By the way, it's not like the Rockhopper is a bad bike - how the fuck is the bike shop supposed to know it's the wrong bike for him if he doesn't say so? Is mindreading supposed to be a prerequisite for bike shop ownership now? "The right job". Good one.

Everyone take a deep breath.

I think a lot depends on the full story when he returned the bike the same afternoon he bought it.

Ie:
"I decided I dont like this bike and I want to return it"
"I have now had a quick ride around my house, and its not really what Im after. I still want a bike but just not this one, what else have you got?"
"This bike is crap. I want my money back"
"My mates said a Koner is the best, so Im bringing this back for a refund"

etc, etc, etc

Oli wrote:I'm not trying to be a prick here, but generally I recommend choosing a bicycle before buying it - did you just randomly grab the Rockhopper without looking at it at all? What made you choose it and what didn't you like about it? If I'm spending hundreds of dollars I always make sure I actually want what I'm purchasing, I don't dither and decide later I've made a mistake and blame the person who sold it to me...

I think it was poor of the departing employee to tell you to think about it over the weekend but otherwise I can't blame the shop for not wanting to take a bike back because you didn't have a clue what you were after.

I agree...poor form to pay for something then see if you like it. If a shop doesn't let you decide beforehand.

Time to move on, you're as much to blame in this issue as they are for not testing it out pre-purchase and then whipping the wallet out, impulse buyer much?
They just said "try over the weekend" to avoid conflict, hoping you'd get used to it, because there's no way they were going to refund a used bike even on the friday IMO.

If they offer good service take it, if not go elsewhere for the big stuff

Oli wrote:By the way, it's not like the Rockhopper is a bad bike - how the fuck is the bike shop supposed to know it's the wrong bike for him if he doesn't say so? Is mindreading supposed to be a prerequisite for bike shop ownership now? "The right job". Good one.

whaddya mean you can't read minds Oli.

Lack of telepathic ability is why I retired.

I know

cruiser wrote:

Oli wrote:I'm not trying to be a prick here, but generally I recommend choosing a bicycle before buying it - did you just randomly grab the Rockhopper without looking at it at all? What made you choose it and what didn't you like about it? If I'm spending hundreds of dollars I always make sure I actually want what I'm purchasing, I don't dither and decide later I've made a mistake and blame the person who sold it to me...

I think it was poor of the departing employee to tell you to think about it over the weekend but otherwise I can't blame the shop for not wanting to take a bike back because you didn't have a clue what you were after.

I agree...poor form to pay for something then see if you like it. If a shop doesn't let you decide beforehand.

Time to move on, you're as much to blame in this issue as they are for not testing it out pre-purchase and then whipping the wallet out, impulse buyer much?
They just said "try over the weekend" to avoid conflict, hoping you'd get used to it, because there's no way they were going to refund a used bike even on the friday IMO.

If they offer good service take it, if not go elsewhere for the big stuff

Other aspect you got to look at too is being the next person who walks into the shop to buy the rock hopper that has been returned after being ridden for a weekend. The bike shop is hardly going to be able to sell it on a full price (so why would they give you a full refund and have to cut there losses they did what they thought was right by your needs), and then secondly wouldn't any sort of warranty the bike had be void as they only usually apply to the first owner of the bike?? I know is sure as hell wouldn't be happy buying the 2nd hand bike in this situation. It seems like you may be asking a bit much here but that's just my opinion.

dented wrote:Everyone take a deep breath.

I think a lot depends on the full story when he returned the bike the same afternoon he bought it.

Ie:
"I decided I dont like this bike and I want to return it"
"I have now had a quick ride around my house, and its not really what Im after. I still want a bike but just not this one, what else have you got?"
"This bike is crap. I want my money back"
"My mates said a Koner is the best, so Im bringing this back for a refund"

etc, etc, etc

I was option 2 above ie still want a bike but this isn't what I'm after, also prior to purchase I spent quite awhile with shop assistant going through what I thought I wanted, but being a newbie I didn't really know (trying to relate how I used to ride motorcross to how I thought I would likely treat a bike). I also possibly didn't make it clear early on that I would not have been asking for a full refund of bike price cause I realised it had devalued during my use of it, but they weren't interested.

Thanks for the opinions - I can see that maybe its not a straight forward as I initially thought, but then thats why I asked so I know whether I need to get over it.

kneemick wrote:there was no opportunity to test ride either bike prior to purchase, not even in the car park

this is the key,

go back and say I'm thinking of buying a new bike, that one looks nice can I take it for a spin around the carpark. if they say no don't ever go back, even for a spere tube.

I'd agree with Phil,
That's pretty below average service, even if you caught them on a "bad day" - as one of the staff was on the way out, that's still pretty crap

na, the key is that an employee said that you could use the bike over the weekend. then come back with it.

that is the fuck up.

management has to adhear to the BS that the staff member spouted to you.

for example.
a while ago i bought a new mx helmet. i had a race that weekend and they only had a cheap helmet that fitted me. the one i wanted wasn't there in my size, so the guy behind the counter said to just take that helmet for the weekend and that he would sort me out on monday with the other one. well i came back monday with the old helmet, the boss was there and the employee was not, boss man said get stuffed that he would not take a used helmet back..................... i told him that he had to act on his employee's promises, after a lengthly battle he gave me the new helmet at no additional cost.

you should have kept at it in the moment, not get screwed and moan a year later. too late now.

they may have changed their approach to things over the years since you had this experience. i agree with philstar, test them on their current approach. (of course, don't let them make you feel like test riding a bike means you have an obligation to purchase one)

oh and the departing employee way back then might have had a grudge and deliberately set you against the shop, or might have not given a shit and just said anything to get you out of their face. sux either way, but unfortunately the boss is who you shoulda talked to in the end.

hindsight is easy, i have always had difficulty following through with this sort of thing.

i wouldn't be comfortable with having to drive 50ks for a shop if i just wanted a new chain or something. dont cut off your nose to spite your face, as they say.

The solution to the problem is to not shop at that store again. Your faith in them is tarnished and they probably don't think much of you either. I wouldn't hesitate to travel to a store where you feel you are getting the fantastic service you feel you deserve.

I do. It's a 50km round trip for me to get my bikes seen to even though there are three bike shops in the town I live in.

What didn't you like about the rock hopper? Have you got used to it yet?

Pissface - yep that is what i'm worried about (cutting off my nose to spite my face) but from what I have seen recently the attitude in the shop hasn't changed, a friend went in with a specfic request that was spelt out and agreed to then the shop assistant did it how he wanted to without consultation (the request was very specific for a very specific purpose).
Never got used to the Rockhopper - gave it away in the end.