Howdy folks, I'm out of California and recently purchased some goodies from one of your local recycling shops out in Akron. I'm a rider and mechanic out in sunny California and got the run-around for over three weeks from Madman Cycles which resulted in the refusal of a refund and a very bitter fellow rider out here in California who will never do business with them again. I don't support bad shops like Madman Cycles and want to warn other riders about supporting bad shops. You can choose to patronize them, picket them, or continue on with your daily lives. Maybe they're kind to locals, but they just don't give a flying f*ck about other Americans out of arm's reach. So here's my story: Madman Cycles sells parts locally and have a huge ebay selection. Their prices were pretty decent and they had a direct line which I thought was safe. We discussed a discount when the money was sent as a gift, which I later came to regret: I was a little concerned sending the money as a gift but explicitly said over the phone "as long as it gets shipped out within the next day or two, I don't need a tracking number." Over a week later I hadn't received anything. No tracking number. No package in the mail. No phone call. No text. So I called them. He said his phone was out of service and he'd have it sent out immediately. This was cutting it close as I had a supercar rally to go to and needed the parts I ordered in order to properly compete. But I'm a trusting person. Another week passed. I failed to place in the rally because I never received the parts I ordered. At this point, I didn't even need the parts anymore. It didn't matter. So I called again. Same guy picks up and I tell him off the bat I just want a refund. He proceeds to tell me how it must not have been sent out yet. It wasn't on their list of things to send out. I guess almost $300 doesn't put you on the list with Madman Cycles. That isn't pocket change, that's some serious money. I text him and tell him I want a refund. He says he "can't issue a refund". He says it's not possible. At this point it's clear he doesn't want to issue a refund. So I take a photo showing it's possible. He ignores it and responds telling me why it hasn't been shipped out and I text him again that I just want a refund. He texts me a picture of a package. I call him immediately, he doesn't pick up. I text him saying NOT TO SEND IT OUT, I DON'T WANT IT ANYMORE. He complains to me "how he had to drive an hour to get to the post office." Pardon my French, but what a scumbag. Paypal won't fight it because it was sent as a gift. I have some written drafts which I'll be sending in to Ohio's Better Business Bureau within the week to file an official complaint. So basically imagine going to a steakhouse with your lover, your motorcycle. It's a special occasion and you're willing to spend whatever it costs to make her happy. You order two of the best meals on the menu. They're going to cost you some serious dough but it doesn't matter. An hour later and you stand up to leave, the waiter runs up to you and tells you your order just went in. Another hour later you stand up to leave and ask for a refund because you had to pay in advance. The waiter refuses to give it to you. Another hour arrives and your steak arrives cold. You don't even want it anymore. You demand a refund and the waiter tells you it's already been made, you can't get a refund anymore. You demand to talk to a manager and the manager just stands there, listens to your story, doesn't say anything, and walks away. I wouldn't go back to that restaurant, would you? - Klaus
