Bike Service from Craigslist?

[Bert1220]

There's a poster on Craigslist that lives near my street. How dependable are these guys? Am I better off going to a bike shop? Here is their site for reference. greencycling.webs.com

[JohnV]

If they are closer than your LBS it's worth checking them out. Find out how long they have been in business and if they are listed as a valid company with your state. Then check the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been launched against them. If they don't pan out, you will always have your bike shop.

[GeorgeET]

With the economy today more people will be starting their own garage business or retired people looking for something to do. Nothing wrong with that. The prices are very reasonable, bikes are not that complicated. Check your neighbor out and be a good neighbor give him business.

He is too small to be a registered company or have BB presence.

[Painkiller]

Right on George! Store fronts do not not mean you never get the screws put to ya. The people that I service out of my home believe they have a special find and always come back for their needs. They know I care more about them than the wallet in their pocket. I can tell they trust me and I treat them right.

[nfmisso]

(10-06-2011, 07:47 PM)painkiller Wrote:  Right on George! Store fronts do not not mean you never get the screws put to ya. The people that I service out of my home believe they have a special find and always come back for their needs. They know I care more about them than the wallet in their pocket. I can tell they trust me and I treat them right.

+1

[GeorgeET]

Thanks guys........I needed that. :-)

[froze]

Also if you do take your bike or a part in for repair make sure you get a receipt for repair with your bike or part listed on the receipt, and that the receipt contains their address, phone number and name. Check to see if the repair guy is a former or a current LBS employee, he or she may be moon shining for extra after hours income. You should also check around to see if anyone else has heard of them and or used them. I have a guy that I use occasionally that works at a local LBS but repairs bikes out of his house, mostly kids bikes because LBS's won't touch those, but he does adult bikes too, and at way less hourly prices then LBS shop time.

[FredS]

Take one of your backup bikes in for him to work on to see what kind of work he does with it and then decide for there.

[FredS]

So GeorgeGT, did you try out the man in your area yet?