I've decided...

[Dogmama]

My LBS is a very small shop, run by an older couple, in business 33 years -(think Andy Griffith's barbershop.) GREAT work. He told me he can't compete with Performance & the internet. So, he does mostly repairs. No bike sales.

It is very sad. The big box stores will eventually drive out the smaller guys. Sort of like Walmart of the cycling crowd.

Yeah, and their sales and service are awful. That is - if you can get somebody to wait on you.

[caligurl]

Also have you been to King's Cycle in Seal Beach?

awesome shop!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SadieKate]

I don't bother with Performance at all. I go in once in a while if I'm shopping at the Trader Joe's next door, but since I'm no longer allowed TJ's dark choc covered coffee beans that has dropped to never.

They will give you the same price as the web site but never have anything in stock. I've been completely unimpressed with their house brand stuff. I've seen equipment failures and the clothing quality is horrible. The stores are always filthy and I've nearly had conniptions listening to them talk to women about bike sizing. They're good at selling what is on the floor but not about selling what the customer needs. I also hate having to chase down staff because they can't be bothered even greet me. There is very little that my LBS can't supply at a competitive price and better value.

[mimitabby]

a coworker bought a very fancy bike from Performance bike this spring.
he noticed quickly that the bike was crooked. When he took his hands off the handlebars, it veered to the right. So he took it back. At Performance, they scratched their heads and said "hey, it looks all right to me"
he continued to ride it; and frustrated took it to another shop after getting rebutted a second time by Perf.
Second bike shop owned the jig you need to measure this problem and said "yup, it's crooked" that was early June. Performance didn't have this jig.
So Performance does the good thing and agrees to replace the bike which is not in stock of course. A week goes by and nothing. He calls in. Someone is on vacation, so they didn't order the bike. 2 more weeks go by, he calls in, someone at the plant was on vacation so there is another delay. It was shipped on June 20th... no bike, no bike. No, sorry, they don't have a tracking number.. Coworker calls these yokels and suggests they GET a shipping number ..shipping number located but bike was lost in shipment and is now found... due to arrive
Thursday. Half the entire season is over and he doesn't have bike!!!

update: The new bike came in last night. It was the WRONG SIZE!!!!!

[Tiffanie]

update: The new bike came in last night. It was the WRONG SIZE!!!!!

No surprise there!!!

Sorry about your friends luck. That really sucks.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I stopped shopping at Performance (online, no store here although I wouldn't shop there either for the same reasons) many years ago for some of the same reasons you have mentioned - poor / slow service, low quality (unless I was ordering name brand gear). I have very little patience; good service & quality are must haves for me.

I hope that those who are unhappy with Performance take your money elsewhere! And let Performance know why (although it's not clear to me that they care).

--- Denise

[tulip]

Even back in the beginning of Performance when they were a shop (although still bigger than the local shops) in Carrboro, North Carolina, they had the reputation of cheap stuff, little knowledge, poor customer service, and poor pay and no benefits for employees. I guess making it big only made things worse.

I stick to my LOCAL bike shops. Keep my money local and have good contacts when I need help with my bike.

[caligurl]

well..... i do still shop at performance... my purse rules that when i can price match and get discounts and they really do have the best, no-hassle return policy no matter how long you've had the item...

HOWEVER..... i don't think i'd ever get a bike from them unless it was in stock... on the floor and i wanted it (doubtful now that they've taken specialized and giant out of the equation)...

when i was getting my first bike.... i had it down to a giant or the dolce... i was leaning toward the giant.... so we went into performance and wanted to make sure the bike actually fit me.... they told us that they wouldn't fit it to me until we bought it! hubby was like "but we don't want to buy it if it doesn't fit her!" that ticked hubby off.... and we walked out... and i got my second choice (which i ended up be very happy with)... the dolce!

so like... i think it was pam? said.... they are great if you know what you want and don't need any technical help... but steer clear if you need ANY kind of assistance whatsoever!)

(my experience was in the fountain valley old performance that has since closed since it's neighbor supergo became performance)

[mimitabby]

update: The new bike came in last night. It was the WRONG SIZE!!!!!

in all fairness, the manager of Perf. bikes called him back today and is offering him an upgrade to an all carbon bike... the right size. a 300 dollar upgradae
for free. for his misery...

[bcipam]

Cali:

It's funny but I actually liked that Performance (the one near the Supergo Store and was sad it had to close. It was the one Perf. store where I could ask questions, well within reason.

I really like to patronize the small LBS' I have a good relationship with the owners of several and I can usually get a good price on things if I ask. Plus I may paid alittle more but I get better service. You know, I rather shop at Nordstrom's than KMart.

Best thing, is to be educated about all things bicycles through knowleable people, web search and web chat like this one. Then you can take that knowledge and shop it around, peruse different stores and check the internet. If you ever want something let me know. My buddy Richard literally knows all - hell he might have it for sell. I all him my personal "Richard's Bike Shop." He wouldn't be a good source for woman's clothing (at least that I know of) but components - he knows it all!!!

[caligurl]

Cali:

It's funny but I actually liked that Performance (the one near the Supergo Store and was sad it had to close. It was the one Perf. store where I could ask questions, well within reason.

I really like to patronize the small LBS' I have a good relationship with the owners of several and I can usually get a good price on things if I ask. Plus I may paid alittle more but I get better service. You know, I rather shop at Nordstrom's than KMart.

Best thing, is to be educated about all things bicycles through knowleable people, web search and web chat like this one. Then you can take that knowledge and shop it around, peruse different stores and check the internet. If you ever want something let me know. My buddy Richard literally knows all - hell he might have it for sell. I all him my personal "Richard's Bike Shop." He wouldn't be a good source for woman's clothing (at least that I know of) but components - he knows it all!!!

other than that time... we never had a bad incident (and actually bought my dolce at supergo.. so technically they still got my money... but i've since learned... cuz my dolce had fit issues that got resolved later after i rode more... and became more knowledgable!)

i do more online shopping with performance (and constantly have small issues.. such as stuff not shipping on time, etc)... but they always make it right... i figure i get the SERVICE that i pay for!

even our closest GOOD LBS is an hour away... we buy some stuff from them... but when i can get a huge savings (like on our edges.. and we needed 2... so it's important to save where we can!)

but we've also bought 3 bikes from them.... including my ruby at retail!

[bcipam]

When Performance was Supergo I brought my Lemond and my Specialized Stump HT from them and almost bought my Spec. Stump FSR from them as well but they stopped carrying Spec., but I've never brought a bike from Performance - Perf. has never carried a brand I'm interested in. I usually limit my spending to things like tires, lube, chains, etc.