Venture Out Supply Co — Attraction in Guntersville

Alden Brindle I initially gave the shop a 5-star review after a repair of my bike. My latest experiences were extremely unsatisfactory. My rear axle bolt broke and I took it in for repair. I got it back and the wheel soon became wobbly due to an axle problem. This caused the chain to jump off the gears and was a safety issue. Before I discovered the problem I thought that my health was failing due to my trip times increasing by up to 20%, apparently caused by high friction losses. I sent it back and after the second repair, the wobble problem came back immediately. The mechanic was defensive when I called to discuss the problem and stated that he had tightened the wheel very tight. On the third trip he replaced the wheel with a different brand of wheel and sent the old wheel back. The bearing raceway on the old wheel was bent in, resulting in the problem. This is what you would see from overtightening the axle (I Googled it). The broken axle could have been caused by the overtightening. The derailer was not adjusted for the replacement wheel. It will not go into high gear and went off the low gear sprocket, resulting in me taking a fall on our gravel driveway hill and scraping my arm. When I called to discuss the issues, he quickly cut me off and told me to go elsewhere for my bike repair. I know the mechanic takes pride in his work, but when he is so defensive that he can’t calmly consider the possibility that he made mistakes, appreciate the hassle of three trips for repair, and still not have a working bike, then he has a serious character flaw. This is my third replacement wheel. The first wheel he replaced developed the same issues of gear shifting problems and slower speeds. I burden my daughter to transport the bike the 30 miles to and from the shop. The latest problems required her to make 6 trips to the shop to drop off the bike and then pick it up. She made the comment that she didn’t know that maintaining a bike was so expensive and troublesome. I am now wondering how long this third wheel will last. Notes from the mechanic’s comments. I have two bikes that I trade off riding and only ride 5 miles every other day on one or the other bikes. My daughter has a Bolt, not a Prius. I do use a dry lube on the chain, clean the chain and the sprockets, but could use more general washing (he has me there). I do ask him to check it out whenever it goes in for repair. Maybe I’m wrong. Perhaps over torquing the axle bolt was not the cause of the bolt to develop stress cracks and failing, perhaps it didn’t cause the bearing raceway to be bent in, perhaps he did use a torque wrench when he tightened the axle bolt nuts, perhaps changing the brand of wheel on the bike doesn’t normally require checking that the bike will shift gears correctly, perhaps it is normal to take a bike three times in for repair and still not have a safe working bike. He didn’t give me a chance to discuss these probabilities. I wasn’t aggressive. I just started to describe my situation and possible causes of the problems. He cut me off one minute in and went into a angry rant, grasping at straws for why it was my fault. The only time the rear wheel was removed was when the axle bolt broke for transport to (not from) the store, yet this was his explanation for why it was my fault. I do have the old wheel from several years ago when the problem occurred previously if he is interested in looking at its bearing raceway. I am working on preparing for my volunteer prison psychology classes and this quote is one that I will be using next week. It is one that I try to keep in mind, “Through pride we are ever deceiving ourselves. But deep down below the surface of the average conscience a still, small voice says to us, something is out of tune.” “I may be wrong.” The idea is that when going into any conflict you repeat this to yourself 3 times. It’s simple but very effective. The ‘I might be wrong’ quote could go a long way to improving their...

So many choices when it comes to buying a new bike. I looked far and wide on the social media sites, visited at least four different bike shops in and around the Birmingham area. I found Chris at Guntersville Outfitters and was expecting something close to what I had experienced at the other retail stores.

I was in for a very pleasant surprise. Some background is in order. I was an avid cyclist many, many years back. I had gotten away from biking as my interests took me to other hobbies. I rode occasionally and then not at all. I still have bikes I bought new back in 2000 and 2002. Then about 5 rides ago I rediscovered why I loved mountain biking so much.

Nothing is quite as peaceful and at the same time as exciting as gliding through the woods on your bike and seeing the beauty of nature unroll before you. So reinvigorated and re-energized I began looking for my next bike. Kind of funny how technology had changed what I thought was top end back in the early 2000’s.

Enough about the history. I also have a passion for genuine, sincere customer service. I love the person who knows what to say and when to say it. Who asks about you and your needs. Who listens “between the lines” at what you are really saying or asking about. I found all these qualities in Chris at Guntersville Outfitters.

He responded to all inquiries quickly and thoroughly. He asked the right questions to understand my needs. He made recommendations based off his experience. I could not make it to his store until the weekend. Boy was I excited. Like a kid in a candy store.

When the weekend came I made the drive to see him. He greeted me by name as soon as I walked into his store. What followed was a very insightful demonstration of two bikes. We talked about the pros and cons to each. The benefits to me of one over the other. I never felt pressured. Never felt rushed.

I had a folder with at least a dozen used bikes that would have saved me money. While deciding which one to buy, I was able to watch and listen to Chris engage with other customers also. He was consistent and professional with each one. My mind was made up. I purchased my new bike from Chris.

I followed up with him to let him know about my first ride. He was quick to respond to my text with well wishes and an offer of any further assistance. I am very pleased with the service, the price and the overall value of the transaction. It is not always about the money you could save or the distance you might have to drive. It is about the relationship you build.

Thank...

I bought a hat here. I wanted to return it. When I got there to return it with the original receipt, I realized the tag was torn off of the hat. I could not return it because I didnt have the tag on the hat. I had the original receipt and was talking to the guy who sold me the hat. Now this place is seeing probably about 3 customers on a week day a day. The guy informed me that he could NOT return the hat without the tag even though he knew it was purchased there by me. I live in Huntsville, AL and the went home and found the tag. Brought it back and was forced to take a gift card because it had been longer than 7 days. What a joke! I mean making it hard to return an item for someone who doesn't live in the town of Guntersville is ridiculous. I'll never shop here again. Btw, I have a gift card for anyone who likes...