Jax, Fullerton

[RidetheRAAM4]

Jensons always for tubes. 10 tubes for 20 bucks, can't beat that. I go to my local bike shop for parts on occasion. They give me really good deals because I go in there a lot. Well I haven't been in a long time so I have to start going a lot again to get the you come in here too much discount. The prices there tend to be on the high side, but since i get cheaper prices its not so bad. They typically give me like 10% off, or don't charge me for little parts and if I don't have money they just let me take the stuff I need and pay them back later. I got an XTR front derailler there before a race for like 45 bucks.

[brownlandshark]

Originally Posted by J_Sims

No more Bud's Bike shop That Sucks.... Those guys used to put on a great evening road ride....

The ride that started from Bud's had nothing to do with shop whatsoever. And if all of the riders who showed up for that ride actually bought stuff there Bill would have never had to sell it imho.

[brownlandshark]

Originally Posted by Winger

Duuudde....you don't even know...

My wife wanted an Elektra cruiser SOOO badly.

If Jax hadn't screwed with me on my Trek Fuel EX8, there's a good chance we would have bought one. The whole experience killed the excitement and we never got back to shopping for one @ other stores.

Dave Hansen's putziness traveled down through his organization.

I hate when Jax is a sponsor of events that I take part in. I honestly want to ride with a banner that says "Jax Sucks!". Just hearing "Jax" makes my blood boil. They were so incompetent.

I responded to some of your comments about our irvine store but this needs addressing too. First, when have you met Dave? I would guess never because he is so driven to making clients happy I know you'd love him. I am very sorry you feel we were trying to ruin your cycling experience with your trek. You seemed very patient and understanding while in my store and as a manager I had no idea how upset you were. it's easier to be tough online I suppose?
I am actually hurt that you "hate" when we sponsor events. (Breast cancer awareness rides, aids rides, Ms 150, Jax for Joe ride, Countless Warriors society rides....) We don't do those for dollars. That's advocacy because we care. Our VP goes to D.C every year to support the bikes belong coalition to make more U.S. cities bike friendly and safe. We do care, we are a business.
You really seem to have an axe to grind but I personally feel you are being mean spirited and a bit harsh calling Dave a Putz. Namecalling is always the solution huh? I can't speak for the crew at Fullerton, but you really should have addressed some of your issues with store management or Dave himself before the bashing you are giving Jax. Once again we will use these reviews to better our business and make our clients happy.
Oh, one last thing. We do not sell tubes for $11.00. They are $5.99 for regular $9.99 for heavy duty. Pretty fair these days.

[sanantonioascent]

Originally Posted by RidetheRAAM4

Jensons always for tubes. 10 tubes for 20 bucks, can't beat that. I go to my local bike shop for parts on occasion. They give me really good deals because I go in there a lot. Well I haven't been in a long time so I have to start going a lot again to get the you come in here too much discount. The prices there tend to be on the high side, but since i get cheaper prices its not so bad. They typically give me like 10% off, or don't charge me for little parts and if I don't have money they just let me take the stuff I need and pay them back later. I got an XTR front derailler there before a race for like 45 bucks.

Jenson's a great shop. I like them. But letting you take parts and pay for them later? Really? You can't expect a business to do that. It's great if they will let you but that's just strange. I go to Albertson's way more than anybody would ever go to a bike shop and if I asked to take some steaks and I'd pay when i got the money I'm pretty sure the answer would be NO! I like Jax. Always have. I'd reccomend them to anyone.

[biglimey]

Originally Posted by sanantonioascent

But letting you take parts and pay for them later? Really? .

I think RAAM was talking about his local shop....that's the beauty of shopping local at enthusiast run shops, they'll respect you trust you and typically go the extra mile because they're all riders.

[sanantonioascent]

Originally Posted by biglimey

I think RAAM was talking about his local shop....that's the beauty of shopping local at enthusiast run shops, they'll respect you trust you and typically go the extra mile because they're all riders.

Cool. I wouldn't expect taking parts without paying, but I understand. I guess I just wouldn't but em if I could,t afford em yet. I wil say that I've always felt Jax cared about me and my bike, treat me well and are always friendly. I've gone on some rides with most of them, they all ride too. I think having many locations might complicate things for Jax as far as giving discounts and letting people cruise out with parts that aren't paid for?

[Winger]

Originally Posted by brownlandshark

You really seem to have an axe to grind but I personally feel you are being mean spirited and a bit harsh calling Dave a Putz.

*Sigh*

The post before my post called Dave a putz.

The purpose of sponsorships is to create name recognition, which leads to future business (aka $$). It is not a purely philanthropic thing as your post suggests.

"Easier to be tough online"? I share my opinions & experiences in person also. I talked to the manager of the Jax Long Beach store after Counting Coup about all my problems & frustrations. I also tell people on the trails about my bad experience when the topic arises. My poor riding buddies had to endure months of Jax updates. I seemed calm in the store because I was beyond angry and I didn't want to rip into the person who I was just about to leave my bike with. Surely you're not suggesting that yelling would have yielded a better result.

Read the other posts.....I'm not the only person with an issue with Jax. People are free to post positive comments. Unfortunately it is a little more personal because you did everything you could to fix a bad situation and now you are reading about how it unfolded online. The problem isn't you...it is your co-workers.

[brownlandshark]

Originally Posted by Winger

*Sigh*

The post before my post called Dave a putz.

The purpose of sponsorships is to create name recognition, which leads to future business (aka $$). It is not a purely philanthropic thing as your post suggests.

"Easier to be tough online"? I share my opinions & experiences in person also. I talked to the manager of the Jax Long Beach store after Counting Coup about all my problems & frustrations. I also tell people on the trails about my bad experience when the topic arises. My poor riding buddies had to endure months of Jax updates. I seemed calm in the store because I was beyond angry and I didn't want to rip into the person who I was just about to leave my bike with. Surely you're not suggesting that yelling would have yielded a better result.

Read the other posts.....I'm not the only person with an issue with Jax. People are free to post positive comments. Unfortunately it is a little more personal because you did everything you could to fix a bad situation and now you are reading about how it unfolded online. The problem isn't you...it is your co-workers.

Fair enough. I tried. I guess I'm so used to customers telling me how they really feel while in the shop that you caught me by surprise. I re- read the post, You are correct, Putz was used by someone else, You said putziness in regards to that post. I'll edit there. I get the feeling I'm reading your posts in a negative voice which is why I made the tough on line comment. Perhaps you are calmer than I am reading.
Yelling isn't a solution either, but I guess I'd rather have addressed these issues before I read about them is all. It is a nice form though and I've enjoyed it so far.
From what I can see, you are about the only guy with negative posts who seems to have a legitimate complaint. The others seem to want stuff for free or just don't like the prices. Comparing to mail order isn't really fair. I am completley confused by the chainring price post. Wish I could get the details on that one. Thanks for your candor and willingness to explain yourself. We really do care.

[biglimey]

[FONT=Century Gothic][SIZE=2]It's funny that the same comments always floated around about Superblo, I worked there for a long time, and for the number of people who told us they were happy about the service, there we countless more that were dissatisfied, many negative comments about Alan Goldsmith and the managers/staff. In the end it's a bitch owning and running any retail business, and there are some that are better than others. Alan never made friends giving away parts, but sold the stores for millions, but the local shops that do hook up their friends and take care riders, typically never make millionaire owners, but gain customers for life. In the end it's the whole mom and pop versus Wal-Mart thing.......[/SIZE][/FONT]

[brownlandshark]

Originally Posted by biglimey

[FONT=Century Gothic][SIZE=2]It's funny that the same comments always floated around about Superblo, I worked there for a long time, and for the number of people who told us they were happy about the service, there we countless more that were dissatisfied, many negative comments about Alan Goldsmith and the managers/staff. In the end it's a bitch owning and running any retail business, and there are some that are better than others. Alan never made friends giving away parts, but sold the stores for millions, but the local shops that do hook up their friends and take care riders, typically never make millionaire owners, but gain customers for life. In the end it's the whole mom and pop versus Wal-Mart thing.......[/SIZE][/FONT]

When does giving something away or "hooking somebody up" have anything to do with good customer service? If I sold you your bike, accessories, fit you to it perfectly, tuned it nicely, helped you decide between several models, took you out for rides, showed you how to fix a flat and follow up with you a month later to see how the bike is doing but didn't give anything away or discount anything is that bad service? Anybody that expects a discount just because they are a rider, or shop somewhere a lot really contributes to why many businesses struggle.
I get hit up for discounts more than 20 times a day and that's being generous. If I say "sorry, we have fair pricing and good selection, and a great return policy. If price means everything to you I'm sure you can find it for less, but we're gonna take good care of you and your bike" I get labeled as a "bad shop" because I would rather not just discount or give stuff away.
The bicycle industry seems to struggle with this a lot but many other industries do too. Nobody should work for free, nobody should expect anybody to work for free. And giving stuff away just because works great for customers though. That shop's great! I'll send in all my friends and tell them" dude, go see bla bla bla, he'll hook you up good!" Now that shops hooking up half of the riders in so cal, but making no money doing it. He may not close down today, but eventually a business has to show some profit. Discounting already low profit items won't get you there. If supergo was such a profitable cash cow for Allan he would have never sold. Pressure from suppliers, a changing marketplace, stress, and shrinking profits all played a part.
It's kind of funny that most of the really great reviews of some shops on here all mention"getting hooked up and working for free" I appreciate the passion all of you guys have and thank you for taking the time to post. A smart business will use the information and try to better themselves.

[soul rider]

the shop where i bought my first bike "hooked me up" from the start...i asked how much do i have to put down on lay a way? they said how much do you have? i put 20.00 bucks down. a lot of shops have a 10% or 50% policy.
i have found that the two shops i have relationship with, do "hook up"
i never expect anything from the shops.
even in Brianhead, UT where you can't find a lot of spare parts, the shop at giant steps took a brake lever off a bike sold it to me and installed it in an hour, that's a hook up. so the "hook up" is all up to the shop.
Jax i won't go back to, not because of "hook ups" , but the vibe, i 'm just a walking dollar to them

[2wheel_lee]

Honestly, as a customer, I don't care if the shop makes a profit. If I'm getting the best price and good service, why should I care? Blah, blah, blah...yeah, someone will say that they may not be there in the long run. So be it. There will be more shops who do "hook up" some customers. So in the mean time, why would I bother paying retail at a shop (Jax) that stocks very little of what enthusiasts want? I'm well beyond needing a $359 Trek or having my flat changed. At this point, Jax has absolutely nothing to offer this MTBer/roadie/CXer/BMXer. Just the same, I know the good places to send my family and friends.

As it's been said, Jax is great for the naive first-time or entry-level bike buyer, but nothing more.

[jcampbell]

[soul rider]

that's Jax...take note: keep up the great service
it's really not about the price, it's about how Jax in general treats people.

[brownlandshark]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Honestly, as a customer, I don't care if the shop makes a profit. If I'm getting the best price and good service, why should I care? Blah, blah, blah...yeah, someone will say that they may not be there in the long run. So be it. There will be more shops who do "hook up" some customers. So in the mean time, why would I bother paying retail at a shop (Jax) that stocks very little of what enthusiasts want? I'm well beyond needing a $359 Trek or having my flat changed. At this point, Jax has absolutely nothing to offer this MTBer/roadie/CXer/BMXer. Just the same, I know the good places to send my family and friends.

As it's been said, Jax is great for the naive first-time or entry-level bike buyer, but nothing more.

Have you actually been into a Jax store lately? Very little of what enthusiasts want? Yes Jax is a trek dominated store but the 2008 Trek line up is excellent. Jax sells colnago, lemond and fisher as well. Some of the Jax stores stock more high end product than others.
Most customers should care if the shop makes a profit cause if they don't their shop won't be around nor have enough money to hire and pay good mechanics. Feel free to not like Jax but put some actual fact in your reviews. Jax has pleanty of product that any road cyclocross or mountain rider would be happy to use. Even if you don't like trek.

[2wheel_lee]

Yes. I was in Jax Fullerton about three weeks ago. Stocking a couple Dura-Ace or XTR parts does not mean they stock lots of enthusiast parts.

Avid, Hayes, Magura, or Shimano disc brake components? Nope
Spokes? Just a few non-butted sizes of spokes at Fullerton. Nothing good.
Handlebars? Bontrager, but that's about it.
MTB tires? Bontrager, no Kenda, Maxxis, or any of the other common brands (Bontrager tires are not enthusiast tires).
Wheels? Only the commone Bontrager, Mavic, or Shimano. Nothing unique.
Frames? None.
Forks? None.
Grips? Bontrager and Serfas (I think)
Pedals? Mostly roadie stuff (and a couple of the same Crank Bros stuff that REI sells).
Seat posts? Bontrager and a token Thomson posts. No selection of types, styles, colors, or sizes.
Seats? Bontrager.
Stems? No mtb stems, let alone selection.
Bicycle related clothing? Only a few off-brands. Limited brands, sizes, helmets, shoes, and no protection gear.

Small service parts for common parts for cranks, brakes, drivetrain? Are you kidding? But they'll offer to order it for you! Yeah, right. If I wanted to order it, I'd do so online (for a better price and quicker delivery).

I'm currently in the process of building a new BMX bike. There was absolutely nothing anybody would want on a BMX race bike. Sure, there were the token pegs and other cheapo street thrashing parts for the local groms, but nothing I could find useful. Coincidentally, I was near Jax Irvine about a month and a half ago, and it was the same.

Trek has some nice road bikes, but that's about it. By the way, I generally don't buy complete bikes. I usually build them up piece by piece - as many enthusiasts do. The Jax stores don't recognize these enthusiasts.

Enthusiasts like selection, and having basically one brand to choose from is not a selection. It may work for In N Out, but it doesn't address my wants. Sure, Jax may be profitable - trying to be another Performance - but don't confuse that goal with being a shop that enthusiasts want.

If you believe the Jax Fullerton, Irvine, or Yorba Linda (visited 2 months ago) stores stock a good selection of stuff for enthusiasts, you're a prime example of the ignorance those shops have. As I mentioned, I do all kinds of riding (although I could explain my MTB riding includes XC [sometimes geared, sometimes SS], DH, 4X, and AM), and Jax never has anything I need or want (but I still keep checking there).

Again, if I wanted a $359 Trek mtb or a beach cruiser, Jax may be a good store. After all, these customers typically don't know any better or have aspirations for any more. With these customers being the focus of the business, Jax will do well in this arena. Oh, and selling a few high-end Trek road bikes, does not make Jax a higher-end shop, either.

[guero]

lee brings up some really good points. could you imagine my disappointment when i went into a different JAX location seeking washers for my brake caliper bolts and i was told they didnt have any...yes, they are only washers, and could be bought anywhere (got some at ACE hardware), but i would think that a bike shop as large as JAX would carry something so simple...

[soul rider]

Amen 2wheel lee. Amen

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by brownlandshark

Jax sells colnago, lemond and fisher as well. Some of the Jax stores stock more high end product than others.

If I recall correclty, isn't Gary Fisher essentially a Trek offshoot, only offering lower performance (not low priced) bikes? Lemond is also a Trek offshoot.

Oh, so you carry Colnago! WOOHOO!!! I have not see one at the Fullerton, Irvine, or Yorba Linda stores. Even if you did have one frame, that does not mean Jax carries enthusiast stuff. Besides, if you did have some Colnagos in stock, I doubt you'd have the model or size that would fit me. I would't consider any of the stores described above as stocking Colnago dealers.

So, which of the Jax stores sets the example of stocking high-end stuff? I will visit it.