Erik’s – Bike, Ski & Board

I bought a 25 dollar bike light. Brought it home, realized it was a repackaged return. Missing parts, reassembled badly, broken. Why would they put something so obviously broken back on the shelf for somebody else to buy? I returned it. 20 minute drive to get there. They offered me a replacement of the same unit after I asked for my money back. The replacement was also missing parts, another return they were trying to fob off on me. I asked for my money back again. They told me they had some more, unopened, in the basement. I told them I wanted my money back. They told me they were trying to work with me. I told them I wanted my money back. Finally they gave me my money back.
Here’s a hint: Don’t sell me overpriced, defective merchandise, and then expect that you are going to keep either my money or my business.

Stopped in to test ride a new bike before spring as fall is here and the snow will start flying soon. I was asked if I was in a hurry, and I was not so they took complete measurements and a good fit for a road bike. Additionally, they analyzed my profile and needs and geared me up with the perfect bicycle. The fit was amazing, and I did not want to jeopardize not getting the bicycle fit so perfectly again, so I bought it. The turn around was fast, and I was incredibly impressed with the service and attention to detail.

I am changing my review from the three stars I originally gave them to four stars due to their response to my previous review in a personal letter they sent to me (never expected they’d even read my review)
Here is the original review (unedited). I have posted a few additional, definitely redeeming, facts below
Why I was going to give them five stars. First, the great service I got when I bought my bike was the best service I’d ever received when purchasing a bike (I am 51, so I’ve bought a fair share of bikes over the years). In fact, it might be the best service I’ve ever had buying anything. Here’s why: Jason. The guy really knows his stuff. He did all kinds of measurements of my body to get a good idea of the kind of fit and the bike geometry that might work for me. He set me up for a bike ride, and off I went. I paid close to $ 2,000 for the bike I wanted, so I didn’t buy it until the next day. Based on my final purchase decision, he even gave me a little bit off the retail price of the bike. Why I am giving them three stars. Fast forward two days. I go in to get a few more accessories. The help is good, if perfunctory. I see they are now having a five day sale in which they are offering sizable rebates if your purchase price is fairly substantial. They hadn’t mentioned anything about this when I bought my bike two days previously. I ask about it, telling them I just spent nearly $ 2,000 there. I ask to speak to the manager (Rob). He’s busy. I wait. He’s still busy (I can see him talking to the sales guy I’d asked to get the manager). Rob tells him there is nothing he can do, and that he should tell me that (rather than Rob telling me). I ask to speak to Rob again (now been waiting over 15 minutes). The guy tries to get rid of me, tells me there isn’t anything that can be done. I ask about their return policy. He tells me its 30 days. I have barely ridden this bike and haven’t used any of the other stuff I bought. I tell him I will return it all if that’s the way they want to treat me. Finally, the manager comes over to talk to me. I tell him my situation. He says, okay, I can just to do an electronic return and repurchase to get you the rebate. He seemed pretty clearly miffed and dismissive. Why the runaround. Why the hassle. He told me they hadn’t known anything about the sale until the day after I bought my bike. Maybe, maybe not. Even so, why make it a big deal. Should have been a customer service no-​brainer. Maybe they are great to you until you buy a bike, and then afterward, they don’t care about you anymore. I don’t think that’s the case based on previous experiences at other Erik’s stores, but that was definitely the feeling I got from Rob at the Highland store. Not good. Had I not had such a good experience with Jason, I would likely have returned everything, bought a bike from Penn Cycle (had great experience with them last year) or the Alt, and then they’d be getting a one or two star review. Now, I have a really great bike, good fit, good deal, and never want to go back to the place I bought it. Not a big deal for something that costs a few hundred, but makes me kind of regret given them $ 2,000 worth of business.
Okay, so here are the additional comments that justified a bump from three to four stars. After I wrote this review, I received a personal letter from Rob apologizing for what happened at the store when I asked for inclusion on the sale. He acknowledged that I caught him at a «bad time» (he was busy with another customer when I came in, which is true), and that he failed to get the complete story from his staff about when I bought the bike (he didn’t blame his staff, but himself for making an incorrect assumption that I had purchased the bike the previous week, not two days before the sale began). For Rob’s willingness to 1) read this review; 2) consider his contribution to my issue, and 3) take the time to send me a letter of apology, I definitely feel better about my experience. We all have bad days, and maybe that’s all this was. All my other experiences at Erik’s have been very positive, so I am willing to believe this was indeed the case. Thanks Rob for making me feel much better about the money I have and will plan to continue spending at this store and other Erik’s stores.

Out on a ride
Came in with a flat from some glass on the road and this is the closest place
Simple right? Would be at every other bike shop I have been to in the Twin Cities
Not for Erik’s
I have to wait for the guy at the mechanic stand to finish emailing or something. No other customers in sight.
Then he says he is unable to work on the bike unless I give him first name last name address email and phone number. Is this the NSA? Gave him fakes
Then he says he has to check to see if there is even a mechanic available and if so there could be bikes in front of mine so it could be an hour or so. THERE IS NO ONE ELSE HERE!!! One can’t stop what they are doing for ten minutes and help a brother out. WTF
GO ANYWHERE ELSE FOR BASIC REPAIRS AND BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE!

Stopped in just to browse as I was in the market for a new road bike (it’s Minneapolis, how can you not own a bike?) I browsed for a few minutes before an employee offered me help. I told him I was in the market for a new bike, and before trying to sell me anything, he took multiple measurements to ensure a good fit for the bike. I test rode a 2013 Specialized Allez and it was love at first ride. It was on closeout and I got a great deal on it. The employee never tried to sell me anything I didn’t need, and was super helpful on explaining everything I needed to know about the bike.
They might not be quite as local as some of the shops in town, but the service and selection is pretty fantastic. Can’t complain about the free tune-​ups for two years after a bike purchase, either.