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RKA Luggage "lifetime" warranty and service be ware

I have no association with RKA with the exception of the exceptional tank bag I had from RKA.


I just think it's hilarious that everyone here thinks you're just crying up a storm, and you fail to see it and avoiding questions.

Your bag was damaged enough to where they believed the zipper fix wouldn't be an appropriate avenue, probably because of both cost and ability to maintain the solution. Why should they attempt to fix a bag that can't be fixed, only to have the consumer turn around and take them to court for failing to fix a non-fixable bag? Not worth the gamble for them, win-win for you.


I'll just watch this show from the side as I peruse through the RKA webpage for a new bag while sipping my latte (actually, I'm not in store for a new tank bag just yet).
 
Has this thread been linked to the First World Problems web site yet?
 
I have a great set of RKA saddle bags that I baught from a friend that has been a customer of theirs for years (he baught a new set for himself). The bags are GREAT! The bags are 7 years old and are in fantastic condition. I have full trust in them when I pack them to the gills (which is not easy to do). Happy to support a local company that puts out such a fine product. I will soon be looking to expand on my bag collection and will look no further than RKA.
 
I'm hugely late getting to this party, but...

1) Would you trust 10-year old tires, even if they've been stored for most of that time?

2) If I've read the material correctly, it's a LIMITED lifetime warranty. Limited means exactly that. You don't get everything replaced.

Oh, and I agree with some of the posters. You should get in touch with reality at some point in your life. :thumbup
 
Well, since it was bumped - since this thread, I ordered a set of bag liners for my vario cases from RKA.

Richard was very helpful, and the liners are top notch. :thumbup
 
oh my

1 The tire analogy is a bit of a stretch? What about some 15 year old single malt? 30 year old firearm?

2. I get limited warranties, you might have missed the part where RKA didn't even have a new bag in stock to send me with 25% off or not for a month or so. And also where I was more then happy with a repair at some expense. Then RKA wasted my time and the bag further by having me put it through the wash knowing up front how old the bag was. :thumbdown

Cincinnatus said:
I'm hugely late getting to this party, but...

1) Would you trust 10-year old tires, even if they've been stored for most of that time?

2) If I've read the material correctly, it's a LIMITED lifetime warranty. Limited means exactly that. You don't get everything replaced.

Oh, and I agree with some of the posters. You should get in touch with reality at some point in your life. :thumbup
Click to expand...
 
Sucks to be you, don't it? :teeth

Single malts improve with age, most of them. Weapons, maybe, depending.

I was referring to oxidation & the tendency for objects to deteriorate when exposed to sunlight & oxygen.

And they're a small shop, without having thousands of similar items warehoused. Husband and wife run it? Probably a very small operation, putting their best efforts out there with the best products they can make.

And they lost an email or two, maybe? :rolleyes Ever run your own business? Poo happens.
 
How much smaller than Chrome is RKA? Chrome pretty much completely refurbished my messenger bag for free even though it was about 7 or 8 years old with constant everyday use. I know Chrome is a MUCH smaller company that The North Face but they WILL repair their product, often for free, even if it's wear & tear or even your fault.

Unless the OP's tank bag was actually damaged in the crash, a tank bag made of quality Cordura or whatever should not look like that after the use the OP gave it. I also fail to see how the OP's jacket rubbing against the tank bag would do that damage (unless the OP's jacket was made of sandpaper).

OTOH, the OP seems to imply that RKA's designs have changed over the years and this particular tank bag is no longer made. That's tuff 'cuz if the bag's not repairable, he's SOL.

That bag doesn't look like it's worth $150 in the first place IMHO. I think the OP is being a bit misunderstanding towards RKA regarding the possibility of repair. If that design isn't being manufactured any more, it's not cost effective to stitch up a new one. If the fabric's too far gone to repair, it's too far gone to repair. End of story. Still, sounds to me like RKA could've offered something better to the customer. I don't think it's something to get upset over.

I was stoked when Chrome rebuilt my bag for free. And I ended up buying a Chrome backpack a couple years later. I wouldn't necessarily expect RKA to be able to repair that to "like new" condition or even to replace it if they couldn't. But I'd be pretty upset with the way they treated me and would probably not buy their gear again and discourage others from buying it.
 
RKA Products...

What an incredible thread!!! I don't know what the original poster's time is worth, but he more than paid for the price of a new tank bag for the amount of effort, bile and grief he invested in this screed. For the record, I try to support small business as much as possible. I have used RKA products for about ten years and know Richard and Kathy personnally. No one makes a better product of this type, and they have prevailed in their business despite competition from companies whose products are made elsewhere in the world, primarily Asia. None of their products have failed me--tank bags, saddlebags, tail packs--and the only problem I have had is that Richard would love me to buy more stuff, but none of it has never worn out!!! I don't know how the poster gets through a day without blowing up.
 
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pretty much ^^^^^this^^^^^

I've known Richard & Kathy for decades -
they're stand-up folks who ride [& who organize superb group rides as well]

OP has a legit beef - RKA has a reasonable warranty policy - disagreements happen.....
 
firstbuell said:
pretty much ^^^^^this^^^^^

I've known Richard & Kathy for decades -
they're stand-up folks who ride [& who organize superb group rides as well]

OP has a legit beef - RKA has a reasonable warranty policy - disagreements happen.....
Click to expand...

What I don't get is why any company regardless of size would risk such bad publicity (through the internet megaphone) for the price of a tankbag? If RKA had just given this guy the benefit of the doubt and sent him a new bag, chances are great that the OP would have started a thread PRAISING this company. Then, a gear whore like myself would take notice and most likely seriously consider one of their products. With many many companies (smalll and large) unconditonally replacing gear when it fails, why would I even think about this company when their are so many others to choose from?

Penny wise, pound foolish. Sometimes standing on principle costs you. No products from this company for me in the future (and I need a tank bag right now).
 
rlewpolar said:
What I don't get is why any company regardless of size would risk such bad publicity (through the internet megaphone) for the price of a tankbag? If RKA had just given this guy the benefit of the doubt and sent him a new bag, chances are great that the OP would have started a thread PRAISING this company. Then, a gear whore like myself would take notice and most likely seriously consider one of their products. With many many companies (smalll and large) unconditonally replacing gear when it fails, why would I even think about this company when their are so many others to choose from?

Penny wise, pound foolish. Sometimes standing on principle costs you. No products from this company for me in the future (and I need a tank bag right now).
Click to expand...

Umm... So if they stand on principle, you WON'T buy from them?? :wow

Read the whole thread. OP bought ten years ago, used it several times, and crashed it. Then wants RKA to fix the wrecked bag for free. :rolleyes

RKA has a LIMITED lifetime warranty, and this didn't qualify. And OP gets all butthurt and yells at teh BARF to blackball RKA. Seriously??
 
One questionable incident vs. unsolicited testimonials from several happy customers sways purchasing decision? That approach would exclude purchases of pretty every consumer product.
 
pizzle said:
We clearly didn't read the same thread or watch the same video. Where's the crash damage...?
Click to expand...

This. And is anyone really buying the fact that the zipper failed because bike went down? I dunno, seems highly implausible to me. Zippers fail because zippers suck in general. If the manufacturer says they have a lifetime warranty (limited or not), I think they should stand by their product. Or don't make the warranty. The mistake the OP made was saying that the bag was in a crash and seems to me that RKA used this as a pretense.

I've seen bike frame manufacturers try the same thing. One of their welds fails and although they have a lifetime warranty, some of them say, hey, you MUST have crashed. Even though I've personally seen friends literally just riding along. Somewhat of an apple to orange comparison but still, just give the customer the benefit of the doubt, try to help him and generate some good publicity for yourself. Just seems like good business sense.
 
I didn't realize that RKA was U.S. based small business... welp, now I know who to look for when I go to buy :thumbup
 
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