Nov. 6, 2023

Poor Quality Crashes Companies

Poor Quality Crashes Companies

Your company is called the Tesla or Apple of your market. You've gotten more investment capital than any other company in your market. The product you sell has a long waiting list of customers. You must be making money hand over fist, right? Actually,...

Your company is called the Tesla or Apple of your market. You've gotten more investment capital than any other company in your market. The product you sell has a long waiting list of customers. You must be making money hand over fist, right? Actually, you are declared bankrupt. One important element of your company going bankrupt is poor quality in the product and services your company provides. This episode looks at just such a company.

This episode discusses the appeal of the product, the quality problems experienced by customers, and what improvements could have been made to prevent the quality problems.

Here is a video review of the 2020 VanMoof S3 bike—why the bike was so desireable: TNW Channel 2020 review of the VanMoof S3

The August, 2023 National Public Radio (NPR) article that introduced me to VanMoof and their bankruptcy: NPR article: VanMoof goes bankrupt

A September, 2023 article in The Verge where the VanMoof founders discuss their funding and customer support challenges: The Verge: VanMoof founders on S3 e-bike issues, delays, and new at-home support

A January, 2023 article on the website E-bike Tips where the precarious business state is reported, including comments on the cost to produce VanMoof bikes compared to the sale price: ebike tips: VanMoof secures more funding—but the future remains uncertain

A video from a VanMoof customer from New York who shared the many problems he faced purchasing and owning a VanMoof bike: Joseph Pluchino: VanMoof S3. Do not buy it.

The VanMoof S5 and A5 bikes Reveal video on April 5, 2022 from the VanMoof YouTube channel. VanMoof videos are really compelling, but pay attention to the explanation of the product development: VanMoof S5 and A5 bikes revealed

The Trustpilot website reviews where there are many unhappy customers sharing their experiences: Trustpilot VanMoof reviews

A discussion on the YouTube channel eBike Inspection about the VanMoof bankruptcy: How Did VanMoof The Tesla of e-Bike Go Bankrupt

In each of the videos shared here, you can find plenty of comments where people share their experiences, good and bad, with their VanMoof bikes.

You can contact the podcast host, Keith Fong, through the website Way of the Quality Warrior