Bike Shopping Chronicles

[pepe6599]

So last night my best friend and I hit three of bike shops hoping to may be find a bike in my size and price range; unforunately, the first bike was in my price range ($600-800)and a perfect fit came with a not so helpful sales associate that just turned me off and looking for a way out of the store. The second bike was again a perfect fit and by the way very comfortable , wasn't in my price range ($1400) but the sales guy was very nice and helpful. The third bike was a little big for me by a inch (never knew that 1 inch could make a difference as far comfortablity) was also not in my price range ($1250) but the sales dude let me test ride it and was just as great as the second dude.

I've got a few more shops to hit in the next couple days, so hopefully i'll find what i'm look for. The more places i go the more things i learn, yay!!

Wish me luck.

[Bad JuJu]

Sounds like you're having fun bike shopping--it can be such a hoot! Too bad you got a bad salesperson in your first story, but it doesn't sound like it soured the process too much. Here's something to think about, for those bikes that aren't quite in your price range: layaway. That's how I got my new bike (2005 "leftover" Bianchi Veloce), which, by the way,
I just picked up today!!!
Good luck in finding your own sweet ride!

[pepe6599]

Here's something to think about, for those bikes that aren't quite in your price range: layaway. That's how I got my new bike (2005 "leftover" Bianchi Veloce), which, by the way,
I just picked up today!!!
Good luck in finding your own sweet ride!

I was thinking about that but none of the bike shops here do that, if so then i totally would pick up that $1400 bike.

[Fredwina]

I've done layway for every "serious" (ie. not made by huffy) bike i've bought.
Pepe, maybe you could set up a savings account. Of course, the bike could be gone by then....

[pepe6599]

I've done layway for every "serious" (ie. not made by huffy) bike i've bought.
Pepe, maybe you could set up a savings account. Of course, the bike could be gone by then....

Thats funny you said that b/c I have a jar at home that i put my extra money into, its called "Help Vanessa Get a Bike Fund." I have half of wat i want and prob will get the other half in soon. Until then I'm tyring to find that bike.

[Bad JuJu]

The jar is a good idea. Possibly a somewhat better idea: see if your bank offers what used to be called a "Christmas club" account. It's sort of a special savings account for a defined amount of time. My credit union lets you start one whenever you want and tell them the date you want it to "mature"--that is, when you get your money. You can deposit as much or little as you want whenever you want. The advantage is a slightly higher interest rate than regular savings, and a good way to save up for something special, like a new bike.

On the other hand, as Fredwina said, the bike could still go home with someone else. So, just a possibility.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

So last night my best friend and I hit three of bike shops hoping to may be find a bike in my size and price range; unforunately, the first bike was in my price range ($600-800)and a perfect fit came with a not so helpful sales associate that just turned me off and looking for a way out of the store. The second bike was again a perfect fit and by the way very comfortable , wasn't in my price range ($1400) but the sales guy was very nice and helpful.

Maybe you should go back to the first store at a different time- might be a different sales person. If it might mean a purchase savings of $700 between the two "perfect fitting" bikes, why not?? You could always take your bike elsewhere to get it worked on later too. Think of the bike clothing and accessories you could get for the $700 you save!

[pepe6599]

Lisa-I was planning to go back on the weekend b/c I just found out from a friend who knows the manager of the store, which is the reason why I went there in the first place, that particular sale guy tends not to help women with questions. Any whoo I'm a bargain kind of gal so I'll keep shopping around and trying out different bikes.