Bike Shop Returns: Advisable?
01-11-15, 03:50 PM
#76
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I asked if the cleat fitting involved putting me on a trainer to evaluate fit. They said no. They said they would install the cleat and ask if there was discomfort and adjust accordingly.
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During the actual "fitting," I tried to be as accommodating as possible. I didn't ask a lot of questions, I simply showed up and tried to minimize their time commitment. I took the cleat covers off and removed the insole in case that was necessary for installation of the cleat. Thought I'd save 'em some time.
Things were immediately uncomfortable.
The cleat plate inside the shoe fell out and the fitter started with his smarminess: "you took out the insole?!? why**********" Just a very immature attitude.
I ignored the silly comment.
To my surprise, they walked me over to the trainer. I didn't think they were going to do this, so this got my hopes up.
The cleat installation was far off (not surprising with the initital setup). I told the fitter so, and he ignored me at first.
I told him again the heel was too far out. He then stated that the shoe and cleat would not allow for any range of adjustment beyond this initial adjustment (we were maybe 1 or 2 minutes in).
I insisted a third time that the cleat setup was incorrect. The fitter reluctantly adjusted the cleat, saying it was not possible to adjust the cleat to move my heels inward.
To my shock, and perhaps to his, the adjustment he performed was close to where I wanted it. I thanked him for making the adjustment.
The fitter than stated that the shoe was not appropriate, and that the cleat was not appropriate. He then asked me if I had ever used cleats before, implying that I was taking too long, or that I didn't know what I was talking about, etc.
He was just a real pain in the ass to to work with. He mad the process as difficult as possible, and wanted to end it as soon as possible. The 10 minute process was obviously too long for him and the shop. The better for them to serving the other non-existent customers in the store perhaps.
01-11-15, 03:57 PM
#77
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01-11-15, 04:17 PM
#78
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"Fitting? Oh, yeah, sure. Here, stand over this bike. You ain't singing soprano? It fits! Done. Next!"
01-11-15, 04:20 PM
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Yeah, actually you are the one spewing insults and accusations. Project much? 
And I am not accusing the shop of lying, it's a fact. They told me:
1. they have an unlimited service policy within the first year. This was a lie. Their website actually states that there is a $450 cap on service for new bikes for one year only.
2. another employee stated that I was not charged for the pedals. Another lie. I was charged at the time of purchase.
3. the fitter, aside from his smarminess and general lack of maturity and professionalism, stated that their pedals were the best in the world. Maybe, for someone with very narrow feet shaped like a banana.
You have some bizarre idea in your head that this is bike shop full of saints which can do no wrong and that somehow I am "taking advantage" of them. Perhaps you were bullied growing up? Leave the false projections and weak baiting at the door, my friend.
And I am not accusing the shop of lying, it's a fact. They told me:
1. they have an unlimited service policy within the first year. This was a lie. Their website actually states that there is a $450 cap on service for new bikes for one year only.
2. another employee stated that I was not charged for the pedals. Another lie. I was charged at the time of purchase.
3. the fitter, aside from his smarminess and general lack of maturity and professionalism, stated that their pedals were the best in the world. Maybe, for someone with very narrow feet shaped like a banana.
You have some bizarre idea in your head that this is bike shop full of saints which can do no wrong and that somehow I am "taking advantage" of them. Perhaps you were bullied growing up? Leave the false projections and weak baiting at the door, my friend.
If you make the same sarcastic and insulting comments to the bike shop employees it's not surprising there may have been some pushback.
You accused employees of lying and fraudulent behaviour when the explanation was likely more benign, as in a mistake by an employee.
There appears to be a difference in expectation between a 'basic' fitting and the number of adjustments you want. I would expect a basic fitting would be to have the cleats mounted on my shoes. I wouldn't expect to ride the bike and spend any time tweaking the cleat position. I think you'd be better off doing this on your own after riding for a while.
There's been plenty of misunderstanding in this thread and you own a good % of that misunderstanding. It's not surprising there also appears to be some mis-communication between yourself and the shop.
You accused employees of lying and fraudulent behaviour when the explanation was likely more benign, as in a mistake by an employee.
There appears to be a difference in expectation between a 'basic' fitting and the number of adjustments you want. I would expect a basic fitting would be to have the cleats mounted on my shoes. I wouldn't expect to ride the bike and spend any time tweaking the cleat position. I think you'd be better off doing this on your own after riding for a while.
There's been plenty of misunderstanding in this thread and you own a good % of that misunderstanding. It's not surprising there also appears to be some mis-communication between yourself and the shop.
01-11-15, 04:33 PM
#80
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That doesn't make any sense. For whatever reason, the employee just didn't know your were charged at the time of purchase. Why would they lie to you? Do you really think they were trying to scam you out of a few dollars? Grow up.
01-11-15, 06:22 PM
#81
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5 Signs You're a Bad Customer - US News
Joseph Grenny, a behavioral science expert based in Provo, Utah, and co-author of the book "Crucial Conversations," echoes that sentiment. "Rather than assume the other person is purposefully doing something annoying, assume that he or she is unaware or the problem," he suggests.
That doesn't mean you shouldn’t speak up if you receive poor customer service. But if you're polite and talk the problem through rather than get angry, you’re more likely to get the result you want, Grenny says.
That doesn't mean you shouldn’t speak up if you receive poor customer service. But if you're polite and talk the problem through rather than get angry, you’re more likely to get the result you want, Grenny says.
01-11-15, 07:41 PM
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Do you have old shoes?
If I was adjusting new shoes, I'd insist that you bring the old shoes in, even if you were getting a completely different style of pedals, cleats, shoes.
I do all of my installations and adjustments myself (which is also why I don't favor the LBS over other sources for parts). It also allows me to experiment a little bit.
I suppose it is tricky for a shop. Time certainly isn't free. Perhaps I should ask for a 20% "carry-out" discount.
If I was adjusting new shoes, I'd insist that you bring the old shoes in, even if you were getting a completely different style of pedals, cleats, shoes.
I do all of my installations and adjustments myself (which is also why I don't favor the LBS over other sources for parts). It also allows me to experiment a little bit.
I suppose it is tricky for a shop. Time certainly isn't free. Perhaps I should ask for a 20% "carry-out" discount.
01-11-15, 07:57 PM
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Welcome to the fitting of cleats. Something shops can bs their way through with out much effort on their part.
Now if they said "try this and come back in a week" I would give them my thumbs up. Because you cannot fit cleats so someone new to biking in one go, unless you're very lucky.
My best advice is to go with the ball park fit they gave you and make you're own adjustments. Read up on saddle and cleat placement. They go hand and hand and both contribute to knee/ankle/leg comfort/pain.
And sounds like this whole situation put a bad taste in your mouth with the shop. As mentioned if you like the bike keep it but only go back there for super sales or only buy the small stuff like tubes/patch kits from them, assuming that shop is the most convenient for you. Or if you have other shops in your area just go to them.
01-11-15, 08:17 PM
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For what it's worth, I've had a major knee surgery on my left knee (ACL, MCL, meniscus), and at the advice of my physical therapist, I ride with no float on that leg (6 deg float on the other, or whatever the cleat dictates, doesn't matter). This is much more comfortable for me since it keeps me aligned correctly. When there's too much float, my ankle wants to move all around, putting more stress on the knee by introducing lateral force to the hinge joint. Everyone's different though. Just saying more float is not always more comfortable or best for our bodies.
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01-11-15, 08:28 PM
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It looks like this thread has run its course.
Closed.
Closed.
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