DAKOTA OUTDOORS

Notified a couple days later that bike was ready, I was working out of town, so I picked it up on July 2 and was presented a bill of $128. I did not complain about the additional $28 (as I probably should have). Upon taking the bike to work the next day, the rear wheel immediately went back out of true...even worse than it was before. When I called Dakota Outdoors about this, the repairmen remarked: "I was afraid of that; the rims on older bikes like that will usually go right back out of true. I can re-true it by replacing more spokes ($1.50/each) or I can replace the whole rim for $35. I asked him why he hadn't informed me of all this the first time, and he simply said "I wasn't there." I took the bike back, agreed to the rim replacement (now I'm out $25.95 for a wheel true they knew probably wouldn't work, plus another $35 for a rim). I was informed the repair was made the next day, but was not able to pick it up until July 15. At this time, the chrome "quick release" rim which had originally been installed on the bike had been replaced by a standard brushed-aluminum rim, and I was charged $42.35 (including a $5.00 labor fee which the repairman on the phone promised to drop). Additionally, the "retro" reflector I had installed on the back rim had been tossed out along with the original chrome/steel rim. When I brought all this up with the sales associate, he gave me the manager's card and the excuse that "he hadn't done the repair." When I phoned back in, yet another man answered the phone and said he would try to find a matching "quick release rim," which he would install for free. (I was not given back my original receipt as I had specifically requested, by the way.) A week later, and no contact from Dakota Outdoors, I returned to the shop only to be told they couldn't find a matching chrome rim, but would order another brushed aluminum rim with "quick release" if that would "make me happy." When I suggested that since this was my third trip for the same repair, they should also replace the front rim (so both match) I was informed by the manager that I was "being difficult." (I assume this was the manager) told me he would be happy to order a matching rim for the front, but that would cost me extra. Sadly, companies like Dakota Outdoors are the reason why I am not always sympathetic to appeals for "buying local." They are extremely overpriced, their service and attitude are very poor, and their communication is even worse.