I advised the company that I was going to share my experience with their Customer Services - they said "we're not going to stop you Sir" - so here you go...
This is not a review, this is a chronology of factual events relating to a real life transaction:-
I purchased a waterproof jacket and trousers from GhostBikes in Preston, Lancs. They also trade via eBay and have their web portal. The Armour suit was £180 for the jacket and £99 for the trousers. The trousers have a tag , several tags, promoting the waterproof membrane "water barrier". The labels go on to give a breakdown of innovative materials to help breath and keep water firmly out. I bought the suit in May this year.
I have never used the suit in the rain - I've been lucky or the rain has stayed away - until this week. Come rain, sat on the bike during a 30 minute journey , I got to work and my legs and bottom were soaked. Not damp, soaked. I contacted GhostBikes and was told that as I had used the product and owned it for more than 30 days they would not offer a refund but would return them to the manufacturer for "testing". I contacted Trading Standards and spoke to a nice lady who advised that there was a 60 day statutory consumer law rule that required, for a period of 60 days from purchase, items to be of merchantable quality and fit for their intended purpose. Further, trading standards stated that the vendor (GhostBikes) was entitled to return the good to the manufacturer but the consumer must not be charged for the return to the manufacturer, and must not be inconvenienced. Well if I had no waterproof pants in rain then I'd call that inconvenienced. I got back on the phone to GhostBikes
GhostBikes put their "Manager" on the phone who simply repeated their previous line. They would return the trousers to the manufacturer. I explained that I would be inconvenienced and could they lend me a pair , any pair lying around , perhaps a return or slightly damaged (label or something) pair. "NO! We cannot" was their response. I stated that they were in my view in breach of consumer law. They denied this and said there was no way I could be lent a pair of trousers. I said I would get back onto trading standards and reserve the right to reject the goods through the small claims court. "We are not stopping you Sir" was their response.
I am now considering my options
But if you are thinking of purchasing "waterproof" trousers as the decidedly autumninal/wintery chill takes a grip, then you may want to take a jug of water with you, pour over the pants, wait 10 minutes and then buy them if they work. Otherwise you could be throwing your CA$H away!