Buyers remorse/panic: Bit of a saga, sorry!

[chakra]

Everyone,

Thank you so much for the wonderful responses, which gave me the courage to go back to the bike store with the bike. I asked about the restocking fee, and I think it would have applied if I had not decided to go ahead and buy the Road Warrior . As soon as I saw it again, glinting in its orangey fashion at me, I had to have it!! So, they charged me for the labor it took to set up the last bike (fenders, rack etc.) and that was all. They made good money on me too, the RW was another $400.00!

As for the Copilot Limo (the seat for our 2Year old) it was a special order (they usally stock the model below, it the Taxi) so they were not so willing to refund that one. However, I think they'd be willing to work it out if I tried it and didn't feel good using it (it is on order and due to arrive by this weekend). Dh is very keen on giving it a go, and I am less keen after all the input from you. One thing is for sure - if ds appears at all scared, or dh at all unstable, we certainly won't use it, it isn't worth it. So I'll wait and see on this one, and I'll push for a return or at least an exchange if keeping it isn't right for us.

I am glad to have found a bike I really enjoy riding - I took her out for a spin this evening, but it was with the kids, so I haven't been able to really put her through her paces - but oh my, what a smooth responsive ride!! I don't know how she'd do on trails of any kind - I had the tires changed, but the bike has pretty narrow rims - it moved her up from 700cc/28 to 30s, and that is as fat as they can get. She is pretty much a flat bar road bike, but I am not sorry!

Even though they were good about taking the bike back, I have to say the owner (Fort Street bikes) didn't go out of his way to be helpful. He was a litle grim-faced about the whole thing. After my fitting, and except for the free tune-ups they do, I won't have much to do with this store. I don't wish to bad-mouth them - there just wasn't the warmth/interest in really being a help to me. Given that I have now spent over $1,800 in their store, I find that to be a problem (bike, fenders, lights, tires, rack, panniers, child seat...).

In making the decsion, I had two sources which really helped: You lot at team estrogen, and another bike store (Oak bay bicycles, for those in my city). DH and our kids' bikes come from this store, so they know all of us quite well. I went in to ask them about bikes, kids seats, and all the questions I posed to you, and even showed them the cannondale RW on their internet connection - they were absolutely lovely in helping me decide. I will be sending people there, and will purchase any components/clothing there for sure. Much warmer, kinder service. If they had had anything like the RW in stock there, I think I'd have just dealt with losing that restocking fee, or would have argued about it at least.

But really, I have learned I should trust my gut, go with the shop that really treats you right, get the thing you really love, and then. . . well, then get on with what really matters, which is riding again!

Thank you so, so much for all the help.

Chakra

[KnottedYet]

congratulations!

Now, post some pics of your beautiful new bike! (we like pictures!)

Your 30 tires should do just fine for you. I have 28's that I take on everything (including grassy fields for bike skills practice) on my roadie. Cyclocross racers have tires in this range, and you should see the stuff they ride through!

Hoooray for your new bike!!!

[MINIskirt]

Congrats on the new bike!!!

[KnottedYet]

Just a snarky side comment:
I've never heard of a shop that wouldn't refund/return an ordered item that hadn't even arrived at the shop yet.

Ok, I'm done being snarky.

[mimitabby]

without a re-stocking fee you mean?

[KnottedYet]

I'm thinking about the baby-seat, which isn't supposed to arrive until this weekend. "they were not so willing to refund that one." Special order or not, the seat hasn't even arrived, so why would they fight cancelling/refunding?

and no, what's with the restocking fee!?!?!

Oak Bay Cycles sounds like a better match for an LBS. Hey, they were even helpful about a bike being purchased at another store! They sound good.

[mimitabby]

until i met Smart Cycles, I had never heard of a restocking fee for anything except orders of small inexpensive items which cost more to handle than they are worth. APparently it's another way for small businesses to make some $$.

[pooks]

That's a gorgeous bike, that orange Road Warrior!

I got hit with a restocking fee at a national computer store and wrote a letter to the CEO (copied to the store manager) that was so brilliantly scathing the store manager called me before the store opened two days later and said, "The check is in the mail."

I was so steamed about that.

Especially since the salesguy had been inadequate and had misunderstood the way that laptop worked, and it wasn't until I got home and opened it that I realized it wouldn't work for me! Took it back the same day, and they said, "10% restocking fee."

I've never been in that store again and that was years ago. And I can't remember the name of the store, or I'd say it!

[Aint Doody]

In defense of small businesses--with our suppliers if we order something from them, we must pay a restocking fee if we return it. So--in good faith a small business orders something for a customer. It arrives. The customer changes his/her mind. Then either the small business is stuck with it or has to return it and pay a restocking fee. Usually something ordered like that isn't a big mover--hence the reason for the special order. So try to be understanding when it comes to a restocking fee for a special order. If we have it in stock, then, no, there's no restocking fee.

[pooks]

That makes sense for a small biz, Ain't.

[chakra]

In defense of small businesses--with our suppliers if we order something from them, we must pay a restocking fee if we return it. So--in good faith a small business orders something for a customer. It arrives. The customer changes his/her mind. Then either the small business is stuck with it or has to return it and pay a restocking fee. Usually something ordered like that isn't a big mover--hence the reason for the special order. So try to be understanding when it comes to a restocking fee for a special order. If we have it in stock, then, no, there's no restocking fee.

Yes, that is why I do understand their POV. What bothered me in the end was not the store policies, but the attitude. It would have been nice if they had been willing to acknowledge my concerns. And the restocking fee, as applied to the bikes, was not for a special order. They would have charged me that if I hadn't bought another bike through them. You'd think they would have been happier, they sole me a more expensive bike, but nooooo, the guy was hatchet-faced all the way! I don't get that. . .

As for the special order, I sure understand about a restocking fee applying to that. Not quite sure what will happen there, but I do feel that the shop is fair - just not going out of their way to be pleasant, it seems.

Anyway, yeah! It is a nice bike! And today, I went to my FRIENDLY lbs and bought a jacket, and a helmet cover. They even did 20% off on the jacket, and it is a good all-weather (not too heavy) one. All I need are rain pants!

Chakra

[uforgot]

Your 30 tires should do just fine for you. I have 28's that I take on everything (including grassy fields for bike skills practice) on my roadie. Cyclocross racers have tires in this range, and you should see the stuff they ride through!

Hoooray for your new bike!!!

Knotted, what tires do you have? I'm going to 28's on my road bike, but I'm not sure what to get. I want a more all round tire than the little slick 23s I have on there now, and my rims support up to 28.

Maybe I just need to put you on speedial. The last two weekends I've asked your advice...

Chakra, congrats! Sounds like you found a bike you love. I, too, want to see pics!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I have Pasela brand Panaracer tires 700x28mm, with kevlar (to help prevent flats) on my road bike. I can and have ridden over the most god-awful sharp rocky gravel roads you can imagine, including through fields of tractor ruts, too...several thousand miles....no flats yet.

By the way, I do NOT inflate them to their stated maximum pressure of 105 psi. I keep the back tires at around 95, and the fronts at about 85. That keeps my ride way smoother, gives me more stability on slippery gravel and in wind (and NO, it has not slowed my average speed down- I compared my average speeds with when I pumped up both to 105). Remember when your tires are super inflated and hard, they will bounce more and have less road contact. That can translate to less traction, more wasted vertical bounce movement, and thus loss of forward power.
I realize a lot of people disagree with this, but I figured I'd throw it in anyway. Works for me.

[uforgot]

Wow, thanks Lisa! I really wanted a tire that would go on my road bike, but on light gravel also. Sounds like what you have is just the ticket. Thanks!

[KnottedYet]

I have Vittoria Randonneurs with reflective sidewalls. 700 x 28.

I've ridden on grass, asphalt, broken asphalt, and small gravel. They are low pressure tires, max inflate is around what Lisa uses. Very comfortable!