Category: | Bicycle Store |
Address: | 3240 Duke St, Alexandria, VA 22313, USA |
Phone: | +1 703-212-2453 |
Site: | bicycleproshop.com |
Rating: | 4.3 |
Working: | 10AM–7PM 10AM–7PM 10AM–7PM 10AM–7PM 10AM–7PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–5PM |
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A Private User
I recently switched bike shops. I bought my Specialized Roubaix at ProShop in Georgetown two years ago. During a tune-up, a ProShop mechanic in the Alexandria shop discovered a "crack" in the (carbon) bike frame. ProShop immediately concluded that 1) this was a crack I shouldnt cycle further with--too dangerous; 2) this crack was due to "impact" (not a defect)--something I had caused myself or was caused by someone other than the bike factory or bike shop and 3) the crack would thus not fall under warranty (even though Specialized has a life-long guarantee on its frames). So ProShop was going to "offer me a deal"--they dangled this very sweet new Specialized SL3 Expert bike under my nose, completely new...and at a price ticket of $3,700 on which they would give me a discount of $1,000. Sounds good, except my "old" Specialized was less than two years old and had cost me close to $2,500 at the time. So I went for a second opinion to Contes in Bethesda. First thing two mechanics told me, looking at the "crack": Thats not more than a scratch, you can likely still ride with that. I did, and it was absolutely fine. But Contes still offered to have Specialized rep look at it as well, who said he wanted to check it out further. Contes shipped the bike back to Specialized and I got a same frame, but now from 2011 instead of 2009 back in two weeks, fully under warranty. Contes transferred my old components, which were still very good, added a few new ones--so now I have a new Specialized Roubaix frame, with some new and some old parts, including labor, for $210...! No "its a crack due to impact", no "its not under warranty", no "we have a new bike for you for $2,700 and thats a really good deal"--no, just good advice, sound judgment, and a virtually new road bike for $210 including labor. Im staying with Contes in Bethesda. For what its worth, I do think ProShop in Georgetown (and in their Arlington shop) has some great bikes, but they also are very, very commercial and not necessarily interested in customer service--their shop in Georgetown is very small and its always crowded, true, but I always had the feeling that theyre trying to already talk to the next customer while theyre dealing with you (especially if youre not there to purchase another bike). Noel (from Alexandria) and Toni (from Georgetown) kind of played this "well take good care of you" game in which they tried to upsell me in a way that left a pretty bad taste in my mouth. And they had instructed their employees well--each time I called to check up on the status of my old bike, I got somebody to tell me that they hadnt heard back from Specialized yet but "maybe you want to try this new bike in the meantime?" Too bad, b/c I initially was impressed by ProShops selection and knowledge of bikes. My advice? Switch to Contes in Bethesda (or Arlington), especially for service to your existing bike. It pays to shop around, most dealers carry the same brands--they make it sound like they are the only local experts on Cannondale or Specialized (or Trek or whatever), but really, theyre not--theyre just the dealers.
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A.J. Brown
I visited this bike shop for the first time. I purchased my own handlebar tape and decided, instead of attacking the job by myself, that I should let a shop do it. I also needed to ship my bicycle to Europe and asked for them to pack it up. The front desk person and the mechanic were fantastic. I dropped the bike off. When I went to pick the bike up, the price was over double what I expected. I asked for clarification. I didnt think to bring my copy of the paperwork, so I let the transaction go through. I came home, looked for my paper work, and called asking for clarification again, a second time, this time armed with my receipts given to me at drop off. Thats when things got ugly. The person on the phone started to argue with me about what was written on my copy of the receipt, who wrote it and how it was written. The person on the phone admitted that the price in their computer system was one thing (the price quoted to me) and the price on the back wall that the mechanic goes by is another thing. He also admitted that items at different prices than what were quoted, were added to the receipt after they gave me my copy at drop off. I have my paperwork, filled out by them, in my hand as I write this review to prove it. The person on the phone did not handle me professionally. It started out being about the discrepency between what I was quoted and what I was charged. As I was on the phone hearing this mans attitude, instead of being nice to a confused customer, he made me feel lower than dirt for pointing out their errors. Despite the mechanic being top notch and the first front desk person being great, I can NOT recommend this place at all. A bike shop cant quote one thing, charge another, and then when asked for clarification, instead of trying to create a win-win with the customer, make the customer feel like a jerk for opening his mouth. That behavior is not okay. Its not okay at all. From now on, Ill travel the longer distance to get my bike serviced at the bike shop in my old neighborhood than go back into this bike shop again.
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A Private User
Very acomodating and thorough. They have never missed a delivery and always diagnose your bike problems accurately. The cost of repairs are very reasonable and they explain unusual mechanical problems so that you know exactly what youre paying for. Because of DCs unpredictable traffic, I showed up there after closing and was able to pick up a bike they worked, which enabled me to ride early the next morning. Being a bit of a "wrench" myself, Im impressed with how well and acurately they determine your problem. Repairs are done equally as fast and professionally. I had a cracked frame on a nice bike and had all its components transferred to a new frame. The cost was reasonable and I didnt experience a single problem due to the technicians work. The one problem I thought I had was due to "operator error" in that I forgot I had a microadjustment on the front derailer. I immediately assumed the chaiin rub was because of a bad adjustment but then I remembered the lever was designed to allow several settings to eliminate the annoying chain rubbing against the side of the front derailer. For a moment there I thought I had one on the mechanic--not the case. Bottom line, if you want a good repair, good service, a quick turnaround and a very reasonable price for your new bike or repair then go to the Bicycle Pro Shop, Alexandria. Pat.
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Phillipe B.
While the selection is large the customer service is much to be desired.I inquired about tuning my 90s Bridgestone MB-4 commuter and was told by the service tech its not worth it I should just buy a new bicycle and spend $1500.As I was walking out the door a salesperson said that I cannot compare and should not shop around as their (high end) service is sooo good and incomparable to other bicycle shops in the area.To him alone maybe that is true but as a potential customer I certainly can compare and lets face it,its a bicycle with two wheels and a chain,not a car!I am an engineer by education and would certainly not tell a potential client that there is no comparison to me and other engineers and that I am the best in the area,that would be career suicide. I did shop around and ended up getting my bicycle tuned at a nearby shop Spokes Ect. with parts for under $140 and it runs as good as new.