Where do I begin? My wife purchased an adult trike for my daughter last May from here. She is suffering from post-concussion syndrome so we didn't think a two-wheeler was appropriate at this time. My wife originally purchased a bike at Wal-Mart but Sam, the owner, convinced her NOT to buy there because you'll just be a number and it'll take forever to get parts and we won't get that personal service. That part comes in handy later in the story.
Incidentally, the bike was $800 retail.
We get the bike May of 2019. Daughter loves it. Takes it everywhere. She's 9. By August there is an issue with the back left wheel. When she stops pedalling it slowly comes to a halt. Never happened before. Certainly didn't ship that way. In order to coast she had to pedal constantly. I take it back. Takes 2 weeks but they tell me it's fixed. The Fall comes around and there's no other issues. Mid-May of 2020 the weather is warm enough to break out the bikes. The problem persists. She stops pedalling, the bike stops.
So I take it back again. Now remember, fitting an adult trike into an SUV is no small feat. I explain the issue. They should be aware of it. It's been in the shop twice in the first year. He has to order the part. I get it. Things take time. They had the bike 6 weeks - 6 WEEKS!! I called 3 times to enquire and was made to feel like i was a pain in the ass each time. One time I called and the woman didn't put me on hold and I heard her enquire about the status of the blue adult trike. Sam's reply could clearly be heard across the shop floor "He'll get it when it's done."
I called last night and miraculously it's done today. 6 WEEKS LATER! I'm awoken to a call from him tell me a sob story about how he worked late last night and he's only going to charge me for labour. Like he's doing me a solid. After having the bike for 6 weeks he's doing me the honour of only charging me labour on a bike that should still be under warranty. He tells me the supplier is out of business. Honestly, not my problem. Choose your suppliers a little more carefully.
I walk in, spin the tires - it's NOT FIXED! Exact same issue. I tell him it's unacceptable. Clearly doesn't give two shits. Blames COVID-19. I tell him I should have taken it to Main Cycle in Hamilton. He tells me maybe I should have and starts motioning me to the door. Granted, I went off the rails a tad and dropped a few F bombs but like i said earlier, this is completely unacceptable. Sam kept saying "what do you want me to do?" I want you fix it to my satisfaction is what i want you to do. You own a bike shop, not me.
I always do my best to support local businesses. The economic benefits to the surrounding community are countless. It's business 101, really. But in this instance we would have been much better off buying from a faceless monolith corporation. They would have replaced the whole bike - TWICE.
Suffice to say, I will not be back. And I strongly urge you to heed my warning when i say BUYER BEWARE! read more
