Cajees cycles any good?

[L.T.G]

This is one of the very highly rated LBS.

 

As I said.....

 

 although there are exceptions to this theory.

 

 

" You might not get the exact same deal but long term that "saving" will probably land up costing you more. "

 

"How so?"

 

so how... The saving made by buying the bike cheaper could land up costing more with the bike having to be returned over and over again to sort out issues and that might not be the case when going to an lbs that knows bikes not just knows how to sell bikes. 

your lbs experience wasn't a good one especially it being  a "highly rated" one.

My experience has been the exact opposite. My lbs is more a case of them being part of my "cycling family" and I enjoy going there.

[Davey_Jones]

The Cajees in Boksburg isnt too bad.  Some of the guys are helpful and I see two of them, the owner guy and the other older guy cycling at Benoni Country Club every time we go so they are at least MTBers.

You do need to catch the right guys though who will give you a good discount on the sticker prices.

Like most bike shops if you walk in expecting resistance you will get it.

[s14phoenix]

I have used and abused most of the Cajees shops around Gauteng and even got them playing prices off one another.

 

I believe the argument is simple - I pay the least amount I possibly can no matter where I go. And for spending my money I expect the best possible service. I spend so much on this sport that I am not about to pay more for something just because I believe that the LBS is my "buddy" - he would take my money at double the price without thinking twice - not much of a "buddy" then is he???

 

I bought both my new bikes from Cajees and there was NO other shop that could even come close to the prices I got from Cajees and for that you can name and shame all the Giant dealers in Gauteng - I visited them all personally and got quotes in person as this should bring out the best possible price from all of them. That said I would not take a bike to Cajees for a service or any other mech work either as I would rather do it myself - the only mech I trust.

 

Believe me when I tell you that a sticker price means nothing in this country. ALL the shops I visited "adjusted" their prices in some way. Cajees just seemed to be able to adjust their prices well below the other shops. The reason for this I believe is sheer numbers. Instead of ordering 1 bike at lets say R18000 cost, they order 50 bikes at R15000 cost and take a bulk discount more than likely.

 

If the LBS really wanted my business and repeat business they will need to either have items I cannot find anywhere else or have the best or same as the best prices.

[Undun]

Been to all the Cagees shops, i can recommend only one of them though from my side.
Cagees in Eastgate. There is one person exactly who i would talk to as he knows about bikes and can give you great money for value. (Dont do a bike set up there though)

Let me know if you want his name as i wont drop it on the hub.

You can reply on him to sort you out. I have bought 2 bikes from them in the past. Better price than anywhere else at that time.

[NotSoBigBen]

I have learnt that price isn't everything and I value the relationship I have with my LBS more than that ... you know the one that will meet me at the shop on their 'closed' day so I can get an adapter I need or let me take 2 or 3 different length stems so I can try them out and decide which one I want and so on.

 

Yes there are shops like that but many never find out as they are too busy ordering online or playing shops up against each other for pricing. Having said that don't get me wrong I also like to get the best 'bang for my buck' but also want to have back up when I need it.

 

I have also bought online when it was something that was not available locally or the pricing was just too good to miss!

 

That of course is just IMHO and I have my flame suit on .....

[Circuit Breaker]

Many thanks to everyone that replied. Feel a bit confused right now. I would have liked to rather go to a Giant dealer and have total peace of mind, but the budget is a bit tight.

When I return to Cajees, I will surely go prepared.

Thanks again everybody.

[DominionZA]

Had my bike checked out at Johnsons today. My oh my did Cajees cock it up.

 

3 weeks ago I purchased my Titan Comp. Cajees said they set it up and all was good to go.

1. Following day at Moderfontein the back wheel fell off. Sigh.

2. Last weekend my chain broke (could have just been me pushing it, but ye - 2 week old chain breaking already

3. Noticed and odd scraping sound from the disc brakes but never paid much attention to it. Assume it to be normal (never had disc brakes before).

4. On yesterday's ride I noticed a grinding sound every time I turned the steering.

 

So today when I headed off for a ride, I went straight to Johnsons first to get them to check it out.

The disc brakes were not setup properly. Odd sound fixed.

Steering grind was due to zero grease being put in the bearings, so they were starting to rust. Fixed.

 

Taking my bike in next week for a full service. Worth it to pay the extra R480 odd and get it all done properly.

 

Johnsons have been really cool. Very helpful.

[Azi]

I buy from Cajees Boksburg often. Built a good relationship with them, and they know I shop around and will generally squeeze them on prices.

 

I now phone in, tell them what I want and they give me a price that is, in their words "I'll give you a price, but don't argue with it." It always is cheaper than the other shops I researched - I generally no longer have to haggle (much) on prices as I've done my research, and they know I am not there to kick tyres and mess them around.

[BigDL]

I get frustrated with them when it appears that there prices are set up to make you negotiate eg. Last week I bought some spare tubeless plugs from them for R55. It is the first time that I have bought just plugs so did not worry about the price. Saw the same plugs in another shop yesterday for R35 which is probably a correct price and the price that cajees may have offered if I had pushed. Sometimes you just want to buy something and not have to negotiate.

[lekker man]

I get frustrated with them when it appears that there prices are set up to make you negotiate eg. Last week I bought some spare tubeless plugs from them for R55. It is the first time that I have bought just plugs so did not worry about the price. Saw the same plugs in another shop yesterday for R35 which is probably a correct price and the price that cajees may have offered if I had pushed. Sometimes you just want to buy something and not have to negotiate.

 

+1 on that!

 

I have the exact same issue with them. They will always be my last stop if I need anything.

[Bianchisti]

Went in there once and asked them to lube my chain. Service was shitty. I ended up buying bombs, gels, a magazine and some other odds just for the sake of their "help".

 

They ended up charging me for the lube and when I got home the magazine/TDF Guide was 2 years old for which they charged me R80.

 

Never been back there.

[trekpostal]

Shop around - they're def not the best at price, shocking at service and knowledge.