Specialized Concept Store, Covent Garden

On the 19.05.12 my partner and I went to The Specialized Concept Store in Covent Garden to view and try their Women's Jett Expert Mountain bike.

A. Policy: The assistant told us that we would need a 10% deposit to order and to test ride the bike.

B. Policy: The next weekend a new assistant (Phil) then told us that we would need a further 50% (an additional £500) in order that my partner could test ride the bike stating that it this was a company policy. Specialized had our details for a week beforehand where they charged us 10% to order and test drive the bike, so they knew who we were.

I challenged the assistant asking why were we not told about this the week we ordered the bike. His reply was that it's company policy.

I then further asked the original assistant why he did not mention this important factor to me, the new assistant answered for him stating that in fact it was typically 100% of the cost of a particular bike. The first assistant repeated what he had heard and apologised for not mentioning such a glaring fact. The Manager appeared and then walked away with the new assistant. They had a discussion and then the Manager walked out of the shop.

When we arrived at our home we contacted the Specialized Stores in Kingston and Ruislip and enquired about ordering and testing a new Jett bike; £50 deposit and no charge for riding the bike outside of their premises. Furthermore, Evans bikes charges £50 to order a bike and 1pence for testing and Halfords do not have a deposit scheme, they let people test the bikes on their premises.

I am dark skinned, my partner is white, my question is have I experienced a non judgemental service or what I think is a racist decision.

I have now brought this bike for my partner from Evans, where the service is much more friendly and consistent no matter what you look like, and have made a FORMAL complaint about this store.