Bike service

[Soup890]

What happens if you take your bike in for a service. You come back to collect it. You go to pay for the completed service. But you can't afford it.

Do they keep hold of your bike until you can afford it?

 

[AndyRM]

If they've had to replace worn parts they should have informed you before hand, otherwise I'd expect to pay a price agreed upfront.

Poor form if you booked the service knowing you couldn't afford the price. You've wasted someone's time and potentially lost the shop or mechanic money.

 

[smokeysmoo]

What happens if you take your bike in for a service. You come back to collect it. You go to pay for the completed service. But you can't afford it.

Do they keep hold of your bike until you can afford it?

Don't know as I do my own servicing, but I doubt they'll give you your bike bike whilst you owe them money.

Perhaps if you have a long standing relationship and know each other well then they may cut you some slack, but if you've never been there before then you can afford it expect to be sans bicycle until your flush

 

[Ernie_RBR]

When you place your bike in for a service give the shop your mobile number and if they need to do a major job on it they should phone you before they complete that job, its like when you put your car in for a service. Plus you can ask them to do an inspection before any repairs are done....

 

[PlymSlimCyclist]

I'm with @AndyRM on this. It's bad going if you put the bike in, knowing you're brassic.
I always put mine into the shop knowing I have the money to cover repairs, new parts and anything else, even if I don't have the cash (I hate cash) on me, they get their dues by my bank or credit card.

Getting back on topic, I personally think you should go cap in hand and apologise and tell them when you can afford to pay for the repair. You may find they'll charge storage though.

If you've put the bike in with money, and then had a bill come out, might be worth lining your finances up to come out on a set date, so any remaining money is yours (sorry to step on financial toes).

I'm fortunate I have a good long standing relationship with my LBS, and I have been known to leave owing £3 (they swapped my QR Seat Bolt for an Allen Key based one, prepping for London), but I swiftly paid them for it within an hour or so (I didn't expect them to fit the bolt etc there and then).

 

[cyberknight]

When you place your bike in for a service give the shop your mobile number and if they need to do a major job on it they should phone you before they complete that job, its like when you put your car in for a service. Plus you can ask them to do an inspection before any repairs are done....

What he said

 

[Garethgas]

Oh get a grip man!
Servicing a bike is what all children used to do back in the day.
If you have financial problems surely all the more reason to DIY ?
I have no time for people who claim they can't do it. A bike is mechanically very simple and you only need an IQ of 5 to be able to work on it.
Don't get me wrong...I've struggled many times with various problems but I've either worked it out or asked for advice.
But that's not the same thing as a 'service'
Spend your money on tools and educate yourself.
I hope I don't sound too harsh, I'm quite nice really

 

[ianrauk]

Anyone who takes their bike to a bike shop for a service knowing they cant afford it and not telling the shop they cant has got to be a complete and utter twunt.

 

[Garethgas]

Anyone who takes their bike to a bike shop for a service knowing they cant afford it and not telling the shop they cant has got to be a complete and utter twunt.

Blimey...and I thought I was being a bit harsh lol

 

[ianrauk]

Blimey...and I thought I was being a bit harsh lol

Harsh but fair.
I am gobsmacked that anyone would actually do such a thing.

 

[Booyaa]

Anyone who takes their bike to a bike shop for a service knowing they cant afford it and not telling the shop they cant has got to be a complete and utter twunt.

I would suggest that is being quite nice to be honest.