Hostel Shoppe — Local services in Stevens Point

Let me start off by saying that I rarely, if ever write reviews.

I am a recumbent rider from Southeastern Wisconsin. I’ve been riding recumbents almost exclusively for 10 years now. Recently, I found myself in the market to upgrade my ride, and after extensive research I decided I wanted to try a Catrike 700. Searching the local bike shops I found the only place that carried such an extreme model was the Hostel Shoppe 170 miles away. On a whim, I called them up to see if it was really in stock, and then made the 2.5 hour drive north to test drive it for myself.

When I arrived, the sales staff was very courteous and knowledgeable. Before the test drive they made sure the trike was set up for my body’s dimensions, and that I was completely comfortable inside the cockpit. What happened next shocked me. They told me to take it for a spin wherever I like for as long as I like, they even suggested some local trails and routes. “Just have it back before the store closes at 8PM,” they told me.

The test drive went very well despite a few minor technical issues. The mechanics were able to make the necessary adjustments, and allowed me to take the trike for a second and third test drive to ensure that everything was to my satisfaction before I finally took it home. Through it all, the sales staff and mechanics were extremely helpful and friendly. They really went the extra mile to make sure I was satisfied with my new purchase. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered a friendlier store staff during any other purchase I have made, ever.

The store itself has a very wide selection of recumbents and accessories. You would be hard pressed to find such a selection anywhere else. There is a reason that the Hostel Shoppe is mentioned on so many recumbent blogs, review sites, and rider forums. I would strongly encourage you to see for yourself.

One thing is for sure. If I ever find myself in the market for another recumbent or even some recumbent parts, I know...

I received a message that my order would be delivered between 2:15PM and 4:15PM on a particular day. I was out of the house and returned home at approximately 1:30PM in anticipation of delivery and received another message that the package had been delivered at 12:44PM. The package was nowhere to be found. I checked my doorbell video and discovered that the package had been stolen at 12:57PM, which is not within the delivery window I was given. I ordered directly from Hostel Shoppe since Amazon did not carry the item I ordered. When I do order on Amazon, the delivery people place the package at the back door as I have requested of them, but this UPS person put the Hostel Shoppe delivery on my front porch in full view of the street and did not photograph the delivery as is usual with Amazon deliveries, and also did not ring the doorbell. It is very upsetting to me to have lost this $269.23 order. I often order items over the internet and I rarely have delivery problems however, two packages have been stolen from me in the past: one from Amazon and one from B&H. In both cases I was reimbursed, no questions asked. I would have thought that Hostel Shoppe would make good on the theft, since it was their delivery service that was to blame for delivering outside the time window I was given, but they refused to do so. I would think twice before I order anything from Hostel Shoppe. They have extremely bad customer service. I will not purchase items...

I bought a Rans Screamer from the Hostel Shoppe many years ago. I called them and wanted to buy a chain, a chain idler, a bottom bracket and chain idler pulleys. The person on the line was unable to help me with any of these items. He explained that the Hostel Shoppe has different owners and that they don’t carry Rans any longer. I see on their website that they carry chains, idler pulleys, and bottom brackets. They just didn’t want to take the effort to help. I suppose that I could figure it out myself but I just needed a little assistance which they were unwilling to give. Keep this in mind before you buy a expensive bike from them like I did.

Thanks for your offer to find me the parts I need for my Rans. This is a case of oops on your part. I contacted t-cycle and they said just send photos and they could find the parts I need. They sell chain by the foot and the bottom bracket was easy to source once I got a little help(which your employees could have done easily) I would suggest additional training for your employees in asking pertinent questions about parts. All he did was ask what brand of bike I had and then shut down when he found out that it wasn’t something that you carry. When you buy a company you have an obligation to buyers that purchased bikes before you became the owner. Otherwise change the name and lose the...