Category: | Bicycle Store |
Address: | 6375 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA |
Phone: | +1 412-661-0729 |
Site: | performancebike.com |
Rating: | 4 |
Working: | 10AM–8PM 10AM–8PM 10AM–8PM 10AM–8PM 10AM–8PM 10AM–7PM 11AM–6PM |
AI
Aimee Lebow
I have been researching bikes for some time. As an avid biker, my current bike has been in need of a replacement since last summer, I knew what I was looking for and I had decided upon a short list of possibilities. I had chosen Performance Bike for their selection and location and was very excited to purchase myself a new bike now that the weather was warm again. I came to Performance Bike expecting to spend $500-$700 between the bike and the car rack, which may not have been their top sale that day but is still not a sale that the proprietor would want to lose. Unfortunately, I was deterred not only by the condition of the merchandise but more so by the poor, borderline humiliating service I experienced. The first time I arrived they were not terribly busy, but busy enough that all of their sales representatives were helping other customers, I stood around for over 20 minutes before deciding that I would run my other errands and then return later in the day. I was not at the time bothered by waiting because I could see that the salesmen were very engaged in their customers questions, they seemed very thorough and knowledgable and I was still excited about returning and receiving the same customer service that I was witnessing, to help me narrow my list to what would ultimately be my new bike. When I returned about an hour later I encountered the same situation, all sales representatives were quite busy with other guests, this time I waited another 20 minutes before my friend finally walked to the front to see if anyone could be made available to help me. When she returned With Tino I had all but made my selection, a Schwinn hybrid street bike that seemed very nice but for the fact that it had clearly been driven on a dirty path and had not been cleaned before display. When Tino arrived to help me he arrived with an audible sigh, letting me know that he was in fact not happy to serve me. He did not ask me any questions about what I was looking for, he did not ask me any questions at all, he stood silently and waited for me to allow him to leave or point to what I wanted. I eventually asked about the bike that I was most interested in, not only could he not tell me what size it was but he also did not offer to have it cleaned before I brought it home if I chose to purchase it. I was not looking for a discount on the bike, but he did tell me it had been previously bought and used and had been returned and mentioned that I might be able to get a discount from the manager, but did not take the offer any further than that. He even went so far as to say "Well its going to get dirty when you ride it anyway". Well, clearly but when I buy a new bike, I expect it to be clean and new, just like when I buy a new car or new clothes or new anything. I do not expect to pay a new bike price for a used dirty bike. After the wait I went through I expected the same service I noticed everyone around me getting and instead I waited a total of nearly an hour for annoyed, unhelpful, sarcastic, rude service. I chose not to purchase a bike today and I am very disappointed. I have been looking forward to a new bike since last summer but that experience has made my desire for a bike less then my desire not to give my business to Performance Bike.
A
A Private User
Performance bikes is the Lowes of bike stores; its big and it has a lot of stuff, but near impossible to find a knowledgeable staff member willing to help you. They have a large selection because they are a national chain, but dont think for a second that they will save you big bucks. Whereas most bike stores will either carry high end or low end gear, Performance has both high and low end in all categories. You can buy a helmet there for $30 or $300, but with most things you get what you pay for. What really turned me off to this bike store were the bike mechanic staff members. I asked about how much and how long it would take to true a set of wheels, but I was shopping around different bike shops to get a good price and time. The gentleman behind the mechanic counter, Ive been told he is the head mechanic there, barely looked up at me and told me he would need the wheel and it would take at least two weeks but probably longer to true a pair of wheels. Now I am a commuter so I need my bike to get back and forth from work so I asked him if I could make an appointment and drop off my wheel in two weeks so they would only have to hold my wheel for a few days; he looked at me like I was speaking in tongues. First off, I know that you need the wheel to be present to true it, I’m not that stupid. Second off I understand if they work on a first come first serve basis, but do they just expect people to drop off their bikes blindly for two weeks maybe longer for a simple repair? Third, the way he spoke to me made me feel as if because I didn’t have a bike that cost over $1000 I wasn’t good enough for their shop. The next bike shop I visited that day told me to bring the wheels in and they would true them in front of me, Pro Bikes in Squirrel Hill. From that day on I have not and will not step foot in a Performance Bike store and I will let all of my friends and fellow riders know how horrible of a place it is and to go to a locally owned shop like Scholl’s Schwinn in West View or Thick Bikes in the South Side instead of supporting a big chain store. But who knows, some people prefer Lowe’s to the locally owned Service Star. One recommendation I have if you plan on shopping there is to check their website first. Several times I have found cheaper prices on their website than the store and had to call out their staff members on it to get the discount. Bottom line is I would not recommend to my worst enemies.
A
A Private User
First, the location of the store. When I first heard where the store was going to be located, I thought.."what are they thinking?" I personally cant think of ANY possible reason to put a store of such potential in a location like that (no, not even free rent!). Lets just say the area is.... not good, and to make things worse, its a real pain in the a&% to get to and from. Unless you live right down the street theres no easy way to get there. I would loved to have been a fly on the wall during the demographic selection meeting (I think even a fly would have had the sense to say "are you guys nuts? Do you even know ANYTHING about Pittsburgh?") O.K., so I make it there, with hopes still high. My first impression? The store stinks in terms of product selection and the staff is clueless on what they do have. Hows that in a nut shell? I hate to be negative on this. I WANTED to like the store and be impressed. I WANTED to spend money. So the trip wasnt a total waste I bought two inner tubes. (I drove 45 minutes into a bad area to buy two inner tubes.)(I also read on-line reviews of the Forte brand tubes that I bought and according to what I read THEY stink, too.)(Read the reviews for yourself.) On their website they say to stop in to see why they are "Pittsburghs best bike store". A bold statement. I would love to know by what criteria this statement was made. Ive been an avid cyclist for the better part of 26 years. I KNOW the bike stores in Pittsburgh. Based on my experience visiting the store on Sunday July 18, I would classify Performance Bikes as Dicks without the golf clubs and fishing poles. I dont think youll see too many serious cyclists at Performance Bikes. Attention LBS...you have nothing to be comcerned about with Performance Bikes coming to Pittsburgh. I went, I checked them out and sadly, I had to give them a "WNR" rating (will not return). If this store lasts a year Ill be shocked. I love bikes and bicycling. Its my absolute passion. I wont waste another drive out to Performance Bikes.