I was looking for a hybrid bike to get back into riding. I went to Tony's one morning and he showed me a nice Trek for about $450, but it was pretty basic and didn't have any bells and whistles. He said that was about my only option under $500.
I ended up getting a 5 year-old comfort hybrid on craigslist from someone nearby for half that price. It has a suspension fork and seatpost and a more advanced shifter. I can't fault Tony for trying to sell me a new bike, it just my preference to buy a higher end used bike for less money.
Anyway, I brought my new-used bike to Tony for a $39.99 tuneup one morning. I could tell he seemed a bit mifffed that I came back with a bike he hadn't sold to me. The crank was clicking and knocking a bit, the brakes needed adjustment, and the shifter was grinding. The chain and gear also needed a good greasing. He said he would take of all of it. When I picked up the bike in the afternoon, I asked about a good, reasonably priced lock. Tony brought down a lock that looked like a ship's chain with a u-lock the weight of an anchor -- for $50. As I inspected it, Tony went to help another customer and I asked one of his helpers about the sleeker-looking Krytonite lock right next to it. He said it was an excellent lock, just as good if not better than the lock Tony gave me -- and $10 less.
When Tony came back to ring me up, he asked what happened to the other lock. I said the helper told me this was a better lock, and I liked it because it had the lock built into the chain and was less bulky. Tony immediately launched into a tirade admonishing his helper to NEVER, NEVER contradict him when talking to customers, he has 40 years experience, etc., etc. It made both me and the helper, a nice young man feel very uncomfortable.
On my ride back home, I could tell the brakes were adjusted, but the crank was knocking louder than ever and the gears still grinded when shifting. Looking at the gears, they looked as dry and ungreased as when I brought it in. Also, looking up the same Kryptonite lock online, I found it priced another $10 cheaper on most sites.
Somewhat annoyed, the next weekend, I brought it back again in the morning and explained to Tony that the crank and the gears have the same problem and it appeared nothing was done! I asked if he could inspect it again and see why it was doing that. I asked if he or someone in the shop could test ride it first to diagnose the issue, but he said no, they have no time to that. He did assure me that he would take one last look at it and see what could be done -- for no additional cost.
When I came back that later day, sadly, again Tony berated one of his friendly employees when I asked the helper if my bike was ready and he helper said "yes, it's all been fixed" and Tony barked back, "I told you NEVER to tell the cusotmer everything has been fixed, or that it all works! I'll take care of that!"
Tony said they took the crank all apart, found nothing wrong and put it all back together. I was not hopeful, but much to my surprise, this time, thankfully everything worked like a swiss watch. The chain and gears this time visibly had been greased. In the end, that's probably all it needed--some crank tightening and chain/gear greasing--which they had neglected to do the first time around.
All in all, it's nice to have a bike shop in the neighborhood for routine maintenance and bike parts. However, if you go there, stay on top of Tony and make sure that he actually does what he says will be done, check everything, and ask questions. If you do buy something there, beware that the products are marked up, but in fairness he does have to pay the rent and I like to keep local guys in business. I just wish he would treat his employees with more respect! read more