Gear West Ski and Run

Category:	Ski Shop
Address:	1786 Wayzata Blvd, Long Lake, MN 55356, USA
Phone:	+1 952-473-0377
Site:	gearwest.com
Rating:	4.5
Working:	10AM–8PM 10AM–8PM 10AM–8PM 10AM–8PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–5PM 12–4PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 7

BanK Clarke

Never. Thats when I will again order anything from Gear West. I repeat, NEVER. Nothing quite like the old "bait and switch" to antagonize a customer - new (as I was) or old - but that is precisely what happened to me. Having searched the internet for a pair of running shoes that my seventeen-year-old son had owned and loved, but could no longer find locally (Florida), I found them at Gear West. That was the "good news." The "bad news" is that the shoes I ordered (Mizuno Enigma 3) are NOT what I was sent. What I was sent was a Mizuno Enigma 5, which I COULD have purchased (faster and cheaper), locally. Apparently, specificity is not the "order of the day" at Gear West. Initially, I was only minimally displeased. Since it is impossible to "prove a negative" (the shoes Id ordered were noted, at the time of purchase, as the last pair in size 9.5), I couldnt even find the Mizuno 3s on the website to "prove" that the order had been substituted (without my consent). However, since both my wife and I had been at the computer at the time of purchase AND had BOTH seen the shoes Id ordered, we were either both in the throes of dementia (were not) or Gear West had "hooked and crooked" us. Since my son needed the shoes ASAP (hes a high school athlete), I really didnt want to wait through the process of shipping them back and ordering them on Ebay, where I had also seen them for sale. Instead, I thought that the easiest and fairest thing to do was for Gear West to simply match the price ($56.99 and free shipping vs. GWs $74.95 and $9.99 to ship) that Id found on Ebay. When I made that request (price match) of the young man (Matt) whom I got on the phone line when I called the company (he also happened to be the same customer service rep with whom I had spoken prior to ordering), I was politely told that he had no such authority, but that Brodie in the shipping department did and would call me within an hour. NOT. Two hours+ later and no such call received, I got a very curt email from Brodie that was both errant in the "interpretation" of my communication with Matt and shockingly dismissive. I so LOVE being blown off and then being told, "Thank you for your purchase", as his concluding sentence in the email stated. Presumably, thats the companys m.o. for taking the sting out of failing to properly fulfill a purchase. Nice. For the record, I promptly called - now TRULY antagonized - and spoke with Brodie. To his credit, he listened while I - politely, but indisputably - reamed him and Gear West. He was even willing to do what Matt couldnt and what I had anticipated when I received the "phantom phone call" within an hour. The phone call that was "promised, but never forthcoming." At that juncture I had zero - no, LESS THAN ZERO - interest in a discount. Had I taken it, my extreme discontent would have been too easily categorized as "all about the money." No, folks, it AINT about the few dollars. It IS about "doing the right thing." Something that seems to be of relatively little importance at Gear West. Great way to do business, GW. When you run out of what the customer ordered, just substitute it with what you want to get rid of, dont inform or ask permission of the customer, put the burden ON the customer, and then, call it a day. Wow. As the old Latin maxim cautions, "Caveat emptor." Indeed, let the "buyer beware."

Joe M

I have had many excellent experiences with Gear West Bike. A few years ago I got into road biking. After a couple thousand miles I was experiencing hip and knee pain. I got a professional fit at Gear West and now, well over 10,000 miles later, my hip and knees are still completely pain free. A couple years ago, I was riding quite a bit and having saddle issues, they pointed me to an Adamo ISM seat, and again I am completely satisfied. When it was time to buy my first tri bike this past year I did a ton of research, checked a dozen or so LBS, and talked with countless people. Every time I was at Gear West or bothered them with an email they took the time to respond thoroughly and honestly. It’s great to be with people who are so passionate about the same things I am. I worked with many of the staff there; especially Kevin, the owner, and Hannah, who has fit me on both my bikes. I am now the proud owner of my first tri bike and cannot wait for spring.

Julia Weisbecker

The selection at GWB and Tri is amazing, and if they dont have it, they will order it and get if for you ASAP. I live on the east side so its not easy to get there on my way home from work, but i have even had staff people bring me things to my home. That is service! I also want to add that I travel alot with my bike. Gear West Bike and Tri has been available to me 24-7 to assist with things that other shops outstate are unable to understand or assist with. Not only are they the most up to date, state of the art with their products, they take great pride in helping and explaining if you need it. Technology sometimes has snafus, its nice to know there are not only willing but smart people working there!

Emily A

First, beware - there are 3 stores and it can be confusing. The staff in each store know that it can be confusing and are happy to direct customers where they should be :) Parking goes through each store, so you can just drive back. The boot team did a wonderful job! Fitting, getting the perfect ski boot and making sure we would be happy with it! They also beat the prices of many of the other nice ski boot places in down! I really cant say enough about their customer service, everyone was helpful and friendly. Will definitely be going back for all my ski needs!

A Private User

Gear West Bike and Triathlon supplies cutting edge triathlon and bike merchandise. The staff is attentive, responsive, experienced. The workshops (Gear West University, etc.), and professional athlete appearances (Hunter Kemper, Becky Lavelle, David Thompson, Sarah Haskins and many others) shows deep interest in the sport of triathlon, and sharing this passion with the public. I am pleased with the Felt triathlon bike I purchased. And with the aerodynamic, yet comfortable, bike fit I received at the store. Excellent service.

James Ryan

Gear West is a great store, cool stuff and very helpful via phone. But I ended up buying online and it was okay but a bit clunky. For instance, when I realized I hadnt made the shipping address different from billing address and corrected this, I had to re-enter all the credit card data again--- seemed unnecessary in todays internet world. Otherwise, it was acceptable if not impressive. The store, people and merchandise however, as I said, are great, as is the bike shop.

Jack Davids

Terrible staff, very rude at times and didnt greet me as I came in, sat on their phone instead. They were out of stock in my boot size in October, and refused to order it in, saying it wasnt feasible unless I paid for it ahead of time. The time before this experience, the sales person pushed me hard to pay up for gear I didnt need, other ski buddies of mine have reported similar experiences. If you value your pride or wallet at all, find another twin cities ski shop.