Scam alert

[Dedicated_Dad]

Hi all. As I mentioned before, I just bought (finally) an exercise bike to work on my knee at home.

I picked up a new NordicTrack bike at Sears on Saturday afternoon - "floor model" but with 100% "in home parts and labor" warranty coverage for one year. The first time I tried to use it I found there was something wrong with it - the ball bearings are falling out of the left-hand pedal.

No big deal - after all, shiat happens, and it's got a 1-year parts-and-labor warranty - so first thing this morning I call Nordic Track.

Where I am told that since I didn't purchase an EXTENDED warranty, there's a 45-dollar "trip fee" to get them to fix it.

She claims this is on the back page of my owner's manual. I look, it says no such thing, in fact it says "just call customer care". After proving this fact, she says that I am right - that it's NOT in my owner's manual - but that I am told this when I first called in.

I reviewed the recording - long story - and found (as I expected) that it says no such thing.

When I call back and tell them this, she tells me "that's illegal - goodbye" and hangs up on me.

This from the people who just informed ME that THEY record calls "for quality control purposes."

Yeah, right.

This is a 100% SCAM.

Nordic Track needs to be added to the list of liars and scammers - if I have to pay to get someone to come fix it, then how in the hell is "in-home labor...free for one year"??

NEVER BUY ANYTHING FROM NORDIC TRACK!

DD

PS: I know everyone needs to make a living, but damnit jack your price $50 and compete honestly. Don't advertise "free" then try to tell me it's still "Free" when you demand $45 payment. It's not the $$ (though $45 is honestly still "real money" to me) it's the principle.

[Fivetoes]

Can't you take it back to Sears? If you stand there at the counter all crippled up I bet you would get some good service and let Sears rip Nordic Trac a new one. I have ruined plenty of their ratchets by using them as a slugging wrench and they always give me a new one.

[mekender]

yea im betting that sears will be none too happy to hear about this one... they are damn good about sticking up for their customers.

[workinwifdakids]

Sears will make it right, and I'd write the VP at Sears a big letter about how NTrack is using Sears to shovel shoddy merchandise they won't back.

[Dedicated_Dad]

No problem with Sears - they'll certainly take it back. I called and talked to the Mgr. before posting this...

Yesterday I drove ~90 minutes to the nearest "REAL" (not "mini") Sears store to check out what else they have. It's going to cost me another $70 I don't really have, but if I get what I think I will, the result will be a "cheaper" but ultimately better bike.

They have to order it no matter what, they're on sale until 1/3/09 so I'm beating the bushes until then - maybe I can find a real bargain on something used. If not, I'll call up there on Fri. and order, I'll take this one back when I go to pick that one up.

Having tried out a few of them, there's no way I'd buy from online - I definitely think I need to sit on and try them out before buying.

Unfortunately, it appears that - within my price range - they're pretty much all made by "Icon," who owns N.T. I don't really have much of an option, which REALLY ticks me off and makes me more determined to try to find something used if I can.

I would NEVER recommend purchase of "extended warranties" - they make lots of money for the seller and are often worthless to the buyer - but this is one case where I think it's a good idea. $100 for 5 years, which gets you no-hassle in-home service from Sears, including annual "PM" visits... Yeah, I know - but when they're obviously subject to wear-and-tear, and there are such obvious problems with the technology in the price range, it seems like a smart move.

So... Even if I am forced to buy an Icon product, I'll buy the cheapest possible, give the E.W. business to someone else, and tell everyone I know to stay away from N.T.

If I were working, I'd pay twice the price to avoid Icon, but right now I just can't do it...

DD