I do not wish to make owners of dept. store bikes feel defensive. But I will never recommend such a bike. The reason is simple:
I want them to have the best!

Would you buy a car from a dept. store if you knew it was assembled in the store by the same employees that stock shelves, run cash registers and sweep floors at about $7.00 per hour? No way!

Why would you settle for a bike assembled that way, when you can get one for as little as $300, assembled by bike mechanics, that comes with a proper warranty and a service contract that offers free maintenance on things like brake and derailleur adjustments?

No, I consider I am doing people I care about a favor by steering them towards the best deal! Remember, "low, low prices" are not always the best way to save money in the long run.