My wife introduced me to the Bike House. Our family has always ridden bikes for recreation in Tallahassee. All of our children are now grown and gone. My wife and I started riding again. A couple of our bikes needed minor repairs. She had visited the Bike House from time to time and met Scot. She thought it's mission was good for the community. When I finally visited there, I did not feel as welcomed the way she spoke of. I thought it was just a male thing at first. It took a couple of visits to see the real operation.
Our son was looking to purchase a bike, Luis brought out the first bike. It had no kickstand. it look liked a piece of crap. He wanted $ 80.00. The second bike wasn't that much better for $120.00. Of all the bikes, that's in the House. Over priced! They were really tripping.
My most recent visits to the Bicycle House was not a pleasant experience. After complaining about the service I received for my bikes not being repaired properly. Luis attempted to explain the charges, which I disagreed with. I felt the cost was too high. In addition, he told me the cost would be $16.00 per bike, totaling $32.00. When I picked up the bikes, he charged me $72.00. . I asked Luis, how he determined what amount to charge customers. He said, there is a chart posted inside.
Also, it's based on a person ability to pay. I'm not sure what it was based on, how I looked, or what I drove? Again, the gears on my bike were not working properly and the tire went flat. I took it back again, they charged an additional $10.00, only had $5.00 at the time. Should he have charged me again? I don't think so. Our bikes weren't repaired as expected.
On one occasion, they suggested a donation for the services rendered. The next time, a flat rate. In one visit, we paid twice. My wife had paid prior to me picking up the bikes. I made another donation. I have no problem paying my bill when it's done right. During my conversation with Luis, Due to CV-19, I never saw Scot, "the owner"; he stayed in the building. Scot apparently overheard the conversation I was having with Luis.
Later that day, I received a long text message from Scot. He talked about the people they have served, his life story, how he saved 95,000 of his personal funds to support the operation, what school he attended, where his mother worked and why he sold his car and is riding a bike now. BLAH BLAH BLAH!!!!. What does that have to do with me? He never came out to address my concerned. I did not ask for a hand out, I wanted my bikes fixed so we could ride. "It's all about power and control".
This experienced taught me a valuable lesson, you don't always get what you pay for....People aren't always who the pretend to be, no matter who's House it is! "My Dollars Matter Too"! read more
