L.A. Bicycles = L.A. Losers
August 14, 2010 by GradingGirl
Filed under Detention
“Come to us and save time, gas, grief and money.” That’s what L.A. Bicycles latest posting on Craig’s List claims. This is NOT the case. If you are in the market for a new bicycle in the Los Angeles area, I HIGHLY recommend you stay away from this so-called business . . .
- Check out the smashed boxes of “new” unassembled bikes piled up behind the store. The quarters are so small that they have to assemble bikes outside, behind the strip mall.
L.A. Bicycles is a bike shop just north of the University of Southern California campus, in University Village. Students patron this shop because of its convenient location; however, if students were to travel just two more blocks they would be spared aggravation, money and time.
My experience with this business: I went shopping for bicycles a few days prior to USC’s move-in day. The very first question I asked the one (and only) man in the store was if he delivers to USC. He instantly said no problem just like I thought he would because L.A. Bicycles Craig’s List posting – just posted that day – clearly states in this bold red ink: free delivery to USC and surrounding areas.
So . . . I proceeded to pick out a bicycle. I had one picked out in less than a minute because I knew exactly which color and style I wanted. Unfortunately, I waited 30 minutes from the time I chose my bike to the time I checked out because the flighty, unorganized serviceman kept moving from customer to customer – never completing anyone’s request, just trying to juggle each one at the same time.
Here is where things get very sketchy . . . I’m at the counter with my credit card out. I have the bike, basket and lock chosen. I’m filling out my information so that they hold the bike and deliver it on move-in day. The attendant takes my card and tells me there will be a charge per day for holding the bike until delivery. I tell him I’m surprised and confused, considering he just told me that they would deliver to USC “no problem.” When I ask how much the “storage charge” will be, he tells me he doesn’t know. He will find out later and charge my card. Naturally, I didn’t feel comfortable with that and asked him to please identify the charge. He calls his owner reluctantly on a cell phone, talks in Spanish for a brief moment (why did I take 7 years of French?!), and then hangs up only to tell me that the owner “won’t do it.” I ask, “Won’t do what?” He claims the owner “changed his mind” and will not deliver to USC. I quickly find the Craig’s List posting online on my phone (dated for that day) that clearly states the store delivers but the attendant merely laughed (!!), shrugged and said, “I guess he changed his mind.” Of course, I quickly replied, “I guess I change my mind too” and walked out. Unbelievable!!!!! It really makes me wonder what would have happened if I would have let that man charge my card: Would they have charged my card for the bike only to not hold it and give it to someone else? Would they have added a ridiculous amount for storage?
This company is blatantly falsifying information on their public advertisements!! Do NOT buy ANYTHING from this joint. They completely take advantage of the eager college student. Yes, they are the closest to the USC campus – but not by much. There are other, more honest shops in the area.
Still fuming from the attendant’s complete lack of customer care, I googled “bike shop los angeles” on my phone only to find Lion’s Bike Shop less than a mile away, literally straight down the street (Vermont.) I went directly there – what a breath of fresh air. The two owners were very attentive, gracious and helpful. I had the exact same bike, basket and lock picked out, ordered and on hold (no charge!) within 5 minutes. They, in fact, proceeded to tell me about certain bike safety rules in the area. Plus, the amount was $5 cheaper – hey, every little bit helps. Grading Girl definitely recommends this shop over L.A. Bicycles.
Sidenote: While in the store, a USC student came in to have a flat tire fixed. I heard the serviceman tell her it would be $60 and come back later to pick it up. $60 to pump a flat tire?!
Grading Girl vehemently gives L.A. Bicycles an F for continuously publishing falsified information, for incredibly crass customer service, for taking advantage of and overcharging college students, and for a disorganized, cluttered shop.
I hardly ever assign a detention – on this website or in the classroom – only when it is much deserved.
