Before test riding bikes, what info do bike shops ask us?
 

Never bought a bike before. Just want to test rides some bikes before buying. I want to make sure what info they will ask and what they shouldn't be asking for. Also your guys experience, are bike shops be flexible with the price and give at least $100 off on $1,500+ bikes or is it MSRP price or nothing? I live in California and could've bought a couple bikes in New York with NyceWheels since they don't charge tax and sometimes they ship for free. I calculated the taxes for the bikes I want at my local shop and it would cost me $150-$200 extra with the taxes compared to buying it online at a New York shop. The reason why I want to buy local is support local shops as well as bringing in my bike in if it needs repair immediately. When buying online I heard we gotta send it back to the place we bought it from online and we would be charged for shipping.

They will probably ask you what you are looking for and based on your answer make some suggestions. Mountain, City, Touring, Road. They may ask your budget though that'll become clear anyway. I don't think you get much of a discount as margins on bikes are pretty low. You should get a maintenance package which as you point out will be beneficial over buying online if you don't do your own maintenance. Around here they keep your license while you are on the bike to make sure you come back. Other than that, have at it.

Ask them if they give a discount for cash. That should have you 3-4%.

My last 2 bikes had to be ordered so I also paid up front which saved me more.

So they won't ask for credit card, phone number, or social security# before test ride?

They have insurance for people who are chump enough to ride off with a bike on a test ride.

I've never been asked for any info when I tested bikes.

I test drive sports cars without giving any info. And the one time it was a really expensive car, i only gave them a photocopy of my license where the license number was covered by a sticker.

Never, ever, EVER, give anyone your social security number for ANY REASON.

I have had bike shops take either an ID or credit card prior to riding as collateral.

Back when I worked at a bike shop, I had a kid ride off with a BMX bike on a test ride. After that I discovered the company used to have a hold-your-license policy, but no one was really doing it anymore. Needless to say, that policy was quickly reinstated. :) Sometimes if it was a couple and just one was riding, or if they drove their car, we still didn't worry about it.

Funny part is the kid's roommate saw the bike in their dorm not long after that, saw the bike shop's sticker on it, and pretty much figured out what was up. The roommate brought it back to the shop son thereafter.

Matt

I'd go with the ID in that situation. If they run a charge, all the receipt shows in name, last 4 of the card number, and their authorization. If they have the card, they can also have your expiration date and security code. If that sounds like I'm suspicious, well so are they or they wouldn't have asked for the card. Just good business on both sides.


Related subject; sometimes a business will only take a check after getting CC information. No Go. They don't trust me, I don't trust them, and again, that's just good sense all the way around.

Do you mean to return it for a refund or just for repair? If for repair, I've never heard of sending it back to the online retailer. While I've never bought a complete bike online, friends of mine have, and then have taken them to the LBS for maintenance or repair when the need arose.



:)

You are asking for a LOT of information.

There are lots of different bike shops. They won't all have the same policies. There are also lots of different situations that come up. If I owned the shop I wouldn't treat every situation exactly the same.

I've had a bike shop hold my license. I had another hold my car keys. I've never had one ask for my SS#.

They might ask but the DL should be sufficient. Never give anyone your SSN

they usually ask for a drivers license to hold on.

Almost every shop I've been in has been on the honor system, or a DL, at most, for the really expensive stuff.
Heck, even the Harley-Davidson dealer just wants a copy of the DL, sign the your-break-it-you-buy-it waiver, and bring it back in about an hour.

WRT the online retailers, it's usually if there is damage or missing parts on receipt of the bike, that they want you to send it back to them.
Once it's assembled, you are pretty much on your own.

Typically ... There is MSRP , Advertised Price , and "Our Price " .

I was told "Answer me these questions three."

They might ask you if sitting on a bike for a long times makes your butt hurt.

warranty repair

:thumb:

Understood.




:)

California has very strict regulations over the business use of DMV information. I don't know how that applies to a local retail business, but I'd be surprised if anything but identifying you is legal so I wouldn't leave it with them. Nor a credit card, and absolutely not SSN or more specific personal identifying information such as DOB, mother's name, or anything like that. Name and address, verify with the drivers' license, and that should be enough for their purposes.

That's not to say that a given shop won't deny you a test ride, if you refuse to hand over your DL or credit card. It might be better to pass over a shop that does and go on to the next one.

The few I've test ridden have always required some sort of collateral: DL, CC (not charged, just held onto), car keys, etc. A couple have required a quick and simple waiver to be signed, saying if you wreck the bike it is yours, and that you hold them harmless for any injury incurred. The only reason you should ever give a shop your SSN is if you are applying for credit.

As to how much they are willing to discount, that is up to the shop and what you want. If you are interested in a model year old bike that is still sitting around collecting dust, you're more likely to find them willing to work on price than something new and in demand they have to order for you. If your LBS is actually a national chain, good luck getting them to move on price on anything.

Rode to the Ford Pkwy Erik's to ride a Raleigh Tamland. At his one they wanted DL + CC

I went to a LBS and they didn't ask for any collateral for a test ride but another LBS I'm going to soon wants a credit card and I.D./Driver's License. It should be okay to give them both?

That is their Guarantee you won't abscond with the bike on the test ride. You will get it Back when You return.

Unless you have Medicare and go to a doctor; then your SS# is your account #, right there on the card. I hear that this will soon change, but for now, that's the way it is!