Review Date
October 12, 2009

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 1 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 2 of 5

I visit this shop:
Once a year

Reviewed by: Kerrie ,  Cross Country Rider

Shop Summary:
Northowne fitness in Cedar Rapids, iowa has mostly road bikes and fitness equipment

Customer Service:
Poor. I purchased an expensive ($1200) elliptical trainer in December of 2007. I had it less than one year and the roller needed to be replaced, which does happen sometimes.

My problem with this store is that every experience I have had with getting things serviced under warranty has been difficult. The person who replaced the roller would not listen to what I had to say about the unit and was very dismissive of my concerns. At the time the roller was replaced (incorrectly), I also noticed significant rust starting to happen. Those concerns were summarily dismissed and now, two years later, my trainer is completely covered in rust. Check out the photos:

http://www.me.com/gallery/#100059

I bypassed Northtowne all together and contacted the manufacturer, who was much more helpful. The manufacturer has agreed to completely replace the unit, but they preferred to do so via Northtowne rather than ship directly to me. This made sense to me so upon the manufacturer's request I contacted Northtowne for a drop shipment, and they could not have been more difficult about it. Condescending, Blaming. Defensive.

Other Comments:
Don't purchase anything from these people unless you plan on not needing any kind of after-purchase service.

Review Date
March 15, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 5 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 4 of 5

I visit this shop:
Once a week

Reviewed by: qotsa ,  Weekend Warrior

Shop Summary:
I hit every bike shop from Cedar Rapids to Iowa City and ended buying from Northtowne. Great staff! Derek was who I dealt with most was awesome. I got a great bike at a fair price.

Review Date
July 17, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 5 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 5 of 5

I visit this shop:
Every few months

Reviewed by: fastale ,  Cross Country Rider

Shop Summary:
good selection of bikes and very knowledgeable staff. I live about as far from this shop as possible while living in the corridor. as a matter of fact i was a dedicated customer to another shop (i will not say names) but then a new owner took over and the place went to sh*t. but i am not reviewing that shop so... the staff @ northtowne is very good. they knew the answers to my questions and didn't BS me. I would highly recommend this shop to anyone.

Review Date
June 27, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 5 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 5 of 5

I visit this shop:
Every few months

Reviewed by: Mike ,  Downhiller

Shop Summary:
Lots of bikes and a good variety of bikes. Also sell fitness equipment.

Customer Service:
Always had very good customer service. Very friendly and helpful. For example, I had a pair of brake pads I purchased to put on a bike and they wouldn't fit. I put the old ones back on and didn't return the pads for about a year. They took them back and gave me full credit for them. They know bikes very well.

Other Comments:
Shop is nice and clean, staff is friendly and helpful. My biggest complaints about them are that they are on the other side of town and getting out of the shop is tough to do (on a busy street and there's no light).

Review Date
June 19, 2007

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Customer Service Rating
 1 of 5

Technical Expertise Rating
 1 of 5

I visit this shop:
Been there once

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: roachjm ,  Cross Country Rider

Shop Summary:
This place is terrible. Poor customer service. Discrimination. Don't ask for Derek.

Customer Service:
Terrible.

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