TLC for Bikes, Inc

I was quoted a price for a bicycle repair when I picked it up the price was much more than quoted.I brought my Cannondale bike in for repair of the Shimano shifters, new bike tires and tubes on 4/16/14. It was also suggested I switch out the stem and handlebars to better accomodate my body type. I was told the total cost would be between $250 and $300 and most likely closer to the $300. I had received other estimates at other bike shops for the same $250-$300. So I agreed to have the work done and gave him my cell phone number if there were any problems or changes. I received no call during the week he had my bicycle so I assumed the cost would be no more than $300 when I returned to pick it up. I was charged $394 for the repairs which is almost $100 more than I agreed to. He knocked $30 off the cost so the total came to $362.16 but that is still a significant amount more than I agreed to. I would not have had the job done if I knew it would cost so much because I could have had the repairs done elsewhere for the $300. Also, I had a bike computer that was working when I dropped the bike off but no is longer working. The comment was that I could replace it for $25. He should have taken responsibility for it and replaced it at no cost. Lesson learned that you can't trust people to give you the service for the price quoted so get it in writing.Desired SettlementI feel he should honor his $300 estimate and refund me the $60 difference and replace the bike computer that was functioning when I brought the bike in but is no longer working.Business Response /[redacted]/I am sorry [redacted] feels she was taken for a ride. All of the components and accessories are at a very fair price. The labor done on the bike is the best in Raleigh. The attention to detail on the completion of the bike I am sure [redacted] will enjoy greatly. When she dropped off the bike her computer was not working. I was able to get it working while she watched. Later when she picked up the bike her computer was partially working ( just as it was when she first dropped the bike off). I showed her how it was showing that speed was being detected but no speed was showing up. I can not cause this to happen. Her computer was very old & inexpensive. I have no desire to keep adding to a clients bill. The total cost ran $44 over estimate (with tax it ran $62.17 over). Granted this is still over the $300 estimate. To give [redacted] $60 and a new computer is not reasonable. The final cost does not factor time spent with [redacted] concerning fitting the bike to her. By fixing the bike to her we altered the bike to help her ride more safe & comfortable. There was no additional charge for this time. Our desire at TLC for Bikes is to make everybody happy and informed. We understand that some people can not be made happy. We have already given a reduced cost in parts and labor. As stated earlier I am sure she will enjoy her new bike.

Purchased bicycle after having a conversation with the owner that he would fit the bicycle to me. That did not happen.Purchased my bicycle on 8/5/2015Bicycle: Norco Search S1Paid: $1627.94Sales Rep: [redacted]Paid Via: Debit CardI want to start by saying that I am 42 years of age with type 2 diabetes and am new to cycling.Based upon my conversation with the owner by starting out that I was new at this, I was looking to purchase this bicycle from two locations, one being his and the other based in Philadelphia. He stated that by purchasing from him that his company would go beyond what it would take to make sure the bicycle would fit me. In the end I chose his company over the one Philadelphia that could get this bicycle.Even on their website that state "Would you buy a pair of jeans without try them on first? Would you buy a car without test driving it first?With this information I went ahead and purchased the bike through them. I drove from Virginia to North Carolina to pick the bike up. There was only a teenager behind the counter. He gave me a helmet and let me test the bicycle out. The bike felt not right from the beginning. The teen tried to help me out as much as possible but to no avail. He mentioned that I would probably need a bike fit. In which I thought, that is the reason I made the purchase in the first place. He shoed me how to take the front wheel off and gently put the bottom of the front fork down. That is when the owner came in. I thought great, now I can get some help. I started out with a question in regards to the top tube of the bike because it was directly under my crotch, which felt disconcerting, especially if an emergency arose. He said that that was normal, ok, not sure if I agree, but he's the expert, I'm just a beginner. That is when he walked over to the bike that did not have the front wheel on it and picked it up from the back end and pushed it forward as he cranked the wheel, he scraped it along the front, brand new $1600 bike and he does this. I panicked internally and thought I could fit the bike myself and just wanted to get out of the establishment as quickly as possible. I did not want any more advise from him after he did that. I got home and started to ride the bike and have felt back pain and numbness from the waist down after 15-20 minutes on the bike. Being a type 2 diabetic and given my age, it has scared me to say the very least. I've only put maybe 4 miles total on it and have not rid-in since. It just sits there because I trusted in what he initially told me he would do and he did not. Sorry, but I do not like making $1600 purchases that I can not enjoy.I tried to call him twice, one I got in touch with one of his employees last Thursday, Aug. 27 and the employee said that [redacted], the owner is the only person to help me and he ended the conversation by saying [redacted] is a nice and fair person, the way he said it made me feel uncomfortable, it was just the way he said it as if I'm on my own. I called Friday the day after and left a message. He has since to return my call. I have not shouted at any one or been belligerent. I have been very nice through out this ordeal. No one has said directly to me that sorry [redacted] your on your own, good luck selling it, nothing.To say that I've learned my lesson as some one new to cycling is an understatement at this point, what I should be doing is riding my bike to help get my diabetes under control, has not been the case.I've tried to contact him afterwards and he has made no effort in contacting me, at all. There has been no effort from him at all up until this point. I wish he would have said something when I told I'm new at this and that I should try a bike out first to see if it was right for me, he did not, guess he just wanted my hard earned money.Desired SettlementI think the fair resolution the more I think about it, since I am also in retail myself, is to pay a 5% restocking fee ($81.35) of the bicycles value, I would tentatively agree to pay upwards up to 10% ($162.70). No more than 10%.Business Response /[redacted] called me and told me what he was looking for. I offered him a better choice than the other shop. When he drove down to pick the bike up that he requested I was not able to talk to him. By the time I changed clothes from my ride he was gone. We offer to fit all bikes bought at TLC for Bikes. My sales person said he was happy to get the bike and did not want to wait around for a fitting. The story of me scratching a $1600 bike never happened. I have witnesses. I will be happy to help him fit the bike any time. This is a Defamation of Character to our shop and future action will be taken on this matter if needed.