Fort Nine Vs Royal Distributors

[cycling]

Update,

Not that I get would any response from RD. After reading the negative responses.
Heard from Cardo USA. They will return my money. However, I will return it at my expense. No problem.

Summary.

Hands down the best. Fort Nine. Outstanding.
Cardo USA. Will get my money back.
Bottom of the list, obviously, RD.

 

[TK4]

Royal Distributing caters mainly to sledders and ATV/UTV riders. Moto stuff is incidental.

 

[cycling]

Royal Distributing caters mainly to sledders and ATV/UTV riders. Moto stuff is incidental.

Riders seem to use the cheaper version of them being in the Walmart and Winners category. (RD)

I concur. Better quality, regards, at the higher end stores. Fort Nine, Of course.

 

[Mad Mike]

Everyone has a place in the market.

Selection: Royal. Better selection and definitely better inventory management, particularly for off-road stuff. Royal does offer more 'value' brands and they have a low cost house brand.

Pre/Post sales service: FortNine is great, Royal needs to step up their game.

Prices and Shipping time: Booth very good.

Website: Royal -- by far. Both use the same webcart (Magento) however parts of FortNine's website are messy. Their product attributes are incomplete which makes some 'sdd to cart' functions messy, search, filtering and indexing are poorly configured... messy. Another issue is they list a gazillion items listed they never stock -- this is a common visual from F9.


Odd considering F9 and their suster store for boaters, Defender.com, are owned by LinusShops -- they are supposed to be an ecommerce company.

 

[robertv19]

Everyone has a place in the market.

Selection: Royal. Better selection and definitely better inventory management, particularly for off-road stuff. Royal does offer more 'value' brands and they have a low cost house brand.

Pre/Post sales service: FortNine is great, Royal needs to step up their game.

Prices and Shipping time: Booth very good.

Website: Royal -- by far. Both use the same webcart (Magento) however parts of FortNine's website are messy. Their product attributes are incomplete which makes some 'sdd to cart' functions messy, search, filtering and indexing are poorly configured... messy. Another issue is they list a gazillion items listed they never stock -- this is a common visual from F9.

View attachment 61378
Odd considering F9 and their suster store for boaters, Defender.com, are owned by LinusShops -- they are supposed to be an ecommerce company.

F9s mobile site often crashes or hangs on my iPhone. And yes, they seem to load up all of their inventory regardless of stock or not.

With regards to RD - I always leave their Guelph store feeling depressed. Lol
They do have a large selection of Gryphon Moto gear, which I am a fan of.

 

[afici0nad0]

Havent bought anything from RD but first impressions do make a difference.

Store interior at the whitby location reminds me of cycle world. Unless i was fresh off an M1 written test pass, getting into the M1X course, and looking for first time mandatory gear, im staying away.

When im in the area i visit both RD and GP just to browse, I spend 5min in RD and 30min minimum in GP.

 

[cycling]

Havent bought anything from RD but first impressions do make a difference.

Store interior at the whitby location reminds me of cycle world. Unless i was fresh off an M1 written test pass, getting into the M1X course, and looking for first time mandatory gear, im staying away.

When im in the area i visit both RD and GP just to browse, I spend 5min in RD and 30min minimum in GP.

Nice reading. Also makes common sense. When I buy my motorcycle gear. I best for what I can afford. Safety is a priority. RD does not make me happy and I do not get much confidences for after sales service.

 

[Max527]

User error. Both the Cardo X2 and Spirit do not have Voice command. Your mics worked, you just didn't know it or researched correctly.
Comparison Table You could have avoided this whole episode if you searched before buying

 

[cycling]

User error. Both the Cardo X2 and Spirit do not have Voice command. Your mics worked, you just didn't know it or researched correctly.
Comparison Table You could have avoided this whole episode if you searched before buying

You are correct. Thank you. Spoke to Cardo USA On many occasions and they at the time did not know either. They, kindly admitted they did not know. that.
Cardo USA said to return the unit and they will refund me the money on the Freecom X2. Fair enough for me.
Will keep you all updated.

 

[Max527]

You are correct. Thank you. Spoke to Cardo USA On many occasions and they at the time did not know either. They, kindly admitted they did not know. that.
Cardo USA said to return the unit and they will refund me the money on the Freecom X2. Fair enough for me.
Will keep you all updated.

I have made the same mistake but I had to sell the X2 because returning it to RD was not possible. The X4 works perfectly for voice command. I also hate when companies don't know their products especially with situations like these.

 

[cycling]

I have made the same mistake but I had to sell the X2 because returning it to RD was not possible. The X4 works perfectly for voice command. I also hate when companies don't know their products especially with situations like these.

That was my problem.
Even Cardo USA did not know.
RD where not in the slightest bit interested.
It showed with their could not care attitude
Thank you for your interest and everyone else for your positive comments.
Much appreciated.

 

[cycling]

Latest update.

I cannot believe how Cardo can mess up so badly.
For me, when it works it is great.
However, if you have a technical problem they are useless.
Sometimes, it can take 2 hours minimum of the line. Then it hangs up on you.
Emails takes approximately 2-3 days.
I if you have been reading my problems.
Cardo told me to return the unit and they will refund my money for the unit. Not the postage.
Paid for the return of unit. ($26 Cdn)
On my front door step was the modular unit only. No accessories, Nothing.
I thought perhaps if I get a complete unit i can sell it here for a decent price.
Not going to happen.

 

[cycling]

Another update. Friday 16th 2023.

Sent an e mail to Cardo. Heard from them this afternoon. They said they had made a mistake.
Said they will make a refund soon. Wait and see.

 

[Klaatu]

When im in the area i visit both RD and GP just to browse, I spend 5min in RD and 30min minimum in GP.

OK, but you can go into Royal and GP. You don't go into F9. Better inventory? F9 is only a warehouse. All wholesale places have their entire inventory on their (Royal, GP, F9) websites. You order something and it looks like it was sent from F9 but it was sent from Kimpex, Motovan or some other wholesaler. It's "drop ship" which most companies offer to GP , Royal and most retailers. F9 does not need to carry a huge inventory, because it is all getting drop shipped. They have a great team doing this, but they don't need to deal with customers coming in to their shops. Makes a big difference.

 

[cycling]

OK, but you can go into Royal and GP. You don't go into F9. Better inventory? F9 is only a warehouse. All wholesale places have their entire inventory on their (Royal, GP, F9) websites. You order something and it looks like it was sent from F9 but it was sent from Kimpex, Motovan or some other wholesaler. It's "drop ship" which most companies offer to GP , Royal and most retailers. F9 does not need to carry a huge inventory, because it is all getting drop shipped. They have a great team doing this, but they don't need to deal with customers coming in to their shops. Makes a big difference.

Very interesting. Thank you.
Fort Nine have amazing customer service.

 

[cycling]

Update.......

In between e mails between Cardo USA and myself. Totally frustrating.

Consider that Royal Distributors, Guelph, will not cover any warranty's and must be sent/dealt with Cardo USA.
Received an e mail this morning stating that Cardo will not cover the Warranty.
So who is going to deal with my loss. $234.00.
NOBODY.
Not Cardo USA or Royal Distributors.

PayPal.

 

[Relax]

Update.......

In between e mails between Cardo USA and myself. Totally frustrating.

Consider that Royal Distributors, Guelph, will not cover any warranty's and must be sent/dealt with Cardo USA.
Received an e mail this morning stating that Cardo will not cover the Warranty.
So who is going to deal with my loss. $234.00.
NOBODY.
Not Cardo USA or Royal Distributors.

PayPal.

This is getting confusing. I thought FortNine sorted you out? And also you mentioned a couple times that Cardo said to send it back and they would refund you the money. Did they change their mind?

 

[cycling]

This is getting confusing. I thought FortNine sorted you out? And also you mentioned a couple times that Cardo said to send it back and they would refund you the money. Did they change their mind?

Yes, Cardo did change their mind.
Fort Nine solved my problem on a previous Cardo. Cardo Spirit.
I went to Royal Distributor's for the Cardo X2. BIG MISTAKE. Just to save $15. They had a special on. Kicking myself ever since.

Tbh. Getting confused myself.