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Any experiences with bikerepair.com.au?

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01 / Original postAny experiences with bikerepair.com.au?Jone Ghard · 25 Nov 2006 02 / This pagePosts 1–8Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #8DaveB · 26 Nov 2006

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Original section
Australia and New Zealand
Published
25 November 2006
Last activity
26 November 2006
Original author
Jone Ghard
Posts
8
Discussion status
Public discussion
Total views
1,007
Views / 30 days
0
Topics
Wheel building

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  1. Original post
    Jone Ghard
    Archived post
    #1

    Hi,

    I just had one of the most strange customer experiences in some time when
    dealing with Bikerepairs.com.au. I found these guys by chance the other
    day. I would like to service by bike and because they don't provide prices
    on their web (http://bikerepairs.com.au/Services-road%20bikes.html), I
    sent an e-mail asking for the prices for those different services they
    list plus that of a specific component.

    No luck. First they said I would have to call them to get it. After I
    insisted on receiving a rough quotation by e-mail, they changed their
    mind by requiring that I have to bring my bike to the workshop for an
    examination and subsequent estimate. I insisted that I just want to know
    the prices of the standard services they list on their web site and a
    particular component I want to replace (according to their web site, they
    sell all types and names of components). They answered with an offensive
    message, and that was the end of my communication (and business) with them.

    I am used to taking the bike to a workshop and pay something like $50,
    $75, etc. depending on the service level. Obviously more in case something
    has to be replaced, and so forth. I am also used to being told the
    price for a certain item or service when I ask to whoever is selling or
    offering it. I supposed that was a basic rule in retail. So what's with
    these guys? They seem to believe they are dealing with some kind of ultra
    complicated and sophisticated machinery to require all this protocol.

    Does any one here have experience with them? Are they some kind of
    eccentric bike mechanic geniuses that are worth the trouble?

    Cheers,

    Jone

    Report
  2. Big Bear
    Archived post
    #2
    Jone Ghard said:

    I am used to taking the bike to a workshop and pay something like $50,
    $75, etc

    but on this occassion you didn't and you expect similar service?

    A wise business person does not give estimates over the telephone.

    Report
  3. Jone Ghard
    Archived post
    #3
    Big Bear said:
    Quoted message said:

    I am used to taking the bike to a workshop and pay something like $50,
    $75, etc

    but on this occassion you didn't and you expect similar service?

    I expect a seller to provide potential customers with a clear price
    for those services or products he/she publicises. I don't expect the
    seller to act like some kind of 'bike consultant' or 'bike engineer'.

    Quoted message said:

    A wise business person does not give estimates over the telephone.

    They asked me initially to call them in order to get the prices for
    their services and products.

    Report
  4. Big Bear
    Archived post
    #4
    Jone Ghard said:
    Big Bear said:
    Quoted message said:

    I am used to taking the bike to a workshop and pay something like $50,
    $75, etc

    but on this occassion you didn't and you expect similar service?

    I expect a seller to provide potential customers with a clear price

    That requires the "seller/provider" to have a CLEAR idea of what they
    are servicing.

    Quoted message said:

    They asked me initially to call them in order to get the prices for
    their services and products.

    Aps. Sounds like someone didn't know the score.

    Well, now that you've vented, you know to avoid them as no good. There
    has only ever been one other post here which promo'ed their www from
    another unknown.

    Report
  5. Jone Ghard
    Archived post
    #5
    Big Bear said:

    That requires the "seller/provider" to have a CLEAR idea of what they
    are servicing.

    I asked for the prices of the services they offer at
    http://bikerepairs.com.au/Services-road%20bikes.html
    plus a very specific physical component I want to replace. No more no
    less. Instead, I received an attempt to get me into some kind of bike
    consulting scheme.

    Quoted message said:

    Well, now that you've vented, you know to avoid them as no good. There
    has only ever been one other post here which promo'ed their www from
    another unknown.

    My original posting was intended to get some possible feedback from some
    one who might know these guys. Sure, other opinions are also welcomed. Not
    so much suggestions of me being associated with this workshop due to my
    identity being unknown to you. Anyway, thank you for your input.

    Report
  6. ProfTournesol
    Archived post
    #6
    quote='Big Bear'Jone Ghard said:

    I am used to taking the bike to a workshop and pay something like $50,
    $75, etc

    but on this occassion you didn't and you expect similar service?

    A wise business person does not give estimates over the telephone.[/QUOTE]

    True, but to be fair, their web page does say "Servicing and repairs

    bikerepairs completes all servicing and repairs on all types road bicycles. We specialise in braking systems, drivechains, groupsets, frame swaps, and wheel building. For road bikes we currently offer 5 different levels of servicing.
    We offer the road cyclist: Standard Service; Standard Service "Plus"; General Service; General Service "Plus"; and the Complete Overhaul.

    Standard Service
    A fixed price minimum 46-point checklist means that you don't overspend on the repair.     "

    It would seem reasonable from that claim to ask them what their 'fixed price" actually is, and then to expect an answer. Of course the answer may always include a disclaimer along the lines of 'if you need more than this, the price will vary', or some such. They do cover this by adding "Note: when parts are replaced an additional labour charge will apply" at the bottom of the specified items list".

    I have no idea who these guys are or who the original poster was, but his experience would not fill me with enthusiasm either.

    Report
  7. TimC
    Archived post
    #7

    On 2006-11-26, ProfTournesol (aka Bruce)
    was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:

    Quoted message said:


    Big Bear said:
    Jone Ghard said:

    I am used to taking the bike to a workshop and pay something like


    $50,

    Quoted message said:

    $75, etc

    but on this occassion you didn't and you expect similar service?

    A wise business person does not give estimates over the telephone.

    True, but to be fair, their web page does say -"Servicing and repairs

    bikerepairs completes all servicing and repairs on all types road
    bicycles. We specialise in braking systems, drivechains, groupsets,
    frame swaps, and wheel building. For road bikes we currently offer 5
    different levels of servicing.
    We offer the road cyclist: Standard Service; Standard Service "Plus";
    General Service; General Service "Plus"; and the Complete Overhaul.

    Standard Service
    A fixed price minimum 46-point checklist means that you don't overspend
    on the repair.- "

    It would seem reasonable from that claim to ask them what their 'fixed
    price" actually is, and then to expect an answer. Of course the answer
    may always include a disclaimer along the lines of 'if you need more
    than this, the price will vary', or some such. They do cover this by
    adding -"Note: when parts are replaced an additional labour charge will
    apply" at the bottom of the specified items list".
    -
    I have no idea who these guys are or who the original poster was, but
    his experience would not fill me with enthusiasm either.

    To me, it screams of a company that want to charge what they think
    they can get away with.

    They want to be able to charge extra for a simple servicing of an
    expensive road bike, simply because they can -- the customer obviously
    has more money than sense 🙂. Sure, they could ask "what kind of bike
    do you have?", but there is a difference between even a $800 MTB that
    has never been maintained, and one that has been maintained well. The
    one that is maintained well, might be owned by a person who is willing
    to spend more money. If they lower the price of a service for a dodgy
    looking bike, there's more chance the customer will follow through on
    getting it serviced, and not baulk at the price.

    And they can only get that information once the bike is in front of
    them. And don't turn up in a suit -- then they'll be able to justify
    an even higher price 🙂

    --
    TimC
    A transistor protected by a fast-acting fuse will protect
    the fuse by blowing first. --unknown

    Report
  8. DaveB
    Archived post
    #8
    ProfTournesol said:

    Standard Service
    A fixed price minimum 46-point checklist means that you don't overspend
    on the repair.- "

    It would seem reasonable from that claim to ask them what their 'fixed
    price" actually is, and then to expect an answer. Of course the answer
    may always include a disclaimer along the lines of 'if you need more
    than this, the price will vary', or some such. They do cover this by
    adding -"Note: when parts are replaced an additional labour charge will
    apply" at the bottom of the specified items list".
    -
    I have no idea who these guys are or who the original poster was, but
    his experience would not fill me with enthusiasm either.

    Compare it to Abbotsford Cycles which does include the price

    http://www.onecer.net/abbotsfordcycles/services.html

    Oh if only all bike shops were like Peter and his crew. Sigh.

    daveB

    Report

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