Why I won't be buying a new kayak from Adventure Sports Kayak City

Bummer. But your post was very thoughtful and informative, so I fully appreciate it...independent of how I feel about Kayak City (my lone experience was when it was on Watt and it was a bad one too).

quoted in case someone in the food chain there reads this thread - this was my one and only experience there also.

I have done some business there.  Jed used to be a salesman there before he went to Oakley.  Call him up and tell him about your experience in Sac.  I'm sure he would make it worth your while to make the trip to Oakley and maybe get the Sac guys squared away while he's at it.

That is worth considering, but I got the feeling that the older middle-age dude was senior management. And now if I wanted to spend money with them, I am put in the place of having to research to make sure that I am NOT giving one dime to the rude guy...

I thought of the same thing, but still wouldn't hurt getting an idea of who they were before assuming the old dude was senior management. Call Jed and get some insight

JR

I can honestly say that I feel for you. I too bought a kayak there and I live 300 miles away!! Was quoted a great shipping price from the day prior by a young salesman, Jason?....Jared?....can't quite remember, but he was nice and friendly. Next day I call and speak to his boss???  not sure, and was told that I could not get that shipping price. I mentioned that I was quoted the day before and that he should ask the salesman. He said he wasn't in that day and several times he wrote up the costs and tried, it seemed, to slip in the higher shipping cost. I called him on it at least 3 times before he griped and finally made it right. He then tells me that the salesman was going to be punished for that.....Like I needed to hear that. Not very professional to whine to a customer......Nonetheless, we all get frustrated at one time or another with our daily jobs and are a little rough to some undeserving others. I would give him the benefit of a doubt and explain to him how you felt and I bet he treats you with a little more respect. If not, then at least you will have peace of mind and were the better man. Good luck and I hope this works out for everyones' sake. sake.

When I bought my wife her kayak at Adventure Sports in Sacramento our experience wasn't very welcoming. We decided to go to California Canoe & Kayak the next day. CC&K didn't have what we wanted so we went back to Adventure Sports and they guys working where shocked to see us back and they where super helpful this time around and even nocked off $50 for us.

IDK why the 2nd time around for us went the way it did. Maybe when we first arrived they had a lot of orders or products to get out on display? Maybe people had their reviews? Maybe the shop had to let some people go until the sales get up?

I have been back to Adventure Sports 4 different times after buying the wife's kayak for advice on DIY mods or to get ideas and the staff has always been very helpful and kind to me/us

Bummer! I had a similar experience with one of the top dudes @ the El Camino location asking me  to verify a Craigslist ad they had placed. I actually had to pull it up on my iPhone to prove it. He ended up honoring the price, but made me feel uncomfortable trying to prove the ad I saw. Thank goodness for smart phones.

If you know what your looking for and know a good price, then I think you can handle the lack of professionalism and just power thru the purchase. (After purchase customer care will probably stink so the price better be awesome!) That being said...if I find another shop with great customer service, I'll pay more and be happy to do it.

I don't get it at all....

Everytime in been in there they have been awesome. Everytime I call they are professional and polite.

Jon who I've dealt with in there is an awesome dude.
Hearing these stories almost makes me think we are talking a out completely different stores.

I think they have a bad apple or 2 on their staff. So everyone dosent get treated the same.

Another vote here for a very smooth experience with the Oakley store.

Owner Carl occasionally posts on the board......I know him and his brother for years, both great guys in the context of my dealings with them.

maybe PM bigbreakangler - or check his posts, he has included his phone # on a recent post.  i'm sure he'd like to hear constructive criticism and especially the complimentary remarks about his guy in Oakley.

Bushy

I have never been there, but there is a member selling a Jackson ( in the Classifieds). It is a great deal on a great yak. BTW, I don't even know the guy selling it .

maybe PM bigbreakangler - or check his posts, he has included his phone # on a recent post.  i'm sure he'd like to hear constructive criticism and especially the complimentary remarks about his guy in Oakley.
Bushy

Done. Thank you for the suggestion!

I have never been there, but there is a member selling a Jackson ( in the Classifieds). It is a great deal on a great yak. BTW, I don't even know the guy selling it .

Yup, I did sell my 160, I got kayak-cash in my pocket, there are TWO Cuda's in the classifieds, and I have paddled one of them personally... BUT I got my head set on a Ride 135, with camo for hunting quackers and a rudder for being lazy with the paddle...

Have you seen Victor's wife kayak that she won last October? it is camo,  looks great and they just lowered to $1,350 no tax.
it has not been on the water yet.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=48047.0

i am glad you are gettign something that wont fit through the port gate slats so you wont get submerged again(teehee)

Awwwwww!! (I actually have tears in my eyes laughing at that comment!)

hey if anything... lesson learned. i may have been in the same "boat" of i didnt have my wheelies straped down and protruding off the back of my rig. mad the but end much taller/. man that got sketchy really quickly though. i just didnt want you to start taking on water...