After VanMoof’s bankruptcy last year, approximately 5,000 customers who had pre-ordered e-bikes were left in a difficult position. Now, VanMoof is back in operation with new management, offering a €1,000 discount on new bikes to those same customers as a gesture of goodwill.
This bold strategy relies on the assumption that customers who were let down by VanMoof previously will still be willing to invest in their premium bikes.
Before the bankruptcy, VanMoof required customers to pay almost the full amount upfront when pre-ordering, leading to long wait times for delivery. The current models, including the full-sized S5 and the smaller A5, now cost €3,298. With the discount, customers would need to pay an additional €2,298 for a total of close to €5,600 for a single VanMoof bike.
VanMoof’s journey has been marked by ups and downs, especially in terms of product quality and pricing due to reliance on venture capital. Following its acquisition by Lavoie, VanMoof has been working on improving supply chain, service network, and product quality to regain trust.
While the discount offer serves as a form of compensation, it is important to note that the bankruptcy process affects refunds for customers, with limited financial resources available for such gestures from Lavoie.
Customers interested in the discount must apply before December 31, 2027, although the process may involve some challenges due to data issues and regulatory constraints. Customer trust and satisfaction will be key to VanMoof’s future success as it strives to fulfill its promises and restore its reputation.
