I recelntly sent in my bike for a service at what i thought to be a reliable bike shop. I was quoted on a standard service and specifically asked that if they find anything else that needs attention, they call me first and check if they can do it. Obviously i also want know what this extra repair would cost before i commit myself to it. Needless to say, not only was i not contacted BUT stuff i never asked for were repaired and i had to at the end of the day pay for it in order to get my bike back because if they did not fix it, my bike would have broken into 50 pieces the next time i went for a ride..... Today a friend of mine phoned me with a similar story, not only did a standard bike service set him back R1600 but when he was quoted initially, the price he was quoted EXCLUDED vat...this offcourse sent the charge sky high once vat was added. Now, here are my questions and comments: 1. If i had to teach myself to service my own bike, how would that impact on the warranty that comes with most of the components. 2. How can bike shops just get away with not being upfront when it comes to the actual price you are going to pay at the end of the day and how does one put an end to it because it happens at MANY bike shops... 3. Surely i would be saving a fortune because at the end of the day i will only be paying for the parts i need and WANT to replace at that given time. 4. Where can one find the best and most accurate tips on servising bikes and components. Im tired of being taken for a "ride" NO MORE !!!!
