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Compromised Safety Helmet...?

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KingKong
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PostPosted: 20:50 - 19 Dec 2011    Post subject: Compromised Safety Helmet...? Reply with quote

Hi

Would any of you riders knowingly purchase a used helmet? By "used" I mean that it was pre-owned for anything up to 7 days, returned to the store it was bought from, in which the seller re-sold it to you at full price without informing you that it had been returned by a previous customer.

Welcome to Infinity Motorcyles, Hanger Lane, London UK. After someone informed me that they operate a return policy for helmets I had to pop in and ask for myself.

Me - "What's the return policy for helmets?"
Infinity - "Up to 7 days, but exchange only; and it has to be in the same perfect condition it was in when bought".
Me - " The thing is, people could return a helmet after having dropped it off the dinner or coffee table; and as we know, one drop is enough to put the helmet out of business where protection is concerned - and it wouldn't leave a mark on the helmet".

Infinity - looks agitated and annoyed "The law requires us to take returns, especially given we cater for long distance orders"

Me - "Sure, but you can protect your business and riders by presenting all potential buyers with the caveat that helmets are strictly non-returnable, so buyers will know before they proceed with the transaction"

Infinity - looks more annoyed and turns his back to me to serve another customer

It's safety for goodness sakes! Playing with riders' safety. These guys have a website too. Boy it is highly disconcerting that a motorcycle shop would undertake such unethical practice...

So, does this seem acceptable to you?
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Bomberman
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PostPosted: 21:00 - 19 Dec 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sounds nuts to me! Would that even be legal?
But then I was thinking when I got my last lid a couple of weeks ago - if you buy online how would you now the posty hadn't slung it around? Then of course I went further to - how do you know the shop workers haven't dropped it in back? Confused
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Andy_Pagin
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PostPosted: 21:10 - 19 Dec 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

No way would I use a second hand lid, or buy any lid from anywhere than a bike shop where I'd tried it on.
Thanks for the warning about Infinity.
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Howling TerrorOutOfOffice
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PostPosted: 21:10 - 19 Dec 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

I guess it comes down to trust.
Do i trust that the last person in the helmet factory who was packing my helmet didn't drop it before taping up the box. Pedantic but logical. Same goes for the shop who unpack it, drop it on the carpet, notice no cracks or scratches and may decide to place it on the display....where anyone could pick it up...and drop it whilst fumbling and look around quickly and put it back.....

As with all helmets i've bought, i look on the outside and look on the inside for damage or wear(if it's 2nd hand).
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Nai
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PostPosted: 22:01 - 19 Dec 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Infinity was the first place I went post CBT for motorbike stuff. I haven't been back scince.
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yambabe
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PostPosted: 22:06 - 19 Dec 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm not seeing anything in your conversation confirming that returned helmets are re-sold? Confused
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Rogerborg
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PostPosted: 22:23 - 19 Dec 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

yambabe wrote:
I'm not seeing anything in your conversation confirming that returned helmets are re-sold? Confused


Really?

KingKong wrote:
Infinity - "Up to 7 days, but exchange only; and it has to be in the same perfect condition it was in when bought".


No clues there?
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Bendy
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PostPosted: 22:42 - 19 Dec 2011    Post subject: Re: Compromised Safety Helmet...? Reply with quote

KingKong wrote:

Would any of you riders knowingly purchase a used a used helmet


Yes.

I defy anyone to smack their head off the ground and leave their helmet completely unmarked.

If a helmet is dropped without a head in it, exactly what is compressing the polystyrene from the inside?

If a helmet shows no sign of having been dropped, that is good enough for me.

I don't replace helmets when I drop them. I didnt replace my helmet when I crashed and didn't hit my head on the ground, I don't give a crap if someone knocked it off a coffee table and then sent it back. I have owned several second hand helmets (bargains!) and have given second hand helmets to people who have crashed in them and totally not died. Personally I feel that 'helmet paranoia' is one of the biggest strokes of marketing genius in the biking world.
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The Artist
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PostPosted: 22:49 - 19 Dec 2011    Post subject: Re: Compromised Safety Helmet...? Reply with quote

Bendy wrote:
Personally I feel that 'helmet paranoia' is one of the biggest strokes of marketing genius in the biking world.


+1

It is brilliant really. Spend £50-£500 on a lid and drop it from a table and OMG must replace.

Unless it has taken a proper impact/obvious structural damage then meh.
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Walloper
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PostPosted: 22:49 - 19 Dec 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

No coz the previous owner may have a fungal infection and I would get Athlete's Head.
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mistergixer
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PostPosted: 22:55 - 19 Dec 2011    Post subject: Re: Compromised Safety Helmet...? Reply with quote

Bendy wrote:


If a helmet is dropped without a head in it, exactly what is compressing the polystyrene from the inside?



^^This.
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P.
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PostPosted: 23:10 - 19 Dec 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

The helmet I'm using has rolled off the bed on a few occasions.

I also have a few spares when I want a bit more padding or want to wear earphones that have been tarmac soiled.

Couldn't care, safer than riding without one.

I had a "new" AGV once, following my accident in 2008 I wont be buying a new helmet, spent around £200 on it and it cracked down the centre when I collided with a car then the floor.
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Chris750
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PostPosted: 23:16 - 19 Dec 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Most helmets come from the manufacturer to the distributor on a container on the back of a lorry.
I am sure that the operatives loading/unloading containers of helmets will drop the odd box off the back of the lorry (they do, I have seen it happen and had to have words to tell people to be more careful, but at most distribution centres there may not be another me, a biker concerned about other bikers wellbeing).

The odd box will also be dropped in the distribution facility.

Helmets will then be sent from distribution to the shops using couriers where they are probably thrown about even more.

(I was once waiting for some servers to be delivered but the courier arrived with double the amount- the order had been duplicated. When I informed the driver I would only sign for 6 boxes and not 12 he became enraged and threw the extra 6 servers (clearly in server/computer boxes) back into his van with such force it made me cringe as I heard them hit the bulkhead of the van.
I have also seen another driver throw an extremely expensive Cisco core switch from the back of his van out onto the road)

These are the guys who are handling your helmets before they even get to shops.

I think manufacturers propagate the myth of helmet damage to increase sales figures. If there was more truth they would not be transported from the manufacturer to the customer as they are.
A large percentage of helmets are dropped before they get to the end user and they are only rejected from sale if there is visible damage.
Therefore if a helmet is in good condition I am usually happy with it.
If it has been dropped on the road out of its box or cover it will be marked in some way.
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haroman666
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PostPosted: 23:48 - 19 Dec 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Definately sounds like a sales ploy to make you think you NEED a new one.
I mean, I was told I couldn't put stickers on my helmet because the glue of the sticker can react with the helmet casing and affect the structural integrity...
My helmet came with a sticker on it ffs...
Where do you draw the line in terms of needing a new one?
What constitutes as a significant impact to warrant belief of structural damage?
I'm of the opinion that if there was a problem with the helmets being dropped, then the manufacturers would have their own courier in place to ensure safe delivery. As has been stated before.
I know there's a whole whirlwind of debate and depth that could go into that but I have a beer to drink.
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Kickstart
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PostPosted: 00:11 - 20 Dec 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

haroman666 wrote:
I mean, I was told I couldn't put stickers on my helmet because the glue of the sticker can react with the helmet casing and affect the structural integrity...
My helmet came with a sticker on it ffs...


Plenty of solvents, including those used in some glues on stickers as well as petrol, will damage polycarbonate shells.

All the best

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RePT
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PostPosted: 01:00 - 20 Dec 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bought my helmet for £5(used)
Its felt the impact of a crash too.

appears to be in good nick(Y)
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Visitor Q
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PostPosted: 01:09 - 20 Dec 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Whilst Bendy has hit the nail on the head, and I've ordered helmets from Ebay before... If you're paying FULL price, I'd be a bit miffed just on the principle of the matter.

But in reality, in 7 days without marking it, it's almost certainly fine.

When I get back to England, my old scratched up Arai is going to feel like a forcefield compared to the ones I've been using for the last 2 years Neutral
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KingKong
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PostPosted: 01:22 - 20 Dec 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

I cannot believe what I'm reading from some of you.

It's a safety feature, regardless of the sensationalist marketing ploy! Alright, consider it this way, since you have no issues with buying/wearing used/dropped helmets, would you be happy with paying full price for a used/dropped helmet sold to you as 'new'? It's one thing to accidentally drop a helmet in the stock room and still sell it on; however, it's quite another thing to accept returns and sell them off as new even when aware of the risks.

Also, you don't need impact from both ends to compress the polystyrene/styrofoam. I wouldn't want to take any chances with buying a helmet, let alone be deceived about it.
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Gothtec
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PostPosted: 01:22 - 20 Dec 2011    Post subject: Re: Compromised Safety Helmet...? Reply with quote

KingKong wrote:
Would any of you riders knowingly purchase a used helmet? By "used" I mean that it was pre-owned for anything up to 7 days, returned to the store it was bought from, in which the seller re-sold it to you at full price without informing you that it had been returned by a previous customer.


Its standard through-out the industry, but most helmets are checked over on return. If there is any sign of wear etc then a refund doesn't have to be given, at all, although an exchange can be given, with discretion...

If its a faulty return then its sent back to the manufacturer...

tbh, most helmets are over rated on the safety factor to ensure maximum protection and can take a small knock. I always work on the principle that at the speeds most helmets are made to endure you'll be dead well before the helmet gives up... even with prior damage!
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P.
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PostPosted: 06:53 - 20 Dec 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

KingKong wrote:
I cannot believe what I'm reading from some of you.


I can't believe how worked up you are getting... Laughing
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Gerrard
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PostPosted: 07:11 - 20 Dec 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Howling Terror wrote:
I guess it comes down to trust.
Do i trust that the last person in the helmet factory who was packing my helmet didn't drop it before taping up the box. Pedantic but logical. Same goes for the shop who unpack it, drop it on the carpet, notice no cracks or scratches and may decide to place it on the display....where anyone could pick it up...and drop it whilst fumbling and look around quickly and put it back.....

As with all helmets i've bought, i look on the outside and look on the inside for damage or wear(if it's 2nd hand).


Good point..
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Rogerborg
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PostPosted: 08:29 - 20 Dec 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Anyone want to buy a pre-owned condom, XXL? I only tried it out for a few minutes, it was a bit small for me. Full price, but it's OK, I gave it a rinse.
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iooi
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PostPosted: 08:52 - 20 Dec 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rogerborg wrote:
yambabe wrote:
I'm not seeing anything in your conversation confirming that returned helmets are re-sold? Confused


Really?

KingKong wrote:
Infinity - "Up to 7 days, but exchange only; and it has to be in the same perfect condition it was in when bought".


No clues there?


No.....

Nothing from the guy in store stating that they simply put them back on the shelf......
For all we know from the comments, is that they return to manufacture.

All he is doing is citing distance selling regs....

Time that helmets were a non returnable item, unless faulty....

But of course, many people here would not like that Rolling Eyes

I bet that 99.9% of returned have only ever been on a head once and they then realised that it don't fit.. (muppets)

One reason only to ever buy instore, as you can check it fits and also get a factory sealed box Thumbs Up

As a aside how many people have bought the last one on the shelf..... For a discount....
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Rogerborg
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PostPosted: 10:09 - 20 Dec 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

iooi wrote:
Nothing from the guy in store stating that they simply put them back on the shelf......
For all we know from the comments, is that they return to manufacture.

Follow through on that thought. "Hello, Box, I'm returning 3 mint condition as-new helmets, for which I expect to receive a full refund, and I need to order another 3 to replace them, at the same price. Make sure they're properly new, mind, I don't put pre-worn helmets on my shelves."


iooi wrote:
All he is doing is citing distance selling regs....

Which apply to distance selling, not to purchasing over the counter, and which give a right to a cancellation of the contract and a full refund, not an "exchange".


iooi wrote:
Time that helmets were a non returnable item, unless faulty....

I certainly agree that an exception should be added for safety equipment.
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Bendy
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PostPosted: 10:25 - 20 Dec 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

iooi wrote:

I bet that 99.9% of returned have only ever been on a head once and they then realised that it don't fit.. (muppets)


And this is where I go my bargains. "Here you go luv, I got you a helmet so you can come pillion with me"

The last one, a Shoei Raid, still had all the labels and smelled absolutely brand new. The seller had bought it for his wife whom it didn't fit. I got it for less than the cost of a new visor, which was nice since it came with 3.


I'll worry about things in my own order, and top of that is not crashing in the first place. By the time I'm concerned about whether my helmet has rolled along a carpet without me knowing about it, I'm already going to be in a world of shit. Laughing
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