What a good bikeshop doth make?

[ChrisF]

I feel welcome already

 

maybe you would understand IF you had your own business ....   

 

 

 

PS - I do wonder just how many of the people on this thread actually DO have their own business ......  And how many more are "partners" or "associates" ....  somehow I do believe there are a fair number of business oriented persons around here.

[TAAHIRWP]

Being able to Whatsapp the workshop directly! One of the many reasons (already posted here) I frequent Ridgeway Cycles.

 

• Instant feedback while it's being worked on so there are no surprising bills.
• I can change my mind about things without having to call or go in.
• It's all in black and white afterwards so there is no you said she said.

And Droo at Stoke Suspension... watsapp friendly that is.

 

Sent from my SM-G570F using Tapatalk

[popcorn_skollie]

Most bikeshops these days feel like a supermarket.

Stoke is the only store I feel like I can visit just to vibe out. 

 

I like to look at everyone's bike that comes in there too.

Some of them belong to someone you know. 

Others may have a peculiar back story.

 

Once I popped in there for what ever reason. Started scanning the bikes on the floor.

I can't remember which bikes exactly but for the sake of the story lets say that I walked in and there was a Spitty, a Poscoe, a Bronson and somewhere towards the end of the line was a Shova. I just glanced over the first few super bikes and stopped at the Shova and said...

Ooooohhh! Droo laughed and said he knew I would stop at that one. 

He gets me. I like that. Also does a proper job of sorting my bikes. 

Oh and they have coffee now too. 

[Andrew Barkley]

maybe you would understand IF you had your own business ....   

 

 

 

PS - I do wonder just how many of the people on this thread actually DO have their own business ......  And how many more are "partners" or "associates" ....  somehow I do believe there are a fair number of business oriented persons around here.

I'm a long time self employed person and the experiences I outlined would be scandalous if they happened to my clients most of which are long standing. The lbs's I am referring to appear at the face of it to "not need my business". In the one instance I have been waiting for 2 weeks for my call to be returned after 4 messages over 3 days. I understand being busy but yoh. I am always polite and these folk of whom I speak don't even know that I'm annoyed which in itself is bonkers.

[ChrisF]

Thankfully we have enough bike shops here .... bad service and I take my money elsewhere ....

 

On Friday afternoon I was in one of the well known shops ... ready to buy .... bought on Saturday morning at another shop ....

[BaGearA]

maybe you would understand IF you had your own business ....

 

 

 

PS - I do wonder just how many of the people on this thread actually DO have their own business ...... And how many more are "partners" or "associates" .... somehow I do believe there are a fair number of business oriented persons around here.

I DON'T have my own business BUT I'm very involved in the shop I work at and thing that is very clear is that no matter how frustrated the owner is, when A customer walks in he's the nicest guy on earth.

 

Just the way you look at A customer makes A difference and hakking off like " If you had A business" certainly won't get me in your shop...

[100Tours]

My 2c worth (and I do run my own business)

 

- opening hours. I can't get to a number of shops because they only open on Saturday mornings till 1pm (I'm usually riding)

- do what you say you'll do. call me back about the parts that were not in stock, or to tell me my bike is ready (or that you couldn't find the problem). Also keep track of the work I've asked you to do - my ex-lbs once tried to explain to me that they run an 'honesty' system where they assume their staff will organise the repairs you asked for without having to write stuff down (and that's why they lost my stuff).

- have someone who shares my interests and enthusiasm. On MTB I like to ride trail - don't assume we are all about racing. I want to talk 1x10, crank arm length and mixing groupsets. And help me enjoy my bikes - maybe ask why I want stuff (for my ghetto, custom garage build), you might get to up-sell me.

- help me learn. buying stuff for cycling is part of the fun - imagine you owned a running shop..

 

in terms of buying behaviour, I have 7 bikes which I maintain myself (mostly because I don't trust my lbs's enough to hand them over - multiple bad experiences). I tend to buy frames new, but often buy components second hand (so I'm the guy looking for the Italian thread BB, bar tape, odd length stem and a pack of cables). I also buy interesting cycling clothing, socks, and coffee.

[Paul Ruinaard]

Its really simple - good service.

 

But the catch is that is whatever each one of us perceives that to be. 

 

Customers are also diverse and they cover different generations whose criteria differs.

 

Me i couldnt care less about the coffee and talking BS about funky new rigs and stuff.

 

Technical expertise matters.

 

I use Josh at Cyclists Workshop. Early on we established a brief of what i want done to my bikes

• If i take it in and i don't notice something is broke, he must fix it and whatsapp me or sms me that they are doing it.
• Dont ever return the bike with a problem on it. It drives me mental. I will pay for extra repairs. He is the expert - i want zero surprises on the trail and i want the thing to work.
• I like my bikes to be mechanically sound. Massively important for me
• I may have 57 crap ideas. Humour me, discuss the merits and we will agree a way forward. He will get the work to make the changes.
• Be honest wrt the solution and if i do decide to go a route and i don't buy the bits i need from him then he will get probably the same amount of money in services, fitting and extras from me when i am doing the upgrades because I havent thought of all the things.
• Just fix things - don't leave it to me to decide whether i need a new BB or the like - that is what his job is.

You can see that is pretty different from a lot of the other posts....

 

I would hate to know the bottom line number i have spent with him over about 6 to 8 years i have been with him....

 

[BigDL]

Its really simple - good service.

 

But the catch is that is whatever each one of us perceives that to be.

 

Customers are also diverse and they cover different generations whose criteria differs.

 

Me i couldnt care less about the coffee and talking BS about funky new rigs and stuff.

 

Technical expertise matters.

 

I use Josh at Cyclists Workshop. Early on we established a brief of what i want done to my bikes

• If i take it in and i don't notice something is broke, he must fix it and whatsapp me or sms me that they are doing it.
• Dont ever return the bike with a problem on it. It drives me mental. I will pay for extra repairs. He is the expert - i want zero surprises on the trail and i want the thing to work.
• I like my bikes to be mechanically sound. Massively important for me
• I may have 57 crap ideas. Humour me, discuss the merits and we will agree a way forward. He will get the work to make the changes.
• Be honest wrt the solution and if i do decide to go a route and i don't buy the bits i need from him then he will get probably the same amount of money in services, fitting and extras from me when i am doing the upgrades because I havent thought of all the things.
• Just fix things - don't leave it to me to decide whether i need a new BB or the like - that is what his job is.

You can see that is pretty different from a lot of the other posts....

 

I would hate to know the bottom line number i have spent with him over about 6 to 8 years i have been with him....

Like you, I am happy to pay a specialist to diagnose and fix. Don't tell me about something else wrong when I come to collect the bike. Rather tell me what else was wrong that you fixed. I trust you.

[Jase619]

You "clever" okes should try own your business of any kind before commenting

 

 

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You are just a ray of sunshine aren't you, thanks for your contribution to this thread and a few others I have come across that you have commented on, such useful insights you provide

[scotty]

New bike workshop opened in Boksburg inside Bicycle Line, guy by the name of Sean runs it. I'm usually very critical when i pay for something and it not quite right but have had no complaints and very impressed with his work. 

[Hairy]

and these two quotes show the two polar opposits

 

 

I have ONE workshop I take my bikes to - Mark's Cycle Workshop.  Obviously I TRUST them with my bike.  But there is just that something "inviting" about them and the way they do business.

 

Sadly they dont sell bikes, so I have to shop around for what I want ....

 

I am very fortunate that my work takes me all over the peninsula, so I can pop into most bikeshops at some point or another.

 

As Gravity said - some are "inviting".

 

Gecko Cycles is nice and close by, and a nice shop.  It is a smaller outlet with limited options, so I do look wider as well.

 

Cycle4Life in Paarl is another of the "inviting" stores.  I have only spoken to the owner, Danie on 4 or 5 occasions.  Bought two bikes this year from him, latest one last Saturday - after having popped into the regular spots around Bellville ....  I dont waste his time, he does not BS me, friendly, factual, and seems to have the equipment that fits my needs.

 

Specialized off Durbanroad is another of the really nice shops.  Much more so than what I expected.  Pity they are above my price range at the moment ... but who knows what tomorrow holds.  Coppi dont worry, I dont empty their coffee bar, and certainly dont waste their time.

 

 

 

 

So though I have about 5 bike shops in a 5km radius of my home and work I drive 45km one-way to buy my bikes ....  Cant put my finger on it, but Danie does "something" right.

 

 

 

A friend is looking for a dual suspension .... jip, first place we stopped was a Cycle4Life.  

MARK is, and always has been a awesome person to deal with.

[Paul Ruinaard]

maybe you would understand IF you had your own business ....   

 

 

 

PS - I do wonder just how many of the people on this thread actually DO have their own business ......  And how many more are "partners" or "associates" ....  somehow I do believe there are a fair number of business oriented persons around here.

I dont think its necessary to think like a business owner.

 

Me - I am a customer - and i also am probably quite demanding and wanting to be paid attention.

 

However you do that and my wallet opens very quickly. 

 

I hate crap service but have always been willing to pay over and above for good service.

 

I never debate an invoice or ask for discount - often buy off the rack and walk out with the bike shop asking what happened.

 

I bought a Giro MIPS and some Oakley Jawbreakers from Mellow Velo. The guy was shocked - he had never met me before but had the sizes and exactly what i wanted. Next thing he had my credit card. He did do a great job of answering and recommending some stuff to me. It was a pleasure doing the deal and spending my money. I got what i wanted and felt great and he got a great deal from me and low cost of sales. About 20 minutes and he had sold R 6k worth of goods at about 40% margin.

 

I may not be the norm but i can easily be pleased and if i am pleased i am loyal and very willing to pay for whatever I want.

 

Focus on the customer - understand his needs and problems, solve them and you will always get a sale....

[RocknRolla]

A bike shop is only as good as it's staff, and it's stock.

 

on the back of this, for that bike shop to be able to order parts from he distributor is a another matter all together.

 

Last time I tired that, the Importer referred to 2 x 10 being "old technology" that has been discontinued, and no stock is available, nor will it be ordered in future.

[Odinson]

Trying to remember the last time I stepped foot in a bike shop. 

[Patchelicious]

I dont think its necessary to think like a business owner.

 

Me - I am a customer - and i also am probably quite demanding and wanting to be paid attention.

 

However you do that and my wallet opens very quickly. 

 

I hate crap service but have always been willing to pay over and above for good service.

 

I never debate an invoice or ask for discount - often buy off the rack and walk out with the bike shop asking what happened.

 

I bought a Giro MIPS and some Oakley Jawbreakers from Mellow Velo. The guy was shocked - he had never met me before but had the sizes and exactly what i wanted. Next thing he had my credit card. He did do a great job of answering and recommending some stuff to me. It was a pleasure doing the deal and spending my money. I got what i wanted and felt great and he got a great deal from me and low cost of sales. About 20 minutes and he had sold R 6k worth of goods at about 40% margin.

 

I may not be the norm but i can easily be pleased and if i am pleased i am loyal and very willing to pay for whatever I want.

 

Focus on the customer - understand his needs and problems, solve them and you will always get a sale....

 

Those guys impress me everything I go there.

 

They open at sparrows fart on a Saturday incase cyclists needs something, they have stock, are well priced and carry a wide range on brands.

 

They are actually what you would call a text book GOOD LBS, they just a little far out for regular trips, which isn't a bad thing for my cycling budget.