Apparently, it is offensive to some of you that I expected to encounter a normal return policy and be given my money back. I didn't pay with store credit. I paid with money. My money. And I wanted it back. If the Hub had a bag that I liked better, I would have exchanged it. But, it didn't, so I wanted my money back. If I had been in need of anything else that The Hub sold that day, I would have exchanged it for something else. I wasn't, so again, I didn't want "Hub bucks" or "Co-op Cash" I wanted MY MONEY back.

It is all very simple.

I was never rude or out of order at any point in the interaction. I was polite the entire time. As was the first gentleman I spoke with upon entering the store. (As I mentioned) So was the manager who eventually gave me my money back. To put a super fine point on my frustration for those of you that cannot seem to read or understand what I am saying, it was the rude woman behind the counter who rolled her eyes and dismissively told me to "Calm down" that I had a problem with.

Like I've said repeatedly, if that is how they want to run their show, fine. I just won't shop there anymore and I am going to tell everyone else to avoid it. If I you have had your feelings hurt because I expected better service, and that I came to a small message board to tell others what I think of your favoritest bike shop in the whole wide world, well, Im really sorry.

Oh and just to illuminate the asinine return policy a bit more, my girlfriend recently purchased a jacket from the Hub's next door neighbor, Midwest Mountaineering. She changed her mind on the jacket and guess what they did? They talked to her like an adult, and quickly and painlessly returned her money and took the jacket back. No hassle, no run around, no rude woman behind a desk talking down to her. If they can do it, why is it so hard for the guys literally on the other side of a wall?


But anyways. . .

^^^^^^^^^ Rant 2.0

Sheesh, calm down! The horse is dead already.

Edit: Post redacted for unnecessary snarkiness.

I would like everyone who is complaining about how long this thread is to go back and look and notice that it is ~15 posts either attacking the character of the OP or telling the OP to give it a rest already.

So to the dozen plus of you that bumped this thread over and over again, you aren't doing the Hub any favors.

There was also some silliness about hand jobs as well.

Now I didn't want to step in here, but anyone who calls hand jobs silly is really missing out.

^^^^^^^^^ Inane Comment 2.0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRMJxIe7vuE

It's unfortunate that the Hub has this policy and they pushed so hard for you to take store credit. It does seem very rude. The fact is, if they would have simply given you your money back, they could have (1) Saved a customer, (2) Saved a bad review from hitting the internet, and (3) Simply sent the bag to Banjo Brothers for a replacement or repair--no loss at all for the store. It seems like they really fucked up here. There's a shitload of bike shops in the Twin Cities... lot's of other places to shop even if you have one bad experience at your favorite place.

Oh yeah, this is from a guy who's been shopping at he Hub for as long as they've been open and who also has a Banjo Bros commuter backpack (though I really love mine--it's been through a lot of shit over the past year and has held up very well.)

So anyway, seems like the Hub needs to reevaluate it's return policy.

I have a banjo bros bag as well. Looks well abused (and it is!), but I don't see any danger of it failing anytime soon.

The kid has a backpack. He uses it for school. It seems pretty sturdy.

Well, if we're discussing Banjo Bros durability...

My fiancée has the commuter backpack, which is holding up well.

I have their largest seatbag. It's not falling apart anytime soon.

I have been through three of their smallest seat bags.
They seem to last about 2 years.
At around $10 that's not too bad.

OK, Bites does make a good point. The purpose of shop reviews is just that. He gave the West Bank Hub a review. A bad one . Not all reviews are good.Not everyone is going to agree with every review. Certainly not everyone agreed with my review of Nokomis Bikes.
I personally think he was a bit intemperate in his review( "fuck the West Bank Hub") but... that's his right ,too. I love this Bike shop and have never had anything but good experiences there but even I kind of have to agree that they probably should have been quicker to refund the bag. Unless he was really foaming at the mouth I don't think telling someone to "calm down" is particularly helpful.
It might be interesting to hear from some of the Hub Employees who were there that day.I'm curious about their side of the story.