Recycled Cycles; more like trash

Supporting Evidence

My sister doesn't own a vehicle. She is also the first to admit that she can barely drive one. And in Seattle, where it's less a gesture to nature to commute via bicycle as it is expected, if you plan to ride to work, you need a reliable operating bike.

Commute she does, to the tune of Fremont to Kenmore every day. True utilization of the Burke Gilman Trail in its finest form. And when you do a daily commute, year-round, rain or shine, you deserve to have a bicycle that at least runs properly.

Upon learning of Recyled Cycles, (coincidentally off the Burke Gilman) she rejoiced. Inside, the store was filled with the shop's pride and joy. Recycled cycles. Bikes that people donate or sold. A rejuvenated and replenished bicycle ready to take on the elements and also accept them as it helps the environment.

Aside from the prices being astronomical, expect a 30 or more minute wait to even "speak" to a representative. When the wait was over, the gentleman behind the counter took no time in assessing our green bike knowledge background. He made it clear he had no time to deal with a customer that wasn't a hardcore cycling enthusiast, or worse yet, a time-wasting non-buyer. How are you supposed to acquire new business if you don't treat all customers with respect?

Convinced that perhaps we chose a bad day for our first experience (a Sunday afternoon) we returned to the shop to give them a second chance. The second visit turned out to be a duplicate of the first one. Well, almost, this time the vendor tried to suggest an overpriced tuneup, then changed his story and claimed that the bike wasn't worth half of what the internet claimed when she considered her options of a trade-in.

Recycled Cycles is indeed a business. That we know. But posing as a friendly, environmentally conscious one to entice customers only to make very handsome profits seems, well, not very Seattle. Especially considering the intentions of their customer base. Knowledgable staff yes. Friendly and consumer concious, no.

Photo Evidence

 

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