Buying a helmet online questions

[gpzrocker]

For ya'll guys and gals that have bought a helmet online, a question:

If you had to return it due to a fitment issue, did the company require you to pay return shipping?

In this case, I have purchased a helmet not available locally from a manufacturer directly and they did size up to try to rectify the problem. A couple of other things have went odd in this transaction, so I am naturally concerned: do I have to pay to have the privilege of trying out one of their helmets?

I'll do a full review after this transaction is finished.

[T Cro ®]

That would all depend on their own individual return policy.... I can't help but reply should they have to pay for the fact that you ordered the wrong size?

[zsiska]

I hate ordering things like that online for that very reason.  I did order my Scorpion helmet online, but I went to some shops forst and tried them on to get the corrrect size before ordering. 

[mjrfd99]

Go to the helmet stores and find what fits you-many helmets are different. ie; all large aren't large to me
Then come home and order online.

[timsatx]

Do a little research for the shape of your head vs. the shape of the helmet. Some helmets are better for more angular heads and others more for round heads. Mine is more round and the Zox Genesis fits great. It is noisy but other than that it fits great.

[Pokey]

Must try before you buy........

[timsatx]

I think I am proof you do not. The main thing is to fully study the subject. Of course it isn't foolproof. If you want that the do indeed try before you buy.

[gpzrocker]

I have gotten the whole "how this works" thing figured out.  They burned me in the start on the shipping, and was hoping that the numbers included a return if it did not work. I was wrong.

Problem was no one near me carried the helmet.  Webbikeworld reviewed it as a fantastic helmet, running right alongside the two other helmets I have size wise. We did try two sizes (the last being the biggest size they carry, an XXXL (in the other brands I wear an XL).

And so ya'll know, it was a special idea to me. See, when I was in Desert Storm I was attached to VF-84, an F-14 squadron. How many chances do you get to have a helmet like this with a background like me?

http://www.akumahelmets.com/products_helmet_V1-GhostRider-matte.php

I was just concerned with the return, not the how it fits and such. Thanks guys. I'm gonna try on the Icons, even though I wear one right now....

[redzgrider]

Absolutely bitchin' helmet!
That said, the idea of trying helmets on at a local shop, then coming home to order it off the internet is a great way to not have a local shop for trying on helmets. I know local shops can price themselves right out of the market, but I generally find that if I give a local guy a chance to meet the lower price (or be within 10 or 20% of the lower price) he usually will.

[Pokey]

I think I am proof you do not. The main thing is to fully study the subject. Of course it isn't foolproof. If you want that the do indeed try before you buy.

You are in the minority more than likely, and I can try on 3 different helmets of the same size and model, and each does in fact feel a bit different.

[timsatx]

So far I have bought two helmets online. The Genesis is the second. Never had a problem with either one.

[W14]

Suggest you call or email the company you plan to deal with and ask them about their return policy. I deal a lot with motorcycle superstore; my recollection is that when I had to return a helmet (it's latch was broken), I did not have to pay return shipping.

[Kazairl]

Revzilla will exchange it for a different size for the first time for free after that you have to pay shipping.

[ManWorkinghere]

Absolutely bitchin' helmet!
That said, the idea of trying helmets on at a local shop, then coming home to order it off the internet is a great way to not have a local shop for trying on helmets. I know local shops can price themselves right out of the market, but I generally find that if I give a local guy a chance to meet the lower price (or be within 10 or 20% of the lower price) he usually will.

+1  Buy local the first time to keep them around.  But Internet for the second, or third one.

Revzilla will exchange it for a different size for the first time for free after that you have to pay shipping.

Did this for the wife's helmet.  RevZilla covered the replacement shipping fees.

[Pokey]

I just bought a new Shoei Qwest today at the Iron Pony, tried on 2 larges and bought the one that felt the best. I think I am really gonna like this new lid.

[koval68]

I just bought a new Shoei Qwest today at the Iron Pony, tried on 2 larges and bought the one that felt the best. I think I am really gonna like this new lid.

I sure love mine...

[AZBiker]

I hate ordering things like that online for that very reason.  I did order my Scorpion helmet online, but I went to some shops forst and tried them on to get the corrrect size before ordering.

Wow.  That is some bad karma.  What a crappy thing to do.

What if your local shops hadn't bothered maintaining thousands of dollars of helmets in various colors and sizes?  I guess you'd be screwed, eh?

[CigarSki®]

My local shop carries mostly the bottom line stuff. Sometimes, they have items like oil filters in stock, they never have air filters or tires. My choice is to have them order it in, at a higher price than anyone else, or, order it myself. Given that there is little advantage in buying filters from them, mailorder is the way to go.