Village Bikes at 8111 Lakewood Main Street #108, Bradenton, Florida.

Two weeks ago I purchased a $1400 bike for my wife from Village Bikes in Lakewood Ranch. We dealt with the owner Ed who went out of his way to work with us to find the best bike for her. Even though it was a bit out of our price range we were happy with the decision as the bike has worked very well for her.

That same day I made an appointment with Ed to get sized for my bike and have a tune up. The appointment was to be on a Sunday which I was told they do not normally do but if I was patient and allowed them to also serve customers that came in it would not be an issue. I was instructed to call a day or two before to confirm and that my appointment for fitting would be with Chris.

I called a day prior to the appointment and was told again it would not be an issue and it was reiterated as long as I was patient they would get me taken care of. I had no issue with that and was happy they were willing to work with my schedule.

On the day of the appointment I arrived at the scheduled time and asked to speak to Chris. I was directed to the gentlemen at the cash register. I brought my bike over and introduced myself and indicated that I had an appointment with him for a fitting. Chris gave me a really dumbfounded look and in a rude condescending way said that I didn’t have an appointment with him and that they do not do that type of work on a Sunday. I explained to him that I made the appointment with Ed (the owner) and that I called and confirmed as requested and it was indicated that as long as I was patient it would not be an issue. Chris flat out rejected anything that I had to say and that he wasn’t going to help me in such a way that was rude, condescending, and embarrassing. There were other customers in the store that promptly left as he was taking his frustrations out on me. I was dumbfounded and embarrassed at the same time. I said fine I will take my business elsewhere and left. It didn’t matter that I had an appointment and traveled 20 miles on a Sunday to pay them for a service. All that mattered was the fact that he wasn’t going to help a customer that pays his salary.

I now regret buying my wife’s bike from this company and yet we are stuck with them for one year for any warranty service. I for one will never set foot in this store again!!!

On a side note my wife called this morning to speak with Ed to address the issue and Chris answered the phone and told her she had the wrong number. Stay away!!