JAX(All locations) - merged threads

[PHAT TIRE]

I have been going to this shop for years. They recently got to be a Trek factory store- u gotta see that plasma tv in the showroom.

I go there for the services support. They warrantied my Trek years ago after 5 years of abuse, transferred all my components to a new SC frame and helped build my Trek hardtail. My roadie was purchased and set up there. Their efforts gained my lifetime respect and business. I feel like a friend when I go there- like Norm at cheers:beer: .

They have a great crew, good Trek and Gary Fisher lines and beach cruisers. If go there, tell Pat, General Mgr., Germaine, Mike, Brent and the crew Matt sent you. Brent is amazing at bike fittings! Although they have computer systems and all that awesome techno jazz, he does it old school and will swap parts for months 'til you're comfy.

KUDOS TO THESE GUYS...MAKE SURE U STOP BY.

 

[Winger]

For me the jury is still out on Jax Irvine.

I rode a Trek4900 for 4 years and had no issues. I got a new EX8 and rode the same trails at the same intensity.

In the first month, my new bike ghost shifted, made creaking noises, broke a spoke (at Peter's Canyon(HOW???)), and got tons of pinch flats (at 50psi?).

Took the bike in after 28 days (when I broke the spoke) and told them the issues. They replaced the rim tape to fix the flat issue. They fixed the spoke under warranty (after a lengthy argument). The shifting was made worse.

After another 20 days my chain broke and I went in there pissed & laid it all out. The manager listened & fixed my shifting perfectly. They fixed the chain under warranty, and cleaned my bike.

Last weekend was a test run of Counting Coup. Midway through I realized they messed up the rim tape job by not putting it over 2 spoke holes so I flatted twice. I took the bike back and they fixed it immediately and gave me a replacement tube.

They seem dedicated to customer service. It just doesn't seem like the job is done properly the first time around.

 

[PHAT TIRE]

Sorry to hear that. I have never had any problems.

 

[Winger]

Hi,

I'm going to continue my frustrations with Jax Irvine....

Let me start by saying that I knowingly spent $200 more on my bike to buy it from Jax because they had my size. I expect a bike to run flawlessly when it is first purchased and to have practically everything covered for the first month or 2; especially knowing I paid $200 extra.

Every time something broke, Jax tried to charge me for it and I had to argue with them...rim tape, spoke, chain... I expected that they would recognize a $2000 bike and be a little more understanding when something goes wrong within the first month.

So...I flatted after counting coup because Jax failed at their 3rd attempt to fix my rim tape. I gave it 2 shots on my own and failed so I decided to go back in there and make them fix their failed job.

I thought maybe this time would be different. They seemed pleasant. They offered to do a tuneup, but when I asked if it was covered under the 1 year warranty, suddenly they presented me with a $7 charge for parts (for what, the entire bottle of lube?). I turned down the service, but left it with them to fix the rear tire's rim tape.

They called today to tell me nothing was wrong with the bike, but they did find a thorn in my front tire, which they would be happy to replace for $$....no, I have enough experience with flats now so I can do it myself. Thanks buddy, but the front had a slow leak that I was putting off fixing...the REAR was the problem.

I picked up the bike & they presented me with a $14 bill for the rim tape. I stood there and got angry telling them they are charging me for their 4th attempt at getting the rim tape fixed properly. They finally backed down and gave it to me free.

So I pulled the tire off in the parking lot to verify they did a decent job. It looks like it might hold because they used ultra wide tape. I still don't understand why they didn't know to put that on in the first place, knowing they sold me the bike so they *should* be the experts.

But the classic scene is of me carrying my bike from my car to my home because I have 2 flat tires after taking it to the bike shop for maintenance.

I'll never go to Jax Irvine again.

 

[Sprockethead]

Andrew,

Dayam! You've had some issues with JAX Irvine. Well, add Jax Yorba Linda to the list. I bought Ann's Juliana at their shop and we customized the wheels. We were told at the time of purchase that all tune ups were free for the first year, which was a big selling point for them. After 2 months of Ann receiving her bike, a spoke broke on her custom built wheel (717 with Pink CK Hubs). We took it in and they immediately fixed the spoke and performed the "FREE" maintenance. When I went in to pick up the bike, there was a $7 bill for "Bike Wash". What!!!??? I was peeved, what's free about that? Whatever, I was stupid and paid it, I wasn't going to bitch about 7 bucks. A few more months went by and another spoke broke. At this point, I was pissed, I had my CK wheelset from Beyond Bike for over 5 years, no problems. Once again, Jax fixed the issue and I was charged $7 for lube and bike wash. This time, I protested, "Why you nickle and diming me on a custom ordered bike?" Ann bitched to the manager and salesperson and after we got what we wanted, we never went back.
The manager at Jax told us they were a coporate store and they couldn't override the $7 bike wash on a "Free" maintenance. 1 year later after many more broken spokes, I had The Path rebuild both wheels. No problems since and she's had the bike for 2.5 yrs now.

I can't say enough good things about The Path, I'm sure you all know about their customer service and their mechanics are the best. Another shop to check out is La Habra Cyclery in North OC. Jim and his boys really take care of ya and they're pretty competitive on pricing.

 

[Winger]

Let me finalize my review of JAX Irvine.

On their 6th attempt, they finally fixed my rim tape by giving me a special tubeless rim strip that was specific to my rim & locks in place. $5 part, which they didn't charge me for, but they should have installed it on the 2nd trip to the store. In total I blew through 6 inner tubes that I couldn't patch + the time & gas to drive to JAX.

While waiting, I got to witness their business practices. They definitely take advantage of the uninformed. One guy paid $20 for a new tube for his kid's BMX Bike ($10 parts + $10 Labor), and made the guy leave the bike.

They quoted another guy $16 per derailleur for adjustment! They also quoted him $10 for a chain replacement, but that sounded reasonable.

One boy came in asking for a tire pressure gauge. The shop rep said they didn't sell them. I look 3 feet to the left and they are on the rack.

Another guy came in asking for lube. Without asking what type of bike, and where he rides it, the Jax guy pointed him towards a brand. I couldn't stand it anymore so I jumped in and found out the guy rides a mtn bike on dirt and pointed him towards ProLink Gold (my new fav).

Finally, when filling my tire with air, they didn't check to see if my tire was seated properly....BOOM!!!! They blew the tube. Then they put the directional tire on backwards...2 rookie mistakes.

 

[soul rider]

the one time i went there (JAX) and none of the bikes had price tags.
at the same time back in 2000 a guy was buying a close out Trek for around 1,500.00...two wheeler dealer had the same bike on close out at 999.99, i let the guy know, but i guess it was too late.

 

[soul rider]

Jax, Fullerton

over priced, under stocked, my ass hurt when I left there,and all I bought was some cable and housing.
Jax in Fullerton really sucks.

 

[guero]

the jax in long beach pretty much blows as well....seems to be a recurring theme with that shop.

 

[carbonman]

Ya, its sad but they all pretty much suck the big 1. That is unless you want to pay top dollar for a Trek? Or maybe you need some Trek shorts or a Trek helmet or maybe a Trek bag. It is a very sad thing indeed that Jax bought the old Buds bike shop in Claremont and turned it into another Trek store. That place used to be a cool tandem shop, oh well:?:.

 

[allison]

Ya, its sad but they all pretty much suck the big 1. That is unless you want to pay top dollar for a Trek? Or maybe you need some Trek shorts or a Trek helmet or maybe a Trek bag. It is a very sad thing indeed that Jax bought the old Buds bike shop in Claremont and turned it into another Trek store. That place used to be a cool tandem shop, oh well:?:.

I actually really like the Trek (er, Nike) lycra shorts. I've got two pair and aside from bibs for road riding, they are my FAVES!

8-[

 

[Sprockethead]

I bought a CamelBak Mule from the Fullerton shop years ago and left the bag in my car for a week. Back then, I didn't even bother comparison shopping on the internet so when I actually looked, I saw that I was paying way over for what you can get from other shops nearby (ie Jenson, Price Point). So I took the bag back into the shop hoping I can either get my money back or some store credit. The Mule was untouched, I didn't even take it out of my car so when I asked the salesman, can I get store credit because I do see a sign that says no refunds, he flat out refused me. I was shocked. From dealing with other retails stores, store credit wasn't a big deal because they've still got my money. The tags were still intact and nothing was altered on the CamelBak. I was pretty pissed and I haven't stepped foot in there for 4 or 5 years.

I would have been a happy customer if they gave me store credit. It's the little things that may seem insignificant the to store employee, but it was a big deal to me as a customer.

 

[Shu]

over priced, under stocked, my ass hurt when I left there,and all I bought was some cable and housing.
Jax in Fullerton really sucks.

I was at Jenson picking up the outter (3rd) ring and price checking w/ a friend while he was at Jax in Fullerton..

Cldrnkr...The Race Face 44 tooth ring is here(Jax) is $70..
Shu...for the whole set????? b/c it's $32 here(Jenson)
Cldrnkr....no it's $70 for only the 1 ring...
Shu...a full set(22/32/44) is less then that here....
Cldrnkr....get it...
Shu...F that place they are always WAY to F'N expensive...

 

[Fired Yo Momma]

I was in desperate need of 32 ring and went into performance and was quoted for $30 for a 32 ring. If I wasnt so desperate I would have just walked out but I was going for a ride early the next morning and my procrastination on that ring cost me.

 

[bananaseat]

the jax in long beach pretty much blows as well....seems to be a recurring theme with that shop.

werd! i was in both last week. lame & lammer.

 

[J_Sims]

[-XNo more Bud's Bike shop That Sucks.... Those guys used to put on a great evening road ride....

 

[Rob]

I was in desperate need of 32 ring and went into performance and was quoted for $30 for a 32 ring. If I wasnt so desperate I would have just walked out but I was going for a ride early the next morning and my procrastination on that ring cost me.

That could be cheap for one brand and model and expensive for another.

 

[Winger]

Jax has a niche. Unfortunately it preys on the noobs.

The stores are big and clean. The bike selection is pretty good; especially with the Elektra beach cruisers. They do a great job selling the bikes & setting them up using rider measurements & computers. They have a great 30 day money back guarantee, which reduces the fear of buying a bike. Most people barely ride their new bikes so they are left with a warm & fuzzy feeling when they leave the shop.

The accessories side of the store is roomy & uncluttered. I've seen many accessories there that are exactly what I was looking for, just 4X as expensive. When spending $$ on a bike, you might as well throw in the accessories while you have the credit card out. Cha Ching $$ for Jax!

Their maintenance staff is overly friendly and quotes prices without skipping a beat. "Of Course we can help you. Replacing the tube will cost $20 and you'll have to leave your bike here for a week.". The noob is excited because his only frame of reference, car tires, cost $25 to plug a hole. What a steal!

Finally, those hours are tough to beat. Even the experienced biker gets sucked in when it is the night before a big ride and Jax is the only store open. He thinks...."Damn them...they got me again. I'll be prepared next time." But they are already laughing their way to the bank charging you $10 for an old rusty crank bolt.



The real problem with Jax is that they do not empower their employees to do the right thing. The employees are robots. They may mess up a repair, but they'll make YOU put up a fight to not have to pay for it a 2nd time. And that's the difference between Noobs and experienced riders. Noobs roll over and pay it because they don't know any better. Experienced riders realize they are getting screwed, put up a fight, and vow never to go back again.


I've long since peeled the Jax sticker off my bike, and can guarantee my next bike will not come with one.....unless it is from a going out of business sale.

 

[2wheel_lee]

Winger, how's that Elektra treating you? Just kidding.
You pretty much nailed the Jax MO.

Kind of funny, I used to work with the current owner (Dave Hansen) of the Jax stores back in the early 80s at Buena Park Bike Shop. He was a putz then, and even more of a putz now. However, he's worth a lot more than me (but he's still more of a putz). Another interesting point of trivia, Bob Morales use to work at that the BP shop back then, too. He later started Dyno, then after he sold that to GT, he started Kore. A guy who I used to ride BMX with, including at the Parks BMX track along the Fully Loop, now owns the store. I guess I could keep rambling...I'll stop now.

 

[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.