Kmart Bike Refund - Need Advice

LVctokyo on 17/07/2021 - 21:12
Last edited 17/07/2021 - 21:43 by 1 other user

Hi folks - wondering if I can get some kind advice.

I bought a bike for my son at Kmart recently and got them to assemble it. My son rode it once down the driveway and said he couldn't shift the gears cause it was too stiff. The bike was also a bit too big for him and he struggled getting on the seat. I tried the handled gear shift and sure enough it was difficult even for adults to manoeuvre.

Went back to Kmart today to return the bike - 7 days after picking it up. However they couldn't give me the refund on the spot. They said it's store policy to check the bike first for any issues. He also added that if they don't find anything wrong with the bike then I can't get a refund.

I didn't understand why. If my son can't shift the gears cause Kmart bikes are of lower quality then shouldn't they offer the refund?

Much appreciated for any kind advice.

Related Stores

Kmart

• 

  JimmyF on 17/07/2021 - 21:20

  +1

  I didnt understand why. If my son can't shift the gears cause kmart bikes are of lower quality then shouldn't they offer the refund?

  Err isn't that what they said?

  However they couldn't give me the refund on the spot. They said it's store policy to check the bike first for any issues.

  Let them check the bike and if what you are saying is 'true' about the shifter, then there won't be a problem with the refund.

  If the bike is too big, then that is a change of mind refund. Your son will grow into it shortly :)

• 

  SF3 on 17/07/2021 - 21:20

  +4

  Did you try WD40 first?

• 

  Lichen6420 on 17/07/2021 - 21:22

  -7

  So Kmart sells bikes now?

  • 

    WreckTangle on 17/07/2021 - 22:47

    +4

    You ever been into a Kmart?

• 

  iamherenow on 17/07/2021 - 21:23

  +6

  I'd expect the quality would be comparable to the display model. Quality doesn't suddenly increase once you get it home.

  • 

    markathome on 18/07/2021 - 00:45

    But in fairness it's very hard to assess the quality of a bike inside a Kmart - even if you're willing to risk a few customers by doing a few laps of the shop's aisles. I bought one thinking how bad could they be? The answer, it turns out, is very bad.

    Good luck with your refund Vctoyko - I have a feeling you'll get it and, based on my experience, you deserve it.

  • 

    Allwentmarching on 31/07/2021 - 18:35

    Quite often there isnt a display model. Its reasonable to expect gears to shift even on a low quality bike. But perhaps its something they can fix on the spot by adjusting.

• 

  spackbace on 17/07/2021 - 21:49

  +8

  The bike was also a bit too big for him and he struggled getting on the seat.

  That's a you problem, not a kmart problem…

  • 

    Vctokyo on 18/07/2021 - 03:42

    -2

    There wasn't the display bike there available for him to ride. We took the risk to pay first and for them to assemble. When I picked up the bike my son wasn't there. I'll know next time to bring him.

• 

  [Deactivated] on 17/07/2021 - 21:52

  +6

  You know that kids grow and bike gears need to be tuned, right?

  There is nothing wrong with the bike, you've just had a change of mind. Kmart is within their rights. Also, don't buy bikes at Kmart.

• 

  FoxJump on 17/07/2021 - 22:25

  +1

  I bought a Kmart bike for adults once. The brakes were terrible. They didn't stop me selling the bike on gumtree either. Good riddance

• 

  MS Paint on 17/07/2021 - 22:34

  +1

  Gears and brakes need adjusting on a regular basis even after you get it sorted. This will be an ongoing issue.

• 

  AndyC1 on 17/07/2021 - 23:05

  If it was a twister mechanism then they are very hard for kids to twist. For kids better to have a lever type gear changer.

  In future if you cannot see the lever then it's a twister. Check out gumtree for kids bikes as they are allot cheaper than kmart. The other option is to check out bikes being thrown out in front of places and see if they work and are about the right size for your son, even cheaper.

• 

  brotherfranciz on 17/07/2021 - 23:10

  You should be fine based on their return policy.

  I hope you learnt your lesson about buying cheapass bikes from these retailers. Also, another tip is to bring your kid along for the bike fit. Otherwise, learn how to adjust the saddle height and fore/aft position (if these bikes are 'normal', hex keys are all you need).

  • 

    Antares on 17/07/2021 - 23:30

    The item is in re-saleable condition, meaning that:

    • It is in its original packaging, including instruction manuals and all accessories; and

    • It is unworn, unused, unassembled and in its original condition; and

    I don't think he's within their return policy at all.

• 

  Cheeper on 18/07/2021 - 00:57

  +1

  K Mart bikes are about the worst quality you could choose. They're very heavy cheap steel frame with poor quality components. Big W are about the same.
  It is better to buy a used quality bike instead.
  Hope you get a refund as they are junk.
  Lesson learned if you don't so not all is lost.

• 

  yellowfever on 18/07/2021 - 12:31

  I had a few Kmart bikes when I was a kid. The excitement of getting a new bike quickly faded in a few days. However I learnt to fix it myself. Got it going but it was still a piece of junk riding around in it.
  My other friends had cool Mongoose bikes. It rode like a train on rails.
  My parents didn't want to spend alot for my bike. I don't blame them but I wouldn't do the same for my kids.

  I wouldn't want kids trying to fix their own Kmart bike these days.
  It was rubbish 25 years ago and it is still rubbish now.

• 

  10khours on 25/09/2021 - 09:54

  If you want cheap bikes get it from Decathlon where they are actually good quality. They also have a bike mechanic in store who can fix any issues that come up.

  Never buy Kmart bikes, it's just not worth it.

• 

  Vctokyo on 16/11/2021 - 18:00

  Finally got my refund. So much for all the troll comments. Lessons learnt for next time. Don't buy a bike from kmart. Go. For quality.