1 STAR
Terrible…read moreCustomer Service, Expensive Repairs, and My Original Problem Still Isn't Fixed!
I honestly don't know why I keep giving Miami Beach Bicycle Center another chance. Every single time I come here, I leave frustrated, disappointed, and telling myself I will never return.
First of all, the customer service is absolutely horrible. They treat customers as though they're doing you some enormous favor by accepting your business. There is no appreciation, no accountability, and certainly no sense of urgency. Unfortunately, there aren't many actual bicycle repair shops in South Beach, which is probably the only reason I've continued giving them chances.
My most recent experience was beyond ridiculous.
I brought my bicycle in because the brakes were squeaking. That was the problem I wanted fixed. They inspected it and told me the rear brake needed to be replaced. I even brought my own brake disc to try to save some money. They promised to text me when the bicycle was ready.
A full week went by without a single message. I finally called to ask what was happening, and they told me the bicycle was ready. But just before hanging up, someone suddenly informed me that I had a flat tire.
Interestingly enough, that tire was perfectly fine when I brought the bicycle in, and they had replaced that exact tire only a month earlier! I have no idea what happened to it while the bicycle was in their possession, but at that point I had little choice but to authorize another repair.
Again, they promised to text me when it was ready. Again, absolutely nothing. Four more days passed before I had to call them myself.
When I finally picked up my bicycle, I paid an outrageous amount for the brake work and tire repair. I got on my bike, started riding away, and immediately discovered that THE BRAKES WERE STILL SQUEAKING AND THE REAR BRAKE WASN'T EVEN WORKING!
I turned around and brought it straight back.
Instead of apologizing and taking responsibility, they seemed annoyed that I had returned. After inspecting the bicycle, they admitted that THEY HAD REPLACED THE WRONG BRAKE!
Yes, you read that correctly. I brought my bike in for a specific brake problem, they replaced the wrong brake, charged me for it, and then refused to refund me because they claimed that brake needed replacing anyway.
How is that acceptable?
Now I was stuck with a bicycle that still wasn't safe to ride, and they wanted to charge me yet another ridiculous amount to fix the brake I had originally brought it in for!
What choice did I have? I needed working brakes, so I reluctantly agreed.
Once again, they promised to contact me when it was ready. Once again, they never did. Two days later, I had to call them myself, only to be told it was ready. I returned, paid yet another expensive repair bill, and finally got my bicycle back.
And here's the unbelievable part: A few days later, MY BRAKES ARE STILL SQUEAKING!
After all those visits, all that money, and all that wasted time, the original problem I brought my bicycle in for STILL HASN'T BEEN RESOLVED.
At least the brakes are now working, but I am genuinely hesitant to bring my bicycle back. Every time I go there for one problem, another expensive issue seems to appear. I should not have to feel anxious about taking my bicycle to a repair shop, wondering what else they might tell me is wrong or how much more money I'll have to spend.
What makes this experience even worse is the complete lack of accountability. Mistakes happen, but when a shop admits it repaired the wrong brake, the customer should not be the one paying for that mistake.
My advice? STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS!
If you live in South Beach, do yourself a favor and take your bicycle off the beach to another repair shop. Even if it's less convenient, it is worth the trip.
I have given Miami Beach Bicycle Center more chances than they deserve, and I am done. The terrible customer service, excessive charges, poor communication, and repeated failure to resolve a straightforward problem have completely destroyed my confidence in this business.
Never again.
