jjg1013

Purchased a higher end Mountain bike from them over Memorial day weekend. The front tire was low when the bike was picked up. Road it for the week and had to pump the tire up every other day. Took the tire in for repair the next Saturday and Craig the manager charged for a new stem because I mentioned that I took spill on the bike this was a thirty cents part. He made the comment that the tire valve was broken because of the wreck and charged me 5$. Do not buy from this shop they will treat you like dirt after you purchase the bike. Also just asking for basic information about bike adjustments (worked on bicycles for 30 years) the manager Craig was a complete ass about the process and it was like pulling teeth to get the information. Horrible attitude and just flat talked down to me the customer.

RonH

Sorry you got such a bad deal.
I guess you didn't read all the negative threads on here about BD.
If you're interested, go to the top of the page and click "Search the Forums" and do a search for bikesdirect and see what comes up.

spoke50

I thought Bikesdirect was only a online store?

jjg1013

We have a local Bikes Direct in town.

Really like the Motobecane its made really well and rides great however expected more from the dealer. They will never get another penny from me.

jjg1013

Thanks for the info thought I did my research.


Great sig by the way.

spoke50

Not to sturr this pot anymore, but it seems that there is more to this story than just a stem. I've noticed that you have posted this same thread in the "General Discussion" forum (probably would have been more entertaining in the "Road Cycling" forum) along with every Googled web site that has a place to make a comment. You have gone to a lot of trouble to smear this guy's name. What's up with that?

jjg1013

Actually about 15 minutes worth of trouble and did it so other people dont have go through the same experience and BS.

It's simple could have saved some money and ordered the bike online and more then capable to assemble and tune the bike. The manager Craig stressed the FREE service for life and a week later I got nothing but BS and a headache.

rydaddy

Wow.

jjg1013

And really wasn’t about saving money it was the principle of the situation and the way I was treated when asking about basic adjustments to the bike. And plus wanted to spend the money locally then have it spent out of state.

jinws

so did you crash? I mean really, how does he know the bad stem wasn't from your crash? You should've mentioned the low tire pressure when you picked up, since you did notice it then. I think a shop should repair any defect, but not damage caused by the rider.

And do you walk into a car shop and expect the mechanic to explain how you can fix your car without going to the shop? That's like giving away business. You were basically expecting a freebie. I don't think you should be pissed because someone who earns a living fixing bikes tells you how to fix it yourself.

With that said, My local LBS frequently dish out free advice, gives away small parts and even free service sometimes. But I never go in and expect anything for free. Bikesdirect obviously is not on the same level as a good, friendly, service oriented LBS. I guess you get what you paid for. But seriously, post this in the road forum, it'll be fun just to watch.

jjg1013

Well the first words out of my mouth were I had to pump up the front tire as soon as I got the bike home. And that it was a daily occurrence before and after the spill.

Considering that when buying the bike from them it came with FREE lifetime service don't you think I was doing them a favor making some minor adjustments on my own?

jinws

well, did you call right away? or did you wait a few days to report the problem.

Also, no, I don't think you are doing them a favor by doing your own adjustments. You should know "free adjustments" means take your bike in, we'll look at it and tell you what you need replaced. Just another way to rip, opps, I mean sell you stuff you can easily get anywhere. They're not gonna let that slip by. Plus, if you screw it up, then they just have more work to do to repair whatever you did.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not say Bikesdirect is a good shop, let alone decent. It's just I think you are expecting too much. They are what they are. If you did any kind of search on BF, you'll know that the opinion of BD is very mixed, and all the good ones are about how cheap it is from guys who already knows how to wrench.

edit: and I said, how does he know, you don't need to tell me twice. I believe you, he's probably looking for any excuse to not give you free service.

jjg1013

A decent LBS would understand that he won't be there for me when the bike needs adjusting in the woods or on a bike trip and some BASIC info is not going to hurt his business but help them in the long run. It's called making the customer happy a lost art form in the retail business (which I worked in for 5 years 2 in a bike shop in CO).

No doubt about it but the even funnier part was we were discussing purchasing another set of rims and some road slicks since I do about 30% of my riding on the pavement.

spoke50

Ok... here's my thought. I'm in business for myself (customer service) and I can't afford to give anything away for free, but it seems that this LBS could of handled it it a little differently. I bought my last bike from Bikesdirect.com, but I had my LBS assemble it for me. I assured them that if they put it together for me I would purchase other stuff from them. I have since had the bike in for tune ups and have also changed the stem and saddle out. Last week the mechanic replaced a cable for me and tried to do it for free and I had to explain to him that I didn't expect that. These shops are in business to make money and in this economy things are pretty tuff.

jaxgtr

Bikes Direct has local stores called Cycle Spectrum and Bike Directs. We have a couple Bikes Direct in Jacksonville. For the most part they cater to the college kids at UNF and the yuppies in that area and the folks that work in that store are fairly clueless. I only go in there as a last resort if I really need something cause they are open late.

DieselDan

Whoa there jaxgtr/Brian, bikesdirect.com is an advertiser on your website. Under prior ownership, criticism of advertisers was forbidden.

jaxgtr

I did not say BikesDirects.com or the Store in general was bad, just the employees in that store are questionable at best.

jjg1013

Bingo my point the entire time.

That being said Cycle Spectrum in Jax Beach went the extra mile today very nice experience and restored some faith in buying their products.

2cyl

Sounds like you went in with an expectation of some free stuff/advice, and you got upset when you charged for it.

I know that Craig has personally spent time fitting, adjusting, and swapping out parts at no cost to his customers.

Perhaps your post should have said, Don't buy from Bikes Direct in STJTC if you want free service after a wreck.

Sounds like you have an entitlement issue common to Gen-Y.

jjg1013

Sounds like you have no clue not my first rodeo obviously its yours.......

spoke50

end thread please:>

2cyl

Perhaps a remedial reading comprehension class is in order. I did not write that you were gen-y, I said you have entitlement issues like gen-y.

jjg1013

Actually generation work hard for my $ and when its spent certainly like to get a little service and support. The same support I give my customers every day without talking down to them. Which is not easy to do in the IT field.

Hobartlemagne 

I ride past a Cycle Spectrum on the way to Plano Cycling and Fitness.

spoke50