I've heard quite a few bike shop stories on this forum. They range from "worst expierence of my life" to "Wow these guys really took care of me". As far as I am concerned Bikesport and Tom D's staff are at the front of the peloton.
I posted a couple of days ago that my Cervelo had a "phantom shift" happening. Tom answered my post with a quick list of possible problems. None of which seemed to be the case. A little further exploration on my part and a call to the shop diagnosed a probable stretched cable. I was asked to bring the bike in to get the drivetrain readjusted, no charge. Tom indicated that he knew it was quite a drive for me to do that, so he would throw some "free stuff" my way. This for the privelege of doing a free adjustment on my bike while I waited.
Soon as I came in the door, Tom's manager, Mike took charge of my Dual and went to work. First thing he did was adjust my computer mount and magnet, which he pointed out were hitting each other ever so slightly. I hadn't noticed. He then proceeded to readjust and test the whole drive train. Great, that's what I was here for. I wandered off to try on the new line of Cervelo clothing and take a gander at a new computer which is why I mounted the old one so sloppy anyway. I look back and Mike had my rear wheel tore down to the bearings. "I heard a noise I don't like", he replied, when I asked what he was working on. He had the problem corrected to his satisfaction shortly. He then installed a new computer for me, no extra charge for the install. Touched up a nick in the paint, and pronounced the bike ready to go.
Meanwhile, I had a chat with Tom in between his phone calls, deliverys, and product reps dropping off stuff. Tom also presented me with the "free stuff" I had figured on a t-shirt or hat, Tom handed me a set of trishorts and a jersey with the Bikesport logo "for my trouble coming down". He then proceeded to give my bike a visual once over himself.
There are six bike stores in a 40 mile radius of me, 2 have good staff, decent product lines and I would buy from them. But, there is a reason I drive 2 hours one way for the things and service I need. The Bikesport staff and owner go the extra mile to make sure EVERYTHING is just right. I have heard comments on this forum about Tom being an elitist, I diagree, Perfectionist is the word you are looking for.
Jim
**Note above poster works for a retailer selling bikes and related gear*
I posted a couple of days ago that my Cervelo had a "phantom shift" happening. Tom answered my post with a quick list of possible problems. None of which seemed to be the case. A little further exploration on my part and a call to the shop diagnosed a probable stretched cable. I was asked to bring the bike in to get the drivetrain readjusted, no charge. Tom indicated that he knew it was quite a drive for me to do that, so he would throw some "free stuff" my way. This for the privelege of doing a free adjustment on my bike while I waited.
Soon as I came in the door, Tom's manager, Mike took charge of my Dual and went to work. First thing he did was adjust my computer mount and magnet, which he pointed out were hitting each other ever so slightly. I hadn't noticed. He then proceeded to readjust and test the whole drive train. Great, that's what I was here for. I wandered off to try on the new line of Cervelo clothing and take a gander at a new computer which is why I mounted the old one so sloppy anyway. I look back and Mike had my rear wheel tore down to the bearings. "I heard a noise I don't like", he replied, when I asked what he was working on. He had the problem corrected to his satisfaction shortly. He then installed a new computer for me, no extra charge for the install. Touched up a nick in the paint, and pronounced the bike ready to go.
Meanwhile, I had a chat with Tom in between his phone calls, deliverys, and product reps dropping off stuff. Tom also presented me with the "free stuff" I had figured on a t-shirt or hat, Tom handed me a set of trishorts and a jersey with the Bikesport logo "for my trouble coming down". He then proceeded to give my bike a visual once over himself.
There are six bike stores in a 40 mile radius of me, 2 have good staff, decent product lines and I would buy from them. But, there is a reason I drive 2 hours one way for the things and service I need. The Bikesport staff and owner go the extra mile to make sure EVERYTHING is just right. I have heard comments on this forum about Tom being an elitist, I diagree, Perfectionist is the word you are looking for.
Jim
**Note above poster works for a retailer selling bikes and related gear*