M3NACE Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 Really in this day and age people still play the race card!!! I am a person of color, I have had similar experiences, but I don't go around grumbling about how I got sh!tty service because my skin color is 8 times darker then the next person. move on get over this race BS!! its getting old, and just accept that the service in SA is SH!TTY everywhere!!
hayleyearth Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 I find this everywhere (bike shops, car purchases and house viewings, etc)....gender, physical size and age apearance (they think I am much younger than what I am)...they all are judged when it comes to how much one knows and how much money you have.
brucem76 Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 The most negative experience for me is walking into a bike shop, and there's a group congregated around the counter - some staff, and some their tjommies - you can't distinguish. But they notice you come in, and nobody breaks from the group chitchat, they leave you to have to come over and ask. I often walk out long before being helped, and there are a few shops I'll never go back to, because its always like that.
Surv0MTB Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 Eddy Gordo - I am a white male, 196cm tall, generally decently dressed and dont usually walk into a bike shop without something in mind to buy. I am also greeted with the same lack of service, from multiple places that dont know me personally. This is not a racial matter, it is a **** service agent issue or staffing problem that may relate into management problems but it definitely is not racial. I cannot tell you how many times ive walked into a store only to walk out again after nobody even bothered to look up etc. This service issue actually exists the country over, and probably comes from the ethos that the customer needs us more than we need the customer. Many people will stick around and force somebody to help them, ending in purchases and this probably exacerbates the problem even more.
Escapee.. Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 This thread is useless without the names of the bike shops. Bad service is bad service, doesn't matter how you look. Service in SA sucks, Bikes Shops, Car dealerships actually any Retail store. So don't take everything so personally and rather name and shame so people either don't shop there or the shop owners take notice and do something about it.
karlito Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 My Advice: Pick a shop or two you like and get to know one or two guys there. Go for a club ride very now and then. Then when you walk in they will recognize you and give you better service. This is unfortunate but at least it is a solution. Also very good to chat to the mechanics. When you pick up your bike ask to talk to the guy who worked on your bike and ask some questions, make the guy feel like his knowledge and skill is something you really value, you will always get better service from then on cause he will remember your bike.
LazyTrailRider Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 I'm lily white, average height, average weight. I often go into shops and get *** service ~ it has NOTHING to do with who you are, and everything to do with general slack service in SA . Yip. I recently received really crappy service from a car dealership where the majority of staffers are muslim (it's in Claremont, so it's to be expected). After 3 visits, I dealt with a white "service advisor". Did the service improve? Nope. I then moved to another dealership in Century City, where lo and behold, the service was excellent. Guess what race the person I dealt with was? You guessed it, muslim. See any correlation? Neither do I.
fabes Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 Eddy to be honest you sound like you full of ****.
Pure Savage Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 Numbers mean nothing, if your post is intended to help others and the Hub community then unless you have spray painted the numbers on the windows of the shops we will never know which one is which. I moved house to get closer to Crown cycles in Southern Suburbs Also I would hate to own a bike shop, everyone you befriend as a customer will at some point probably always ask for the "best price"
Guest notmyname Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 This thread is useless without the names of the bike shops. Bad service is bad service, doesn't matter how you look. Service in SA sucks, Bikes Shops, Car dealerships actually any Retail store. So don't take everything so personally and rather name and shame so people either don't shop there or the shop owners take notice and do something about it.Right on. A spade is a spade.
fabes Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 Service in SA sucks, Bikes Shops, Car dealerships actually any Retail store. So what line of work are you in?
Eddy Gordo Posted January 15, 2015 Author Posted January 15, 2015 ok, cool, good points there.I have to admit, from my racial experiences as an 8 year old until now. Yes dont play the race card etc. But when have been exposed and experienced what its like when people openly tell you whites only etc you learn to recognise. Also I am on the border of the last generation that can say they have fully experienced full on racism!! So ja maybe I am being a bit oversensitive. I am also not the kind of person that would admit that a person is showing racist behaviour. But at times ones blood boils. So I sincerely apologise on my poor form to everyone. I also agree it is most likely a matter of class, the way I was dressed and basically judging a book by its cover. Maybe its also a chip on the shoulder of the staff. Well anyway, think I will edit out the cause I am black part etc, and then email this link off to all the LBS concerned what you guys think? So for those of you who want me to name, I will name the ones I like, email off the link and let the other stores decide what they want to do. 1: Revolution Cycles,Stirling Jnr and Snr always lekker chaps friendly to deal with and always willing to help and give some technical input. 2. Crown Cycles For me probably the nicest place to go to, always friendly and great mechanic. 5. Stoke Suspension - Only been in there about 6 times from Nov to Dec, and the Andrews are nice guys. Very talkative, will even chat to you while busy building wheels, dismantling a fork etc. 6. BMC - I have bought some stuff had a few services done here. These guys are always ready to help, call you back and see to your needs. Much like the others above. 7. City Cycles - I have known them from when they used to be in Cape Town. Friendly guys and always wanting to help there customers 9. Cycle Teknix in Kenilworth - was only my second time in there and just wow. Pity they have a small selection of spares. 10. Evo Bikes - I only dealt via email, and received timely responses. Went to collect and even though they were extremely busy I was acknowledged and someone from the workshop left the bike to help me. 11. Zion Bike - Bibi/ Brenton always ready to answer my emails no matter how arb they seem. Have also had some nice discussions via email Well these are my opinions and my experiences and surely they are different for everyone. So for those of you who claim I am touchy, full of *** nicely done, you will never experience being told you are not white!!! No Ka****S, being sworn out, getting thrown into a police van cause you walking in the street etc, for most of you childhood.
Bankie99 Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 I visit CWC tygervalley for apparel, nutrition and general sale items I may need. I also receive great service and when browsing in the shop the sales staff will regularly ask if I need assistance but I only deal with 2 or 3 of the guys that know me by name already. I am not the biggest fan of their workshop tho. For all my bike maintenance issues I use Lourens and Charlie(moved to Dubai late last year) at Cycle Centre in Durban Rd. Again they know me by name and they will always give me great advice and fantastic service. Lourens will always give me different options on parts and his personal opinion and recommendations. He will even offer me 2nd hand parts to save me some money if I cannot afford new items at the time. I love same day service and that is what I get from Lourens. Drop bike in the morning on my way to work and get it back on my way home. I have referred all my buddies to him and they always call me back to thank me for referring them to Cycle centre as they received great service and prices. I have used quite a few different shops and 1 of the worst has to be City cycles in Canal walk. My wife bought her MTB from them as they had the best deal on that bike and it was due for its 1st checkup. The bike was booked in and we were told that it would be ready in 7 days I then asked them why only in 7 days as we cycle almost every 2nd day. I then booked in the bike as it was a free service and low and behold it took them 7 days but I have never been back to them since for a service
Odinson Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 Eddy Gordo, not everything is about race. Moreover, racism is not defined as white people's disdain/hatred for non-white people. Unless any of the store staff explicitly told you that you're not welcome or won't be helped because of your skin colour, then you can't blame the service experiences on race. Edit: I get shitty service in almost every second store I go to - it's just the way it is. It also depends on where you are. Living in Jhb, the general service level is relatively good, but go to smaller towns in KZN and you want to blow a gasket every time you step foot in a store or restaurant. I've never in my life experienced good service and though to myself "It must be because I'm white". Doesn't happen, boet. You're going to always experience good, average and crap service, notwithstanding who you are.
Eddy Gordo Posted January 15, 2015 Author Posted January 15, 2015 Eddy to be honest you sound like you full of ****. Isnt it my right to be?? As a customer and I am not a difficult one, I would like some service in terms of Hallo how are you, Is there anything specific you need or How can we help? Thats all I need
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