Alas a report of very poor service yet again

[Boris Bajic]

Well, this one is an odd one.

First, three years is not a terribly long time to be riding a bicycle. So the "I've been riding for three years so I know..." line rings a little hollow.

Secondly, there are delays in these matters. If the slow stretch from 6 days through 2 weeks to 4 weeks irks you, I must advise you to have no dealings with builders or plumbers.

Thirdly, you give the impression that the 'fit' was somehow a key element for you, a deal-closer. Yet you appear to have acquiesced in your own bamboozling by the shop. There is a sense in your mail that you were a little cross at the delivery delay and on that basis were absolutely determined to make yourself VERY CROSS. You've succeeded in that if it was your aim, but apart from winning the Pretend World Title in moral victories, I'm not sure what you've gained.

Also... As others have said, if you do know what you need to make it fit (as you say you do) I'd pick another issue to fight over.

It sounds as if you've learned something. For every retailer, builder, plumber, garage I have nothing but praise for, I have heard two or three horror stories from deeply dissatisfied customers.

This shop sounds to have behaved shoddily or had a slightly half-arsed attitude, but it isn't worth having a cow.

I imagine you may be downhearted at the neutrality oor negativity of some of the responses you've elicited... But many of us have been dealing with bicycle shops (and other retailers) for decades and take a slightly more sanguine view of such apparent disaster.

One way or another, I'm sorry it didn't come up roses for you... but it is not a huge deal.

 

[Nosaj]

So what is the answer then just roll over and let people walk all over you. Allow people to offer a service and then not deliver on that service. Put up shut up and stand in a corner and remain silent. Spend a life on your knees while people crap all over you. I am afraid that isn't me

 

[Cyclopathic]

So what is the answer then just roll over and let people walk all over you. Allow people to offer a service and then not deliver on that service. Put up shut up and stand in a corner and remain silent. Spend a life on your knees while people crap all over you. I am afraid that isn't me

But it seems from your posts that you did take their poor service without saying anything to them so I don't understand what you're saying.

 

[Nosaj]

I have complained on the phone I have complained in writing and have received diddly squat you think coming on here was my first course of action. No it is an act of exasperation.

 

[black'n'yellow]

Spend a life on your knees while people crap all over you. I am afraid that isn't me

except in this case....

 

[Nosaj]

Anyway complaint out on the net do with it what you like this is my last response on this thread

 

[Crankarm]

If you were that dissatisfied with the service you recieved I can't understand why you parted with your cash? I would have just taken my money elsewhere. I'm pretty sure a bike fit is supposed to be done BEFORE you place your order rather than when your bike arrives otherwise how do you know what size of frame, etc to order?????

I have only been cycling for 3+ decades so don't know much about cycling or bicycles, so might be wrong.

If the bike doesn't fit or is not what you ordered then return it but you only have a short time to do this as it could be viewed that you have accepted it. In fact from your earlier posts it might appear that you have already accepted it as you say your bike is fine so your legal redress is limited unless the bike is faulty. I can't really work out what you are complaining about if you say your bike is ok and fits fine? The guy serving you may have been a trifle inattentive but hey some customers are extremely demanding we are not all perfect. Did you expect champagne and smoked salmon canapes to be served you while you test rode your bike? You could have refused to go through with the sale and walked away, but you didn't. Caveat emptor - buyer beware.

 

[Mugshot]

Anyway complaint out on the net do with it what you like this is my last response on this thread

Aren't you going to let us know what happens when you vent your spleen at them on Monday, I'm all agog now!

 

[Cyclopathic]

I have complained on the phone I have complained in writing and have received diddly squat you think coming on here was my first course of action. No it is an act of exasperation.

But at the actual time, in the shop you didn't raise the matter yet it obviously got you riled.

What response have you had from them to your written complaint?

 

[Nosaj]

Heard back from shop this pm so to provide a balance and to be fair to them I will advise the outcome.

They have offered a free retul fit as recompense.

I was only after what they said they would offer as part of the sale anyway which was a check on fit on the turbo including cleat set up and making tweaks where appropriate. this was the reason I chose this particular shop to purchase a bike from in the first place so I don't think I was being harsh unfair or demanding or pushy or expecting anything over and above what the shop said they would provide anyway.

Clearly i must have expressed displeasure to them at some point either that or they are telepathic

The other mistake I will not make is providing a heads up on here when I encounter what I consider sub standard service I will just let you find out for yourselves.

Thanks to the genuine posters

 

[black'n'yellow]

The other mistake I will not make is providing a heads up on here when I encounter what I consider sub standard service I will just let you find out for yourselves.

or you could just try standing up for yourself in the shop first - thus avoiding the whole 'angry on the internet' issue...?

 

[Boris Bajic]

Heard back from shop this pm so to provide a balance and to be fair to them I will advise the outcome.

They have offered a free retul fit as recompense.

I was only after what they said they would offer as part of the sale anyway which was a check on fit on the turbo including cleat set up and making tweaks where appropriate. this was the reason I chose this particular shop to purchase a bike from in the first place so I don't think I was being harsh unfair or demanding or pushy or expecting anything over and above what the shop said they would provide anyway.

Clearly i must have expressed displeasure to them at some point either that or they are telepathic

The other mistake I will not make is providing a heads up on here when I encounter what I consider sub standard service I will just let you find out for yourselves.

Thanks to the genuine posters

This is an unusual post. The Internet is very big (more than a mile wide in places) and lots of users are sometimes wrong. There is room for disagreement on the Internet. This is a forum - many of whose members are keen cyclists with decades of riding behind them. I thought many of the responses quite measured and believe all were genuine.

You posted a fairly strong and bitter "Avoid this Shop" notice that appeared to be based on a half-finished dialogue with the shop.

You seem to respond badly to people who find your response inappropriate. It was all just advice - which is what you asked for implicitly by posting on this forum.

You've now done what many thought you should have done before posting.

What is rather lovely is that you went to this retailer in search of the perfect LBS. I do not believe the perfect LBS exists. Mine is fine; anything better than fine is a bonus. To be perfect, it needs to be local to you. It's no good having to drive 15 miles for some spokes.

At the end of the day, it's just a bicycle and it's just a shop.

I hope the bike is as good for you as you want it to be. I'm sure it will be. It sounds as if you have lots of other yummy bicycles, so the disappointment will be softened if it disappoints.

A little less pique and a little more joy of cycling will greatly improve you next three years of riding.

(PS. I knew your "this is my last post" post earlier in the thread wouldn't be. They never are.)

 

[Hip Priest]

From your explanation I can certainly see why you were annoyed. If it were me, I'd have said "Look, this is not really what I expect from a bike fit. I'd like it to be done properly, and if not then I'm prepared to walk away from the deal."

Polite & assertive beats passive-aggressive every time. I hope you enjoy the bike anyway.