I am submitting a complaint against a bicycle retail and service business engaging in false advertising. I bought a mountain bike from Great Lakes Cycling & Fitness (hereafter referred to as GLCF) in 5/2008. This bicycle came with a guarantee of free tune-ups, excluding new parts and labor.
It became necessary to replace the chain and cassette (rear gear assembly) early in the spring of 2013. I decided to have the replacement performed at REI because my annual member refund covered the bulk of the expense.
I called up GLCF on 4/8/2013 and attempted to schedule a routine tune-up. Oscar told me over the phone that their policy is "we only service what we sell" and he stated that the guarantee was voided by my decision to have the bicycle serviced at REI. It was never explicitly stated prior to this contact with Oscar that the service guarantee had any conditions attached to it, as is required by the Michigan Consumer Protection Act 331 of 1976.
I contacted Oscar on 5/21/2013 and asked to speak with him in private. Oscar reiterated that "our policy has always been that we only service what we install" and that I would still have to pay extra for tune-ups. I said that henceforth I could live with the stipulation that GLCF staff perform all servicing. He said I was being completely irrational and there was no point in continuing the conversation and started walking back inside his business. When I started to follow him he said "get out of my business or I'm calling the police!!" I said I was going to call the AG and immediately left the premises.
Oscar falsified a story that I made threatening gestures and spat on him after I complained to the AG and the FTC. Playing the victim is a classic sociopathic maneuver.
I sent Oscar a certified mail letter at the end of 2013 demanding that he make good on the tune-up guarantee or he would be summoned to small claims court. I told him his refusal to service my bicycle was a violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act of 1976, aka Act #331. Oscar's verbatim reply is the following paragraph.
We have said from the beginning that the ban is on the person not his bike. We have always stated that we will work on your bike. At this time we will not be paying you $51.00 nor will we be lifting your ban from the shop. If you would like to mail your bike to us we will be more than accommodating to repair it. You will not be allowed to pick it up or drop it off. Your actions have indicated a violent attitude and we are concerned for our safety along with our employees. Again do not attempt to come into the store. Any such action will result in the immediate call to the police. This matter is closed. Happy new year!
Oscar's allegations of violence are entirely without merit and represent an artifice that his psychopathic coward mind is using to elude meeting his obligations.
I believe my case is well documented because I have a VISA card statement from 5/2008 with my purchase from Great Lakes Cycling & Fitness, as well as careful and complete documentation of my communications with Mr. Bustos. After my meeting with Mr. Bustos that ended with his threat to call the police I immediately came home and wrote up a description on my computer while it was still very fresh in my mind.
Great Lakes Cycling Reviews
I am submitting a complaint against a bicycle retail and service business engaging in false advertising. I bought a mountain bike from Great Lakes Cycling & Fitness (hereafter referred to as GLCF) in 5/2008. This bicycle came with a guarantee of free tune-ups, excluding new parts and labor.
It became necessary to replace the chain and cassette (rear gear assembly) early in the spring of 2013. I decided to have the replacement performed at REI because my annual member refund covered the bulk of the expense.
I called up GLCF on 4/8/2013 and attempted to schedule a routine tune-up. Oscar told me over the phone that their policy is "we only service what we sell" and he stated that the guarantee was voided by my decision to have the bicycle serviced at REI. It was never explicitly stated prior to this contact with Oscar that the service guarantee had any conditions attached to it, as is required by the Michigan Consumer Protection Act 331 of 1976.
I contacted Oscar on 5/21/2013 and asked to speak with him in private. Oscar reiterated that "our policy has always been that we only service what we install" and that I would still have to pay extra for tune-ups. I said that henceforth I could live with the stipulation that GLCF staff perform all servicing. He said I was being completely irrational and there was no point in continuing the conversation and started walking back inside his business. When I started to follow him he said "get out of my business or I'm calling the police!!" I said I was going to call the AG and immediately left the premises.
Oscar falsified a story that I made threatening gestures and spat on him after I complained to the AG and the FTC. Playing the victim is a classic sociopathic maneuver.
I sent Oscar a certified mail letter at the end of 2013 demanding that he make good on the tune-up guarantee or he would be summoned to small claims court. I told him his refusal to service my bicycle was a violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act of 1976, aka Act #331. Oscar's verbatim reply is the following paragraph.
We have said from the beginning that the ban is on the person not his bike. We have always stated that we will work on your bike. At this time we will not be paying you $51.00 nor will we be lifting your ban from the shop. If you would like to mail your bike to us we will be more than accommodating to repair it. You will not be allowed to pick it up or drop it off. Your actions have indicated a violent attitude and we are concerned for our safety along with our employees. Again do not attempt to come into the store. Any such action will result in the immediate call to the police. This matter is closed. Happy new year!
Oscar's allegations of violence are entirely without merit and represent an artifice that his psychopathic coward mind is using to elude meeting his obligations.
I believe my case is well documented because I have a VISA card statement from 5/2008 with my purchase from Great Lakes Cycling & Fitness, as well as careful and complete documentation of my communications with Mr. Bustos. After my meeting with Mr. Bustos that ended with his threat to call the police I immediately came home and wrote up a description on my computer while it was still very fresh in my mind.