By Acacia
I’m surprised there’s no one here talking about the 2 Zellers’ stores in St. John’s… I don’t get out to the Stavanger Drive one but TOPSAIL rd is just the worst.. I have a relative who works there too so- I will spare details which might have them fired…
I bought a Sportek Ridgerunner ladies mountain bike when they went on sale a couple weeks ago. For 70$ or so I knew what I was in for but I figured a brand new bike would be better than any of the second hand bikes I owned previous. Anyway, this beautiful powder blue bike got shagged the first day.. The handlebars slipped right off while I as riding it. My bf tightened them when we got home.
Next time I rode it, it was fine. Then last Thrs (March 31) we had to ride the bikes out to Mount Pearl to get medicine for my dog and the friggen handlebars broke again. We tightened it again (after by bf rode home to get his allen keys) and got out to Mount Pearl then stopped into Zellers on Topsail afterwards…. The manager snuffed me when I asked about an exchange and wouldn’t offer me anything for my inconvenience- let alone an apology for a shitty bike…
I went to look at the rest of the bikes and the lazy ass dude who assembles them to get out of floor work explained that all the bikes they sell is a flawed design. The handlebars are held with 1 screw which strips and slides out. ALL of them do it??!?!!! There were multiple kids’ bikes there. So I found a ladies Mongoose mtn bike hidden in with the kid’s bikes which was like the only bike there with a good sturdy structure and 2 well bolted screws in the handlebars. Steel frame and brakes. Anyway this Mongoose was 249.00 but when scanned it was 169.00 (last yrs stock) .. The manager refused to offer me a better deal, fine. Whatever. My relative brought me to another manager who gave me the bike for 149.00. So I paid a difference of 87$ or so… Oh, the seat which came on it was the worst design ever, intending to rape me I’m sure so my bf bought me a comfy new seat which cost an additional 25$.
My point, DO NOT go near the bikes at Zellers. Management sucks and aside from their plot to have everyone quit (bc the store is bought out by Target for 2012) by making them so redundant and shitty repetitive jobs till they quit from boredom, they make it so easy to rob the place out and is just run terribly. The employees are not told they do a good job and basically all they have is each other for occupational support… Uff.
Baffled says...
How can you riducle an entire Nationwide company based on one particular store’ misgivings. Although there is a ‘lemon’ in every bunch i have not had any problems with Zellers bikes, as i have purchased a few myself.
Acacia says...
I did mention this 1 store in my city. The franchised company, Zellers, under HBC is responsible for customer safety. The fact that HBC carries the name Sportek and therefore I’m sure all provinces carry this bike name leads me to warn those who have bought the bike. I never once said Do not shop Zellers, I was ranting on the 1 store I was affiliated with. I like shopping at Zellers bc of the poor Scanning system (I get wonderful deals) The bike I bought, and almost ALL the other bikes at Zellers were the same make, had a fundamentally flawed design handlebar and I wanted to share my experience.
Also, maybe I should re-title my post bc my Mongoose bike is next to perfect and still running smoothly and safely.
Wendy says...
lol I am reading up on Zellers bike stories cuz I am really upset bought a mongoose bike for my son today Easter present 26″ he had one ride on it and the derailer fell off and went into the spokes and broke in half paid 199 and I am hopeing their return policy covers this cuz omg one ride wow must have been faulty
max says...
u r so right zellers bike sucks the locks are for 14 buck
ZellerSucks says...
Agreed! I bought this bike at zellers and the chain fell off for 5 times the first time i used it. Point is they didnt even let me return it…
Oli says...
I love how this site is called “Smart Canucks”, yet the spelling and grammar are those of a nine year old. Anyways, Zellers doesn’t make bikes, so if the bike sucks, you should have reviewed your purchase on one of many online sites to see what kind of quality you might expect. Although, I would expect that if a bike was already assembled it should be ready to ride, there is NO DOUBT that I would not risk my own safety testing that theory. It takes about 2 minutes to safety check a bike, and we are never served as well as by ourselves. Consider that you learned a lesson, and of course it’s normal to be upset, but I wouldn’t start tearing up the reputation of a store unless, of course, they specialize in selling bikes.
Uhhh??? says...
Who buys a bike for 70 dollars and expects it to be perfect. Better yet who’s buys a zellers bike and does not completely check and retighten every single nut and bolt on it before even getting on it???
Jim says...
A bicycle doesn’t cost $70 or $169.
Go to a local bike shop, spend at least $500, preferably $1000, and get something that is serviceable and will be a joy to ride and maintain.