Buying bike from Performance online?

[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!)

[sarahspins]

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.

I think this is a good point.. I am lucky to live in an area with (mostly) great shops, so I've never truly had an overwhelmingly negative experience in one.

My preferred source for most generic parts and labor is... REI. My sister used to rag on me becuase it wasn't a 'real' LBS, but they're friendly, they're close, and the head mechanic at mine is really great. They fixed my bike for free after my dog-crash even when it included replacing several parts. I don't know that my LBS would have done so.. not that they wouldn't have been helpful, but I don't think they would have gotten it done the same day I brought it in, for no charge

[emily_in_nc]

Picking the pink cruiser bike up Saturday! Really quick shipping as I only ordered it Sunday. Called and talked to a guy at Performance today, and he couldn't have been nicer. Yes, it's assembled already (I just don't have time to get it until Sat.); yes, they have tons of bike boxes, no problem. So far, this has been a very positive experience.

Hopefully the bike will be as sweet as I expect! Will definitely post a picture once I get it. It's supposed to be in the 80s over the weekend, so I'll be able to tool around on it a bit after picking it up (after our regularly scheduled Sat. morning market ride).

[emily_in_nc]

Here she is! Very girly, very pink. I'd actually have preferred something less flashy, but this bike was the only one I could find that had all the features I was looking for.



She seems so HUGE next to my tiny little Bike Friday Petite Pocket Crusoe (20" wheels) and even my MTB b/c of the high/wide handlebars and HUGE saddle. I must say, tho, that saddle is pretty darn comfy for on a beach bike where you don't typically wear padded bike shorts and sit much more upright. And she fits just fine despite her largess...

[kermit]

That is sooooo cool, is that a cupholder? NICE!

[gnat23]

That. Bike. Is. Awesome.

Next investment: streamers.

-- gnat!