07/23/09

AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE

by biker1234

Are you kidding me with this store? You walk in and get treated like garbage.

I was ready to spend $1500 on a brand new road bike, my first road bike. I've been going in everyday to get information about road bikes, what to avoid, what to look for.

This is what I gathered: if the workers at Bicycle Bob's are any representation of Santa Barbara cyclists:

Cyclists, are a bunch of prudish cowards.

Day 1, I go in, get talked down to by Craig at the Hitchcock store. I'm sorry, I'm new to road biking, would you like to talk down to me again?

Day 2, I get ignored, talked down to again by the manager, a shorter Mediterranean looking guy with a bushy mustache and another condescending attitude. Oh, I'm sorry, you must not want my $1500.

Day 3, I go in, talk to a couple of the younger guys who are a bit nicer in tone, and then get moved onto the manager again, this Italian guy I'm guessing, who scoffs at my ideas for a road bike, and then walks away.

Day 4, I walk into a competitors bike store and get the exact bike I want with no hassle.

Are you serious with this horrible business?

I have $1500, cash, in my pocket, waiting to give to you, and you treat me like garbage.

Thank you for the introduction to road biking! You will not be getting my money.

And that was $1500, plus $500 I was going to spend in accessories when the bike came (to customize it), you know, accessories, where you guys make your money?

To top it off, there's no corporate number to call, so it's impossible to make any changes to their system.

I guess Word of Mouth is all you can do.

• Pros: There are no pros who work here
• Cons: EVERYTHING

02/12/07

all-around helpful and honest service.

by marygastil

Awesome bike shop. Helpful and honest repair guys. They are competent to repair high-end bikes and will even get custom-made machined parts for you. But they are not snobby at all. It is not just for elite athletes. They sell tiny bikes for toddlers and fix wheelchair wheels. They have been supportive of bike-to-work programs and local bike groups. Bike Bobs will get you On The Road Again (or off-road).

• Pros: lots in stock, free advice, experienced, honest, practical
• Cons: none so far

08/27/06

WEAK WEAK KAEWWEAK!

by miscthree

OK, i've tried these guys FOUR times, twice at each shop, and NEVER got good service. Whether it was just getting a spare part or reccomendations on upgrades, or general service to my bike, or even just looking around, it's been the PITS. thumbs down all the way to hell. I'll go here when i need a replacement tire tube, but that's about it.

• Pros: Close to downtown, smells like a bike shop.
• Cons: Poor service all around.