Urbane Cyclist Ripped Me Off - BE WARNED! Go somewhere else for your bike! Toronto, Ontario
Do NOT buy ANYTHING at this hole-in-the-wall rip-off emporium. You will be sorry! Really an eye-opener buying a helmet at this place.
First, the clerk put ZERO effort into checking if the helmet was the correct size for me . . . but just kept handing me other models . . . clearly intent on getting me to buy the most expensive ones, and implying (by tone of voice) I was a jerk if the lower priced ones would be my choice. I ended up (as a new bike owner) getting a $100 helmet that was TOO SMALL.
Now, most stores would let you bring back the helmet the same day or the next day, for a return.
But not these mafia-types. Incredible con-artists.
One of the owners, an older, plump lady with short hair who kept appending "Darling" to every comment she made to me at the cash register (as in "I hope it fits, darling . . .") . . .warned me at
the checkout "No returns on helmets. . . as soon as you walk out the door, we will not accept it back for any reason." Now, I've been to lots of stores in my 50 years of life . . . and never have I run into that kind of "stick-em" attitude. But my mind wasn't working clearly enough that day, apparently, and it didn't "sink in" that I was being set up for getting ripped-off. I just smiled back, paid the bill, and walked out.
About 2 hours later, it became clear the helmet was too small. They refused to take it
back. I ended up going to MEC (Mountain Equipment Coop) on 400 King Street in Toronto. The clerk was very helpful, carefully assessed my head size, and helped me pick a great helmet (just $60). And . . . the MEC clerk clarified that they DO accept returns/exchanges on helmets". He was amazed at the treatment I'd received at "Urbane Cyclist".
So, what's my point?
I have vowed NEVER TO BUY ANYTHING at "URBANE CYCLIST" ever again . . . nor will my wife. To look on the bright side, I think I was blessed to discover that those guys are crooks by only losing $100. I can't imagine the h**l I'd go through if I had bought a BIKE from that place and then got
rip-offed on a bigger scale. Now, every day I walk by "Urbane Cyclist" will just smile to myself and pity the suckers in their for more serious purchases -- they will learn "the hard way". The place feels like a "used car" lot - - - and you better be prepared to get stabbed in the back. Don't say you weren't warned. CROOKS and FLIM-FLAM ARTISTS (. . . . "Darling").
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Ramjet
Somewhere,Michigan,
U.S.A.
You did not get ripped off
#7Consumer Comment
Thu, June 16, 2011
It's common for anyone who disagrees with a report to be accused of being an employee.
The reason this is not a ripoff is because they told you exactly what their return policy was right up front. I don't know if that is a common policy in the bike helmet world or not, but if you didn't agree with it you should have walked out. By buying it, you agreed to it, but now that you want to return it you don't agree with it. That's not how it works and I applaud them for sticking with their 'up front' policy.
Maybe it's a policy because people have returned helmets with sweat, hair grease, dandruff and god knows what in them and they couldn't sell them. Would you buy one? Maybe it's a policy just because they are jerks, who knows? Nevertheless, it's their policy, they told you about it, you knew it and you agreed to it.
You just think you should be an exception because you are special. Sorry, you're not.
I still don't think it's rocket science to tell if a helmet fits. There's all kinds of crazy stuff on Youtube, that doesn't mean anything.
Not a ripoff
Flynrider
Phoenix,Arizona,
USA
Beat me to it.
#7Consumer Comment
Wed, June 15, 2011
I was about to point out that the OP must obviously work for Mountain Equipment Coop.
It's hard to call a shop unethical if they tell you their return policy and then follow it. If the OP found the return policy so abhorrent, why would he purchase anything from them? It doesn't make sense. Neither does buying a helmet from a salesperson who allegedly belittles you. Yeah, this is obviously a phony report from a competitor of Ramjets :-))))
Robert
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
Seriously
#7Consumer Comment
Wed, June 15, 2011
If you actually read Ramjet's other posts you would realize that he is not an employee of this bike shop, and based on what they have written in the past they are in the US.
But in this case I would bet that you are either an employee or perhaps the owner of the other bike shop you mentioned, and this is nothing more than a fake report to try and damage this business. You wouldn't be the first competetor who has tried things like this on this site, and you won't be the last.
But even if you were a legitimate customer there is no RipOff. If you are going to let someone push you around by the tone of their voice I wonder how you even function in the first place. Second they told you the policy BEFORE you bought the helmet.
By the way I am not an employee or even a customer of this shop either.
Unhappy Customer
Boise,Idaho,
USA
So . . . "Ramjet" works for Urbane Cyclist?
#7Author of original report
Wed, June 15, 2011
Hey "Ramjet"
So, what's it like working for Urbane Cyclist? (And what's your real name?)
Ooops -- forgot . . . your address is "somewhere in USA".
Yeah, Right.
Regarding your nasty comments:
>>>So they told you clearly what their return policy was and you are upset
because they had the audacity to actually adhere to it? That's pretty
funny.<<<
Yes, it's very funny, isn't it? $100 down the toilet to an unethical retailer. That's what these great Ripoffreport site can help others avoid, and why I took the time to post the report. You like seeing people get ripped of? Pretty sick, buddy.
>>Is it really that hard to tell if a helmet fits you before you buy it? You need help with that?<<
Well, I guess you don't have much experience as a bike rider, either, do you. There are a whole series of Youtube videos on "how to choose and fit a correct bike helmet". I found out about them AFTER being ripped-off at "Urbane Cylist". Do your homework and watch them, and you'll see there are a number of important factors. But . . . . then, since you WORK for "Urbane Cyclist", you'd probably know that, huh?
>>Did they let you try it on in the store? If they didn't I would agree with you.
This is not a ripoff.<<
Gee. Surprising to hear an Urbane Cyslist manager say that! Go figure. A-hole.
mr rik
miami,Florida,
USA
I got a helmet at walmart for 20 bucks!
#7Consumer Comment
Tue, June 14, 2011
Fits great, and I have 90 days to return it!
Ramjet
Somewhere,Michigan,
U.S.A.
Hmm
#7Consumer Comment
Tue, June 14, 2011
So they told you clearly what their return policy was and you are upset because they had the audacity to actually adhere to it? That's pretty funny.
Is it really that hard to tell if a helmet fits you before you buy it? You need help with that?
Did they let you try it on in the store? If they didn't I would agree with you.
This is not a ripoff.