I think one should check the bike regardless where you buy it. I have a buddy that bought one of these big box store bikes. He said he got it home and the handlebar felt a little wobbly but he thought it was "ok". So off he went with his boys riding Slaughter Pen (google it :-) 10 minutes into the ride, he crashes. Dislocates his shoulder. He says he doesn't know if it was the bike or him. So a bunch of rehab later, maybe some surgery coming up, he's got a bike that's banged up and the handlebar is now very crooked, RD is very bent, and it's sitting in his garage....