Once again, just for the sake of argument, I'll present a bit of a view from the other side (bike shop employee).

Never go to a LBS for service on the weekend. I'm serious. Our little (understaffed) shop even has a policy of NO "while-you-wait" service on Saturday. Saturdays are the busiest day in the retail world and you are bound to receive slap-dash service on that day. Even if yours shop *does* service bikes on the weekend, trust me, your "baby" will get much much more TLC on a slow weekday.

Cleat placement: I'll go out on a limb here. When I set cleats, and don't have the customer on a trainer (to watch her pedal) I'll set them "loose" (just snug enough to test out) and warn her to tighten those puppies down as soon as she determines the setting is correct for her riding style. I'll play devil's advocate here and say that perhaps the mgr./mechanic just forgot to tell you to tighten the bolts. Perhaps he/she *likes* his/her cleats set at some funky angle and rides with them that way (BTW when I set cleats to "neutral" I line them up with the shoe-last, so the cleats would look "crooked" on a very curved last).

Attitude: There is no excuse for the cruddy attitude. My motto? If an establishment (bike shop, coffee shop, whatever...) acts like they don't want my money I don't give them my money. Vote with your pocketbook. If you are getting consistantly bad sevice, look for another shop.

And now for a Public Service Announcement (sort of related)from yours truly, CBSG(cranky bike shop girl) :

To those of you complaining about the snow/cold/dark/lack of riding time--

Go get those bikes and get them into the LBS pronto for your Spring tune-up.
The *best* way to get a sub-standard tune-up(or any other service) is to wait until the 1) first warm weekend 2) first big local charity ride 3) first race of the season. Take your bike in now while there is still frost on the ground and the mechanic will have all day to work on your steed. Wait until Spring and your bike is just another number in the que.



p.s. I'm a 40-year-old mom who takes any woman who wants to ride bikes seriously. In fact if you don't want me to set you up to win races you gotta speak up!