I recently had a horrible experience at a local business and I have a feeling that it has happened to many citizens of Kalamazoo and the surrounding area. It is only right that I share this experience with the community so that no one else has to be discriminated against like I was.
Friday June 6th I stopped in at Alfred E. Bike 320 E. Michigan Kalamazoo, MI 49007 to find out how much it would cost to get a new chain and two new tubes put on my bike. The man I spoke with was approachable, but not friendly, and he said if I brought my bike in they could probably have it done in one day. I have since found out that the man I spoke with was the owner, Doug Stevenson. I brought my bike in on Tuesday June 10th and we discussed the cost of the repairs needed. I told him I wanted a new chain mounted and I provided him with two tubes (I had purchased elsewhere) to be put on the wheels as well. I told him I did not want to spend more than $50.00 because it was an older bike and he went from being approachable to irritating knew I was not going to spend a fortune on my 1995 Huffy five speed. He went on to say "I just don't understand why people bring their old bikes in for a tune ups." I thought it was an odd comment to make when I was about to pay him to fix my bike and I should have said never mind right then, but I left the bike with him anyway. He said that the bike should be ready to go before the weekend, which didn't make much sense to me since he had told me before it could be done in one day.
The weekend passed without a phone call from the bike shop and finally Tuesday the 17th (a whole week after I dropped it off) I called them to see if it was done. The man I spoke with said that it was not done, but that it was next in line and should be done that day or the next. He also said he would call when it was finished. Wednesday went by, then Thursday, then the weekend. On Monday June 23rd, almost two whole weeks after I dropped off my bike, I went back to the shop to see if my bike was complete. I showed an employee my slip so he could check on my bike and when he came back he was noticeably uneasy when he told me that it was not done, but that it was "next in line". My ears got a little red I'm sure and I admit that I was upset, but I kept my cool as I told them that I wanted my bike back because I did not feel like they appreciated my business. The owner must have heard me because he stopped what he was doing and said I'll get it for him. I thought at this point he was going to try to salvage this broken relationship, but instead he grabs my tubes, sets them in front of me, picks up my bike, two tires, two rims (that were separated from the bike) takes it all outside and drops the bike on the concrete sidewalk. At this point I am getting more upset, but still reserved. I told him in a calm, but stern voice, "This is no way to do business and if I ever need a new bike I will not be coming here." Without ever looking me in the eye or saying a word he tossed my tires and rims on top of my bike and walked right back into the store. There was no apology or concern for if he may have damaged my bike or the rims. I then had to lug my bike and all of the parts 3 blocks to my car all the way in disbelief of what had just happened.
I strongly believe that I was mistreated solely because I was not spending enough money for them to care. I did not see any signs that stated there was a minimum charge, but if they would have told me they could not take my bike I would have said, "OK" and taken it elsewhere. I think that this was a violation of my civil rights because he discriminated based on economical status. I am interested to know how many people this man and his business have disrespected and discriminated against. I would like to prevent it, if possible, from happening to other citizens of Kalamazoo and it only seems fair to let others know so that they can make a choice not to be treated unjustly.
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