The Leipzig pub owner Jens Krüger with the bill for his e-bike, which he never received Photo: Susann Friedrich
By Pauline von Pezold
Electric bikes have been on the rise for years. Particularly popular: the Dutch company VanMoof. This has now filed for bankruptcy and must also close the shop on Torstrasse – with bitter consequences for customers.
Pub owner Jens Krüger (57) dreamed of an e-bike from VanMoof. “I liked the look, the technical equipment. There’s a turbo button so it accelerates like hell,” he enthuses.
The man from Leipzig drove to the flagship store in Mitte, ordered and paid for the high-tech bike for 3,299 euros. It should be delivered in July. But the e-bike never arrived!
The VanMoof store at Torstrasse 42 is closed due to bankruptcy Photo: Ralf Günther / BILD newspaper
On July 10, Krüger visited the store again, asking about the status of his order. When the salesman didn’t have an answer, he got an uneasy feeling. Two days later, the shock email: “To protect our employees, we have closed our shops.”
He never got an answer to a number of messages to VanMoof. Krüger’s dream of an e-bike remains unfulfilled for the time being. “I’m terribly annoyed. 3300 euros gone, that’s no small matter for me,” complains Krüger.
Unlike other e-bikes, VanMoof does not work with standard parts such as Samsung batteries or Bosch motors, but with Asian suppliers who manufacture special parts.
The problem: standard parts can be exchanged and repaired in any bike workshop, special parts cannot. So customers depend on VanMoof.