I've had it with The Spin Cycle

[JayC]

Normally I try to be supportive of all the shops and buy stuff from everyone (Despite shop prices being WAY higher than online) but Ive had it with The Spin Cycle. Seems like everytime I go in there, they never have what I want, the employees don't seem to care that they don't have what I want and trying to get anything serviced there is worse than trying to get in to see the doctor.

Today was the straw that broke the camel's back. I called looking for a seatpost clamp. Talked to Kevin, he proceeds to tell me about all the sizes they have in stock. I was looking for a particular clamp so I specifically asked about what I was looking for. I load the bike up and drive over from almost freakin Benson. I get there and Matt is the only one working in the place. He comes and looks, "Umm.. we dont have it." I said "I just talked to Kevin and he said you had every size except 30mm." Guess Kevin didnt bother to actually check to see if the stuff was actually there before having me waste 90 minutes of my life driving over there and then driving back empty handed. "We can order it for you".. great.. order it for me, charge me more than I can buy it for online, make me wait for it AND I get to drive back over there. I'll get right on that.

There's been other stuff, too.. my Powertap wheel build taking much longer than I was originally told.. not having the spokes after assuring me they did, me driving all over Raleigh buying the spokes from everyone at a considerable markup because they didnt bother to check to see if they actually had them when I asked, negligible discount on the wheel build even tho I paid a $.60 cent markup on EACH spoke (60 spokes) and drove all over Raleigh to get spokes because they didnt have them.

I don't know what's going on at that place but back last year, it was my favorite shop. I really like Jason, Matt and the others but that shop is a shell of what it used to be and no one really seems to care. I guess since I didn't go in and plop down 5 grand for a bike that my business is not that important to them.

Makes me really glad I've learned to do most stuff on my own.

[ukadm]

i have had great experience with garland and his staff at bike shop , rei in cary! alan

[TomG]

It's not just bike shops. I see this kind of stuff in other places all the time. Employers just do not hire good workers. I'd really hate to say it but I think in some cases it's a age thing. Young people just don't get the fact that stuff costs money and people work very hard for the things they have. Many kids do not learn this lesson until they are out on their own, out of college, paying bills and taxes.

[JayC]

True.. I probably should have noted, tho, that Kevin is the owner of the shop.

[CharleyM3]

I had a warrenty issue with them summer 2005. It took 4 moths to get it fixed. I haven't been back since except for the 4th of July ride.

[williamtash]

the only place I take my bike to is all star at quail corners. I bought my grandsons bike at trek and had to bring it in 5 times for them to fix brakes and then I ended up taking it to all star to get it fixed. I am going with TomG about the young people but that is not all of it. I think it is any place you go now with service. Even if you buy a billion doller bike once it is paid for you are old news it seems. They are on to the nexted big sale. As far as Kevin and spin cycle I only work with a women over there that is my size and a mountain biker and roadie to. I would tell you her name but my age is showing now because it has slipped my mind. Any time i have gone to her I have gotten great service and help. Even to being told to go to REI and get something else that was a lot better for me than what spin cyle had.

[TomG]

The ironic thing is that service can drive a business just as well as prices and stock can.

[JayC]

The ironic thing is that service can drive a business just as well as prices and stock can.

So true.. the majority of the money Ive spent there has been on service. I think Matt is a great mechanic.

Ive bought some other stuff there at full freakin retail just to support the shop even tho I could have gotten it online way cheaper.. extra Powertap bike kit, $100.00, online, $59.00.. shoes, clothes, etc.. just to show my support for the business. In the grand scheme of things, if it's not gonna be a two way street, what's the use?

[JeffS]

It's not just bike shops. I see this kind of stuff in other places all the time. Employers just do not hire good workers. I'd really hate to say it but I think in some cases it's a age thing. Young people just don't get the fact that stuff costs money and people work very hard for the things they have. Many kids do not learn this lesson until they are out on their own, out of college, paying bills and taxes.

I agree, but also understand the challenges of finding good workers that you can afford.

Admittedly, I don't spend much time or money in the local shops, but when I do I find myself in All-Star, either on Falls or Wade. I live right by the Trek store, but really only go in there for the emergency tube or chain. Something about it doesn't feel right. Oh yea, I went to Franks for a wheel rebuild a while back, but I don't drive much and they're way out there for me.

I'd love to find that go-to shop, where I could spend all my money and get better-than-list prices, even if it were a little higher than mailorder. The last local purchase I made was some fixed cogs and list price ran me about 30% over what mailorder would have been.

[Pugslyyy]

I had some real problems with Spin Cycle last year. They are nice and close by, and like others here I try to support my local shop and am willing to pay higher prices because I expect superior customer service.

Unfortunately, getting good customer service just turned out to be a real struggle. They never did a good fitting, even though they advertise a 'CustomFit Guarantee', and when I went to try and get a better fitting they tried to charge me and then refused to schedule me for the fitting.

Oh yeah, I had actually shelled out an additional $75 for their 'platinum benefits' package as well.

With a little intervention from some friends I finally got things straightened out, but it was like pulling teeth.

So guess where I won't be buying my next bike from?

Maybe it is just a Cary thing - too many affluent customers around to worry about the enthusiasts who are going to place higher demands on you because they actually ride the bikes you sell them instead of sticking them in the garage to gather dust.

[TomG]

I agree, but also understand the challenges of finding good workers that you can afford.


That is true. Employers, just like customers, are subject to the rule of "You get what you pay for."

[rkeefer]

Hey all, brand new to the board. I've been really happy with The Bicycle Chain on Glenwood (70) there near Fred Anderson Toyota and the Angus Barn. They've serviced three of my bikes, and we've gotten various accessories there. It's not going to be very convenient to those of you in Cary, but I highly recommend it to all of you local to RTP, parts of Durham, etc.