Kogan Fitness Equipment

So I read today that Kogan is launching into selling fitness equipment in the Australian market. If this isnt a classic example of where NOT to buy fitness equipment, then I dont know what is.

There are many reasons, but here are just a few;

1. Kogan sell lots of stuff. It's OK for a TV, where we all know what they do, but for complex fitness equipment with moving parts, what you don't need is to buy a treadmill or exercise bike from a Jack-of-all-trades.
2. Kogan does not have bricks-and-mortar store backup. When something goes wrong, where can you go?
3. Technical knowledge is appalling. Last time I tried to get some help on something at Kogan, I got someone who knew almost nothing about the category I was inquiring about. When you buy from fitonline, or frankly many of our legitimate fitness industry competitors, you are speaking to industry specialists, who use this equipment every day. We row on rowing machines, and work out on elliptical trainers. We repair and assemble gym equipment for home use and for commercial gyms. From what I can gather, Kogan staff are well trained in sending boxes.
4. Australian warranties are critical. Everything you buy at Fitonline is acquired through the official Australian distributor and has genuine Australian warranties. When you buy from Kogan, that is not always true.
5. On the very top of the Fitonline web page is an Australian freecall phone number. When you ring, you get real Australian fitness equipment specialist staff. I cannot see a phone number on the Kogan home page at all, and if I find one deeper down, who will answer?
6. Fitonline's owners have been in business continuously since 1996. Has Kogan been around anything like that long?
7. Big brands = trust. Brands like York Fitness have been around for over 75 years. You will not find York Fitness Equipment on the Kogan site. BTW "Fortis" is a brand name Kogan has made up. It's not a long-recognised gym equipment brand like York, BodyWorx, Horizon, or Sole Fitness.
8. Videos show the way. A credible fitness-industry website has videos showing off their fitness equipment. How a treadmill works, which exercise bike you would choose. As yet, we have not seen any fitness equipment buyer's guides or videos on Kogan's website.
9. According to the press release, Kogan is getting fitness equipment made in China. It is widely believed that Taiwan is the place to make quality fitness equipment.
10. When I type "Kogan fitness equipment" into Google, the top result says "Kogan - Android phones, Appliances, iPhone 5, LED TVs". When I type "Fitonline" into Google, the resulting listing says "treadmills, home gyms, fitness buyer's guides, exercise bikes". What does that tell you about each company's focus?

Kogan.com.au.  A great place to buy a phone or a TV. Not a great place to buy a rowing machine or a treadmill.

* This article is editorial only, and represents the opinion of the Author.