get feck all with that compared to online.

Either of those bikes would suit my budget and I'm not looking to have a top of the range spec, but I'd go for the one the represents the best bang for it's buck. Reviews for both are positive. Yeah, the cost of the accessories in the shops are quite dear in compassion to the likes of chain reaction's prices. The 100 quid would be best used on the smaller items with less of a margin.

Tar.Aldarion

bang for buck is what I wanted. I want the cheapest sora/carbon fork bike with good reviews. and as the specialized was 950e everywhere and when I saw it I thought it was sex, so I got that. Either would do you fine. tiagra > sora. Is it worth100 or 200 more is up to you.

Beasty

Use the BTW Megathread for discussing the ins and outs of the scheme. It's off-topic for this thread

Thanks

Beasty