You can't expect one bike store to meet all your needs - I use 4, my 2 LBS stores for convenience and MTB related gear (not completely happy with either of them), MEC for mostly cheaper proices on regular stuff and clothing, and Racer Sportif for my road bike. Don't know how anyone can equate MEC with Wal mart - MEC is owned by its members, seems to treat its staff OK, provides advice on its website and in the store and supports bike/environmental causes. Their bikes don't excite me but I can just go elsewhere.

I like shopping at MEC. I have been to several of their stores around the country and was satisfied with each of my visits... I think I always found something that fit the need I had at the time and I always found the staff helpful.
And while maybe MEC was not selling bikes in the '70s, that certainly does not mean it is somehow against their principals. THe bikes, although I have only seen them online and int he catalogue, look like sturdy bikes with reasonably good prices.

The funniest statement in this thread, though, is "My own bike shop, despite me having bout a $3000 bike, still had to have me wait 1 week for an appointment to get the work done (about 20 minutes of work). I won't say I deserve better service than the rest..I'm just upset is all."

If you don't think you should be moved to the front of the line what are you upset about? Buying a fancy bike does not entitle you to have work done at your convenience.
Buying tools does, because you can do the work yorself... but not a fancy bike.

I suggested they sell bikes about 20 years ago. At around that time stuff was so bad I had to go to the US to find a mountain bike. That might have been 25 years ago. MTBs did sound like something for a Mountain Co-op, to sell, but they waited until the time was right for city bikes... It would have been cool back then if they had gotten into it because there was so little around. They didn't initially get into bikes only because they figured the service side was too much trouble.

As far as the expertise is concerned, who cares. The bottom line is that most bike stores including favorites of mine like Urabane (near TO MEC) aren't that great either. I have walked by with ears open and it is mostly nonsense that comes out of clerks mouths. It is open to question whether getting a clerk who is a 20%er is worse than a 66%er: One might actually fall for something coming out of the latter's mouth. You are on your own. If you are smart enough to know whether these guys are dead wood and carry on about it on a forum, that shouldn't be a problem for you.

On the service front, I was in Urbane a week ago Saturday, trying to buy a fork. No service. There were two fixie customers there with complicated problems related to bringing antique bikes into a new world never envisioned by the builder. They are probably still there. To paraphrase, the service tech's gravestone will read: "God Finally Caught His Eye"

My experience with MEC Montreal is that they have a huge section of parts and tools. Many local bike shops just want to sell bikes and that's all they care about. I've gone to MEC and bought parts and tools, and the service was pretty good. They are never the least bit pushy with their sales. I've never had them suggest that I should buy a bike (although to be fair, their bikes aren't too great), and I've never had them ask me if I wanted work done, when I just wanted to buy parts and do the work myself.

Maybe there is kind of a walmart/big-box-store feeling, but that is fine as far as I'm concerned. I like the fact that their bike accessories, parts and tools sections are as big as most bike shops.

It kind of sucks that they're so far away from where I live, but that just keeps me from buying too much bike stuff...

A lot of the MEC mechanics actually take part in youth programs for bike advocacy. They're great with kids in high school and teaching them how to fix their bikes. I love how programs like these where mechanics are sharing their expertise with young minds are slowly appearing across the city.

But then again, I was one of those 'kids' not too long ago and now I am supporting mechanics around the city like the ones from MEC who are willing to share their expertise. So, my personal experience with MEC has been a good one, regardless of my slight bias opinion.

Our MEC here is nothing but awesome... the head mechanic used to run his own shop and is on my short list of people I would let work on my bike and the Cycling Coordinator is my little sister. She knows more about cycling than most and sometimes struggles with the customers who come in and will look over and around her trying to find someone who knows something about cycling.

Our store is a B store and should not be carrying bicycles or offering service but they insisted and seem to be doing well in the sales and service end of things.

And unlike many shops, they pay better wages and offer benefits to their staff.

The MEC in downtown Toronto is a model of bad service and Toronto arrogance. Needed a few lights on a Friday night and what a chore - steer clear I say.

What, of all the lights on display, you couldn't just pick one? I think you have the problem, not MEC.

Hey, what do you expect from a bunch of pinkos! Though service at mec is far above that at the model of capitalism, Walmart.

Maybe you're asking too much.

What? I've never had a problem here. The service is great, but yes, some sales staff don't know bikes all that well. I'm applying for a job there myself, hopefully I'll get the bike dept., and may be able to remedy that situation But, seriously, they try their best, and are very friendly and often very helpful. I often go on a friday night and have no problems, excepting transit/parking downtown. I've had problems with service at many other bike shops - especially Urbane Cyclist. Most private shop people are friendly, but a large-enough portion are bike snobs who want to make you feel like you know nothing - being only teenage, I've had poorer service and "high-and-mighty" opinions thrown at me based on component choices. Just be wary of that - at MEC i've had no such problem.

I see what you did there and I'm from Montreal.

I've never had a bad experience at the Toronto MEC bike department. I do my own work, so I can't comment on their repair service, but their attitude has always been good and they gave me free bolts once.

+1

I think someone's just cranky. "Steer clear (of them) I say".

@ RedWhiteandRED

Do you by any chance own a store that competes with MEC. You seem fairly intent on having pepole NOT go in there. Having worked there myself for two years (in Montreal) I know that not all staff are trained/knowlegeable (sp?) in all departments. I dont know squat about bikes but I could write a book on climbing gear or technical fabrics.
Anyway, I just wanted to defend the CO-OP a bit because a far as bang-for-your-buck goes, its pretty sweet. Furthermore, their return policy is second to NONE. Can you show me a LBS where you can buy a bike, ride the heck out of it for a a season, then bring it back and say "I didnt like it", then get your full money back? Probably not.
That is all

The MEC in Calgary is terrific.
The MEC in Quebec City is terrific.
The MEC in Vancouver... great.
Halifax - great.

The MEC in Toronto on a weekend or Friday night - decent. The part time staff are there brimming with enthusiasm and all eager to help and generally knowledgeable.

The Toronto store is brutal when the regular full time staff are in action - or asleep - Monday to Friday from open to about 7pm. here is one guy that walks around with his Tim Horton's cup all day pretending to work.....

Went to MEC this past Sunday to get some tires. It was relatively busy and I didn't what size I needed for my tires. The staff was extremely helpful, not only they told me what size I needed they also explained to me what the numbers meant. I'm very happy with my experience at MEC and the prices are very reasonable.

I am a new member of MEC and, in my few visits to my local store in Burlington, I have been very impressed. I have made no major purchases as yet but still get treated as if my few dollars are as important to them as larger purchases. It felt very good.

Cheers,

Brian J.

Like any store, you can sometimes get an employee on a bad day, or even a bad employee, but I agree with the MEC-backers. The return policy is great, equipment is fine and staff can go out of their way to be helpful.

But I'm lucky. I work close enough that I can meander over in my lunch hour. A Friday night can be brutal. Avoid it if you can.

I love MEC. I do frequent my LBS I'll make the trip to Urbane if I need some obscure part. I love that MEC so different, offers different brands and different prices. And if you're into touring, it has it all....

I haven't had any problems at the Montreal store. It's not a real coop like Right to Move, for example, but their prices on Bike junk seems fairly reasonable. The clothing, however, is expensive.