BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
In an email to "friends of Kona", Kona has warned that a "number of on-line retailers based in the UK have been offering to sell mail-ordered Kona bikes throughout the world. This isn’t authorized by Kona or allowed by our distribution agreements with our UK distributor."
In February, Kona announced it would be going dealer direct in the UK, from its European HQ in Geneva.
The online retailer currently selling Kona bikes is Chain Reaction Cycles of Belfast, although Kona doesn’t name names in the press release.
"While most of these online retailers have agreed to restrict these sales within the UK only, there remains one online retailer that continues to sell Kona bikes outside the UK," said the email.
"We believe these bikes are being sourced through a grey market supplier."
Kona said it is "taking steps to shut down these unauthorized grey market sales now."
The Canadian company then claims it won’t honour warranty claims for bikes bought from outside the UK via CRC. "We would like to warn online buyers outside the UK that buying bicycles from this or any other retailer not based in your country will void the lifetime Kona frame warranty and one year parts warranty."
Kona claims the warranty will be void because "Kona bicycles require final assembly and tuning by a trained and authorized Kona dealer."
In July, Paligap ceases to be the Kona distributor in the UK. Bicycles, components, clothing and accessories will be shipped from Kona’s Rotterdam distribution facility. A sales and support team will be based in the UK.
