Bicycle Mechanics - Problems with my new bicycle

I purchased a 26-inch Huffy Luna bicycle at Sports Authority for $99 three weeks ago. I have hardly put about 30 miles on it now (My commute is 5.5 miles one way and I am just starting so I do it occasionaly). Last week as I was riding the handlebar came loose. I took it to the store and they tightened the nut. Yesterday while I was riding, the right pedal came loose and dropped off. So I had to drop it off at the store again.
Is this normal for bicycles? How much do I have to spend to get a reliable bike (one that doesnt keep dropping parts!!). Or is it a problem with the store assembly?

Thanks in advance.

I purchased a 26-inch Huffy Luna bicycle at Sports Authority for $99 three weeks ago. I have hardly put about 30 miles on it now (My commute is 5.5 miles one way and I am just starting so I do it occasionaly). Last week as I was riding the handlebar came loose. I took it to the store and they tightened the nut. Yesterday while I was riding, the right pedal came loose and dropped off. So I had to drop it off at the store again.
Is this normal for bicycles? How much do I have to spend to get a reliable bike (one that doesnt keep dropping parts!!). Or is it a problem with the store assembly?

Thanks in advance.It's absolutely normmal for $99 Huffys and other junk stuck together at places like Wallymart and Sports authority. A maintenace book and learning to turn a wrench yourself might be a big help. A real bike from a LBS might cost $250.

What's LBS ?
Thanks

Local Bike shop, A shop that specializes in bikes or bikes and fitness or outdoorgear

This is mostly a assembly issue. But the most effective solution is to start learning to do your own minor repairs. You'll want to do these even when you get a better bike. There are a lot of basic bike maintenance books out there. Poor assembly is the rule at dept. stores. One of the reasons for buying at a bike shop.

By the way. Welcome to the world of the bike commuter. I always get to work in a better mood when I bike than when I drive. As you ride more you will have a better idea of what you want in a bike and when you are ready to get a better bike will know what kind you want.

Welcome to bike commuting!

As some of the other responses said, assembly is often a big issue with department store bikes. I'd suggest going over the bike and tightening everything up, or have a mechanic at a bike shop do it for you (of course they'll charge you for doing this). The www.parktool.com website has some great information on servicing bikes. All you really need are a few basic tools (e.g. hex wrenches and screwdrives, plus a couple of spanners).

Alternatively, return the bike and get yourself an entry level LBS bike. Assembly shouldn't be an issue, and they'll have a full service department to help you keep your bike dialled in (often free for at least the first year).

Enjoy!

At the discount stores, they notoriously have 18-year old part-time workers assemble these bikes. Even well-set up and maintained, that 100-buck Huffy will probably not satisfy you for long. They are meant to keep kids happy for a rather short period of hard use...