This is in two places just because I want the regional viewers to see it as well, if they don't frequent the general forum. Do what you wish with either of them, no worries either way.
Alright, here is my *semi* short review of QuadMultiSports in Arlington, MA.
Let me preface it by explaining who I am and what situation I am in. I'm a 21 year old student who is just getting into the triathlon scene after enjoying road biking for years. I have started training and have tried many bikes, ultimately arriving at the decision to purchase a Scott Plasma.
Now as to where I am... I'm from NH but am currently located in New Zealand, studying abroad for a semester. I will be competing in two tris near the end of the summer in New England, so I was looking for a bike to greet me when I get home so that I can start getting used to riding it right away.
Alright, so now that that's out of the way, I will begin my enthralling tale of my search for an '07 Plasma. Why '07? Because of the 105 component group. Why do I love 105? Who knows, but for some reason I have an obsession with it.
I went on the Scott USA site to see where the dealers in NH/MA were located, and shot them all an e-mail inquiring whether they had the '07 52cm Scott in stock. All the retailers replied that they did not, however QuadMultiSports (to be abbreviated as QMS) told me they could order it for me directly from Scott, and it was exactly the specs I was looking for. Sweet. But it was only in 54cm, because that's all they had left. I was told by Thomas Newton (owner, I'm assuming) that a 52cm would definitely not fit me, and that I needed the 54cm. So I went to my LBS here in New Zealand and inquired about the sizing. They got me on the trainer and videocaptured my movements on the 52cm they had and said that I looked well-fitted and there would be no problem running a 52. Likewise with the 54, though I'd just be farther forward in the saddle.
So at this point, I have two decisions
NZ Shop - 52cm
QMS - 54cm
I inquire about the price, and they quote me at a price that I believed to be a bit more than the NZ shop, so I counter their offer with my own. They reply that the price they set is the lowest they will go. And then the pressuring begins. I tell them that I am going to stop in the shop here in NZ, and in response I get this
If you want the opportunity to own a Scott plasma well below retail, we except MC or Visa. You won't find a better deal anywere else. You know what they say about talking the talk. Thomas
Now this caught me a little off guard, as the last statement is a little uncalled for and just seems like a pressuring sales tactic, though a bit cryptic at the least. Whatever it was, it didn't strike the right tone.
I found out that I had in fact been misquoted at the NZ shop here, so QMS was the cheaper option by a long shot. But their tone didn't sit correctly with me and I wasn't about the give into their tactics. So I countered again, only to be completely rejected. Understandable, they don't want to sell without a gain, which I'm assuming I was probably asking them to do. It is then that I was told the model was Ultegra components, and this was the reason for the higher-than-normal price for a previous year Plasma Team. I remind you, they confirmed when I first contacted them that the bike had 105s on it.
Everything seemed shady to me, and after weighing how much I wanted to spend, I decided that since they didn't lake my not-so-lowball offer, I would just wait it out on a used one and hope for a seller with the same body dimensions as me. I sent an e-mail to QMS saying
I'll wait around for a used one and get fitted at my LBS. Thanks.
That is an exact quote. I was in no way rude to them, just expressing my desire to wait it out and get fitted at my LBS back in NH when I get home. After all I don't need it for another 2.5 months...
Oh but here's the good part! This is the response I get to the previously quoted message!
I would wait for a used one too. They always fit better when the seat post is cut to someone else's measurements. Maybe your LBS can glue a piece back on for you. I know it worked on my plasma. Your fos lbs can probably work wonders us mere mortals can't.
Wow. Simply, wow. This is the type of response I would expect from a middle schooler, not a serious business. It's as if they realized that they weren't going to get the sale so decided to take a jab at me instead.
Sure, I'm no pro triathlete. No, I don't have an unlimited amount of spending money, and yes I am looking for the best deal I can get. But in no way whatsoever does this give a bike shop a reason to treat me, a potential customer, with so much blatant disrespect and sarcasm. I was absolutely floored by their childish response. Never again will I even consider purchasing an item from QuadMultiSports, and I will go out of my way to make sure everyone knows about this negative experience. It's a shame that multi-sport shops like this one have to act in such an immature manner. It's hard enough to find a dedicated Tri store.
Alright, here is my *semi* short review of QuadMultiSports in Arlington, MA.
Let me preface it by explaining who I am and what situation I am in. I'm a 21 year old student who is just getting into the triathlon scene after enjoying road biking for years. I have started training and have tried many bikes, ultimately arriving at the decision to purchase a Scott Plasma.
Now as to where I am... I'm from NH but am currently located in New Zealand, studying abroad for a semester. I will be competing in two tris near the end of the summer in New England, so I was looking for a bike to greet me when I get home so that I can start getting used to riding it right away.
Alright, so now that that's out of the way, I will begin my enthralling tale of my search for an '07 Plasma. Why '07? Because of the 105 component group. Why do I love 105? Who knows, but for some reason I have an obsession with it.
I went on the Scott USA site to see where the dealers in NH/MA were located, and shot them all an e-mail inquiring whether they had the '07 52cm Scott in stock. All the retailers replied that they did not, however QuadMultiSports (to be abbreviated as QMS) told me they could order it for me directly from Scott, and it was exactly the specs I was looking for. Sweet. But it was only in 54cm, because that's all they had left. I was told by Thomas Newton (owner, I'm assuming) that a 52cm would definitely not fit me, and that I needed the 54cm. So I went to my LBS here in New Zealand and inquired about the sizing. They got me on the trainer and videocaptured my movements on the 52cm they had and said that I looked well-fitted and there would be no problem running a 52. Likewise with the 54, though I'd just be farther forward in the saddle.
So at this point, I have two decisions
NZ Shop - 52cm
QMS - 54cm
I inquire about the price, and they quote me at a price that I believed to be a bit more than the NZ shop, so I counter their offer with my own. They reply that the price they set is the lowest they will go. And then the pressuring begins. I tell them that I am going to stop in the shop here in NZ, and in response I get this
If you want the opportunity to own a Scott plasma well below retail, we except MC or Visa. You won't find a better deal anywere else. You know what they say about talking the talk. Thomas
Now this caught me a little off guard, as the last statement is a little uncalled for and just seems like a pressuring sales tactic, though a bit cryptic at the least. Whatever it was, it didn't strike the right tone.
I found out that I had in fact been misquoted at the NZ shop here, so QMS was the cheaper option by a long shot. But their tone didn't sit correctly with me and I wasn't about the give into their tactics. So I countered again, only to be completely rejected. Understandable, they don't want to sell without a gain, which I'm assuming I was probably asking them to do. It is then that I was told the model was Ultegra components, and this was the reason for the higher-than-normal price for a previous year Plasma Team. I remind you, they confirmed when I first contacted them that the bike had 105s on it.
Everything seemed shady to me, and after weighing how much I wanted to spend, I decided that since they didn't lake my not-so-lowball offer, I would just wait it out on a used one and hope for a seller with the same body dimensions as me. I sent an e-mail to QMS saying
I'll wait around for a used one and get fitted at my LBS. Thanks.
That is an exact quote. I was in no way rude to them, just expressing my desire to wait it out and get fitted at my LBS back in NH when I get home. After all I don't need it for another 2.5 months...
Oh but here's the good part! This is the response I get to the previously quoted message!
I would wait for a used one too. They always fit better when the seat post is cut to someone else's measurements. Maybe your LBS can glue a piece back on for you. I know it worked on my plasma. Your fos lbs can probably work wonders us mere mortals can't.
Wow. Simply, wow. This is the type of response I would expect from a middle schooler, not a serious business. It's as if they realized that they weren't going to get the sale so decided to take a jab at me instead.
Sure, I'm no pro triathlete. No, I don't have an unlimited amount of spending money, and yes I am looking for the best deal I can get. But in no way whatsoever does this give a bike shop a reason to treat me, a potential customer, with so much blatant disrespect and sarcasm. I was absolutely floored by their childish response. Never again will I even consider purchasing an item from QuadMultiSports, and I will go out of my way to make sure everyone knows about this negative experience. It's a shame that multi-sport shops like this one have to act in such an immature manner. It's hard enough to find a dedicated Tri store.