I was planning to give a very detailed 5 star review of all the great service I got from this shop when I left Bellevue at the end of the month until we had a disagreement on service policy. I started coming to the shop in the fall of 2015 when I became interested in training for the bike ride portion of triathlons. I mainly chose this shop because it is conveniently on my way to the Bellevue Loop/Keystone trail. I was impressed with the friendly service and care of the owner, Todd. Todd helped service my bike and give me tips for how to be a better rider as I trained for a half distance triathlon.
In February of 2016, I bought a Kona Esatto DDL for about $2000. I later bought a pair of aero bars for $30 and a tire repair kit (another praise for Todd is that he will teach you how to repair a flat tire). One of the benefits of buying a bike from his shop is that he offered free tune ups for 2 years after purchase. Since I was only going to be stationed in Bellevue until September of 2017, I thought that was perfect since it meant my bike could be serviced for the entire time I was in Bellevue. I took advantage of his full tune up offer about 4 or 5 times in preparation for triathlons. However, I would come into his shop about once a month or so during non-winter months to pump my tires. I don't know what exactly goes into a tune-up, but I'm pretty sure having tires filled with air raises bike performance.
Yesterday, I stopped by to use a tire pump when Todd refused to give me one because he asserted I'm taking advantage of him. Some of his points included, "I don't have people buy a $5000 bike and then come in to fill their tires." and "you're borrowing my tools when I have customers" I reminded him of his 2 year tune up policy and thought it to mean I could use his tools to tune my bike myself. He incorrectly asserted that it has been over 2 years. I didn't come to his shop until October, maybe September, of 2015 to start bike training, and it has only been 18 months since I bought my bike from his shop.
I remember another comment of his was, "What do you do with filling tires for a car, you don't go to the place you bought your car from to fill the tires." My answer is the base auto-mechanic shop has free air on the side of the garage for anyone to use. I've come to think of air as a free commodity. As for using tools when he has customers-first off, I am a customer! I bought from his shop multiple times and intended to get a new set of tires when I left at the end of the month. His shop is pretty small, so if it was a matter of being in the way of other customers, I would have gladly pumped my tires outside his shop. I personally wouldn't think anything of someone filling their tires at a bike shop, but I'll admit, I'm a novice biker and don't fit in with the biker crowd. Maybe there is something taboo about going to a bike shop to use tools, even if you are a repeat customer? Could I buy a tire pump-sure, but why spend money when you don't have to? I thought using a tire pump was a complimentary service from a bike shop.
Therefore, I'm going to say there is a difference in opinion between the owner and myself. I thought the 2 year policy included using his tools on my bike. He obviously feels I was taking advantage of him. He had a great track record of friendly service up until yesterday, so I think it's only fair to give him 3 stars. read more