Admittedly, I should have known better than to bring in a bike for repair in late June. John was very quick to tell me I should have brought it in in February. Not an auspicious start. But he said that if I was patient, he would put me on a wait-list and call me in about 12 days. Over the course of at least 20 minutes, he talked (and talked and talked) and examined my bike and we agreed on the scope of work it needed. He explained that when he called, I would have 2 days to deliver the bike back the shop (no, I couldn't leave it .. no room) and then he would fix it. Well, three weeks went by before I got the call. I was there, bike in hand, the next morning. Before I could even remind him who I was and why I was there at his appointed time, he cut me off and said if this was a repair he couldn't do it - too busy. I then explained that he had called me, that I had been in 3 weeks ago and was on his list, that he had already examined the bike, etc. He brought the bike in the back and began to examine it again. He started throwing out quotes - "that's probably $75 there, that's $40 here, that's $50 there, then there's my $95 labor/service fee to even look at it." Undeterred, I said that's fine. I like this bike. I've had it for 20 years. It's a very solid, well-built bike that needs some new parts and will run well for another 20 years. He tried to tell me I should buy a new bike. I explained again that I'm not interested in a new bike. I don't mind investing money on these parts and labor, I like the bike and want to keep it. At that point, he told me he wouldn't do the work. I was totally taken aback. What? Why? "I'm too busy." When I tried to interject that I had been on the waitlist, that he had told me could do the work, he said, "That's my final word." Well, it's certainly his prerogative - it's his business to squander. But his condescending tone was really hard to stomach. My husband silently wheeled the bike back out. I was frankly still trying to process the fact that he was refusing to fix my bike. I was willing to spend what it needed. I hadn't protested about costs, I had followed his waitlist protocol, I had been patient and polite. No, I didn't want a new bike. This was a quality bike, not a throw-away, that needed some new parts. He then wanted to explain that he wasn't part of the throw-away culture either - but he can talk all he wants (which is a LOT) but his actions speak louder. Finally, I went to this shop in the first place because somebody told me John was old-school and very scrupulous. Maybe that was the case once. He was quick to tell me that he's been at this for 40 years, that others on the island don't care like he does. He seems to be someone who is quite self-enamored. And I am sure he has his acolytes. But frankly, if he stopped talking so darn much and actually spent some time doing what his shop professes to do - repair bikes - he might actually be able to fix a bike or two within a reasonable timeframe. He seems to be one of those people who really likes to hear himself talk. The long and the short, I called Martha's Bike Rentals, located at 5 Corners in VH. They're very happy to help and will have the bike ready in a couple of days. Why didn't I just go to them from the start? This could have been done 3 weeks ago. Save yourself a lot of hassle - and time and frustration - and steer clear of this place. read more