I am wondering what is the normal practice on the “test ride” in a LBS?
I was trying to arrange a test ride with a LBS in neutral bay Sydney. But I was requested to put in $250 deposit on the bike before I can go for a test ride on the bike.
I was communicating with the store via email and the following is some extract from the store respond.
LBS: “Once you have decided upon the model and paid a deposit, we size you up and let you trial the model required in your correct size.”
I ask: Can I get back the $250 if the bike doesn’t fit me, or doesn’t fit my needs.
LBS: “you are welcome to transfer your $250 deposit on any bike/model until you find the correct fit, the program works very well”
This gave me an impression is if I want to test ride on a bike, I have to pay $250 deposit, before I can jump on for a ride. And I can’t get back the $250 and have to use on another bike or something else in the store. Basically the purchasing decision has to be made before I can try the bike. In fact the $250 is a commitment on purchasing a bike with this LBS if I wanna test ride on a bike in store.
Is this a usual practice in the LBS in Australia? Or is that some kinda unfair dodgy trick?
It is just like someone tells me I walk into a car dealer, I have to put a deposit on a car before I can test drive it. Pretty much the same as telling me I have to buy the bike base on the look, or pushing it within the store if I choose not the test ride on it. Man, I am talking about buying a racing machine …. Not totally make sense to me.
Btw, I was planning to test ride on the Cervelo Soloist Team.
Issue is the LBS doesn’t carry my 2nd preference, SCOTT CR1, otherwise I am happy to put in the $250 deposit as I am definitely going to get either one of these bikes.
I was trying to arrange a test ride with a LBS in neutral bay Sydney. But I was requested to put in $250 deposit on the bike before I can go for a test ride on the bike.
I was communicating with the store via email and the following is some extract from the store respond.
LBS: “Once you have decided upon the model and paid a deposit, we size you up and let you trial the model required in your correct size.”
I ask: Can I get back the $250 if the bike doesn’t fit me, or doesn’t fit my needs.
LBS: “you are welcome to transfer your $250 deposit on any bike/model until you find the correct fit, the program works very well”
This gave me an impression is if I want to test ride on a bike, I have to pay $250 deposit, before I can jump on for a ride. And I can’t get back the $250 and have to use on another bike or something else in the store. Basically the purchasing decision has to be made before I can try the bike. In fact the $250 is a commitment on purchasing a bike with this LBS if I wanna test ride on a bike in store.
Is this a usual practice in the LBS in Australia? Or is that some kinda unfair dodgy trick?
It is just like someone tells me I walk into a car dealer, I have to put a deposit on a car before I can test drive it. Pretty much the same as telling me I have to buy the bike base on the look, or pushing it within the store if I choose not the test ride on it. Man, I am talking about buying a racing machine …. Not totally make sense to me.
Btw, I was planning to test ride on the Cervelo Soloist Team.
Issue is the LBS doesn’t carry my 2nd preference, SCOTT CR1, otherwise I am happy to put in the $250 deposit as I am definitely going to get either one of these bikes.