I was in town this past weekend for my school's Homecoming and to catch up with classmates/friends. Since I had made the trip from Dallas by bus, I wasn't able to bring my own bike. I really wanted to rent a bike so I could revisit the places I used to love to cycle to when I was a kid. I saw on their website that Midwest had bike rentals. So before I ever left Dallas, I gave them a call to inquire about rental availabilities, store policies, and such. I was told-- quite rudely-- that they would not rent to out of towners, even with an ID and credit card. When I got into town, still on the hunt for a bike to rent or borrow, I mentioned this to a local friend. She went into the store on her own, without me being present, as if to rent a bike herself and she was also treated extremely rudely. They also refused to rent to her. WHY even advertise that one can rent a bike if the place rudely refused to do so? I live in a part of Dallas that's very popular for cyclists and the LBS's in our area don't treat renters and customers like that, whether local or out-of-towners. Anyone is welcome to rent a bike, and the shops here don't lie and refuse to rent when they clearly state that they do rent. They treat people 'Texas Friendly'. Midwest staff ought to spend a week here to learn what that means.
Looking back on it, when my folks bought me a bike for my birthday when I became a teenager over 30 years ago, they were also treated in a less courteous manner. We ended up getting my bike from Glen Ellyn Cycle, and I remember how nicely they treated me and my mom. Not so at Midwest. I see that they haven't changed. Oh well, it's their loss-- I was willing to spend some money, but instead I was able to borrow a bike from a friend. I got my riding in, about a hundred miles' worth in my 3 days in town, and I had a ball. I got what I wanted, and MW didn't get a dime from me. They probably never will, even if I move back to the area.
Stay away from this place if you expect to be treated in a friendly and helpful manner, especially if you're a guest in town. read more