I'm an honest guy. I'm fair and I think I'm smart enough to understand the current course of events. It has taken me over 2 weeks to gain my sense of civility before posting this review. While I believe Craig and his crew have a great cycle shop, I am convinced they are well beyond their means during these past few months of COVID experience. So while I'm angry and bitter about my experience, I'll garnish it with some salt, but I need to explain so other potential buyers are aware.
My wife and I were convinced that we should spend our recent government COVID stimulus check at or on (a) local business(es). We assessed our needs and carefully chose Diamond to fulfill my wife's long time desire for a bike. In her case, an electric iZip bike so she can join me biking with her bad knees. I made the inquiry IN PERSON in May 2020, after waiting in a very, very long line at the rear of the store with a blazing sun.
During my very short conversation with an associate when my time came, I was instructed to make my new purchase online at their website. Had they ever answered their telephone (which, btw, was never answered for WEEKS due to the high volume of inquiries), I would have saved time. This was Monday.
So off I went home to make my purchase. When I went online the instructions were clear! "Not available online - please come to the store to order." Was I livid? Yup. But I waited until the next day as I was too angry to return.
Next day, Tuesday, I met the same long line and finally reached Craig, told him about the situation. He did not seem to care, only to sell the bike. Okay, he's tired and I understand that. I paid in full for the bike on the spot and was told "I need that box your bike came in, so I'll be getting to it this week!", Craig stated. Days passed. Weeks passed. I never heard anything and my emails to Craig from his business card went unanswered. His telephone always "off the hook" (busy).
Three-weeks later I decided, "enough is enough" - let me go back to ask (politely, always politely) when I'd be getting my wife's bike. After standing in "the same long, hot line" for nearly 45-minutes again, a very lovely lady took down my information, approached Craig and he said, "I just didn't get to it." I was really disappointed. "I promises, this week." The young lady took my information and said she'd place it in a predominant space for Craig to act quickly.
Another week passes. I go back because the phone is off the hook. Same long line. "Oh, man, I'm sorry, I just forgot. I'll call you tomorrow!" And "tomorrow" never came.
Later that week, I returned and, while still being polite, I was a bit more forceful in my request. He acknowledged I'd been there several times, always enduring a long line of no less than 40-minutes each time. So he said, I'll get it right now while you wait. I told him I'd rather have my wife here so you can explain the bike to her. He agreed, and off I went to get her.
That took a total of 30-40 minutes to return. I figured, the bike should be ready. WE STOOD IN LINE AGAIN IN VERY HOT WEATHER to only see the bike still in a box!!!!!!! I cannot tell you how many times I had to grit my teeth and bite my tongue. During this 2-hour wait outside, he had people constantly interrupt him with questions about helmets, repairs, advice, etc. Now, I understand he's in a business to make money. HE HAD LITTLE TO NO BIKES LEFT and repairs were estimated for several weeks. I have no idea what fiscal situation he is/was in, but I'm sure with a virtually empty store, this unanticipated boost to the business was not ill received!!
I very much WANTED to say, will you please stop addressing everyone and put my damn bike together so I can get my wife out of the hot car and up here for instruction and adjustment. But I bit my tongue and let it take it's 2-hour course.
Finally! The bike was assembled. I got my serial number and now we could get on to some guidance on how to utilize this new purchase and adjust it. Well, this was where I nearly lost it!!
Craig adjusted the seat, told her to take a ride around the parking lot. She had some concerns about the seat height which he adjusted and the handlebar height that he said, "well, I like it that way" and my wife looked at me and I at her and he basically brushed us off to help the growing long line of customers. WE GOT NO INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO USE THE BIKE!!!!!
Did he expect us to know everything about it? My wife hadn't had a bike in years and the first bike "with gears" and her first "electric" bike. So we left completely deflated and yearning for an explanation of how to use the power source.
There were other things that didn't feel right, but there's no point addressing them. I think I've civically explained what happened to use with enough for the reader to make a conclusion on the service Craig and Diamond Cycle can provide.
I'm not happy. I truly am not. I'm not "complaining" - but I am sharing. We spent over $1700. Just not fair. read more