Pacific Northwest - Gregg's: 10-minute test ride policy?

Although there are some threads on here criticizing Gregg's (Seattle-area bike stores), I've generally had good experiences there (parts, advice, simple service). But I've never bought a bike from them.

I stopped in to pick up a small item today and while waiting to pay I was reading the "Test Ride Policy" they have posted behind the cash register (Bellevue store).

It says, prominently, that bike test rides are limited to 10 minutes in duration.

As they say on the Interweb, WTF?

Do they really enforce this? Anyone have experience with this?

I'm sure that over the years they have had their share of "horror stories" of folks running off w/bikes or crashing them or whatever, but still seems pretty stingy to me. I've recommend Gregg's to some friends looking for Trek and/or Specialized bikes but this gives me second thoughts.

I can not speak for the bellevue store but i don't think that holds true for the seattle store (at least what i have seen). Bought my trek 7.3 there and never had any problem with being told to have bikes back with the ten minute frame. Although i did see the same sign in the seattle store i was able to test 3 or 4 different bikes at my own pace.

Their no returns policy on things like stems and saddles make them a no buy for me.

greggs has an ample saddle test program but i believe they don't allow returns on parts that have been installed. (torque, thread integrity, etc makes me not want to buy a previously installed and ridden part except at a discount...)

parts that have not been installed are returnable. most cyclists have extra, ridden stems laying around if they don't know what length stem they need. its the nature of the sport. get a fit or try different length stems. if its installed on your bike, it's your part.

if you think they don't let you test and return any saddle they carry, you havent asked about testing a saddle.

i don't know how strict their policy is about test rides.

Although there are some threads on here criticizing Gregg's (Seattle-area bike stores), I've generally had good experiences there (parts, advice, simple service). But I've never bought a bike from them.

I stopped in to pick up a small item today and while waiting to pay I was reading the "Test Ride Policy" they have posted behind the cash register (Bellevue store).

It says, prominently, that bike test rides are limited to 10 minutes in duration.

As they say on the Interweb, WTF?

Do they really enforce this? Anyone have experience with this?

I'm sure that over the years they have had their share of "horror stories" of folks running off w/bikes or crashing them or whatever, but still seems pretty stingy to me. I've recommend Gregg's to some friends looking for Trek and/or Specialized bikes but this gives me second thoughts.

I tested a bike at the Greenlake store a couple summers ago; I was gone for more than 10 minutes and I was never told "be back in 10 minutes" and there wasn't a sign, thus it might be a recent policy (?). For the test-ride I had left my purse with them, which contained not only my wallet and drivers license but keys to everything including the car, which resale was more value than the bike I was testing. I think they knew I was coming back with the bike.

I don't understand any LBS that won't let you have a decent test ride. Seems like loss of sales would eventually change this poor policy. One LBS lost a sale to me a few years ago because they would only let me ride in the parking lot. I offered to let the scan a credit card to let me take it for a longer ride, in case I hurt the bike or something, and "no go." I bought a bike in another town the following weekend. They let me ride for over an hour through a local park, which was about a mile from their shop. My car parked outside was all I left them for security.

The LBS I frequent now will let you take one of their showroom bikes on a Saturday group ride, especially if they already know you as a frequent customer looking at an upgrade. They seem more interested in you getting the right bike for you rather than just selling a bike.

maybe i just like to wing it, but i've bought all my bikes after a 5-15 minute test ride.

fwiw i think Velo Bike Shop has the same policy, at least in writing. but they don't really enforce it from what i remember.

In this very forum last year, we discussed the case of Dr. Bos, a podiatrist from Longview who stole a number of expensive bikes while taking them on a 'test ride'. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004194944_bicyclethief22m.html

I can see why bike shops are sensitive to the test ride issue.

Maybe the posted policy is meant to cut down on the joy riders that are not really shopping.

I can see why bike shops are sensitive to the test ride issue.

Yes, but I've never seen a sign like that in a car dealer, and they have a lot more at stake in a test ride than a bike shop.

To be sure, at a car dealer, usually the sales person is in the car with you when you go for a test ride -- but I've had car sales folks take a copy of my insurance card and drivers license, toss me the keys to the car, and say, "let us know how you like it."

The Lynnwood store just took my drivers license and credit card and said be back whenever