Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
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Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby AUbicycles » Tue Apr 10, 2018 11:00 pm
The most recent Google Customer Reviewers in April for Cell Bikes shows that goods ordered online are no longer being sent (though the website is still online).
I am aware that a number of big-name distributers have collected their stock from the shop premises.
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby Thoglette » Wed Apr 11, 2018 12:18 am
"People are worthy of respect, ideas are not." Peter Ellerton, UQ
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby Newcastle Dave » Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:45 am
My family has owned 3 different Cell bikes, all of which gave excellent service
I bought my son a basic Cell roadie many years ago, it got him into cycling and we enjoyed many rides together (until it was written off after he got cleaned up by a car)
I bought an Omeo 2 shortly after they came out. It was the only way I could have afforded an aero DI2 equipped bike at the time. It had dome may km's (including the Lake Tauopo ride, may Loop the Lakes and the odd Newcastle to Dungog) Although I had an issue with a cracked frame last year (still not 100% sure I did anything to cause it) Cell sold me a 1/2 price replacement frame. Its still going strong and it is still my ride of choice.
My son then bought a cheap cell fixie when he moved to Melbourne, he ran it into the ground over several years of commuting.
Cell used to be my workmates and I go to store for all our accessories and spares. Every few weeks someone would be sending out emails saying cell had tubes, or CO2 or tires or something one special, and did we want to get in on a group order to save freight.
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby MichaelB » Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:33 am
Wonder what led them to the position ? Just couldn't get the volume they needed ? Checked their site every now and tehn (and was a prior customer), but hadn't bought anything there for a while as range & price didn't match others.
Maybe a spiral they couldn't get out of.
Maybe, the decision not proceed with a road disc bike (there was a potential test of prototypes available to BNA back in mid-2016) that just never came off despite promises and ongoing delays, and maybe that was an early warning sign ?
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby g-boaf » Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:37 am
And worse, the website still says "We are hiring":AUbicycles wrote:After many months of uncertainty and word that Cell Bikes (Plex Pty Ltd) was in significant debt to numerous distributers / suppliers - Cell Bikes appear no longer to be operating.
The most recent Google Customer Reviewers in April for Cell Bikes shows that goods ordered online are no longer being sent (though the website is still online).
I am aware that a number of big-name distributers have collected their stock from the shop premises.
http://www.this link is broken/Careers
They should pull the site down. I didn't buy too much from them it must be said, only various smaller bits, some tyres, etc, nothing major. I just didn't find them as good as the local bike shop I go to. The local bike shop I use might be a bit more expensive, but they are very dependable.
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby P!N20 » Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:45 am
https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/960823823200235520
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby Thoglette » Wed Apr 11, 2018 11:24 am
Remember, we're still in rumour and innuendo mode at the moment. It might be true. Or they may be chasing the last signature on a financing deal. Or it could all be fake-news, spread by their competitors.g-boaf wrote:They should pull the site down.
(rustle, rustle, rustle.)
Nope, ASIC site says Plex Pty Ltd (ABN: 66 091 196 342) is in external admin. (https://connectonline.asic.gov.au/RegistrySearch)
Someone's pulled the rug from under them, today.
11/04/2018 8E0076421
Notification of Resolution Winding Up The Company (205M)
11/04/2018 8E0076389
Notice By External Administrator/controller-Appoint/cease (505J)
Appointment of Liquidator (Creditors' Voluntary Winding Up) ()
"People are worthy of respect, ideas are not." Peter Ellerton, UQ
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby MichaelB » Wed Apr 11, 2018 11:35 am
And at the same time, 99Bikes is opening stores (big ones at that) in several new places in Adelaide ....
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby caneye » Wed Apr 11, 2018 12:02 pm
I've bought stuff from them over the years. Some of the specials were really competitive and often cheaper than OS online shops. I'd often order online and pickup from the shop if the items are small.
I actually bought a light from them last month with instructions again to pick them up from the shop (saving me a few bucks). but i still received the item via EXPRESS post 2 weeks ago . .despite paying no postage. hmm ..
I often see their bikes in the office bike racks (3 different places of employment) so it does appear that they have a good reach to the commuting crowd?
perhaps not so much the weekend high-spending cycling warriors (just my $0.02) ..
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby Thoglette » Wed Apr 11, 2018 12:30 pm
"People are worthy of respect, ideas are not." Peter Ellerton, UQ
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby Gerry.M » Wed Apr 11, 2018 12:49 pm
I used to buy a bit of stuff from them (spares, clothes, other bits n pieces) as their prices were good and delivery was quick but in recent years have found some of the smaller UK retailers sell cheaper even after postage.
I think it would be a hard market to compete in.
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby Calvin27 » Wed Apr 11, 2018 2:38 pm
Cushy dirt bike
Very cushy dirt bike
Bike crushed by car (RIP)
No brakes bike
Ebike
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby JPB » Wed Apr 11, 2018 2:50 pm
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby Spaniel » Wed Apr 11, 2018 2:58 pm
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby Jmuzz » Wed Apr 11, 2018 5:29 pm
It's hard when administrators come in because they tend to barricade the doors and tell all employees to go away.g-boaf wrote: And worse, the website still says "We are hiring":
http://www.this link is broken/Careers
They should pull the site down.
It can take weeks for someone to get access to the logins, and that's if employees will even co-operate anymore.
It usually all happens without much warning, management knows they are struggling yes, but once that decision is made that there won't be a recovery bam it happens fast.
Always shop with creditcard and you are safe, though still inconvenienced.
It's a shame times are so tough that even an online direct seller can't survive.
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby Marx » Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:38 pm
A bike and a place to ride.
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby 10speedsemiracer » Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:49 pm
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby AUbicycles » Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:07 pm
The cell bikes models were both standard but also in-house developed bikes and I agree that it is a shame that they didn't continue with the disc brake bike. The company moved over to Token Bikes which appeared to replace the Cell Bikes.
Calvin27 - read the interview with James Reid - founder of Reid Cycles which was published in February. It discusses their fluctuations and how they are adapting. It would be fair to say that they are in a different position.
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby ldrcycles » Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:14 pm
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby 10speedsemiracer » Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:42 pm
And this, I feel, is the point at which things started to go pear-shaped (the move away from in-house to stocking Totem and other peoples bikes, and becoming a reseller as opposed to a brand), or maybe it was a sign of things already going pear-shaped. Is a shame that a further element of competition on the local scene has passed, but if they weren't going to provide their own product they became just another chain LBS and there are a few of those (of various levels) around.AUbicycles wrote:Cell Bikes were pretty good bikes, they had a very skilled designer who drive their road and MTBs and had a good price for the quality.
The cell bikes models were both standard but also in-house developed bikes and I agree that it is a shame that they didn't continue with the disc brake bike. The company moved over to Token Bikes which appeared to replace the Cell Bikes........
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby 10speedsemiracer » Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:43 pm
S'pose it depends on the Administrators perspective as to whether they may possibly be abe to trade out of it or if it becomes a fire sale etc.
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby AUbicycles » Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:55 pm
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby 10speedsemiracer » Wed Apr 11, 2018 9:04 pm
Thanks, that feels about right, I'd always suspected they were fictitious, nice to have it confirmed.AUbicycles wrote:The popups would just be 'kind of' faked. It can be based on real data but it is manipulated and tries to increase the chance of shoppers to commit (sheep mentality). Pretty standard practice - but doesn't mean that orders are being processed.
More worrying are the people on IG asking questions, especially the one guy who's trying to arrange a return of his bike...
Not sure this will end well.
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby AUbicycles » Wed Apr 11, 2018 9:28 pm
For Cell Bikes brands, this is tough as Cell Bikes are the importer and customers have it tough. They probably have to register with the appointed liquidator. Likewise any brands that have stock or unpaid bills.
Company: Plex Pty Ltd
ACN: 091 196 342
Trading name: Cell Bikes
Status: In Liquidation
Appointment Date: 11 April 2018
Liquidator Kong Yao Chin
Address Suite One, Level 7, 234 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Contact person Ky Chin
Contact number 0294840296
Facsimile 0283228089
Email ky.chin@eagleia.com.au
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Re: Cell Bikes probably no longer in business
Postby Calvin27 » Thu Apr 12, 2018 3:50 pm
Cheers, good to see they are still around and apparently healthy!AUbicycles wrote:Calvin27 - read the interview with James Reid - founder of Reid Cycles which was published in February. It discusses their fluctuations and how they are adapting. It would be fair to say that they are in a different position.
Cushy dirt bike
Very cushy dirt bike
Bike crushed by car (RIP)
No brakes bike
Ebike
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