Rate and comment your LBS on alloutmtb.co.za - the hellopeter for bike shops

[akneethling]

I think it needs to be seen. I've had several bad experiences with Revolution, the last of which I took R25k worth of business to another shop. It doesn't help to just have a blind rating system. You need to be able to see why the rock or suck. Kind of like the reviews on MTBR.

 

Agreed....... However. These are not full on ratings. These are just noted BAD/Good experiences. and I feel it can help. Just as a reference point for hubbers. It can help find your favourite LBS. It may even help LBS service levels in the long run, or assist someone when they're not anywhere near their LBS, and time is of the essence, they could find a shop with a few good reviews when they're not in their "hometown".

 

Just my 2c

[grb285]

Currently service level all over SA are pathetic to say the least. We now have the power to change this.

 

Frankly, when I read statements like this, it sucks any credibility out of your venture here. First off, people have b*tched and moaned on this site about LBS before it seems. Second, your statement is baseless. There are many shops doing great work. CWC for instance. Good prices, good service. I think that HelloPeter is nothing more than an extortion racket. A clever one, but extortion. Are you going to charge shops who've been named-and-shamed to comment and clear their names? See, it's all subjective. One guy has a great time at Revolution. I didn't. Does it make them good or bad then? Aslo, how does this website feel about someone punting another site on their site? Potentially diverting traffic. Soon you'll have your own forum up there too no?

[swartpiet]

Frankly, when I read statements like this, it sucks any credibility out of your venture here. First off, people have b*tched and moaned on this site about LBS before it seems. Second, your statement is baseless. There are many shops doing great work. CWC for instance. Good prices, good service. I think that HelloPeter is nothing more than an extortion racket. A clever one, but extortion. Are you going to charge shops who've been named-and-shamed to comment and clear their names? See, it's all subjective. One guy has a great time at Revolution. I didn't. Does it make them good or bad then? Aslo, how does this website feel about someone punting another site on their site? Potentially diverting traffic. Soon you'll have your own forum up there too no?

 

Every one is allowed to have their own opinion. And so are people allowed to compliment good service and complain about bad service. All Im saying is that it would be nice to actually all of these in one place. And yes, I dont think there is one shop that will only have good ratings and customer experiences, that would maybe be possible on a perfect world.

 

Regarding you comment about me punting my web site here. I have chatted to Matt the founder of thehub and apologized for the multiple posts. In addition to that Im allowed to do posting in moderation which I will do from now on. AllOutMTB will also be advertising on here from the end of the month, and in that way financially contributing to the hub.

 

And finally. No I will not be adding forums to my site. That was never and will never be the goal of AllOutMTB. My aim is to contribute to the cycling community by using my skills (programmming) and do it because I have a passion for mountain biking.

 

So to sum it up. We have the functionality for everyone to rate their LBS. Use it dont use it. As AK said, in the long run it will help everyone, customers (they can be heard) and bike shops (get feedback on their customer experiences).

[Tumbleweed]

Currently service level all over SA are pathetic to say the least.

 

I agree with grb285. Where did you come up with this? Can you show us any research to back up this statement? What is the percentage of satisfied versus unsatisfied customers?

 

Your contention about being concerned about the cycling community seems false. Your intentions appear far from altruistic; they seem mercenary. As such, your venture lacks credibility.

[swartpiet]

Hubbers,

 

I had a few PM chats with some of the guys here regarding this initial post of mine. Firstly I want to apologize for offending anyone if I did. That was never my intention. And then regarding the initial post. I brought the message across in a totally wrong way. Especially with my statement of "Currently service level all over SA are pathetic to say the least." That was a big generalization which Tumbleweed is absolutely correct in saying I cant proof it. It came from myself and one of my friends that are really fed up ourselves after me switching to my 5th LBS because of sub standard service and my friend at his 3rd lbs. I was basically more ranting and letting my emotions getting through in my post. My dearest apologies for that.

 

There are bike shops and a lot of them, actually most of them that really deliver top class personal service and I think I might have found one. Yes they have screwed up once or twice but they have corrected it very willingly and apologized. And that is part of good service.

 

We at alloutmtb will closely monitor any bad ratings that come through. It is very easy to see if some is giving a bad rating just for the sake of it. Giving a bad rating you really need to give a good explanation of why and the circumstances. If not, the rating will be unpublished and the member contacted by email for more info before the rating will be published again.

 

Yes this will take a lot of effort and time of us but Im hoping that this will give the rating system more cred. Im also hoping for bike shops to engage with us. If they see a rating on their name that they are really not happy with it will be nice if they can contact us. Similar with good ratings. I know for a fact there will be much more good rating than bad ones.

 

If anyone has any further suggestions of how can further improve this and really put in a huge effort to make this work I would really appreciate.

 

Im really doing this with good intentions your help and support will help us a lot.

 

Thanks

[Tumbleweed]

Thanks for clearing things up with me yesterday. I appreciate the time you took.