How to suggest to your LBS to clean-up - literally?

[CogitoErgoSum]

Hi. This is not as much of a rant - more just frustration. How can one go about suggesting to your LBS to clean-up and organise the shop? The LBS closest to me stock the newest Scott and Silverback bikes (among others), but the place is a mess. You constantly stumble over unpacked boxes of goods received. Very few items are priced. Spare parts are gathering dust behind the counter. The counter is disorganised with manuals/brochures/magazines/more smaller boxes lying all over. There is no clear signage up regarding shoes/clothing/socks/helmets/tyres.Old stock are not cleared for sale/special deals to make way for new stock.

 

Its just damn frustrating that one know the place can do so much better (financially) if the place is organised and clean. It is difficult enough to do business in the current financial climate.

Edited February 10, 2014 by cjlieben

[Guest Latent Blue]

Tell him... his choice to listen. Your choice if you wish to go back

[F111]

I must agree the LBS in my area is a mess you cannot find anything the sales assistants is in the same boat

[Maniax]

Just buy the place and show him how to run an LBS...

[Gandalf]

Hi. This is not as much of a rant - more just frustration. How can one go about suggesting to your LBS to clean-up and organise the shop? The LBS closest to me stock the newest Scott and Silverback bikes (among others), but the place is a mess. You constantly stumble over unpacked boxes of goods received. Very few items are priced. Spare parts are gathering dust behind the counter. The counter is disorganised with manuals/brochures/magazines/more smaller boxes lying all over. There is no clear signage up regarding shoes/clothing/socks/helmets/tyres.Old stock are not cleared for sale/special deals to make way for new stock.

 

Its just damn frustrating that one know the place can do so much better (financially) if the place is organised and clean. It is difficult enough to do business in the current financial climate.

 

I'm pretty sure I know which lbs you are talking about, and yes that place needs a THOROUGH CLEANINIG. and organising. but he there is a good client base that are already used to it, I have spoken to many people who go there and cocntinue to go there because they are used to it.

 

I just want to walk in there, put on a bio hazard suit and get cleaning.

 

How to tell them, well i think you will need to be blunt, just be straight forward with the owner. that is the only way it is going to stick.

[Porra 1]

Why not type your frustration out in a letter and just slip it under the door of the shop one morning. I know you will be helping him out cause some times owners gust get to comfortable and don't realize there I a problem . I have shops and believe me we become shop blind .

[Porra 1]

Or tell him to go onto the Hub and read the comments about his shop that should open his eyes

[jagwil]

Just tell him.

[Lone_Ranger]

If u in Cape Town I know this LBS. Some good deals, but it's a real circus. The Silverback / Scott comment gives it away. In fairness, the shop is not the biggest in the world, so it's always going to be a bit cluttered.

[CogitoErgoSum]

If u in Cape Town I know this LBS. Some good deals, but it's a real circus. The Silverback / Scott comment gives it away. In fairness, the shop is not the biggest in the world, so it's always going to be a bit cluttered.

 

No, unfortunately I am not in Dopey Town (LOL). I am in Pretoria. Then again, apparently it is a trend among the smaller LBS to be in disarray and a total mess. If the smaller LBS wants to compete against the bigger guys (CycleLab, Morningside, ...), shouldn't they also focus on setting out a professional brand (image)? Sound advise and service are sometimes lost in a shop that is disorganised.

[Cellar]

Go on, tells us the name of the shop. I wanna go see just how messy it is. I mean in comparison to Mean Machine...

[Nismo]

I think I know the shop, if it is in Centurion it definitely is the shop I'm thinking about.

[Cellar]

Someone give a name. Please.

[Beesrib]

the lbs I used have got the same problem. it is an absolute mess. I have wasted so much time there, and even wanted a build on a bike done, but after a month we had to search for the box with all the spares. I told the owner this is not good for his business, he got agro, so I took my business away. will not recommend or use that shop any more.

 

if a guy cannot take pride in his shop and at least have a clean entrance, then I don't know. but it is my choice to use that shop or not.

[VicanZA]

It's the new cycle lab mega store in fourways? I keep tripping over sales people...hate the place, makes MTB feel corporate.

[DJR]

You sound like a good organizer. Make him an offer he cannot refuse to organize the place for him once and for all for a decent one off cost. If he lets it go again, you can make some more money again from re-organizing. Or suggest you do it for 50% of the sale price of all the old cluttered stuff that you will put on sale to clear out. Lots of business opportunity here. If the owner is an arse, then nothing will work though.