Buying bike from Performance online?

[emily_in_nc]

I'm probably going to buy a beach cruiser bike from Performance online this weekend -- it's on sale and I have a $50 coupon as well. They don't carry this model in their shops, so my only option is to order online. If I have it delivered to the shop (I'm just a few miles away), will they assemble it for me without charging extra? Just wondering. I can certainly ask them but wondered if anyone has been there, done that.

Thanks!

[Zen]

I can't think of anything good to say about this either.
I hope you already have a really good relationship with your LBS.

[Cataboo]

Yes, they will assemble it without charging you extra.


And unlike your local shop, if for whatever reason at any point you don't like it, you can return the bike.


It's a beach cruiser for christ sake, who needs a relationship with their local bike shop for a beach cruiser?

[JennK13]

And unlike your local shop, if for whatever reason at any point you don't like it, you can return the bike.

A friend of mine returned his bike to Performance after graduating college and moving across country. He needed the money....they took it back, no hassles.

[emily_in_nc]

Yes, they will assemble it without charging you extra.

And unlike your local shop, if for whatever reason at any point you don't like it, you can return the bike.

It's a beach cruiser for christ sake, who needs a relationship with their local bike shop for a beach cruiser?

Thank you for your support, Cataboo. I know a lot of folks on here are very down on Performance, but the mail order business is a bit different from their actual shops, where we've been pleased with the service we've received in the past. Since we live just a few miles from the Chapel Hill Performance, it actually *is* our LBS. Is there a rule against an LBS being a chain store? Very few LBSs carry beach cruisers in stock unless you live at the coast, so I have had a devil of a time trying to find one that meets my specifications (aluminum frame, women's model, 3-speed hub). I did email a local Trek shop about a Trek Womens' beach cruiser and never received an reply, so I don't feel inclined to give them my business.

My current steed is a Bike Friday, which I purchased direct from BF as most of them are sold that way, and my DH and I do all the maintenance on them. We buy most parts/accessories from Performance b/c it happens to be the most convenient and closest shop physically to us.

Anyway, I stopped in today and asked, and they will assemble the bike. I also asked them about keeping the box since we'll eventually be shipping it, and they said "no problem".

[warneral]

I know nothing about performance bike, can you show us what one you're looking at?

[invsblwmn]

I have been burned SOOOO many times by Performance/Nashbar (same company) by them charging my credit card more than what is on the online receipt, that I will not work with them. If you trust them and your LBS is honorable, go for it. I am all about cheaper, if it is. I caught them ripping me after I had made 22 purchases over a 3 month period. 19 of these charges were overages. Most by a dollar or two, but one was over $10. My credit card company corrected the overages when they saw the receipts. I took performance to the BBB to just get them to admit what they were doing as I got ZERO response from Sue, director of customer service. Eventually Sue did respond and she even sent a gift card for the overages. I used it with a coupon and NO CREDIT CARD and that was my last transaction with them. Just be careful, check your receipt, and use a one time use credit card number. Enjoy the cruiser!

[warneral]

I got some screaming deals from nashbar on some diadora MTB shoes but I will take note!!! Thanks for the warning.

[Crankin]

I know I'm in the minority, but we have never (in about 12 years) had problems with Performance (on-line). There are no stores here. People can get all huffy about "support your LBS," but the truth is that our local LBS (or several of them) don't make me that happy. Especially the one where I bought my current bike. Besides the fact that I won't buy another bike there and highly discourage anyone else from doing so, I haven't really had great experiences anywhere. There is one other store that is close, where DS worked in HS. Because of this, the owners know me and I get treated respectfully (well, OK, it's mostly "How's Scott?" when I go in there). I have bought a few accessories there, when I didn't have time to wait for TE, Terry, or Performance. I am not sure I would buy a bike there, though. That said, I wouldn't buy a road bike from Performance, but what Emily is describing sounds like a perfect option. I don't think she should be feeling badly about this choice!
We buy all of our parts from Performance and DH does all of the work. It saves tons of $ and most of all, DH likes doing the work. He plans to do some kind of wrenching as retirement job, when the time comes.
If the "ideal" bike shop opened by me, I would be very happy, but DH would still do all of the work on our bikes and we would still buy parts from Performance.

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks for the support, Crankin! When I've bought road bikes in the past I've bought from a "real" LBS (that has since gone out of business) or ebay but then had significant ($$$) work done at an LBS. But for parts and gear, Performance it is. For clothing, I buy from TE, Terry, and Performance, in that order.

Anyway, here's the bike I ordered:

http://www.schwinnbike.com/usa/eng/P...0DEB-Debutante

I would have preferred the red, but only the pink was available since it's the end of the model year, and I got a great deal, so I'm excited. I've never bought this type of bike before, but it's what we need for Belize.

[Blueberry]

I've never bought this type of bike before, but it's what we need for Belize.

Ummm....I think you need to share The rest of us need to live vicariously through you!

[warneral]

too cute! Yes tell us more about beach-riding in Belize!

[emily_in_nc]

DH and I are building a small vacation/retirement condo on Ambergris Caye in Belize. We've been to the island twice on vacation, and the beach riding is really, really fun. We've rented cruiser bikes and have ridden for miles up and down the beach, on little trails, on packed sand, etc. Of course we have to have our own bikes to go with our condo!

Here are a few shots of us riding there in August:







And stopping for food/drink along the way (part of the fun!)

[Crankin]

That bike is very cool looking!
Hey, you could be on HGTV International House Hunters!
When are you planning on moving permanently? I'm still hoping to do that trip to NC that I had to cancel a couple of years ago.

[warneral]

how fun! I love HHinternational Like to live vicariously through people like you on that show!