LAGUNA HILLS, CA (BRAIN)—Jon Scott, the owner of an online directory that serves the industry, invites any retailer who is unhappy with his company’s product to call him directly to voice their concerns.
“I promise they will get a returned call promptly. If anybody has an issue about spending some money they wish they didn’t, call us back we’ll refund you,” Scott said.
This week, a handful of dealers complained that Scott’s company, www.bicycledata.com, took unauthorized withdrawals of $294 from their accounts; however, Scott explained on Wednesday that customers are only charged if they do not cancel a promotional deal before the 30-day trial period is up.
Bicycle Data is a free online listing of bicycle retailers available to the industry and consumers. For $49 a month, retailers can step up their profile on the Web site to include a map to their shop, a link to the shop’s Web site and a description of what the shop offers.
As part of a marketing promotion, Bicycle Data sent packages to bike retailers advertising those enhanced services. If retailers cashed a $30 check from Bicycle Data, they were essentially agreeing to the trial period, and if they didn’t cancel before that trial period was up, they were charged a $294 fee for the program.
Scott admits his company markets aggressively, but said he has no interest in taking money from people who don’t want to give it.
“This is not a contest of who’s right and who’s wrong. Ultimately if somebody’s not happy, make them happy. I don’t want unhappy people out there,” he said.
Scott said the number of retailers who were upset over being charged were a relative few compared to the hundreds that either kept the service or canceled before the trial period was up.
Bicycle data can be reached at (530) 343-8894 or info@bicycledata.com.
—Nicole Formosa
